One of my favorite quotes of all time is:

“Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls aren’t there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show us how badly we want things…the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough!”

– Randy Pausch

I’ve had it posted toward the bottom of this blog for a long while… I have it posted very clearly at the top of my Internet Marketing Forum and I mention it every chance I get, for good reason.

It carries what I believe to be one of the most important and meaningful lessons anyone can learn in business and life in general. Those “brick walls” are failure and we all fail from time to time.

For me, when applying it to my online business it serves as a reminder that not all sites, products and even blog posts are going to be a success. It reminds me that it’s ok when something I do doesn’t turn out to be as good as I had hoped… or even when something just completely FAILS!

I see this as the #1 reason so many people give up on their Internet Marketing Business. They spend alot of time and often alot of money in learning. They finally take action and they make little to no money. They hit a wall, lose confidence and quit. But in reality they didn’t fail, they just learned a lesson. Doing THAT didn’t make them any money, so they now know one way NOT to do it.

Another one of my favorite quotes is:

Failure defeats losers. Failure inspires winners. – Robert T. Kiyosaki

That’s a quote I often think about when I come across a “wall.” Is this failure going to defeat me or inspire me? So when you’re faced with a wall, will it inspire you or defeat you? I know what it will do for me!

Several months back I sent out a survey to my list with several different questions. The survey was a huge success with thousands of answers. One of those questions was very general “In one sentence, what is the #1 thing you need help with.” Many of the responses were exactly what I expected. Things like “traffic, building links and SEO” but surprisingly, many people left answers like “organization, motivation and staying focused.”

Obviously organization, motivation and staying focuses are important, but I had no idea so many people struggled with these issues. Well, the good news is that I have struggled with these issues in the 5 years I’ve been marketing online as well and I’ve found ways to overcome them.

I’ve developed a list of 7 things you can do to avoid disorganization, demotivation (if that’s even a word) and a lack of focus. However, in regards to motivation, everyone is different. That’s something I learned in the Army as a Section Chief. What motivates one Soldier very rarely motivates the next. The following are things that have helped me, personally. Take them with a grain of salt, but also take them all into consideration!

1. Prevent information overload – Yes, it’s preventable. Believe it or not. This may very well be the most common problem among Internet Marketers who haven’t found success with their business yet. The solution is very simple once you understand the various Internet Marketing models, so you know what to ignore and what to pay attention to. Pick ONE business model, two at the most, take action and STICK WITH IT!

Of course there are two other things you have to work out; 1. actually getting to the point where you do understand the various business models and 2. finding a model that is worth your time and that you know for a fact is profitable.

Understanding the different models, unfortunately, is just something that comes with time. Read blogs, forums etc. and eventually you will know what’s what. Finding a model that is worth pursuing is all about finding someone who 1. is honest and credible and 2. who provides info on the model that they profit from. (ahem, like my Info-Product Success Formula) Finding these people is all about filtering. Does this person have any exposure ie. comments on blog posts, website rankings, popular sites, products or services? Do they have a good reputation in forumes and with their peers? etc. Do they seem honest and sincere or do they just want your money? Keep in mind, we all do this to make money, but some also truly enjoy helping people at the same time.

2. Stay caught up – Common sense, right? It is, but I know for me at times, there are things that I really could be caught up with (like email) but I let it build up at times. When I’m behind on things I lose motivation to do other things. I can’t explain why (I’m not a Phycologist, but I know it’s true.) Once I get things caught up my mind is clearer and I’m more motivated to keep up the momentum and get even more done.

3. Keep a to-do list – This is huge, unless you have a killer memory. I keep a notepad document on my work computer desktop where I add everything, big or small, that I want to accomplish in the near future. Everything from big products I want to get going and sites I want to create to reminders to pay affiliates and blog post ideas. I also use an iGoogle “gadget” called “ToDo” where I’ll add things that pop into my head when I’m not at my work computer. So as long as I have Internet access, I can login to iGoogle and add it to that gadget, then when I’m back at my work computer I can transfer things from that to my notepad doc. Once I finish something up I open the notepad doc and start on the next thing. Throughout the day when other ideas pop up, I open the doc and add it to the to-do list.

4. Eliminate distractions – For the first year, maybe even two, of my online business, I sat on my couch in front of the TV with my laptop. I had casual conversations with my Wife, watched TV, munched on snacks and worked all at the same time. It was great, but there was only one problem. It was STUPID! I got about 25% of the work done that I could have done if I had a computer desk, chair and a quiet room. I now work in my office with a 3-monitor extended desktop with a locked door during the day. When I’m off work, on the couch with my laptop and I try to do anything that requires much thought I’m amazed that I “worked” like that for so long. I get SO much more work done now!

Also, your work space should not contain anything that isn’t directly related to work. When you have non-work related items on your desk or in your work area it creates temptation.

5. Thrive on previous successes – If you’re constantly doubting yourself you will never succeed! I don’t care if your only success is a 12 cent adsense click, it’s still a success! You did something that generated money. Now you KNOW that you possess the ability to duplicate it! If you concentrate on failure then you will be a failure! Concentrate on successes, acknowledge failure and learn from it, but never dwell on it! Remember, failure is the beginning of success. All successful people have failed more than they’ve succeeded!

6. Avoid unnecessary breaks – Smoking! That’s the first thing that comes to mind because up until two years ago I was a smoker. I actually planned each “work session” around my smoking. I never planned to work non-stop for any longer than 50 minutes because I knew that’s about the time I would want another cigarette. Once day I woke up and told Claudia “I’m going to quit smoking today.” From that day on neither of us have touched a cigarette. Think of the hours, days, weeks even months? of work time that I have saved. Think of all of the money I’ve saved. Think of the health problems I’ve prevented. Think of the years of life I’ve saved.

Smoking is one of the big ones, but there are others! Think about it. What causes you to stop working frequently? Is it avoidable?

7. Take necessary breaks – Avoid UNnecessary breaks, but TAKE necessary breaks! I need two or three breaks each and every day. It keeps me from getting “Burnt out” and it kind of rejuvenates my thought process. Whether I’m trying to write a blog post and just can’t seem to bring all of my thoughts together, or trying to come up with a good product idea, taking necessary, strategic breaks can really help you focus on what’s important and improve productivity. Do NOT schedule breaks though! Breaks should be taken when your mind says they are needed. If you are thinking straight and making progress, there is absolutely no need to stop working. That’s what separates necessary breaks from unnecessary breaks.

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As I mentioned before, everyone is different. We all have our own motivation factors… our own comfort zones in regards to organization and our ways to stay focused. However, these tips have helped me a great deal in my own business, so hopefully you found at least one thing that can help you improve yours!

img credit: ihtatho

I would say that about 95% or more of those who try to make money online have “The Herd” Mentality. When I first got into Internet Marketing about 5 years ago I frequently visited and took part in discussions over at the Warrior Forum. Back then I was a part of a private forum inside the Warrior Forum. I forget the exact name, but it was something like “The Herd Mentality” and it was basically supposed to be a place where “elite” marketers could basically talk about “elite” stuff lol

It was a JOKE! 99% of the people in that forum HAD the herd mentality and weren’t anywhere close to being “elite,” but the purpose of the forum was excellent and there were a select few members who did “get it” and I learned from them. The problem was that I was one of the few who had the ability to separate those with that mindset from those without that mindset.

So what is “The Herd” Mentality anyway?

When it comes to success, there are typically two types of people; those who follow (the herd) and those who lead. A leader isn’t just a leader of people, he is a leader of his life! Followers CAN and sometimes do find success financially but it’s very rare and normally takes much longer than it takes a leader to find equal success.

Some people will say “we all need to be followers in the beginning.” My answer to that is NO, we don’t! There is a difference between a “follower” and a “student.” A student can be a leader, but a follower is never a leader. We all need to be students in the beginning, not followers.

Followers make up the population of the “Herd” and they all have the same basic characteristics when it comes to seeking success. They aren’t particularly dumb. Some of them are even geniuses. They aren’t particularly lazy. Some are extremely hard workers. They simply have a totally different mindset than that of a leader.

In my experience, the main things that cause a leader to succeed at a much higher rate than a follower are optimism and drive! They don’t see failure as a dead end, but merely a speed bump in the path to success. However, it’s more than just that. As I mentioned, it’s a totally different mindset.

“The Herd” Mentality is NOT incurable!

I don’t care WHO you are, you can be a leader in your own life. You control your mind and your own mentality is a choice! But you can’t just flip a switch and “poof” you’re a leader. You need to want it! The next time you come across a situation in which you do not know the answer, whether online or offline, remember this post. How will you handle the situation?

A follower will ask anyone and everyone he or she thinks might know the answer. If he doesn’t get an answer he’ll either quit or put it off until he can get an answer from someone.

A leader will start off the same way. He will ask people who he thinks may know. But if that doesn’t work he’ll use logic and determination to find a solution! A leader doesn’t worry about going “against the grain” while a follower will argue to the end that they are right because someone in a forum told them so! To a leader “proof” means they’ve experienced it to be true. To a follower “proof” means they’ve heard it to be true!

If you think you may be a part of the herd, change your mindset and I promise you it will change your life!

Don’t be a follower. Be a leader. Remember, it IS a choice!