The last week or two I just had to shut everything down. Learning to market and run a bussiness online is tedious and can become overwhelming. Everyday I set out to learn or do something more to grow my business. I was watching Lashandas videos everyday, visiting other sources of information and taking notes. I was just starting to get into the routine of constantly putting in work but, it seemed the more I learned I grew more anxious of remembering it all. Then I thought about all I still have to learn. When you have a full time job, in school full time, single parenting and working your business part-time it can be rough. I am no quitter...I was just wondering if anyone else ever feel overwhelmed at times. If so, what keeps you going?
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You just described me to a T. Full-time job, full-time school, single mom, and running business, while trying to learn more about how to run my business.
I find when it gets overwhelming (AND IT DOES!!), I make myself take a break for a day or two. Take some naps, watch some movies, read or daydream. It usually just takes one or two days to get back on track, and I usually end of feeling more creative and have new ideas.
Another thing I do is make checklists for everything. I like to use Excel for my lists. I type all the steps I need to accomplish, and I check them off when I complete them. It helps to be able to look back and see that I'm actually making progress because sometimes it feels like I'm spinning my wheels, but the checkmarks tell me that I've moving forward.
Lastly, don't forget to ask for help. Ask someone to clean up while you work. Get someone to cook or bring you dinner.
I am in the same boat as you, only difference is that I am married. And to be honest, most times I can't tell. But, that is a different story. I am always overwhelmed, but when it is real bad, I start cutting somethings off. Sometimes it's easy like no TV (if my fav shows are out of season anyway, I won't look for new ones). I am on FB constantly, I just like things that I like and then make it a point the next day to look at those things in depth. The #1 thing that keeps me going is knowing that I am NOT HAPPY in my current situation and that if I stop, I will be right where I was before.
I say, just continue on your path if it feels right. Pause for a moment when you are overwhelmed and then get right back on your journey.
SoulSeed Tees > Jenise BradshawJuly 13, 2010 at 3:20pm
It seems the moon has a way of aligning people and situations at the same time b/c that is nearly exactly what I've been experiencing! So you are NOT alone. In fact I thank you for posting this! I appreciate the REAL TALK about growing a business. It's not all fun.
I have had several revalations over the course of a couple years and most recently last week. 1. Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD.
2. Sometimes doing nothing is just fine.
3. When you 1000 things to do, do 1 thing and be ok with that. The next day do something else or two things and so on.
I have 1000 things going on and I honestly (real talk right?) had an anxiety attack last week. It was too much even for a seemingly level-headed accountant! At the end of my "moment" I realized I was putting too much pressure on myself. No one was making me too all these things I was. I had to STOP watching videos and reading on how to grow my business online and stick with what I've already retained and build that. Once I've gotten that, then I'm going to watch somemore to see what else I can apply.
We aren't super women, we are women. Folks like Lashanda and lots of other experts didn't learn this in a day so how can we expect to learn it in a few minutes? LOL
What keeps me going? the fact I'm no quitter, the fact that I KNOW I'm meant to do what I'm doing. The confirmation I receive DAILY from women who benefit from my bookkeeping tips and my opinions about business. It keeps me going and realizing that Rome wasn't build in a day. If this is what you were MEANT to do...then full-time job, school, parenting and being a business owner is all part of the process. My single advice is to BE in each and every moment you are in. When ins chool BE in school, when with your kids BE with your kids. It helps me, it took some getting used to but now I let go of the work ahead at dinner time and "BE in my moment with my family. When they go to bed, I BEcome business woman again.
Meditate...it works wonders.
DON'T QUIT!!!
SoulSeed Tees > Katrina M HarrellJuly 13, 2010 at 1:01am
Katrina,
Isn't that funny? How we all can be going through the same thing. I am glad that we can have a honest talk and dialogue like this. I am encouraged and you sisters have given me the energy to refocus. I don't know if you all realize this, but by having this conversation I have gained a new found knowledge that I can use to build my business. I have learned that real talk and real life situations resonate with people instead of trying hard to think of something to blog about I am just going to talk about my experiences and take pictures of my travels like Lashanda suggested. I am good...I love my sistas!
Daily affirmations, prayer, and an accountability team. People I can call and talk about business, ins and outs, struggles triumphs and everything in between. Focusing on the goal, and concentrating on steps, not leaps. Consistency is key, and for me, I need to breathe once in a while, so I take the much needed breaks. If you are seeing progress from six months ago, you are doing well. Do your best, forget the rest.
Wow! I know what you mean. I am new to online marketing. I'm not sure how to apply alot of these stategies to my business either. Learning but not yet sure. My biz is information it's not tangible goods per se, so figuring out how to show people in or enjoying my products through pics as on Cocoa Babies is somewhat different. I understand and I could use some help with this as well. A lot of new information sometimes makes me feel overwhelmed when it comes to applying to my biz.
Products and services are alittle different to market. Watch my youtube video on selling services online to give you a few pointers. The link is below.
I sell products and services so the key with services is figuring out who you want to target, what do they need, what problem do they have, what solution are you providing... you have to answers those questions for yourself and then explain that stuff to them.
Replies
I find when it gets overwhelming (AND IT DOES!!), I make myself take a break for a day or two. Take some naps, watch some movies, read or daydream. It usually just takes one or two days to get back on track, and I usually end of feeling more creative and have new ideas.
Another thing I do is make checklists for everything. I like to use Excel for my lists. I type all the steps I need to accomplish, and I check them off when I complete them. It helps to be able to look back and see that I'm actually making progress because sometimes it feels like I'm spinning my wheels, but the checkmarks tell me that I've moving forward.
Lastly, don't forget to ask for help. Ask someone to clean up while you work. Get someone to cook or bring you dinner.
I say, just continue on your path if it feels right. Pause for a moment when you are overwhelmed and then get right back on your journey.
I have had several revalations over the course of a couple years and most recently last week. 1. Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD.
2. Sometimes doing nothing is just fine.
3. When you 1000 things to do, do 1 thing and be ok with that. The next day do something else or two things and so on.
I have 1000 things going on and I honestly (real talk right?) had an anxiety attack last week. It was too much even for a seemingly level-headed accountant! At the end of my "moment" I realized I was putting too much pressure on myself. No one was making me too all these things I was. I had to STOP watching videos and reading on how to grow my business online and stick with what I've already retained and build that. Once I've gotten that, then I'm going to watch somemore to see what else I can apply.
We aren't super women, we are women. Folks like Lashanda and lots of other experts didn't learn this in a day so how can we expect to learn it in a few minutes? LOL
What keeps me going? the fact I'm no quitter, the fact that I KNOW I'm meant to do what I'm doing. The confirmation I receive DAILY from women who benefit from my bookkeeping tips and my opinions about business. It keeps me going and realizing that Rome wasn't build in a day. If this is what you were MEANT to do...then full-time job, school, parenting and being a business owner is all part of the process. My single advice is to BE in each and every moment you are in. When ins chool BE in school, when with your kids BE with your kids. It helps me, it took some getting used to but now I let go of the work ahead at dinner time and "BE in my moment with my family. When they go to bed, I BEcome business woman again.
Meditate...it works wonders.
DON'T QUIT!!!
Isn't that funny? How we all can be going through the same thing. I am glad that we can have a honest talk and dialogue like this. I am encouraged and you sisters have given me the energy to refocus. I don't know if you all realize this, but by having this conversation I have gained a new found knowledge that I can use to build my business. I have learned that real talk and real life situations resonate with people instead of trying hard to think of something to blog about I am just going to talk about my experiences and take pictures of my travels like Lashanda suggested. I am good...I love my sistas!
Akim
Looking forward to your pics and blog. ;-)
Products and services are alittle different to market. Watch my youtube video on selling services online to give you a few pointers. The link is below.
I sell products and services so the key with services is figuring out who you want to target, what do they need, what problem do they have, what solution are you providing... you have to answers those questions for yourself and then explain that stuff to them.
Watch the video...
http://mybbwo.com/page/find-customers-make-sales-and
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