Black Business Women Online

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Information Overload

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?

Tags: bbwo-marketing, bbwo-small-business-talk

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Permalink Reply by Katrina M Harrell on July 12, 2010 at 8:30pm

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!!!

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Permalink Reply by SoulSeed Tees on July 12, 2010 at 9:01pm

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!

Akim

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Permalink Reply by Katrina M Harrell on July 12, 2010 at 9:38pm

God is wonderful! I love how He works in us.

Looking forward to your pics and blog. ;-)

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Permalink Reply by M Michele George on July 12, 2010 at 8:51pm

Im feeling you all on this one. I get so out done with all the brain dump on Twitter and FB, I dont have any clear thoughts left. A whole day can be wasted cxtg and I have noda to show for it. Now, I streamline my efforts. I use hootsuite, I only place the columns I need-for my feeds, I dont read all the brain dump, I schedule my tweets and posts, and I write out a schedule of to dos for the day, like I used to do b/f coming home. This article sums it all up, it's was a God send. When I read it, I knew I wasnt crazy: http://www.cnbc.com/id/38018745
Your post helped alot! I've learned alot since I came home, and I now keep a notebook of what Im doing and why and directions to keep it all organized.

Not perfect, but working at it...

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Permalink Reply by Jenise Bradshaw on July 12, 2010 at 11:56pm

I often find my day wasted somewhat from getting a lot of info from FB and Twitter. I do need to do the scheduling, I must read your link. Thanx

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Permalink Reply by SoulSeed Tees on July 13, 2010 at 11:21am

i'll have to get with you on some of your techniques, thanks

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Permalink Reply by Jenise Bradshaw on July 12, 2010 at 11:54pm

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.

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Permalink Reply by M Michele George on July 13, 2010 at 7:15am

Im married with 2 kids, usually tv is off all day, net always streaming. Now, I deliberately break on the hour and I get OUT! so you're not alone....

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Permalink Reply by SoulSeed Tees on July 13, 2010 at 11:20am

thank you

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Permalink Reply by TurquoizBlue on July 13, 2010 at 10:24am

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.