12/1

Information Overload

Or should I say task overload?  The one single thing that has held me back the most in internet marketing is the sense that I am being bombarded with information.

What affiliate programs should I join? How should I market them? Do I need a webpage?  Where should I get it? Do I make it from scratch? Use one of the pre-made ones that already have 600 or so versions out there being marketed? Modify one of those? What about ebay? Google Adsense? Niche pages?  Do I need an Autoresponder?  How can I get people to look at my page? What’s a solo ad? HTML? What’s that?

For each of these questions there are thousands of answers, and hundreds of things that need to be done once I’ve made a decision. I was so overwhelmed I basically came to a standstill.  I couldn’t focus on the screen anymore when I tried to read yet another ad for an affiliate program or marketing strategy. And the audio training I was trying to listen to had started to sound like so much static.

That’s when I came to the conclusion that the information and opportunity is literally infinite, since there is more being created every day.  There is only so much one can assimilate, and none of it will make you a dime unless you make a decision and start to act.

I decided when I wanted to actually start making a profit, and listed what needed to be done before then and in what order.  Then I went through my list a put a ‘due date’ on each project.  It took me about 3 hours, and I thought I might be wasting my time, but I ended up with a printed Excel page with a list of projects or companies I had gotten myself involved with; my goals for the next few months both monetary and task-related; and a list of things I would need to do to accomplish those goals.

What a relief! Suddenly I am responsible to do only one thing - the first thing on my list.  I don’t have to worry about the other things that need to be done, because I know I’ll get to them eventually.  Confusion, insecurity and fatigue were instantly replaced with purpose, peace and confidence. I ‘m excited about the next thing I have to do, because I can do it without feeling guilty about the 30 or so other things that are pending. I know I may not see the results I want until a majority of the puzzle pieces are in place, but that’s ok, because I know the results will come when I get to that point, and I know I am making progress.

Now, whenever I come across something else I really need to do or research, I just decide where it should go in my list, write it in and go on with what I am doing. As long as I refuse to get sidetracked I WILL eventually reach my goal. My credit cards will be paid off. My daughter’s college tuition won’t be a problem. I’ll be able to cut back on my day job.  Hey!  Life is looking better already!