Archive for the ‘Success and Motivation’ Category
Weekly Bits Newsletter – 31 Mar 09
Journey To Online Success Weekly Bits Newsletter
Topics for this week:
– Success — Who’s Really Responsible?
– If Only. . .
– Focus Thoughts & Forward Momentum
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Success — Who’s Really Responsible?
“Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you
who will get you where you want to go, no one else.”
- Les Brown
I think it can be difficult at times to remember that
we do have control over our own life and our success.
Especially in times such as these with our current
ecomonic issues. It becomes easier to put the blame
on someone else.
“You are responsible for your life. You can’t keep
blaming somebody else for your dysfunction. Life is
really about moving on.”
- Oprah Winfrey
And it’s true isn’t it? Responsibility for our own success
lies in our own hands.
“All you have to decide is what to do with the time
that is given to you.”
- J. R. R. Tolkien
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If Only . . .
If only I knew how to do this…
If only I didn’t have to do that…
If only I had more time…
Ever had an ‘if only’ moment or two while working on
your business?
I sure have…and still do. In fact, I’ve probably spent
more time going through the ‘if onlys’ in my head
than it would have taken to complete an activity!
The usual times for this thinking pattern to hit me is
when I come across a project or activity I find difficult
or don’t know how to do.
It’s so easy to come up with reasons why I’m stuck
or can’t get it done. And before I know it, my time has
slipped away and the task is still not finished.
Does this ever happen to you? Do you get stuck in
‘if only’ situations?
So how can you overcome these moments and get
the job done?
Well, for me, I think what helps is to first be aware
of what’s going on. Realize the ‘if only’ thoughts are
taking over and they need to be stopped.
Then I ask myself questions such as…
What can I do to get past this?
Where can I find out more information?
Is there someone I can call for help?
I’ve found it helps to focus more on what can be done
to get it behind me than on making excuses for why
I don’t want to do it or can’t do it.
I think Henry Ford said it best:
“Don’t find fault. Find a remedy.”
I must admit I still struggle with this at times. But I’ve
learned the more quickly you get past these situations
…the more confidence you build
…the more work you get accomplished
…and the less times the ‘if only’ thoughts visit. 
What’s your remedy to getting past the ‘if only’ situations?
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Focus Thoughts & Forward Momentum
“The act of taking the first step is what separates the
winners from the losers.”
- Brian Tracy
What’s the most important step you can take this week?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Your Success,
Donna
P.S. Are you still struggling with getting started online? Visit the Product Reviews page now for help!
P.P.S. Questions or comments about this weeks topics?
Please Comment below…
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Journey To Online Success Weekly Bits Newsletter
Copyright © 2009 DonnaRagland.com . All Rights Reserved.
*********************************************************************************
Weekly Bits Newsletter – 24 Mar 09
Journey To Online Success Weekly Bits Newsletter
Topics for this week:
– Spring Cleaning
– File Organization Video
– Focus Thoughts & Forward Momentum
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Spring Cleaning
Spring has arrived and here in Maryland that means
we’ll be seeing more sunshine and having warmer days!
I’m grateful for that!
And it’s also the time of year when I have this
tendency to think about ‘spring cleaning’. You know,
picking up in the yard, cleaning windows, sorting
through boxes of clothes, etc. – the normal stuff.
It feels so good to have things looking fresh and
looking at the trees through clean windows. I don’t
know about you, but I get a new spurt of energy after
taking care of the spring cleaning stuff. It just feels
really good!
Then I took a serious look at my office area and
realized it could really use some spring cleaning
too!
There’s folders, several yellow sticky notes, CD’s
and notebooks all scattered around the desk. It’s
no wonder it takes me longer to find things! So
guess what I’ll be doing the next several days?!?!
If you’re thinking about doing any spring cleaning
for your home office, Kirsten M. Lagatree has some
great tips at:
http://www.homedecorresource.com/html/tips/officeorganization.htm
There really is something to be said for good
organization habits and keeping your work space
in order. When my area’s organized I find I’m
better able to think, focus and plan. And there’s
a sense of calmness and being in control. It just
feels really good and there’s an energy to get some
great work accomplished!
Enjoy your spring cleaning…
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File Organization Video
Since we were on the subject of organization I
thought you might enjoy this 5 min video segment
on file organization ideas from Ask The Decorator:
http://www.5min.com/Video/File-Organization-Ideas-62643899
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Focus Thoughts & Forward Momentum
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over
if you just sit there” – Will Rogers
What action will you take this week for yourself,
for your business?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Your Success,
Donna
P.S. Questions or comments about this weeks topics? Please comment below…
P.P.S. In case you missed this…the product reviews are available at:
==> http://www.JourneyToOnlineSuccess.smmsite.com
********************************************************
Journey To Online Success Weekly Bits Newsletter
Copyright © 2009 DonnaRagland.com . All Rights Reserved.
********************************************************
Weekly Bits Newsletter – 10 Mar 09
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Journey To Online Success Weekly Bits Newsletter
Topics for this week:
– Three Tips To Stay Motivated
– Online Business Start-Up Costs
– Focus Thoughts & Forward Momentum
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Three Tips To Stay Motivated
It’s everywhere nowadays isn’t it…the constant
drumming of how bad the economy is, how horrible
our life is, how aweful this and that and on and on…
It can really make one feel like what’s the use…why even
bother, there’s no point in going on and trying…
But it doesn’t have to be that way! Remember you
have control — over what you think and say and do!
It only takes a little concentrated effort on our part to
keep motivated and productive, which helps lead us to
success in our life and our business.
Tip 1 – Maintain A Positive Attitude.
We’re responsible for our own actions and attitudes,
and changing them when appropriate. When you’re
around people and situations that are uplifting and
positive, don’t you feel that way too? Likewise, when
you’re around negative situations it tends to bring you
down. Take a positive approach to your daily
activities, focus on what’s good in your life, and smile
at yourself and others – even if you’re stuck in traffic!
Tip 2 – Put Your Personal Troubles In A Bubble
And Let Them Float Away.
Everyone has problems, but focusing on them every
minute of every day only zaps away your energy and
your motivation. Letting them float away if only for a
short time will actually be good for you because you’ll
get a mental break. During this break you can turn
your entire attention and energy on starting and
growing your online business.
Tip 3 – Create Positive Affirmations.
If you see or hear something often enough, you will start
to believe it. Come up with statements that help you feel
good about yourself or ones that help your productivity,
such as “I’m an important and valuable person” or
“I know I’ll make good use of my time today”. After
you’ve written them down, read them aloud to yourself
at least once each day to help reinforce positive actions.
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Online Business Start-Up Costs
A question that’s often asked is what kind of costs
are associated with starting an online business. Here
are a few things to keep in mind:
- Advertising and Marketing
- Web Hosting
- Domain Names
- Email Autoresponders
- Online Payment Services, and
- Education and Training Programs
Your specific costs will depend on your business
strategy. For example, if you are only marketing
someone else’s products, then you may not need a
website. But you will have to advertise their website.
On the other hand, if you want to build a list of
customers then the costs may include a domain name,
web hosting and email autoresponder.
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Focus Thoughts & Forward Momentum:
Have you heard the story of the three frogs sitting
on a log?
One frog decides to jump off….how many are left?
Take a minute now to think again before you answer…
Of course, the answer is ‘three’. Just because the
frog decided to jump doesn’t mean he did does it?
Don’t be afraid to get your feet wet! Remember to
take action this week and don’t let your business
just sit on a log
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Your Success,
Donna
P.S. Questions or comments about this weeks topics? Please comment below…
******************************************************************************
Journey To Online Success Weekly Bits Newsletter
Copyright 2009 DonnaRagland.com
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Weekly Bits Newsletter – 24 Feb 09
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Journey To Online Success Weekly Bits Newsletter
Topics for this week:
– Success — What Does It Really Take?
– Types Of Websites
– Focus Thoughts & Forward Momentum
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Success — What Does It Really Take?
There are many thoughts on success and
what it really takes…especially success
with an online business.
Maybe you’ve heard it takes mindset,
focus, discipline, persistence, problem
solving or a variety of other traits or
skills.
While these are all very important, and
you will no doubt hear more about these
from yours truly, I truly believe there
is one thing above all else that is a
must to achieve online business success
and that is to…
…have a burning passion and desire to succeed!
It makes sense doesn’t it?
If we take a look at this on a smaller
scale it may sink in a bit more.
When you really want something like a
candy bar or to watch a particular movie
- do you gotta have it no matter what?
- what do you say to yourself?
- what actions do you take to obtain it?
Usually when we really, really want
something, we’ll do anything to make it
happen won’t we?
Being successful is really no different.
And the great part is we have total control
over our own passions and desires!
SUCCESS — You can have it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Types Of Websites
Have you heard terms like ‘squeeze page’,
‘sales page’ or ‘blog site’ thrown around?
I sure have and when I first got started
online I found it really confusing to
understand what these terms meant and
how it applied to me.
Here is an explanation of a few website
types, what they are and why I believe
these particular websites are important
for online business owners.
SQUEEZE PAGE- also known as magnetizer
page or sign-up page. This is a simple
website, usually one page, designed for
the purpose of getting an interested
individual to sign up on an email list.
You’ve probably heard the key to
online success is ‘in the list’ right?
Well it’s true and very important to
have a list of individuals interested
in what you are marketing. You can talk
with your list on a regular basis to
share information and recommend tools
and resources of importance in your
business area or niche.
The squeeze page is the tool to use to
help you build your list. Here’s an
example of a squeeze page:
==> http://www.JourneyToOnlineSuccess.com
SALES PAGE – This is a website designed
for the purpose of selling a product or
service. It can be any length but is
usually longer than a squeeze page to make
the case for the product. It may include
things such as benefits, features,
testimonials, pricing, an order link
and guarantees.
As a business owner, we’re probably very
interested in making money right? Well,
this type of website is a money making
site. Here’s an example of a sales page
website:
==> http://www.UnlockAffiliateSecrets.com
BLOG SITE – This is a website designed
for the purpose of communicating with
subscribers, customers or anyone else
interested in your business area.
Blog sites are structured in a way that
allows sharing of information and ideas
through posts by the author and comments
by the readers. It’s a great way to have
dialogue and interaction on specific
topics.
Blogs are important because they can help
build relationships within a community of
people interested in a particular topic or
area of interest.
The site you are on now is an example of a blog site.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Focus Thoughts & Forward Momentum
Have you defined why you want an online business?
Do you have what it takes to succeed?
Do you have a burning passion and desire to
succeed in your online business?
Take some quiet time with yourself during
the week and ponder these questions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Your Success,
Donna
P.S. Questions or comments about this weeks topics? Please comment below.
********************************************************
Journey To Online Success Weekly Bits Newsletter
Copyright 2009 DonnaRagland.com
********************************************************
Organize Yourself And Find More Time For Your Business
Almost everyone needs or wants more money
coming in. And one very appealing way to
bring extra money in is to start a home-based
business. But many times, the trouble with
doing this is finding the time to work the
business.
It’s true that most of us are really busy, but
finding time for a business can usually be
found somewhere in our daily schedule. It may
mean giving up or changing a few of our favorite
past-times – such as shopping at the mall,
having a few drinks with friends, or
watching TV – but if you score big with your
extra income project, you will have all the
time you want later on for doing whatever you
want to do, whenever you want to do it.
Efficient time management basically boils down
to planning what you’re going to do, and then
doing it without backtracking.
Start by making a list of the things you want
to do tomorrow before you go to bed. Schedule
your trips to the store or wherever to coincide
with the other things you have to do. Organize
your trips to take care of as many things as
possible while you’re out of the house.
Also take note of the time you spend on the
telephone and eliminate all that isn’t necessary.
Whatever chores you have, set aside a specific
time to do them as well as a specific amount
of time to complete them in. For instance,
just one hour a day devoted to yard work would
probably make your property the envy of your
neighbors. It’s not always necessary to try to
do a week’s worth of work in one big flurry.
Whether it’s painting your house, fixing leaky
faucets, or mowing your lawn, plan to do just
one part of it or schedule just one project
each day, and you’ll be surprised at your progress.
Take care of your mail the same day you receive
it. Don’t let those bills and letters pile up.
A suggestion may be to have a ‘bills only’ file
set up where you can place only your bills.
Then schedule a day each week to go through that
file and pay bills that are due. Throw away junk
mail immediately, and place catalogs and
magazines in their appropriate places.
There is one more area that is very important to
include in your schedules. And that is to make
time for relaxation. Whether it be with family or
friends or just for yourself, it’s important to
schedule time to relax, have fun and enjoy life!
One of the secrets of financially successful
people is simply that they are organized and
do not waste time.
Think about your own time and how you spend it.
It may be helpful to actually keep a log for a
week or so of how you really spend your time
each day. Keep track of what you do and when,
and how long you spend doing that activity.
Then take a close look at the log and evaluate
areas where you may be able to combine tasks or
change the amount of time spent on an activity.
Who knows, you may even find some activities
that you can completely eliminate and have even
more time for your business!
Once you’ve organized yourself and found free time
for your business activities, put a plan in place
to work your business. It usually helps to put
plans in writing. And be realistic on what items
can be done in a set time period. Work each item
and stay FOCUSED on getting it finished.
Once you start listing and planning what to do,
carry out your plans. You may be amazed to find
out how much you can accomplish!
People in general may not like routines or
schedules, but without some sort of plan as to
what needs to be done, the world would be mired
in mass confusion. Laws, ordinances and
regulations are for the purpose of guiding people.
We live according to our own plan or way of life.
And the better we can organize ourselves in our
daily lives, the more productive and happy we
can become.
To Getting Yourself Organized And Working Your Business,
Donna