What Are The Steps In Creating An Online Business - Part 5

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve been able to post anything on the “what are the steps in creating an online business” due to the holidays and moving.  Yep, we have finally been able to move into our “new” house - and spent the night for the first time on Christmas eve!  We still have a lot to move, but I do have my PC set up as of last night - so now I can go back to working my nights away.

In part 5 of the mini-series “What are the steps in creating an online business” I think it would be appropriate to talk about delays.  When you work for yourself it is very easy to become delayed by things like sick kids, getting ill yourself, holidays, and yes - of course MOVING to a new home, or new area can be quite time consuming too.

Does anyone really smile like that when they are moving? :-)

Therefore, much of the stuff on MY list hasn’t been done yet - some has, but it hasn’t been posted here yet.  Stuff like going through domain names, websites etc - that I want to list on the appropriate pages of this site.  I also need to finish listing my products, services, and swap out www.ecoverfx.com to a new blog.  A bunch of stuff still needs done for customers too - so running the graphic service business has really put my own plan on hold quite a bit.  I may have to seriously consider shutting that down for a month to get some other things done.

Unfortunately, that end of the business is very difficult to shut down because we simply need that extra income.  Creating graphics allows me to put money in the bank, so I have been taking the cash as I can get it into the bank.  Especially with moving and the holidays.

The great thing is… we’ll be saving a bunch of money by finally moving.  No more “double sets” of bills to pay - no more double electric bills, rent, a house payment, two gas bills, you name it.  This will allow me to go back to my original plan, and shut down the graphic end for a short enough time to get some other things caught up.

So what can you do when you get delayed?

Well, I end up apologizing a lot to people who are waiting on things to get done - which totally sucks.  Most of them understand the situation, but I hate making people late on projects.

You can also - NOT STRESS about it. For me, it’s very easy to become completely overwhelmed - and start getting seriously stressed about what all I did NOT get done.  What happens when you do that, is you become irritable with your family, yourself, and even others online at times.  You DON’T need THAT!

Nor do you need the health problems that can come along with stress.

Not another HEADACHE!

So, how can you take the stress out of delays?

1. Make a list of everything that needs done FIRST. I use index cards, and put a number 1 on the top of the first card that needs done, a number 2 on the next set of things that need done that are not as important as the first card.  I’ll even use a number 3, 4, and 5 if I have to  - for other things that I would LIKE to get done at some point in time.  Then take that number one card - put it up in front of your monitor - and start going down the list.

2. Stay FOCUSED. That’s extremely difficult at times to do, but do your best not to get sidetracked by an Instant Message, the phone, other people, email, etc.  Matter of fact, don’t even OPEN the email unless you have to - UNTIL you have knocked off a few things on that number one list.

3. Use your time wisely. Also can be difficult.  Time yourself if you have to.  If you know it’s going to take 30 minutes to write an article - time out 30 minutes, and get busy.  See if you can cut the time into 20 minutes, yet still create a great article.

4. Take short breaks. Every hour, get up and take a short break to walk around the house, or outside for 5-10 minutes.  Get a glass of ice water.  Stretch your legs.  Pet your cat.  Whatever.  This DOES help.  And while you’re on break, try to clear your mind and get into the moment of enjoying your pet, or feeling some fresh air on your face outside.  Get work off your mind for a few minutes, and just “chill.”

5. If you have something that NEEDS to be done, and you absolutely hate the job yourself (like programming, or data entry type stuff, article writing, graphics) - whatever it may be… OUTSOURCE it if you can.  This will take a lot of stress off if you have a few good folks to share your work with.

We’ll talk about outsourcing specifically in another “what are the steps in creating an online business” portion of this mini-series here shortly, because it’s important.  You’ll need to keep your eyes open while you’re online, so you can get to know who does what.  You’ll begin to meet programmers, writers, graphic people, and more.  Finding folks who specialize in different areas is best done by visiting forums.

I’ve already linked a few forums in a previous post HERE - so while you’re in there learning - keep an eye out for folks you think you can get along well with.  Join in some of their discussions where you can, and let others get to know you - and what YOU do too.  They may need your help one day, and send you a Private Message in a forum to ask you a few questions.

As long as you keep “relationship building” in your mind, you’ll be able to meet great people to outsource to and share work with.  We’ll get into other places to outsource on another post.  Right now, I need to get busy catching up from my “delay” session of moving, and get back in gear for the New Year!

Hope this has been a helpful slice of DELAYED IM life, because it WILL happen from time to time.  Just don’t let it bother you too much, get yourself caught back up as much as you can - and don’t give in to the urge to “goof off” when your delays are finally gone.  Holidays, for example… can give you an urge to keep on celebrating a bit, even after the holiday is gone.  Moving on the other hand, can make you so dang tired, you don’t WANT to go to WORK! LOL!  Stick with it, and get a list down on paper - so you can break down your tasks and start knocking them out.

Hope you stop back to read future sections of the “What are the steps in creating an online business” mini-series!  Have a Very Happy New Year!

Thanks!
Michelle

PS - Song of the day!

Filed under: What Are The Steps In Creating An Online Business

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