How to Make This Year Your Best Year Ever

Every year I've been in business for myself online has been better than the previous one. Recently, I decided to create an "Apprentice" program (Yes, even before Trump) and I was extremely pleased that we had nearly 100% of my Apprentices get an online venture up and running.

I've gone back and thought about their projects and how they developed and I came to a striking conclusion that will be worth a lot of money to you this year if you heed it. There was one key aspect that got them off their butts and making money and it came down to one thing...

...A Deadline!

As simple as that sounds, once a firm deadline was established that's when the rubber met the road and all obstacles melted away like snow flakes in a frying pan. I'll give you a perfect example for one Apprentice we were going back and forth a bit tidying up some finishing touches on the project and trying to get it out the door. Many times people can try to make everything too perfect and it never gets out making money so we said we are launching this project at the LIVE Apprentice Summit. That was it and that was final.

The date of the Summit was getting closer and closer and I could see this Apprentice start to sweat a bit. But I made him make the commitment to this deadline publicly during our group call and he couldn't back out now.

Fast forward to the day of his launch he had multiple obstacles that would normally have put the project on hold get swept away but not now. With the firm deadline in place and the opportunity for him to be embarrassed our fine Apprentice finished his project. We hit the 'send' button and he made a tidy sum from a tiny list over the weekend. And this was just the start because his project has made well into the five figures already. And why did it get finished?

The deadline once again.

What's your deadline for your first project or your next project?

Is it something that's in your head? Not a good idea. It's pretty easy to keep moving that forward or letting other things take precedence.

Who knows about your deadline and who's going to hold you to it? In some cases it's not a good idea to share your deadline or goal with another person, especially if they're the kind of negative energy vampire a lot of well-meaning friends and family are. But if you've got a group of colleagues all with the same thinking use them. This works especially well if you don't want to look like an "idiot" in front of them and they are people you really respect.

I'll tell you what works for me and maybe it'll work for you too.

For me, I work best when I absolutely "have to" perform.

For instance my first product on Internet marketing might never have been made (or at least it would have taken much longer) if I didn't sell it before it was done. In 2000 when I first started marketing online a lot of people wanted to know exactly what I did and how I started making money so fast.

Well, I got my first opportunity to share my story in Atlanta at an Internet seminar. I was extremely nervous and my heart was beating out of my chest to go talk in front of 100 strangers. I gave my presentation and then I sold this product (yet to be created).

I told people it would be delivered in a few weeks so they knew it was a prepublication offer. I walked away with 10 orders at $200 bucks. All well and good except I couldn't charge anyone until the manual was done. Even though it was only $2,000 (less what I had to pay the promoter)

I knew that at least people wanted this information and I could keep selling it once I finished it. I probably had a week or two of 3 o'clock in the morning work sessions but I completed it and charged the cards. I was under pressure to get the manual done because these people paid me (though I didn't charge them) and I owed them the material.

Since then I've updated my course material and it's been worth well into the six figures just because "I had to do it".

How can you set something like this up for yourself? If you can stand the pressure - you can decide to put on a tele- seminar. This is one of my favorite ways of creating product by a deadline. You can do either a one-time tele- seminar or series of tele-seminars and you get paid to produce the product. How great is that? It doesn't matter if you have 1 person or 1000 people on the call because this is forcing you to create product and perform.

Once you've set your deadline for anything you'll "magically" see certain resources fall into place. Trust me, it's a bit eerie but when it occurs every time you set a firm deadline you know there's something to it. Just the act of making the decision sets these events into motion for you. It's also because what you focus on becomes your reality. Your perception has changed. Your internal "radar" is now attuned to resources, allies, etc that can help you get your project completed.

Now I leave you with one more secret...Set "mini deadlines".

When you're looking at the whole task of setting up an Internet business (or anything really) it's easy to get overwhelmed. But if you break everything up into small tasks with their own deadlines you'll be at your destination before you know it. I promise it'll work for you. In fact, that's one of the reasons I really like Franklin planner systems (now Franklin Covey). I've been using them since 1998 and that's when I first started making some significant changes in my life.

Actually the founder of Franklin, Hyrum Smith has a great book called "The 10 Essential Laws of Time and Life Management" - this should be required reading for you!

Even though I hate ad slogans (since they don't work) this one should become your mantra for the year - "Just Do It".

As cliché and overused as it is - that's all it comes down to. Whether you're willing to roll the dice and put yourself out there a little. I promise whatever the worst case scenario you're thinking, it is far from the reality.

And if you need someone to send your deadline list to - go ahead and email it to me. I'll keep it confidential and we'll celebrate together when you reach your destination.

Copyright 2006 SurefireMarketing.com

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About Yanik Silver

Yanik Silver is recognized as the leading expert on creating automatic, moneymaking websites...and he still doesn't know how to put up a website. He is the author, co-author or creator of several best- selling online marketing books and tools. His newest resource for making this year your best yet are found here- http://www.SurefireMarketing.com.


And here is another random article you might be interested in...

The Principle of Abundance

One of the first great things I learned when starting my business, is that there are two ways of thinking. You can believe that there is more than enough business to go around or you can have the scarcity mentality. Either way you believe you are probably right.

The principal of abundance promotes the belief that not only is there enough business to go around, and that the universe has room for us all to benefit equally, but also commands us to give away what we have. This means giving referrals, ideas, assistance and any other thing you can think of to help others. It means that we build people, relationships and help others because we know and believe that somehow, some day it will all come back to us. It also promotes win-win situations.

The scarcity mentality advocates holding onto whatever it is you have for fear that someone else may take it. That means holding onto your cash, your ideas, your time and your clients as tightly as you can. It means that when you find a client you do everything within your power to hold onto that client for fear that the 'competition' might take them away. In fact people who operate under the scarcity mentality often base many of their decisions on what their competition and others do. And that is operating out of the fear that someone will get more than you will or will succeed before you do.

I have learned that the only shortages we face are in our own minds. And that the more we give of our approval, our time, our smiles, our energy, our wisdom and our ideas the more accepted, less stressed, happy, energetic, wise and creative we become. Building people and relationships can serve both the 'giver' and the 'getter'. There is enough for everyone!

One of the ways I practice abundance is by sharing leads, and information. I also try my best to promote others who may be in a similar business as I am. Forming alliances and strategies that work for both of us can increase both of our businesses. We may want the same clients, but if we pool our knowledge and resources, everyone benefits. In visiting our site you may begin to notice that there are several people who do similar or the same things. Yes, they know each other, and many of them share business. This helps both of them in that they practice what I call 'co-opetition' instead of competition.

Changing our mindset about the principle of abundance is not always easy. It takes practice. I love the vision that was created through a book that I have read called, "The One Minute Millionaire". It says, 'There is an ocean of abundance and one can tap into it with a teaspoon, a bucket or a tractor trailer. The ocean doesn't care.' Practice the principles of abundance this week. There is enough for everyone!

Copyright 2004, Mandie Crawford. All rights reserved.

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About Mandie Crawford

Mandie Crawford is a Business Consultant, Entrepreneur and Expert on Women Entrepreneurs. Her website is www.roaringwomen.com and she can be reached by email - mandie@roaringwomen.com.