Anyone Else Feeling Overwhelmed? Three Simple Strategies To Get You Back On Track
I’m going to let you into a secret. I’ve never shared anything so personal for people to know on the internet before. So as you read this, you’re getting a glimpse into my life and what I went through the past two days.
This isn’t about my crappy spelling. Yes, last time I played scrabble I thought I had got a great word up on the board “Loney”. I was immediately corrected by my fellow players that infact it is spelt “Lonely”. They were so amused they took a photo of it and posted it on facebook!
The past month has been a big buzz of excitement being on Alex’s coaching program. Soaking up teachings, feeling the energy and enthusiasm of heading into a new direction and planning ahead for the future dreams. Then two days ago, I hit a barrier. As I read other blogs, spent the time catching up on the whole weeks worth of training on traffic methods, I got completely overwhelmed and had a sense of losing control of this plan I had created of making it big online.
A mix of different thoughts entered my head. I felt a big pressure on myself that I wasn’t able to do what I set out to do, I felt lonely, so much to do yet so little time, maybe I’m just not cut out to have an online business, I can’t seem to meet the goals I set out for myself, maybe I’m aiming too high…………..
So finally, I decided enough is enough and used what I have learned in my life to sort this out!
The following is what I started doing yesterday and its been working a treat. Hope it helps you too.
1. Don’t try to do everything at once
Yes, we sometimes learn a lot of information and feel we should be using it as the guru tells us it’s a “must do” thing. For example, we learned at least nine different ways to generate traffic to our blogs. How do we do everything?
Let me ask you a question.
How do you eat an elephant?
One bite at a time. Thats what they say right?
(One time, I had to ask myself “How do you eat a Japanese breakfast?” when I was over there a few months back. The answer is the same. One bite at a time)
You know about planning. You know about the need to chunk everything down. So if you learn a ton of things you want to implement, simply organise and chunk them into your schedule. Don’t think about doing it all in one go, it will only cause you to be counterproductive.
I know, I know you wish you could type at the speed of a bullet and do 200 forum postings in one session and still have time to catch the latest episode of Lost on TV, but in reality it ain’t going to happen. So spread it out and do a more realistic target per day.
2. Don’t compare. Learn and gain inspiration.
When you see other people’s blogs and the work they are doing, it can inspire you and you really want to congratulate them, so you give them a cool comment.
On the other hand, you may feel some inadequacy about your own blog or site.
Therefore remember this. Everyone is unique. Some people have more experience than you to start with. They might have more technical know how, they might have already been on Twitter years before you, that’s why they have 10,000 followers and you have 20.
Whatever the differences, don’t compare. Get inspired and be thankful for the cool things you have learned from others and use it to help you improve on your site for the future. If you want 800 comments on your blog post like Alex, keep up the work and you’ll get there eventually.
3. Believe in yourself.
Trust me, you have a lot to give. People have so much potential inside of them they don’t even realise.
I remember when I was young, I had swimming lessons and my instructor told me I was ready to do my 25 meter award. This is basically one length of the big swimming pool. Now all this time, I had had lessons in the small pool, but had never ventured in the big pool. The big pool was so scary to me that the instructor had to throw me in as I was clinging onto her as I was too afraid to go in. Eventually, I got the big pool and swam my first full length and got my 25 meter award.
I really didn’t think I could do it at the time, but in reality I had the potential to do it.
If you believe you can do it, you can!
Use this little exercise to help you. This is what I learned from my NLP training.
If you think of a sentence that goes: “I can’t do xxxxxxx” (For example “I can’t seem to get traffic to my blog”)
Reframe the question to: “How can I xxxxxxxx” (For example “How can I get traffic to my blog?”)
You can reframe any question that limits yourself to a how question. If you think “can’t”, remember to think “how”.
Ok so there goes. Three simple strategies to get you back on track on your internet marketing quest whenever you feel overwhelmed.
P.s anybody out there who wants to connect if you are finding it hard, just let me know. It’s good to help each other out 
hey
great post your site is looking really good
thanks
davy
@Davy
Cheers Davy. Catch up with you soon mate.
Hey Bailey, how you doing?
Well that’s a kinda dumb question to ask cos I just read your post and know how your doing, your doing fine!
I love the changing “I can’t” to “how can I”, brilliant idea, I am totally using it.
I felt the exact same as you this week, I was trying to drive traffic, write blog posts, do a squidoo, do articles arghhhhhhhhhhh too much. So tomorrow I am writing a new plan of attack.
Just want to say well done for opening up, it’s kinda hard at first, but it’s so nice to actually see the “real” Bailey, not just some person who is trying to become a success online.
Remember your brand is you, so let people get to know you, like you and trust you.
Just so you know, I already trust you, speak soon Sally
@Sally
I’m doing well! Thanks for the support. You’ve been a blessing to have as a fellow student and I’m sure everyone else thinks that too.
You’ve established your brand so fast, you’re almost a guru already. I’m learning so much from you
Hey Bailey, well judging by your comments on this post alone, your coming on leaps and bounds! Like Alex says “shoot for moon, even if you miss you will still end up in the stars”, speak soon Sally
Hey Bailey, you’ve written some gems there.
Now this is interesting. If you’re like most of us, someone may have told you back when you got started that you would experience information overload, and they probably gave good advice for when you get it as to how to work around it.
But, (and here is the part that is like me) it took your own experience in that area to write such a good post. Now others will be able to gather a jewel from your experience and maybe avoid some of the bad stuff.
Great job!
Mike
@Mike
Hey Mike, yes I totally agree with you that being told what to expect and actually experiencing it are two different things. I think the experience hits you so personally that when you talk about it, it brings out a new dimension of yourself that would not have been possible without the interaction.
Thanks for the comment Mike and great thought there!
Bailey,
Brother, this post is a killer.
Not only did you get my butt back into gear with that twitter message, but then I come here to your blog and you put into words exactly what I’ve been feeling.
This post is a true connection and I’m not joking when I say this, but you should be proud of this post (…and your blog…)
You’re working hard man, we need to meet up and knock our heads together on how to take over the world (…or at least the Internet marketing world, just to start with…)
Thanks for the post Bailey, I’m gonna social bookmark this one to get you some more traffic. You’ve been a real help to me this week and I thank you for that my friend.
Truly, you’re already reaching new heights,
Nathan
@Nathan
Hey bro, so great to see you back. I really mean it, cos you’re always an inspiration for me.
Your sharing of your resignation date is totally awesome. Not many people can face that fear to declare that, but you my friend are an absolute inspiration for all the students out there!
Yes, I agree we definitely need to get together and do some major world domination…….muuuahhhh….muuaaaahhh!! (doctor evil with little finger in corner of mouth) LOL.
Thanks for the positive feedback on the post and for sharing it with others. I cannot say how much that means to me.
Keep up your good work bro.
Will catch u soon
Hi Bailey.
Your first point: Don’t try to do everything at once.
True!
I’ve just finished watching Rich Schefren’s video that’s in our
members area. He mentions prioritising your schedule by asking:
“Is this really the best thing to be doing for my business right now?”
This is something I need to take on board.
Great post.
Rod
@Rod
Yeah, it was an awesome video from Rich. Just shows how having that focus to priorities make the difference between mediocracy and an 8 figure business!
I’m still learning to remind myself everyday to do things one at a time, but it definitely is working…….I know the fruits are round the corner.
Hey Bailey,
Good post. Those really are 3 strategies that everyone should keep in mind as they progress. Good re-frame too!
Peace,
Darren L Carter
@Darren
Thanks man. I’m implementing those strategies as we speak now. Really appreciate your support.
Bailey
My friend Bailey,
Thanks for sharing your experience of being overwhelmed with all those possible tasks we are confronted with. Sharing that experience helps to realize that we are all in similar situations and that there is no need to freak out because of that.
Your 3 tips to get back on track with our planing and implementation are simply great! Anyone can use them immediately to cure one´s temporally paralysis from information overload.
“Rome wasn´t built in one day”, it is a journey. Our journey up the ladder to online marketing success is a journey that started off with our first steps and it commences with our next steps -thus simple. It is not going to be finished tomorrow but we´ll get there with passionate and consistant action. So I guess we are on a good way, aren´t we?
I loved the NLP inspired shift of focus from “I can´t” to “how can I get this done?” –
And you know what, when I do my oil-rigg-hopping I do get this feeling of inadequency sometimes when I compare what others have achieved already with my own results so far. I frequently need to remember myself to shift the focus in these situations as well and I have been doing the exact same thing you are recommending:
Be grateful for a great community of fellow students and other inspiring entrepreneurs and their work in our market.
BTW: I got to that point with my first ever report which I will release tomorrow as well. It is a lot of work -and it is not finished yet!- Compared to some more advanced marketer´s stuff out there I surely had the feeling that my humble report sucks big time…but what the heck! So many of us are doing online marketing related things for the first time and who would really expect us to be perfect from the beginning?
I am grateful for all of the fantastic input of ideas and stories I do get from all of you out there -Thank You!
Bailey, with your latest post you have given us as a community a friendly pat on the back. Thanks so much for caring and sharing.
Spread the Good, Attract the Good – It works!-
Have great day
Mirko
http://mirkogosch.com
@Mirko
Thanks Mirko for your comment. Since I started this course, I never expected how my life would be affected so amazingly by this great community of fellow students that I can now call friends.
Having your support has really meant a lot to me, and your blog posts keep me inspired to keep going.
Really looking forward to your report coming soon. I’ll be the first one to download it!
p.s thank you for mentioning this post on your blog. I’m much too privileged. I hope the little nuggets can help at least one person out there whos struggling.
Speak soon my friend.
Hey Bailey,
I really like #2! I think that is great advice for so many things in life. Comparing yourself can help you to see differences, but you must decide on whether to use those differences as inspiration or as a means to make yourself depressed. Its odd how many people seem to choose the latter.
Anyway, nice post. Have a great day!
Hey Mark
Thanks for dropping by. Yes these things can be applied to different aspects of life too now I think about it.
Its funny how so many people seem to think they have no choice in how they react to things, when we can choose in so many ways.
Catch up again Mark.
What a fantastic post Bailey. I was just talking to my friend and mentor the other day about how I too often fall into the ‘comparison’ trap and it inhibits my own growth.
Im not just saying this, you have seriously summarised the hurdles into the three most valid and relevant points.
I need to stop trying to do everything at once, stop comparing myself to others, and believe in myself more, more often.
Bang on with those three dude!
Great blog btw. Thanks for coming to mine so I could find yours
Hi Bailey,
What a great post…you literally took the words right out of my mouth!
Just like you this last week has been a real struggle for me what with computer crashes, loss of power for hours on end, no internet connections for many hours because of the difficult political situation and state of emergency here in Thailand at the moment. I was starting to get very frustrated and this resulted in me spending countless hours trying to do tasks that should have only taken me a few minutes…and I still haven’t done them (like adding my RSS icon to my blog). I was falling behind everyone else and it HURT!
But then I realised that the problem was ME…all these set-backs that were admittedly real, I was using as an excuse for not getting things organised and completed. I forgot Alex’s basic planning daily task priority system.
Your strategies are simple and effective…I will use them when my next “crisis” happens..thanks Bailey.
@Peter
Hey Peter, having those frustration moments is when we start to lose track. I guess thats why it’s so important to make planning into a habit, so that we consistently do it no matter what life throws at us!
thanks for sharing with us bro.
Bailey
Nice Bailey,
What a great post mate, I can relate to what your
saying when i started online i got that feeling
that i could never make it that big they had 30,000
people on his list, how am i going to get there!
Consistency is the key.
Great post mate
Matt
@Matthew
Good reminder to keep the consistency. Consistency is hard, but is the key to success.
Thanks for dropping by mate, would love to see how you’re doing and seeing you have that 30,000 list soon!
Bailey
yo bailey
yes its crazy times my man
we are all taking a check on what we
have been doing i think..
we all got a bit excited with our new
found fame and thought we were supermen/women
1 foot in front of the other, nice and slow..
dont run before we can walk..
i just wrote a post on this same subject..
its all good my man
peace..nicky
Great post! This is my first time visiting your blog…..and i love what i see. I know how it is to stumble across so much information that you end up doing nothing at all.
I finally have gotten to a place where i can calm myself……which allows me to soak up new knowledge from other gurus without getting overwhelmed and distracted from my mission.
I also realize that i don’t have to apply everything that i learn to my business. With every encounter that i have with knowledge…..i take only a few golden nuggets with me….that will assist me during my journey and i leave the rest behind.
I will be back to visit you again…..and i will be sharing this post with my friends!
Thanks,
Antoine Grant
Baily mate,
Good on ya with the scrabble picture alot of people woundn’t put that up.
I have done a course in NLP myself and it is a real eye opener in the way that you think about things great for the mind and the focus.
Excellent post my friend
Glyn
@Glyn
Yeah, NLP has so many uses and applying them to our business is helping give great results.
Its those small changes that can have such a big impact on results!
Bailey
@ Antoine
Thanks for dropping by. Yeah, those golden nuggets can change your life so much sometimes. Its so easy to get distracted when there is so much information out there. Now I’ve learned to keep the good stuff and not get side tracked with the less useful stuff.
Hope to connect with you again Antoine.
Bailey
@ Alex,
Thanks for coming by my blog. It’s a great honour! I’m learning alot from yours.
If theres anyone who wants to learn how to blog the right way, go check out Alex’s blog. You’ll learn a lot of cool stuff.
Catch up with you soon Alex.
Bailey
Hey Thanks Bailey, that’s awesome of you to say! quick tip man, in your admin dashboard, go into discussion settings and enable threaded (nested) comments (maybe 5 deep)
This way when you reply to a comment, it will appear under the comment it pertains to.
Thanks for that tip Alex! You must be reading my mind cos I’ve been wondering how to do that for ages!
I thought it was just my theme.
Here you go, first reply to comment that is actually under the person’s comment!
Thanks again,
Bailey
Bailey,
Great inspiring post! It is good to hear people being real about all of this. These struggles you are experiencing are going to make you stronger. Everyone must find their voice–the angle they chose to communicate the messages they carry to impact this world. As we continue to be true to who we are created to be others will be drawn to the unique qualities we possess. You are a great inspiration. Keep up the good work.
PJ
Hey PJ,
Totally feelin you man. Can’t agree with you more: We are all so unique and that is such a good thing. When we give our best for others, they will be drawn to the great qualities for sure.
Thanks for the support, really appreciate it and it helps me move on forward you know!
Bailey
Hi Bailey.
Very good post mate.
When i first started looking into internet marketing i had serious info overload. I was trying to learn everything all at once. This is not working, what am i doing wrong, i couldn’t understand it. Then i realized, i was just trying to do to much. After starting Alex’s coaching i have now got over this problem, i concentrate on 1 or 2 things now, when they are right i move on to the next.
Great Blog.
Best wishes
pete
Hey Peter,
I think a lot of people are in the same boat. Its great to have fellow students to help support each other. Yes, life is easier when you concentrate on one thing at a time!
Thanks for dropping by, must catch up again soon!
Bailey