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September 25, 2008
 The two main factors or qualities of success and failure are the same thing. If you have these two traits then you're probably successful at whatever you do, if you don't have them, then you're probably not successful and perhaps even a failure.
Let me give you an example:
I'm working my tail off on a few projects right now. That's one reason my posting frequency on this blog has been below normal lately. One of the projects deals with my music and recording some new material. I needed to setup my recording equipment in a new location and prep the area for recording by temporarily installing a bunch of acoustic dampening material (acoustic foam). I had a deadline to meet and an even shorter window of opportunity to get the work done because my wife was having her gall bladder removed and I had to finish before her surgery so that I could help her and take care of things around the house.
Yet what happened? I found myself spending an exorbitant amount of time building wooden frames to hold the acoustic foam panels. Previously, in the other location I used to do this, I had the foam panels mounted directly to the wall; I couldn't do that in this location and needed to make something to hold them. This setup involves a lot of equipment and cabling, and I spent lots of time getting every little thing as perfect as I could. Finally, I started realizing that my window for getting anything written and recorded was getting smaller and smaller. So I stopped being so anal about the setup and started doing what was actually important at the moment: recording. I met the deadline; however, I could have done more if I'd had better clarity of focus and self-discipline.
Kind of goes back to when I was a kid and my dad would send me out to mow the yard... I'd spend two hours fixing the lawn mower when it wasn't even broken. I'd sharpen the blade, adjust the carburetor, gap the spark plug, etc. Yes, those things occasionally need doing, but more often than not the thing will run good enough to mow the grass.
Like Larry the Cable Guy says: "Git-R-Done"!
Once you get something accomplished you can spend a little time fixing the lawn mower or building more wooden frames to hold things. Then accomplish something else. Rinse and Repeat!
My example is actually not that bad because I accomplished what I needed to for the most part. But sometimes it's worse. Have you ever cleared a weekend to work on a special project or two and find yourself sidetracked over and over? Then by the end of the weekend, on Sunday evening, you're so mad at yourself you can't stand it because you didn't even finish one of the things you set out to do. This is where most people fail. Like a jinxed horse in a race, never getting out of the starting gate. This came up, and that came up, and you turned on the TV, and two movies later you're still sitting on the couch eating lunch except now its dinner time. Rinse and Repeat!
If you're into sports or music, you've seen people who buy every item they can to help their game, instrument, or performance. If it's sports, they own everything Under Armor makes. If it's a guitar, they have every accessory, every gizmo and enhancement, and every setup adjustment they can find. Then there's the other end of the spectrum: they guys who have the bare minimum of equipment, or just a high quality instrument, and they rely on their skill and execution ability.
This second group will generally be the ones to succeed and will get the endorsement deals for all the equipment and accessories - after they've proven themselves, after their self-discipline and clarity of focus have helped them to succeed.
There are a lot of things that can help you get and maintain self-discipline and focus. Everything from yellow sticky notes to paid mentors, coaches, and teachers. Being hungry and really wanting what you're striving for helps too.
You read a lot in this internet marketing arena about the key to success being taking action or even taking inspired action, but I want to add to that and make it: taking the correct action and taking it now.
Clarity of Focus - identifying the things that will make your wheels turn verses just revving up your engine for show.
Self-Discipline - doing the things that will make your wheels turn verses just revving up your engine for show.
Until next time,
Fred
About the Author
Fred Black is an experienced programmer, web site developer, online business operator, systems integrator, father, husband, musician, and songwriter. Visit his Internet Business Blog at: http://www.pqInternet.com.
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Posted by Fred on September 25, 2008 | Printer-Friendly
TrackBack: http://www.pqInternet.com/Blog/mt-tb.cgi/160
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Comments:
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I can relate to your experience. At times it is hard to maintain self-discipline and clarity of focus. Another phrase that is often used to describe what you were going through with the lawnmower is "analysis paralysis". We often times like to fool our brains into thinking that we are getting something accomplished by "getting set up", which ends up being a "set up" for failure. If we stay focused we'll be aware of when this starts to happen. That is when our self discipline must take over so that we take action, and get started as opposed to wasting time on getting "set up" or analyzing. Nothing beats action!
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I'm glad i read your post. it's very good nformation. Thank you
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What you wrote sounded very familiar I wonder why :)...Been there. Done that.
I think planning and focusing is not the main problem, it's the procrastination that kills hehe...I guess we all have that devil within us in one way or the other...
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This was a great post. Very inspiritional. I believe anyone can do anything with great determination. Keep writing good content and I will return. Thank you for keeping me motivated.
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As with any endeavor you most likely will not be successful without the two key ingredients of clarity of focus and self-discipline (unless you just have dumb luck of course). In the end it doesn't matter how smart you are, or how good you are, if you're not focused on your target.
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I think planning and focusing is not the main problem, it's the procrastination that kills hehe...I guess we all have that devil within us in one way or the other...
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Clarity of focus is key if you are even going to get out of the blocks with an internet business - you literally need to have a focused idea in a specific niche to improve your chance of success. Beyond that without self discipline the idea won't have the energy or life to grow. Both key components to a succeeful internet business
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I enjoyed reading this as it felt like you were describing me. My TO DO list keeps getting longer and appears the day keeps getting shorter. I GET UM DONE, as you put it but sometimes its like looking at this mass list and saying where do I start.
Great Blog
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I find not leaping into things and taking time to go for a stroll and think helps me make better decisions and do less work.
I hate how busy-busy-busy you can be in the 21st century, and yet accomplish so little of lasting value.
Your Soul or 'Higher-Self' is smarter than you. Leave things on the 'back burner' for a while before committing to them.
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Determination, hard work and perseverance are going to make you successful, some of the time. Working smarter rather than harder also helps. But, how do you work smarter if you don't know how too. The only alternative is to work harder, then you later wished you worked smarter. A never ending problem, I hope to find the solution one day.
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Think what is written is true for a majority of us. Like Paul says, What you want to do, you are not able to do. What you do not want to do is what you end up doing.
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i agree that the quality, clarity of focus is one of the formulas for becoming successful at anything... when you set out to do something, you get bombarded with distractions which could prevent you from accomplishing your goals...
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I THINK SELF DESCIPLINE IS THE BIGGEST ATTRIBUTE. bEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF BED AND MOTIVATE YOURSELF RATER THAN POUR A COFFE AND JUMP BACK IN!
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