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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 online business operator, programmer, web site developer, 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
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