Panic is not the answer...

In a couple of posts over the last few years I've mentioned motivational/spiritual author, Melody Beattie. My wife got me into reading her every morning several years ago. While not everything she writes is always relevant to my life or business, every now and then there's a gem that's so worth sharing.

This morning's was called, "Panic" and here's a sliver of what Melody wrote...

"Don't panic!  If a swimmer was crossing a great lake, then suddenly focused too heavily on the distance remaining, he might start to flounder and go under - not because he couldn't swim, but because he became overwhelmed by panic.

Panic, not the task is the enemy.

Many of us have moments when we feel crowded and overwhelmed. We have times when we feel like we cannot possibly accomplish all that needs to be done..."

A few thousand posts ago, my good buddy, Scott Bourne wrote a post about being a new photographer. I'm paraphrasing, but essentially he said, "Stop worrying about what you have yet to learn and focus on how much you've already accomplished."

Whether you're new or a seasoned veteran I'm convinced that everything happens in its own time and as long as you don't procrastinate, everything always gets done. Years ago I worked for a manager at Polaroid who was constantly dumping big projects with short deadlines on my desk and I remember going into a complete panic attack over how I would ever get it done.

In the process of dealing with the stress I was creating myself, I found myself unable to focus on the tasks. I was completely overwhelmed and like Melody's swimmer, was headed to becoming drowning victim. A good buddy, gave me some advice, the same my grandmother had once given me, "Just take it one step at a time!"

So, here's why this is such a great topic for Marketing Monday...you've got so many plans you've been kicking around and many of you, instead of just digging in and getting started are waiting for the Marketing Fairy to come and magically get them going for you. Well, I'm as close as you're ever going to get to the Marketing Fairy, (there's a scary thought), but here's what you need to do.

• Make a list of everything you want to accomplish for the next two months.

• Prioritize your list, focusing on the "low hanging fruit" to start - those are projects with a good return that are easiest to implement.

• Review your list every few days and modify as necessary.

• Most important of all - you're only one person and maybe there are things you need help with. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Over the years it's been the hardest lesson for me to learn - I always want to do it all myself and forget to ask friends and family for help.

Last on the list, stop the panic attacks. Panic isn't a constructive process and instead of worrying about how much you have yet to do or accomplish, be proud of yourself for how far you've come!

"When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor.
It's to enjoy each step along the way."
Wayne Dyer

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