I have some great links for you in this post - a download, freebie, resources to help you in your business, etc.
Speaking of business, it's Saturday evening as I write this. I've been criticized (more than once) for "working on a weekend" - at which I just smile.
I love my flexible hours and working when I please. I don't live on a schedule, and certainly don't subscribe to the 9-5 lifestyle. It's one of the (nice!) perks to running a business online from a home office - or from wherever I happen to be on my travels.
Lately though, I've really been struggling with work. I'm sure you've been through phases like that too. I've been sick for several weeks straight. It started with a stress overload: entirely too many things on my plate at once, and not just business related but in my "real life" as well. You know what they say: when it rains it pours. 😐
I'm used to stress, as a single parent and home owner and entrepreneur. But for me it's usually eustress (vs distress) and I power through it strategically with high energy. Not the case this time...
Stress turned into overwhelm which brought on insomnia. After a week or so of serious lack of sleep, night terrors and a mysterious rash set in, along with extreme stomach upset. It all just snowballed on me to the point that I felt absolutely miserable and couldn't seem to focus (at all) long enough to get ANYthing done.
Fortunately, like all things, "this too shall pass." Life is funny that way. It comes in phases, and goes the same way it comes. When things are going amazingly well, you have to live it up and give it all you've got - because that phase WILL pass too. And when things are going rough, sometimes you just have to go easy on yourself - and simply do what you can, and otherwise ride it out.
During this particularly rough phase, I stuck to my golden rule: Only address the absolute highest priorities. Everything else can wait. I simply made it a point to (only) do those tasks that were necessary to keep my life and business moving forward.
No matter how small the task, my goal is to move forward consistently - even when it's at a snails pace (lol). Larger tasks can easily be broken down into the smallest possible tasks even ("micro-tasks" I call them).
I'm sure you can relate. You've likely been through similar phases. It's no fun to get behind on everything, and adds to the stress when things are piling up on you day after day. My advice: "this too shall pass" - don't sweat it. Take care of you. Then when it does pass, dive in and get your awesome back on!
While I was "down" I collected a few great resources, and regardless of where you are on things at the moment - I know you'll enjoy these as much as I did. The first is a great article that crossed my desk at the perfect time:
Ever feel overwhelmed, torn between priorities, or like your task list will never end?? Read this: http://www.earlytorise.com/concentrate-on-this/
EXCELLENT article - highly recommended!
Here's another great article from the same source that really got me thinking:
7 Ways to Profit From Your Passion
This got me brainstorming my business funnel, and specifically how I can improve/tweak it. These two articles also had me thinking about what I most want to focus on in my business - and analyzing my top priorities. I sat down with the question, "What do I want to do MORE of, and what do I want to do LESS of?"
It's good practice to go over your books and analyze the last quarter, and the last year as a whole, and determine what worked (really well!) - and what didn't. You can do this with your site stats as well. This will help you focus on those things that will grow your business fastest, and eliminate (or outsource) those things that take too much time or produce too few results.
On that note, I have another great topic to share with you. This is not the most well-written piece, but it was a good read nonetheless. It definitely sparked some ideas and deep thinking: http://www.earlytorise.com/how-to-deal-with-excuses/
Speaking of reading, I have two books on my list at the moment, and you may enjoy these as well.
Both come in either print or Kindle versions - whatever your preference:
Networking Is Not Working: Stop Collecting Business Cards and Start Making Meaningful Connections
I've heard good things about that ^ one, and this title by Chris Brogan grabbed my attention as a fun & inspiring read:
The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth: Entrepreneurship for Weirdos, Misfits, and World Dominators
This note is getting longer than I intended...
My apologies.
I do want to give you a Free Download which is a bonus from my "Social Marketing Results" course. I think you'll find it VERY useful. 😉
Free Download: Social Media Content Brainstorming
The download references details and examples from the paid product, but the list itself is invaluable on it's own to help you come up with creative ideas to boost your social marketing efforts. Enjoy! 😀 (and feel free to share it)
Two more super-helpful social media resources you'll like:
http://kimgarst.com/the-secret-to-great-facebook-graphics
http://socialmouths.com/blog/2014/05/06/10-facebook-ads/
I hope this note finds you having a great week, or kicking off a super productive week - depending on when you read it. I've been fairly quiet around the web lately and just wanted to give you an update, and some awesome resources to help you move your business forward. Which is what I'm working on myself at the moment...
Best,
p.s. These two links aren't necessarily related to building your business, but you may enjoy them nonetheless:
1. Get an audiobook of your choice, FREE, plus a 30-day trial -aff
2. Enter to win a $500 Whole Foods Market Gift Card, a $50 Amazon Gift Card OR Free Coffee for an Entire Year!
See: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/4456/whole-foods-gift-card-giveaway/
*cheers*
p.p.s. If I owe you an email, a response somewhere, or you're waiting on anything at all from me - I'm busily catching up. I'm still getting back on my feet and taking care of myself. Give me a bit of time and I'll be back on a roll!
About Lynn Terry
Best wishes on your way back.
Thank you Nicholas! 😀
A bit late with the wishes, but glad to see you back on your feet. 🙂
Take care, and be careful of the stress!
Lynn I am not getting any emails from your subscriber list I have tried everything! I got one through from the forum. How do i post on the forum i cant see a post link?
Hi Lynn
I've been through something similar to what you describe and it can take a terrible toll. Nothing is more important than your health - take your time before getting back into things. We can wait. I'm receiving your NSB2014 instalments and they're utterly brilliant. But please don't push yourself to get the next one out - you clearly need some time and there's lots to go on with in the instalments you've already sent out if people want something to do. You always provide excellent over-the-top value in everything you do for us. So take time for yourself right now and get well.
Do take care
Eva
Thank you so much, Eva. 😀 A terrible toll indeed. Who knew something as simple as stress could snowball into feeling so miserable. I'll spare you the details of the health issues I've been going through, but suffice it to say - I've been all but useless for the past few weeks. 😛 I've definitely made "getting well" and getting back to my usual high energy productive self a TOP priority. I appreciate your kind words regarding NSB, too. It's one of my absolute favorite projects!! *cheers*
Lynn,
Glad to hear from you. Yes I completely understand about having "those" kind of times in my life & yes they do come & go. Keep looking after yourself.
Thank you Shelley! Tough phases do not discriminate, hey? They hit us all at one time or another. Fortunately they DO pass, which is what kept me going through the worst of it. I'm taking it easy on myself, but finally feel like I'm on the better side of it. 😉 *cheers*
Thanks Lynn, love the How to deal with Excuses article.
Glad to hear it, Alex - I really enjoyed that one too! 😀
Thanks Lynn.
I hope you feel better soon. <3
Thank you Watson! 😀
Thanks Lynn,
I hope you feel better soon. <3
Thank you, Don! 😀
Hi Lynn, I'm sending you a big hug and lots of love and hoping you're back to normal soon. Thanks for sharing some super resources, they're very useful. When you were sharing your story with the brainstorming group on Monday, I felt just how real and sincere you are. Some of your life events are so similar to mine, I could've been up there telling the story myself! What is remarkable, is your openness and ability to take a negative situation and turn it into a positive one. Just like you're doing now in a time when you're not feeling great. What do you do? You share useful links and great info and at the same time, help others on their way to success. Inner strength is a great quality and an asset to those who don't just talk the talk but walk the walk! Thank you for all that you do.
Thank you so much, Michelle. The private brainstorming group is such a blessing in so many ways. I absolutely love our community for the friendship, encouragement, accountability - and just being surrounded by so many "action takers" with a real desire to overcome issues and obstacles and just make things happen!
I stopped and pondered your comment about "inner strength" for a moment. I don't consider myself a strong person, though I get accused of it a lot (lol). I suppose we see strength in others different than we see it ourselves, or perhaps only see the results - not what it takes to achieve those results. It's true that I've powered through more than my fair share of adversity - some more slowly than other times, but I've overcome it nonetheless.
I used to say "I had no choice." But the fact is, we all have choices. I'm proud of the choices I've made in my life, for sure. And I've seen the results of other paths I could have taken. I wonder sometimes where my drive came from. Regardless, I'm grateful for it. And at this point, perhaps even addicted to overcoming whatever presents itself. 😉
It's a great feeling, the sense of achievement, in hindsight of course. Adversity is never fun when you're in the thick of it. These last few weeks have dragged out like a neverending state of miserable purgatory. I kept reminding myself it would pass, and that I've been through worse (like my 5+ months of horrific recovery last year, and the year+ I was sick prior to that surgery). The fact that I was able to sit down and write out something coherent last night felt like a huge achievement - and a sign I'm back in my own head. lol.
Thanks again for your kind words. I look forward to another great fast-paced brainstorming session on Monday evening! *cheers*
Hello Lynn!
Oh.. what a wonderful, HELPFUL post.
I say "wonderful" because you turned your distress into a positive for yourself and all of us too.
It's a nice lazy Sunday morning here in Denver (visiting my kiddos) and so I delve into your resources after I leave this comment.
I don't know why, but the thought that keeps circling my brain is: "Have you considered selling your big house?" I know you love it, but it was interesting you mentioned being a homeowner when listing what you had on your plate. I get the entrepreneur part and single mom, but when you added "homeowner" I thought.. Hmmm, now THAT can easily be turned into a more enjoyably situation. The process will be a hassle, but the the end result of downsizing can be exhilarating!
xoxo darlene 🙂
A nice lazy Sunday morning sounds wonderful. 😀 I enjoyed one myself here in TN. I had my coffee outside with the pups in the sunshine - a nice cool late Spring morning here! Then breakfast, a rest (which I'm allowing myself a lot of lately), and some time tending my plants on the back deck. I feel so refreshed. 😀
I have actually considered selling my house. I've put quite a bit of thought into it. And I may yet, but last year I made the decision to stay awhile longer. It's "home" for the children to come back to (and they do) which is nice. It's a beautiful location too, with personal roots for me (the street my Grandmother grew up on).
The house does require maintenance of course, but fortunately I can just hire most of it out. It's a lot of house for me and a dane - but now that there are two it doesn't feel quite so empty. 🙂 Molly has been a great addition for Slim and I both. Double the laughs and cuddles!
I renegotiated my interest rate last year when I made the decision to keep it, and with such a low mortgage and no state income tax here in TN, it makes for a good home base - even if I do decide to buy or secure a second location. I'm thinking a secluded cabin on the lake (with a HUGE fenced in area and LOTS of plants) is in my near future. 😀
Lynn..
Are you a member of "TheEarlytoRise" mastermind?
I've never even heard of these guys but I'm considering it.
darlene
p.s. and do you have an affiliate link in case I do?
Hi Darlene,
I am not a member of the mastermind and not an affiliate. I simply enjoy the email subscription. It's often my morning read over coffee. 😀 I'm not sure what they offer so I can't make a recommendation on that either way. What interested you about it, if you don't mind me asking?
I like the part about targeting each month what is working now.
But since I read it over, I went back and listened to the testimonials and then did what I always do which is check them out. Out of all their testimonials only one was current, one had not posted since last year, and all the other websites were dead.
Soooo.. not as motivated to try it out now.
darlene
Ahh, interesting. I just enjoy their daily email subscription. I don't have time to invest in a new group/community (and actually consume/contribute) so I hadn't checked that out. Glad you did your homework on it first! Maybe one of these days I'll check it out further when I have a bit more free time, just out of curiosity. Thanks for taking the time to come back and share your thoughts!
Hi Lynn,
Glad you made it back!
Your mind is capable of some very powerful things. Both good and bad. A book you should check out:The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain by Dr. John Sarno. He talks about Tension Myositis Syndrome which can cause all kinds of issues. I had a friend with daily debilitating migraines that solved it from reading his book!
I'm glad also that we're both ETS readers. My only gripe is I wish he didn't have the 1500-2500 word minimum requirement-LOL!
Best to you,
Jeff
Great to hear from you Jeff! 😀 I'll have to check that out. One of my personal favorites on the topic is Joe Dispenza's Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind. I've been drawn to read it again lately, but I simply wasn't up for it. Now that I'm feeling better I may just dive back in to it again. I'm a big fan of neuroscience, quantum physics, and of the power of mind and self in general - so I'll definitely check that out. 😉
Hi Lynn,
Excuses are one thing, real health issues are another. All of us will (if we live long enough) have things like this happen, sometimes more than a few times. I stressed myself out so bad last year when we were waiting on a house closing that a sinus infection turned into bronchitis, then asthma, then severe dermatitis! I'm still recovering from the last one.
It's a pretty day here in NJ; just getting ready to drive my spaghetti sauce over to my son's and see my "girls" (my grand daughters!) Nothing in my life makes me happier than my family and my dogs (they're my babies!)
Great post Lynn and the links are very helpful!
I can relate to that - my children and pups are what make me smile and feel a deep sense of happiness. 😀 I hope you enjoy the day!
Interesting - I Googled dermatitis and the images look similar to shingles on Google images - which I Googled before when my "rash" first broke out. Fortunately mine seems to be drying up on it's own, but it's been a miserable experience and still itches like crazy - mostly when I'm trying to sleep of all things. 😛 Not fun. What are you doing for yours??
I've had hives before during particularly stressful phases, but those tend to come and go more quickly than this is. I'm drinking lots of water, eating healthy, and keeping a close eye on it. Lack of sleep for more than two straight weeks really did a number on me, inside and out. My stomach is still recovering...
Anyway, enjoy your day - I'm off to do the same! *cheers*
Well, I use Neosporin and Cerave moisturizing cream and have a rx for mometasone which I haven't filled yet. I also use a soap-less shower wash which does seem to help. It was mostly the backs of my fingers and wrists and one lone spot on my neck.
I know these are all stress-related and all we can do is to deal with them one day at a time. Allergies have plagued me all my life and these flareups came out of nowhere, but they do seem to be retreating. Eating healthy and getting outdoors now that it's warmer with your doggies is a big plus!
I'm glad to hear it's getting better. Mine seems to be as well. And I agree on getting out, sweating it out, getting some sunshine, etc. Feeling better is my TOP priority at the moment. 😉 *cheers*
Lynn,
Thanks again for the great resources. How to deal with excuses was very meaningful to me and showed a light on what excuses I have been using to not get things done.
Glad to hear it, Linda - I really enjoyed that article as well! 😀 *cheers*
Hey there Lynn,
You've plowed through some bad stress in a very productive way with a great post and some really awesome resources.
I've been stressed as well lately along with a mild case of pneumonia, boy that has not been any fun, and I didn't work all last week. However, I need more rest yet. I think I'll dive into the great links you've shared. Thanks so much! 🙂
You take care! And HUGS 🙂
Ugh - pneumonia is the pits! Get well soon!! Definitely lots of rest and lots of water. 😉 Take care of you!
Thanks so much Lynn, I will. I've been camped out on my couch for the last week and a half! lol 🙁 I miss my comfy bed! 😛
Hi Lynn,
I am so sorry to hear that you've been going through a tough time the past few weeks. Glad though, that you are on the mend, getting your energy back, and starting to feel better. Like you & many others have commented, stress and being overwhelmed can take a heavy toll.. Slow it down and be good to yourself!!!
Thanks for all of these great resources. You are such an amazing mentor and person. Really happy to be a part of the Brainstorming Group and to be kept informed with all aspects of internet marketing. (Love Niche Success Blueprint & Social Marketing Results: printed both out at Kinko's.) You give so much, are very real & do what you do CONSISTENTLY and WELL-- I very much admire that and your amazing work ethic!
Cheers,
Nicole
Thank you Nicole. 😀 Your kind words really made my day! I'm excited about getting back to work and back on a roll. I miss my hyper-productive self, lol. Fortunately, through it all, I haven't missed a Brainstorming Hour session. Those really keep me going. I absolutely love our group! 😉
Thanks for sharing your struggles. Even though you've become a super successful entrepreneur you're not afraid to share your ups and downs which definitely brings a more human touch to your writing (much of which is missing online).
I enjoyed the article at http://www.earlytorise.com/how-to-deal-with-excuses
Ups and downs are just part of being human, the way I see it. Life certainly doesn't seem to discriminate (regardless of how it seems from the outside in some cases). 😛
I owe you an email, by the way. I haven't forgotten. My inbox is piling up on me as I work through what I can. But I'll get back to you as soon as I can. 😉
Thanks for letting me know
Hi Lynn,
Thank you for sharing your personal story. I had struggles earlier this year due to the long winter here in Canada and long working hours. I find that many entrepreneurs have this kind of down times. It is great that we can share our struggles and support each other. One lesson I learned is to prevent the stress from happening. The more free time you have the more productive you will be. Blessings!
Long work hours can definitely get to you. I schedule in plenty of down time, as well as FUN time. I consider it necessary! Still, as cycles go, we'll all have high energy / low energy phases. The best thing you can do is embrace where you are and just go with it. I'm good with taking necessary breaks, even if I have to remind myself to just stop and rest (vs getting frustrated). Sometimes it's just the best thing you can do for yourself! 😉
Hi Lynn
So glad to hear from you and really hope you feel better soon.
Take care
Sincerely Vickie D.
Thank you Vickie! 😀
Good news knowing you're feeling better! Thanks for the tips and freebies. You're always appreciated.
Thank you Regina! 😀 I look forward to getting past this (completely) and getting back on a serious roll. That's my goal at the moment. 😉 *cheers*
Hello Lynn,Great Article .
I wish you all the best with your health issues.
Slim and Molly should help you with your stress issues, nothing like a caring Pet to greet you with a waging Tail and affection that they give freely. Looking forward to the next update, cheers, Kind Regards Mickyroo.
Thank you Michael! Slim and Molly have been great company with lots of cuddles. 😉
Hey Lynn - here's a book you *might* be interested in.
Meditation for Multitaskers by David Dillard-Wright.
Comes with a CD as well.
Regards
Phil
Thanks, Phil - I'll check it out. 😉
Hi Lynn, just been reading this. I must say I am sorry to hear that. I appreciate you taking the time to share this with us. Wish you all the best, my thoughts are with you.
Thank you so much, Wayne - appreciate the note! 😀
Hi Lynn:
I hope you find yourself back in full swing soon and better than ever. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the resources and downloads in this message, even when you are down you care enough to share and help others - thanks for your kindness.
I noticed Phil Wong spoke of Meditation - Meditation is such an awesome way to deal with life's stresses and health challenges and another tool to go along with this is
Ambient Nature Music which is what I have used along with my friends and family too. It is similar to Relaxation Music only with a twist of embedding mother natures sounds - very relaxing and soothing and can be used along with a Meditation program.
Give it a serious consideration as it can be very helpful especially when you need to get a restful sleep or focus on an important project.
It is actually one of my niches I am involved with and have been using this type of music myself for over 20 years - it is very helpful in most any situation.
Thank you for the kind words, Carl. 😀 And the recommendation too! My reflexologist uses the ambient nature music during my appointments with her, and I admit I do find it very relaxing. She's been a great help too in helping me get back on track. She's a great listener, very objective, and takes a genuine interest in my overall health. I feel fortunate to have her!
*cheers*
Thanks Lynn for all the resources.
I'm diligently reading through them now. 🙂
And just a video I found useful for dealing with stress myself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcGyVTAoXEU
Perception can often change reality! :O
But well wishes to you and your family. And hope that you're in good health these days. 🙂