Name Your Biggest Challenge

May 9th, 2008 · 7 Comments ·

During the Brainstorming Hour with Elite Members this week, we discussed our current projects and then also named the biggest challenge we are having with that project.

The power of brainstorming with a small mastermind group is that you can analyze those challenges together, and collectively come up with creative solutions.

Our hour together was so successful in that regard that we decided to continue on that theme on a weekly basis.

I posed that same question on Twitter.com:

…and then followed up with: What do you find most challenging about your online business, specifically? Writing, learning new skills/methods, email… ?

The responses were interesting. The most common challenges that people are face in a home office environment fall under these general categories:

balance
focus
time management
organization

But when asked more specifically, the answers included: outsourcing, email marketing, home office distraction, analyzing opportunities, follow-through, juggling too many projects at once, learning new skills or technology, etc.

During our Brainstorming Hour, we dug a little deeper and looked at our short-term goals and the current project we were each working on. The question became: what is your biggest challenge in getting it done.

Often, once you name it and put it out there where you can look at it logically, you realize it isnt quite the challenge it felt like. Combine that with objective ideas from a small group of people you trust and respect, and the solution even becomes simple. A project you’ve spent a month dallying over, can all of a sudden be completed in a 24-hour period.

So the question of the day is this: What is your biggest challenge - right now? Jot it down on a piece of paper there on your desk. You can even type it into the comment section below if you like. But write it down and then look at it. Can you get more specific? Do that. Simplify it as much as possible.

Then eliminate it. And by that I mean figure out why it is a challenge for you, and decide on a realistic solution. Then take action on it: get it done.

Best,

P.S. If you’d like to join our weekly Brainstorming Hour, you’ll want to register at the SSWT Forum first. Get a feel for the community, and if you like it you can upgrade to Elite Member and access the private forum. You’ll get access to my products, other exclusive products, one on one brainstorming with an active mastermind group, and you’ll be invited to our weekly brainstorming meet…

Tags: Work at Home

7 responses so far ↓

Wulf Gar // May 9, 2008 at 9:13 am

Thanks for the session yesterday Lynn, it was great! I feel that we accomplished a lot.

I know I’m already exploring some of the ideas we came up with (thanks to all who helped!), and I came up with more ideas afterward just thinking about it!

I look forward to the next Brainstorming Hour!
Katherine Reschke // May 9, 2008 at 10:02 am

Yes it was a great session and I hope will be one of many -I love brainstorming groups.
Juliette (new baby on the way) Gold // May 11, 2008 at 6:55 am

My biggest distraction (aside form the kids of course) is being distracted! What I mean by this is that I have so many things vying for my attention, including more and more marketing ideas and methods, that I find it hard to concentrate on the single most important thing(s) needed to get my project going.

Every day seems to bring new ideas into my inbox, and it’s hard to ignore them.

Ta ra
Jules
Kelly // May 11, 2008 at 1:13 pm

I never know what to say when I’m asked what my biggest challenge is.

Is it because I am in denial about having a ‘biggest challenge’?

Or that I don’t like to admit I have any challenges?

Oh deep deep thoughts on a Sunday Mom’s Day…

Of course I have challenges! Right now I would say the biggest one is getting into a routine of working with a team - asking myself first if ‘this’ is something that should be delegated vs doing it myself, etc.
Saturday (ok, it’s Sunday) Snaps for May 10, 2008 | WAHM 2.0 // May 11, 2008 at 1:30 pm

[...] Lynn Terry inspired a moment of deep self evaluation with her post about a recent brainstorming session. [...]
Lynn Terry // May 11, 2008 at 6:02 pm

I have so many things vying for my attention, including more and more marketing ideas and methods, that I find it hard to concentrate on the single most important thing(s) needed to get my project going.

When in project mode, its best to limit distractions and work through your action plan with tunnel vision. That can be hard to do I know, but you are most productive when you get “on a roll”.

Check email - and whatever else ultimately distracts you - first thing in the morning and put a time limit on it. Anything of interest can be saved in a “read later” folder, with the main goal being that you speed through it and then get to your own action plan. This way you wont feel like you’ve missed out on anything, or worry that its piling up on you - if thats a concern.
Lynn Terry // May 11, 2008 at 6:10 pm

I would say the biggest one is getting into a routine of working with a team - asking myself first if ‘this’ is something that should be delegated vs doing it myself, etc.

Great challenge Kelly! I think many of us can relate to this one. The goal is to outsource anything that you can - basically, anything that doesnt require your personal voice/touch. Doing this will free you up to do the things you enjoy most - and to explore new things that you can do for your business.

Getting into the routine of it just takes a bit of time and adjustment, but it also helps if you have great hand-picked team members that you feel 100% confident with.

Similar to your challenge, one of mine has been to find new people to add to my team - vs spending that same amount of time to just “get it done” myself. In the end I know full well it is worth it to invest the time in a good team, so its just a matter of getting over that hump and making it happen.