Did You Advance the Ball Today?

[David Jackson]

A foundation for success is not achieved by doing something big one time. Quite the contrary. Enduring success is achieved by doing lots of little things consistently over time. Doing the little things over and over and over again.

My question to you is this: What did you do to advance the ball today? In other words, what did you do to help grow your business today? Did you tweet? Did you make a blog post? Make a forum post? Write an article? Optimize your website? Ask a customer for referrals? Advertise?

Me? I did all of the above, plus a few more things, including write an amazing new article which I hope and expect to be published by SiteProNews. I wrote it to coincide with the launch next month of my brand new website, Reviews-by-Customers.com.

So, what did you do to advance the ball today? More importantly, remember to advance the ball every single day, until you reach your goals.

David Jackson

[jkgourmet]

Success is not achieved by doing something big one time. Quite the contrary. Success is achieved by doing lots of little things consistently over time. Doing the little things over and over and over again.

David Jackson

I know you're right, David - but can I have just a few days each month where I DO get "something big" done???

I just love your posts - they get me moving with forward motion. Thanks.

[Lynn Terry]

Great topic. This is my 13th year in business, and I can tell you firsthand that my success has happened one task at a time. The key is in being both persistent and consistent.

That said, JK - I love the "go big" days too, where I have a burst of hyper-productivity and just get something insanely cool accomplished. Nothing beats that sense of achievement!

But of course, in between those big moments - it's the little tasks that keep things running and constantly moving forward...

[David Jackson]

I know you're right, David - but can I have just a few days each month where I DO get "something big" done???

Absolutely, Jeanette! If doing several big things during the course of the month works for you, and helps you to advance the ball - then, by all means, keep doing what you're doing.

However, if what you're doing isn't working to your satisfaction, you need to try something different. By the way, thanks for your kind words about my posts. I'm glad you enjoy them. :)

David Jackson

[MaryGallagher]

Yes, David, Lynn, Jeannette, that is so true. I'm thinking of the Phillies baseball team, who are doing great right now in the post season. To get here, each player did their due diligence every day: in every game, at every practice, with every hit, every strike, catch, miss. Each progressive action makes the home runs and world series' wins possible!

You can only get there from here by going through the process of gradual movement toward improvement. It feels good to set and reach those milestones for yourself.

Thanks for the great posts.
Best,
Mary

[Chris Norman]

Thanks for the post David. Your encouragement is great and most welcome.

Chris Norman

[David Jackson]

Thanks for the post David. Your encouragement is great and most welcome.

Thank you, Chris! I appreciate that. I wish you nothing but the best!

David Jackson

[watzzupsport]

Some times when you are looking at all the things that need to be done there seems

such a truth in the old adage ' how do you eat an elephant, one bite at a time'

ARRGh what am I saying I am a vegan caring about animal rights.

Forget the Elephant thing go with Dave's advance the ball analogy to which I would add what works for me is ,make a promise just to do one thing it seems to have a rolling effect and sometimes as Lynn described can turn into " a go big " day

[Chris Norman]

Thought about this all day today! Thanks again David.

Chris

[David Jackson]

Thought about this all day today! Thanks again David.

No problem, my friend! Whenever, I post in a forum or write an article, my mindset is "if what I write helps or inspires just one person to change, it will have done its job."

Apparently, I've done that with this topic. I thank you! :)

David Jackson

[David Jackson]

Thought about this all day today!

Okay, Chris, it's a new day. What did you do to advance the ball today?

David Jackson

[Chris Norman]

David,
I love the challenge and the throwing down of the gauntlet! We all need that kind of encouragement.

I did some research, wrote an article, read a report about report writing and laid down a game plan for the next week. How about you? (This all smacks of a "support group" and perhaps it is!) Accountability is a good thing.

Take care my friend and have a great weekend, Chris

[David Jackson]

I did some research, wrote an article, read a report about report writing and laid down a game plan for the next week. How about you?

Chris, it is a challenge. I want to see you do well. Bravo for all that you accomplished today!

Me? I just put the finishing touches on a awesome new 1700 word article, added some content to my new website, tweeted, did some forum posting, consulted with several clients, helped ghost-write a chapter for a new Internet marketing e-book and updated my Google Alerts.

You have a great weekend as well, my friend!

David Jackson

[Lynn Terry]

(This all smacks of a "support group" and perhaps it is!) Accountability is a good thing.

You should see the things going on in the private forum area ;) lol

[Chris Norman]

Is it safe? No strange initiation is there? I do hope to join the elites soon! Thanks again Lynn.

Chris

[Lynn Terry]

Safe? Hmm... Answers to that may vary from member to member :p

Our main focus is action & implementation, and I really like to challenge everyone as much as possible. It's a fun group. Stick around here on the public forum for awhile and get a feel for things. The members in red are Elites so you can get an idea what they're like when they post here on the public forum. Also, I'm not sure if you can see it from your side, but there are almost 12,000 posts just in the private area. Pretty active group! ;)

[David Jackson]

Chris, just reading the different topics, it appears that you are actively trying new things - or at least thinking about trying new things. That's all very positive. Keep advancing the ball, and remember, I'm here if you need me. :)

David Jackson

[Chris Norman]

Thanks David, I appreciate you very much. Just trying to get the right spin on the ball so it will advance!

Take care, Chris

[David Jackson]

Thanks David, I appreciate you very much. Just trying to get the right spin on the ball so it will advance!

You're quite welcome, Chris. Just remember, sometimes, in order to advance the ball, you have to take a couple of steps backwards. There's nothing wrong with that.

David Jackson

[David Jackson]

Paging Chris Norman! Hey, Chris, what did you do to advance the ball today? I know you posted on this forum - but what else did you do to achieve your goals?

I realize it's been a few days, since I last checked in. But I told you that I was going to stay on top of you, and that's exactly what I'm doing. ;)

David Jackson

[Chris Norman]

Bring it on David, I love it! I am heavily involved in painting the outside of my house this week. What I did do was check out this forum and start a new thread today. (Lots of questions!)

Thanks for riding me brother, keep it up. How about you?

Take care David,

Chris

[David Jackson]

Thanks for riding me brother, keep it up. How about you?

Well, besides posting on this forum and a few others. I researched some business topics, continued compiling and organizing content for my big website launch in a couple of weeks. And I wrote another amazing new article. I have about 10 brand new articles in the pipeline that I'll be releasing exclusively to one or two authority sites for publication over the next few weeks.

I'm stacking new articles up now, because I anticipate being even busier than I am now, once I launch my new website. I have to say, I'm prouder of these articles than anything I've written in a while - they're that good.

And these aren't skimpy little 500 word articles either. These are comprehensive1500 word articles. These are game changers!

David Jackson

[Henrik Flensborg]

Love the accountability of this :-)

I wrote a review blog post to advance the ball today - and will decide on an article topic for another article for EA (and write the article as well)

[David Jackson]

Love the accountability of this :-)

I wrote a review blog post to advance the ball today - and will decide on an article topic for another article for EA (and write the article as well)

Good for you, Henrik! That's exactly why I started this thread - to make members more accountable to themselves. It's one thing to say that you're going to do something, but when you know someone is going to check up on you to make sure that you did it - well, that's just extra incentive to get the job done!

David Jackson

[Steve]

I did a few things today to move the ball.. including tweeting, blogging, writing and I also joined this forum today.

steve

[David Jackson]

I did a few things today to move the ball.. including tweeting, blogging, writing and I also joined this forum today.

Bravo, Steve, bravo! And welcome to the forum! I plan on keeping an eye on this thread, so I expect you to check in often to let me know what you did to advance the ball.

By the way, if I can do anything to help you - just ask!

David Jackson

[Jackie Lee]

This is a great thread. Accountability has been huge for me. I have an "accountability partner". We get on the phone and speak every week day. We discuss what went right yesterday, what went not quite right, what we can do to make it right, and then what we plan to accomplish today. Has definitely helped me stay on track.

I love the advanced the ball idea though ~ nice. Here's what I did today to advanced the ball.

1. blog post ~ tutorial, step by step.
2. Answered many questions on the blog and off
3. gathered resources for a link post I'm working on
4. tweeting/facebook
5. Link building (more than I was motivated to do)
6. Sent an email to my list to drive traffic.
7. identifying blogs and bloggers I want to build relationships with
8. identifying forums I want to participate in to create more relationships
9. keyword research for new squidoo lenses
10. identified short term goals to stay on track
11. updated my RSS plugin so new message goes out with RSS feed about new services I'm offering


Wow ~ I was feeling totally unmotivated today, and beating myself up a little that I didn't get done what I had planned, but it looks like I did quite a bit!

Great thread, and I look forward to getting to know you all!

Jackie

[Lynn Terry]

Welcome Jackie & Steve :)

[David Jackson]

This is a great thread. Accountability has been huge for me. I have an "accountability partner". We get on the phone and speak every week day. We discuss what went right yesterday, what went not quite right, what we can do to make it right, and then what we plan to accomplish today. Has definitely helped me stay on track.

I love the advanced the ball idea though ~ nice.

Thanks, Jackie! Welcome to the forum. I started this thread with accountability in mind. I'm happy to see that you're as serious about accountability as I am.

I look forward to seeing more of your updates.

David Jackson

[Chris Norman]

David, look what you started, this is great.

Ball advancing updates later!:D

Let's all keep moving forward! Take care, Chris

[Lynn Terry]

It's 10am - I've prepped for my morning webinar, emailed my list, tweeted with my peers, posted to my blog, prepped my next post in queue, done 3 loads of laundry (I have teens lol), answered all of the new comments on my blog, arranged to outsource a theme design for my next new blog, checked in here at my forum (in progress), and updated my Facebook page... so far.

[David Jackson]

It's 11:15 a.m, and so far I've posted to several forums, verified 9 SEO testimonials for authenticity, started writing a new article, consulted with some clients and read a couple of articles on the SiteProNews website - but I'm just getting started! ;)

David Jackson

[Henrik Flensborg]

8:30 pm, corresponded with another IM this morning, went to work, drove 2 kids and the wife off to various places, shopped, picked them up, cooked dinner and now I'm heading to a health/food blog of mine to make a new post

[David Jackson]

8:30 pm, corresponded with another IM this morning, went to work, drove 2 kids and the wife off to various places, shopped, picked them up, cooked dinner and now I'm heading to a health/food blog of mine to make a new post

Great job, Henrik! I salute those of you who have kids. Running a business is tough enough on its own. But running a business while taking care of your kids - I can't even begin to imagine how difficult that must be.

You have my utmost respect, Lynn, Henrik and any other member entrepreneurs with kids. Again, I salute you!

David Jackson

[David Jackson]

Chris Norman, did you advance the ball today? If not, why? If so, how?

David Jackson

[tek95969]

Where can I get a ball? ;)

Phil

[Chris Norman]

Phil, I'm having a ball and I will share!

Yes David, I did. I subscribed to your websites feed and that was about it. Why you ask? :eek: Because I am knee deep in painting the outside of my house! :D

Feel like I am lagging behind and have some catching up to do for sure. You guys are so much further along than I so to all "Newbies"(I hate that word.) like myself, remember not to compare your situation to others. No two people are the same nor can the same be required of two different people. Judge yourself on what you did today, not what others did. If you did your very best, than you indeed "advanced the ball".

All my best, Chris

[David Jackson]

I subscribed to your websites feed and that was about it.

Thank you for subscribing to my blog - which begs the question...what took you so long? ;)

David Jackson

[tek95969]

Let's see - I read three articles, one on Web Content, one on keywords and another on SEO; worked on my newest site and my blog; listened to the Rosalind Gardner interview again; cued up some Tweets; rewrote an article that was rejected by Ezine;researched Aweber and signed up for the trial.
I also networked with a guy who has several books published on sewing designer pillows and bags and does nationwide workshops where he's a spokesperson for Babylock Sewing Machines (the Mercedes Benz of the sewing world). Just a fascinating person who's loaded with energy and creativity (he also handles all his own PR & Marketing, and website with tons of videos on Youtube). He also told me he works 24/7 at what he does. Why?
Because he LOVE'S it! And he is driven!

If you really love what you're doing- moving the ball forward comes easier and easier.

(Sorry this was so long, I'll shut up now :rolleyes:)
Thanks David for the thread...

Phil

[Henrik Flensborg]

Advancing the ball today will consist of doing absolutely nothing IM related and just spend time with the family after work.

[Lynn Terry]

That's so very important, Henrik :) I love those days!

Chris, you make an excellent point. I talk to people every week who feel discouraged about where they are in comparison to others, but we are ALL in our own place. There will always be people ahead of you and behind you on the ladder to success - always.

The key is to remember that success is a personal thing, defined uniquely by each individual person, and the only thing you should compare yourself to is where you've been and where you're headed.

[Henrik Flensborg]

That's so very important, Henrik :) I love those days!

I especially love October 23 :)

[Lynn Terry]

Ahh yes, and for good reason!

Happy Birthday, Henrik :)

[StephenT]

The key is to remember that success is a personal thing, defined uniquely by each individual person, and the only thing you should compare yourself to is where you've been and where you're headed.

I think I will quote you on my blog!

[Lynn Terry]

Great - should be a good topic for your blog, too ;)

[Baggs]

Originally Posted by Lynn Terry
The key is to remember that success is a personal thing, defined uniquely by each individual person, and the only thing you should compare yourself to is where you've been and where you're headed.

Very true, but you do need to know where you are going, and this is why the type of accountability David has started with this post is a great help.

[Henrik Flensborg]

Ahh yes, and for good reason!

Happy Birthday, Henrik :)

Thanks - a year ago I was in my 30's - now I'm on my way to 50 ;)

But with my new job and my new body I feel greater at 41 than I did at 40

[David Jackson]

If you really love what you're doing- moving the ball forward comes easier and easier.l

I couldn't agree more. If you love what you're doing, advancing the ball does get easier with each passing day. Passion is a great motivator. Way to go, Phil - way to go!

This morning I'm putting the finishing touches on a new article I started yesterday. Then I'm going to read the new SiteProNews article I just received in my e-mail, consult with some clients and verify some more testimonials for my new site. After that, I'll get started on my afternoon To-Do list.

David Jackson

[David Jackson]

Advancing the ball today will consist of doing absolutely nothing IM related and just spend time with the family after work.

Spending quality time with your family is advancing the ball - just in a different way.

David Jackson

[David Jackson]

You do need to know where you are going, and this is why the type of accountability David has started with this post is a great help.

I appreciate you saying that, thanks Baggs!

David Jackson

[Lynn Terry]

I feel greater at 41 than I did at 40

Glad to hear that :) And super happy to have you back here at the forum!!

[Henrik Flensborg]

Glad to hear that :) And super happy to have you back here at the forum!!

It's sooo good to be back again.

Ball advanced yesterday even if I didn't actively do anything - article submitted on the 20th moved from Pending Initial Review to In Initial Editor Queue - and this morning it had moved to Pending Quality Control Review.

[StephenT]

Advanced the ball. Destroyed site and got it back. Good days work!

[TrishL]

What a great thread! I am such a HUGE believer in doing one thing each day to advance your business. I find if I DON'T do that - it is WAY too easy to let things slide for (much) longer periods of time.

My one thing for today (Sunday) - I finally took the plunge and bought a new laptop so I can write from wherever I am - and hopefully produce a whole lot more as a result! :)

[Lynn Terry]

I had a fabulous weekend with the kids, and what time I worked... I outsourced multiple tasks & projects. Super productive in what little time I spent working!

[David Jackson]

I'm currently in the process of organizing content for my new website, Reviews-by-Customers.com, (http://reviews-by-customers.com) which I'll be launching next week. Speaking of content, last week I was a bit upset, because I learned that vBulletin was no longer offering a blog option as a standalone plugin. That aggravated me to no end, because my blog is one of the primary ways that I communicate with my readers.

Then it suddenly occurred to me that could install a WordPress blog on my new site automatically through Cpanel. Now I just have to decide if I want to keep my current blog (which I've invested a lot of sweat equity into), and link to it from my new website, or transfer my content over to a WordPress blog that's installed on my domain.

There's really no right or wrong decision - it's more a matter of personal preference, so I'll just have to figure out which way I prefer to go.

David Jackson

[David Jackson]

What a great thread! I am such a HUGE believer in doing one thing each day to advance your business.

Trish, that's exactly why I started this thread, because that's my business philosophy as well.

David Jackson

[David Jackson]

Chris Norman, I want to thank you for subscribing to my blog! I hope you enjoy it. By the way, I won't be around the forum anymore to challenge you through this thread. I'll be busy preparing for the launch next week of my new website - so my spare time is at a premium.

I just wanted to give you a heads up on why you won't be seeing me around here anymore.

David Jackson

[David Jackson]

Just checking in to see how everyone who responded to this thread is doing? Are you guys still doing things to advance the ball? Even though I'm not around the forum as much anymore, I will make every effort to respond to any additional posts.

David Jackson

[tek95969]

Still here rolling the ball, hopefully in the right direction!
Thanks fo checking back in.:D

[David Jackson]

Still here rolling the ball, hopefully in the right direction!
Thanks fo checking back in.:D

Keep it going, my friend! Keep it going. Tek, if you ever have any question about whether or not you're headed in the right direction, get feedback from other, more experienced forum members to make sure.

David Jackson

[AlexNewell]

David, I push the ball forward every day...

...but sometimes it seems to bounce back again!

[David Jackson]

David, I push the ball forward every day...

...but sometimes it seems to bounce back again!

That's exactly why I used the ball analogy for this topic. Sometimes the ball bounces your way, sometimes it doesn't. The key is to hang in there, regardless of how many bad bounces you get.

David Jackson

[AlexNewell]

"The key is to hang in there, regardless of how many bad bounces you get."

Totally agree David.

I'm not a sports fan but the analogy has a lot of possible meanings

:-)

[David Jackson]

i am a newbie here and this is my first posting in this forum.really feeling lucky that i've read this kind of awesome post at first.ya i am posting a forum now and hope i have advanced the ball

Welcome to the forum, priom. Thank you for your kind words about my post!

Yes, posting in this or any other forum is advancing the ball. Did you do anything else?

David Jackson

[StephenT]

I advanced the ball today, but every time I kick it I lose it in the tall grass and it takes me a while to find it again! Damned ball anyway!

[David Jackson]

I advanced the ball today, but every time I kick it I lose it in the tall grass and it takes me a while to find it again! Damned ball anyway!

Stephen, put a GPS on the ball, and you'll be just fine.

David Jackson

[StephenT]

Great advice David! :)

[David Jackson]

Great advice David! :)

Thanks, Stephen! :)

David Jackson