Subscribe Feed (RSS)My Drive Ran Out of Gas
January 31st, 2010 by Lauren | Filed under Balancing, The Ugly.…and I’ve been running on Empty ever since.
Do I really want to admit this? Thing is I know that I am not alone in the way I’ve been feeling lately. Many I know have been there before, and I’m sure there are many who have been there, just never admitted it. 
At the end of 2009 –
I went into December with my tank half full. Got done what I felt needed to be done, but didn’t put any extra effort into my work online. Thoughts of “the ideal holiday”, plus theories that I wanted to put to the test (like trying a new type of gas) didn’t quite have the results I expected. Because of that I left my tank less than a quarter of the way full. Then it got really cold, and my tank froze and my drive wouldn’t start. Really, right after Christmas it got deep freeze cold here! lol But honestly I took the week after Christmas off from any real efforts online (stayed on top of email, etc., did what had to be done – so not completely away).
Have I confused anyone yet?
Start of 2010 –
Had to thaw out my drive to get it started. I’ve spent the first month of this year reflecting on where things went last year with my websites, businesses and the blown theories. See, I had 2 weeks of guest posts to cover the holidays. It was great to have the content there, but it also lessened my motivation with that site. I’m finding I’m not good at having things fully automated. That may be a downfall, definitely a control issue, but if I’m not actively working it, to me the personal side of it is gone. I forget about the automated stuff – again something I know can be corrected with a little planning.
So, here I am looking at February. Ran the tank dry with household health issues. By the way, has anyone determined yet who takes care of Mom when she, AND the kids are sick? We are all healthy now, I’ve got a fresh tank of gas and my drive is almost back to normal! I rode it out, spent the time I didn’t feel like being online to focus with paper and pen (always my fallback, but it’s fail safe!).
Here’s the catch…I’m still trying to figure out how to jump back into the race! Seems some obstacles may have to be removed from the track, get them out of my way! Talking about domain names that may have to go, websites that are going nowhere that may have to be scrapped, streamlining. A play on “my plate is too full” I’m finding the more I have to do, the less gas I’ve got for my drive. Too much drag.
Forgive the analogy, just the way I have been able to look at it myself.
Yep, I’ve been calling it my deadweight. Too many sites dragging me down and keeping me spinning in circles. I haven’t been productive in areas that I could because I’m so focused on what ISN’T getting done instead of what I am getting done. Viscious cycle.
Dump stuff that isn’t getting worked on, that is what I’m trying to do. Then it will leave me more brain power for my good stuff. Yeah, I definitely ran out of gas the last two months myself, but I found it again
As you well know … I’m know exactly what you mean (and I do mean EXACTLY)!
My tank ran empty a long time ago. Thankfully, I’ve gotten a refill and simply can’t slow down.
Sometimes I think we tend to focus too much on the things that went wrong. Yes, evaluate those things, take a good look at what did go wrong (so we can learn from our mistakes) but then immediately get rid of them.
Don’t focus too much time on the things that went wrong … get rid of them … focus on the things that went right … focus on them.
I too had a really tough time getting back into the swing of things. As a matter of fact, it took me several restarting the stalling motor. Several “I’m back” emails but I really wasn’t back. (Thought I was but I wasn’t … and I know you know that happened to me.)
How did I fully get back? I picked one project that made me super excited to work on. One that every single day I’m celebrating that I’m one step closer to completing … absolutely bursting with excitement to final launch.
Now I’m not telling you do what I did by creating a whole new project (aka new website). Not at all. I personally already had this project started a long time ago and decided it was time to go full force on it.
I’m sure you have at least one project you’ve already started – more like I know you do!
Stop focusing on what went wrong and grab that project, start the motor (you’re going to have to force start it at first) … and run like the wind with it.
You may also have to force yourself to keep at it for a little bit (at least I did) but eventually, watch that gas guage pick up and zoon all the way to full and stay there all on it’s own!
Another thing that helps is to get back into networking again. I know this happened to me and I see it happening to you too!
Stop by Twitter a little more, stop by your (ahem) favorite message boards … and surround yourself with active business people like yourself.
Just jump right in on conversations like you’ve always been there. Don’t apologize for being gone … just jump in. I know I wrote many of those “Sorry for being MIA posts” while I was trying to jumpstart my motor but I didn’t this last time. I just acted as though I never left.
And ya know what? Along with the handful, “hey great to see you around” comments … I was more than welcomed back with open arms!
You will be too! (I guarantee you!)
As far as the age-old question as to who takes care of mom when mom and the kids are sick? Sorry honey, can’t help ya with that one. That’d be something I’ve just learned to deal with!
Good luck sweetie! We miss you!
Oh I can TOTALLY relate to this. I didn’t just run out of gas, but completely shut down for a good 6 months. Sure I was checking email and taking care of bare minimums, but there was no improving of current projects going on. What finally pulled me out of shut down mode was a new project that excited me. I let the dead projects lay where they were, and found the motivation to improve on things far from dead (call it left over excitement from the NEW project). Slowly I’m getting back to where I was, even if it’s still not full force!
Thanks my friends! I’ve got the list of dead weight, and an action plan that involves trimming some of that, plus steps to take get get me back to putting my pedal to the metal! LOL!
I’m gonna jump back in, I am really, really I am…really, you’ll see.
We’re holding you to that!
Thanks Kara! Love seeing you in my Twitter stream! I know what I need to get back to, and where I need to get back to too. I’ve got a couple of ideas to refresh old project that are so much a part of me I couldn’t let them go, and other ideas for some new projects (back burner right now).
Think I just need a fuel injector! LOL!
Been there, completely understand that…I actually left the online world completely for a long time(a bunch of factors many of which stemmed from my overloading of things online) because of that I know have in place a routine of evaluating through out the year and if AT anytime I feel a bit over loaded I try and figure out a solution right then and there or cut the “dead weight” as Val mentioned, immediately.
I am glad your tank is full and your ready to roll with a new plan
Oh yeah, you know I can relate completely. I’ve trimmed a lot of dead weight in the past year and I’m getting more and more focused every day.
Glad to see you’re getting a fill up and rolling onward
Totally hear what you’re saying! I trimmed a lot last year and boy did it turn things around. I started to focus on pretty much one thing and it has proven to be a great decision. Now I just got back from NAMS, the Niche Affiliate Marketing Conference (you can read about it here, it’s my link http://www.angienewton.com/nams.html ) and I truly had a MAJOR breakthrough and know that I can now accomplish anything I set my mind to. It was so massive I still can’t believe it (I got on video blah). It’s something that was holding me back and when you overcome something like that the feeling is crazy. I’ll write about it soon but anyway I wanted to say that if you want to get together soon, I’m all for it. We can do some major brainstorming in person if that would help.
Thanks Angie – I would love to get together! If not in person (at least not until after I get my new radiator) then on the phone. I’ll have to check out your NAMS post later – that is a goal for me for August. Already told hubby – just need firm details.
I do have ideas of areas to trim, some involve making tough decisions, but the thought of letting go sounds right. Took awhile to come to that conclusion.
I would be happy to find a day that works for us both and I’ll drive there, no worries at all. But phone or Skype works well too in the meantime. Sorry , the link I have up there is just to the NAMS site. I’ll be writing about NAMS on a page on my website soon though because I do want to share my experience. Guess I should add a blog to my personal site but it’s just one more thing you know?
I’m so glad to hear you are looking to go to NAMS in Aug. We could fly out together, that would be cool.