One concern often expressed by new marketers working online is how to find or keep motivation. The belief seems to be that before starting an online business you must “find” motivation. Inspirational quotes are traded on forums, self help books are read one after another – all in search of the elusive “motivating factor”.
The unfortunate result is time wasted and tasks not done. What does motivate you? It might be the desire to leave a job you dislike; it may be the need to earn an income after losing a job. You may be spurred into action by the idea of getting away from a lifestyle that doesn’t suit you or by the dream of living the life you want.
Your wants, needs and perhaps dreams are enough to get you excited but if you expect to feel motivated each day, you’ll be disappointed. It’s easy to procrastinate and find reasons not to start a new site. It’s more comfortable to claim lack of motivation than to admit to the “what if” list in your mind. What if my site isn’t good? What if my product doesn’t sell? What if I can’t do this right? Those thoughts are common but can be balanced by asking other questions. What if I succeed? What if my product sells like crazy? What if I’m really good at this marketing stuff?
Self-Discipline
If you want to succeed in internet marketing, self-motivation is the key. If you find motivational phrases inspiring, choose one phrase that suits you and post it where you will see it every day. It won’t help much but it will make you feel better in the beginning. The truth is it’s not motivation you need but self-discipline. If you work an offline job you don’t think about motivation because you have to do the work. The boss is watching and you have a job to do.
Starting an online business requires accepting yourself as both the boss (he who must be obeyed) and the employee (he who must get the work done). If you can see yourself as a tough boss and a good employee, you are ready to move ahead and build your internet marketing business. If you need to set work hours for yourself, do it. Take regular breaks and an hour off for lunch – after all, you are at work.
It Comes from You
Where does motivation come from? It comes from you, not from outside influences or other people. The best way to find the drive to complete a project is to start it. Begin writing articles and the results will lead you to write more. Build a website that earns a few dollars and it will motivate you to build the site bigger and better.
Focus on what you need to learn and what you must do instead of how you feel about it. Trade the insecurity of waiting for the lightning strike of motivation for the satisfaction of accomplishing a goal.
Learning online marketing with you,
~ Julie
