From Procrastination to Confidence by Taking Baby Steps

My Take Away From Ilise Benun’s 21 Day Challenge

 

I had an account in LinkedIn for several years. When I received an invitation from a friend, I didn’t know what to do with it. I didn’t know how it worked. Occasionally I would log in to see what was there. It was such a mystery to me. The more I tried to figure this out, the more confused I became.

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From confusion to frustration to giving up, I knew I just couldn’t

navigate the site without help. I couldn’t understand the concept of

LinkedIn and the hidden treasures which were beyond my scope.

Procrastination became my unwanted friend.

I knew there was a hidden gem in all that confusion. So I didn’t give

up. I had Ilise Benun’s 21 Day Challenge already as part of my programs

on the American Writers & Artists Institute (AWAI). I never opened it.

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Approximately 21 days ago, I decided to review the course. I joined the

Facebook group. There was chatter among the Facebook group that a

live session was about to start. How neat was that?  Orientation was

within the week. Of course I had to find out more.  Logging into that

first session, I was hooked. I thought to myself, “I can do this.

Goodbye Procrastination!”

Throughout the live sessions, Ilise taught us her philosophies.

Everything that can be used for your business can also be related to

one’s personal life. SLOW DOWN. Take those baby steps.

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 When learning new concepts many of us want to get ahead by just barreling our way through. We want to get to the finish line NOW! This can be destructive for someone like me.

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 Yes, the task is completed but what did I learn? Usually a detail is missing. Then I spend countless hours trying to find where I went wrong. I would become frustrated and decide to “wait a bit.” I convinced myself that I would return “another day.” Hello Procrastination!

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Once I understood how important taking baby steps are to achieve your goal, another pearl

of wisdom was introduced to us. I learned I don’t need to worry about clients. I need to focus

on myself. “Change your mindset,” Ilise would remind us. It’s about the mindset. If I can go

into a room of a complete stranger and understand that person’s beliefs and concerns, then

I have the skillset  to define what a client will need. My grip on Procrastination is not as tight.

I am gaining knowledge and confidence.

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Being analytical in nature, I really like the concept of my business bein a laboratory. You

wouldn’t believe how much pressure has been taken off me. It doesn’t have to work the first

time. I don’t have to be perfect.  If something doesn’t work, try something new. Keep trying

until it does.

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Since I am allowing myself to try different approaches, I am able to find the one that will work

for each specific client. What will work for client “A” may not work with client      “B.”  I am

only touching Procrastination’s hand now. Not yet willing to give it up completely.

My fear is slowly diminishing.

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And lastly listen to the market. I confess this is an uncharted concept for me. “What do  you

mean?” I thought. It became clear as I completed the assignments for my practice prospects.

The answer is research. It’s during the research process,, I found where there are areas to

help.

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Knowing the procedure and how to navigate LinkedIn, shows me that the unknown is not as scary as I originally thought. By taking my time to search out my practice clients within my ideal niche,  I am confident now that I can research in other niches as well with the same proficiency.

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My promise to myself, work on my business for 30 minutes a day, and Procrastination will be in the shadows. I am thankful for this mindset change. I am looking down the path to Confidence.