Get Over It. How to Deal With Problems Quickly and Effectively

Mindset is everything when it comes to tackling obstacles.  Running an internet marketing business is simply a series of choices about how to best solve the obstacles that will fall in your path daily. If you aren't good at solving problems, you have a problem. The more you avoid or procrastinate, the bigger your "problem" will become, so let's look at a good way to tackle any obstacle that might cause you or your business to be derailed. First, don't make a mountain out of a molehill. There are always going to be new things to to learn and surpirses to deal with, so your best angle is to decide in advance that nothing needs to be a problem. There's always a way to fix, solve, or re-assign your obstacle. I love the old African proverb: "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." The Haitian version is a bit more descriptive "The best way to eat the elephant standing in your path is to cut it up into little pieces." So here you are with an elephant standing in your path -- and it doesn't mention how to knock that elephant to the ground!  But let's assume you have a dead elephant lying in your path, you're not much better off! So what to do? Start cutting your obstacle down to size. Instead of being overwhelmed by the whole, use these three steps to look at how you could reduce the BIG PROBLEM into bite-size chunks that are more manageable. Most of us are working alone at home, so developing skills to manage the obstacles we run into in our network marketing business will save each of us a lot of anxiety, stress AND lots of wasted time! Step 1.  Breath deeply three times and then start brainstorming. Who do you know with an Internet business who may have had the same problem? What is causing the problem? Can it (or they) be re-arranged, re-routed, removed, or re-thought? Where can you learn more about the problem?  More insight and information provides more potential solutions to anything your encounter with your home business. How did that elephant get there? Was it a surprise?  Are you responsible? Is there something you need to change in your thinking? Step 2.  Stay relaxed. Make a list of pros and cons. Evaluate. Could the elephant be good for something? Maybe it's not such a disaster after all. Our reactions can make things seem much worse than they really are. If the elephant were gone, what would life be like? Would it really be better, or is there a herd of elephants hiding behind it?  Step 3.  Take time to make a plan. Putting things on paper is a great way to unload mental stress. Deliberation gives you breathing room to find a solid solution. Snap judgments don't always work. Who is going to help you execute (cut up) your plan for each "little piece" of elephant? Have you contacted them? Do you have the tools you need to do the cutting? What technology or skills are required?  Who can you ask or hire? Going through these steps will give you the perspective you need to come up with a solution.  They reduce your problems into "issues" that you can solve. All network marketers have to be problem solvers. That's what we do for a living, and that's how we help each other. The main thing you want to avoid is letting an elephant stop you in your tracks - whether dead or alive! I also recommend carrying a sharp machete with you at all times.... With the right mindset and marketing strategies, you can handle anything you encounter in the Internet Jungle. My free e-course “Twelve Ways to Sharpen Your Marketing Machete” has a whole bunch more helpful information for network marketers. You'll also find out why I'm such an expert on elephants!   To your abundant success, Betsy Shulman, WMI M3 Master Consultant 212 946 1026 www.elephantentrepreneur.com www.JoinmyCCproteam.com