Self Motivation - a podcast by Michael Veazey

Today we're talking productivity and self-motivation. Momentum is a physical metaphor. When you set yourself in motion, you'll remain in a state of motion. Motivation is what gets you in motion to begin with.





The Company You Keep is Crucial

If you're starting out and want to get yourself into motion, you're going to need three things:

Course

When we talk about course, we're talking about having a plan of action. You're going to need a roadmap if you're going to be successful. Create a business model that works.

Community

Everyone is a member of a Facebook group. While these groups can have their purpose, they're not ideal for helping you build your Amazon selling business. In-person masterminds are the perfect community to help guide you on your journey. If you can't meet in person, online masterminds are the next best thing. Small groups are always best. The larger the group, the easier it is to get lost in the shuffle.

Coaching

When we think of coaching, sometimes we're too rigid with what that relationship should look like. A business partner or trusted confidant can be just as valuable as a traditional coach. If you need someone to help you stay motivated, maybe a conventional coach is the best option for you. For more information on one-on-one mentoring, visit http://amazingfba.com/mentoring.

Set Goals You Can Achieve

Setting realistic goals is vital. Too often I see people that are new to selling on Amazon set unreasonable benchmarks for success. I've seen applications for mastermind groups that cite a targeted monthly turnover of $250k with only $5k to invest. That's not a sensible goal. Having a big vision with no idea how to get there isn't productive. Have a 1-3 year vision, but recognize that it's just that, a vision.



If we're talking about private label, the six-month timeline is typically suitable–particularly if you're starting out. You're going to have to push to get your first product out in six months. Eight months might be more realistic.  Shooting for six months would mean your product goes live on Amazon before Christmas 2018.



When it comes to more actionable items, setting three goals for every two weeks creates a nice rhythm. That's what I use with my mentoring clients. If you're starting out building a business from scratch,  you might come up with 50 product ideas, research 20 keywords, define a niche and come up with five product ideas. Three goals, two weeks, pretty simple.

"What Gets Measured Gets Done" - Peter Drucker, Management Consultant

The first thing you should do is track your time. You can use apps like Toggl, Rescue Time, or even jot down your tasks with pen and paper. Knowing exactly how your time is spent is the first step to maximizing productivity. Limit the time you spend answering emails to one session a day. Remember, as we learned from Aaron O'Sullivan in Episode 244, context switching tasks takes a lot of brain power and focus. The sooner you can start identifying & offloading tasks to a virtual assistant, the better.

“If I only accomplish this, will I be satisfied with my day?” - Tim Ferriss

All tasks have value. Some tasks–like paying your taxes–are essential. Other tasks–like writing social posts–hold less value. Build this into your schedule. Spend the most time on the most vital functions and spend that time first. Schedule these tasks like rigid appointments. Mentoring can help immensely with assigning task value.

Success Brings Success

Self-motivation is often about getting the ball rolling. One small victory can lead to many more substantial victories down the road. Setting yourself up for success means realistically defining success. Not all wins have a monetary figure. Learning processes and moving forward through them must be viewed as an achievement.

Further episodes of Amazing FBA Amazon and ECommerce Podcast, for Amazon Private Label Sellers, Shopify, Magento or Woocommerce business owners, and other e-commerce sellers and digital entrepreneurs.

Further podcasts by Michael Veazey

Website of Michael Veazey