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Sometimes the Best Way to Improve Your Business is to Go Backward

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Article by Wendy McCance

A while back, I talked about how I was going back to the beginning.  Ever since my health fell apart, I got depressed and lost faith in begin able to hold anything together.  I knew that the only way to get going again was to:

1.  Find out why my health is in shambles.

and

2.  Get past the idea the idea that I can’t work hard until I know what’s going on with my health.

Basically, I have been paralyzed with fear.  What if I get new clients and then end up back in the hospital?  What if I am put on a new medication that makes me to drowsy to think?  Well, here’s the thing, I could have numerous horrible things happen each day.  I don’t even need to be in bad health and who’s to know what will present itself.  I can’t plan for the day I feel perfect again because it’s just not reasonable.  It’s also know way to live unless I want to throw in the towel and give up on life.

Intuitively I knew that the best way I would be able to make the transition back into running a strong writing and social media business was to start from the beginning.  Like I said in the previous article, I was starting over like my blog was rand new.  I wanted to take the familiar steps back to the present.  I didn’t trust myself to just jump in full force and anyway, I felt that going step by step would strengthen each step I had previously taken.

I have read a lot.  Reading clears my head and helps me refocus as well as get new ideas.  I started by reading some inspiring books about people who struggled and then succeeded and struggled more.  I saw the truth.  It doesn’t matter how well-known you are, how much you make or how good you are at your craft, you will always have times where there will be struggle.  Not just a small nuisance of a struggle, but a fight within that will leave you questioning if you still want to pursue what you have been working on.

The other day I grab 3 books from the bookstore.  Honestly, there were 5 I wanted, but I made myself slim down the lot.  I know I could just go to the library, but my books get used over and over.  If they are lucky enough to make it home, they will be reread several times.  I cherish my books and look to them often for advice, entertainment and a way to open my eyes.

The two books I left behind felt right, but not for right now.  They were still a step past where I was at.  One of the books was all about social media platforms with extensive details on making the most out of each site, doing analytics, creating contests etc…  Sure I know quite a bit, but technology changes quickly and I wanted to make sure I was on top of everything that was new.  T

There was also a book dealing with making your blog into an online business.  Another book I really want, but haven’t bought yet.  Once again, there was new information I wanted to check out.  I really want to look for additional ways to make residual income.  One of the things that caught my eye was how you can turn your blog into posts shared on Kindle for a price.  Definitely I different idea that I will look into further when I am ready.

So where am I now?  Well, the three books I bought were:

All Marketers Are Liars Tell Stories, by Seth Godin (a book to help me brush up on my marketing skills)

Quitter, by Jon Acuff (leaving a job to pursue your dream.  Reflecting on the up’s and down’s of taking the leap)

Success Secrets of the Social Media Marketing Superstars, by Mitch Meyerson (secrets, strategies and tactics from 20+ top social media marketers)

So, why these books?  These are the type of books I read when I was first jumping into writing and social media as a career.  I like the combination of inspiration, we’ve all been there and here’s some new information you can use.

By going backward again, I have not only filled in the cracks of things I didn’t realize I was missing in my arsenal, but it gives me the opportunity to start fresh.  It’s almost like coming back from vacation with a clear head and new determination to go the distance.  There is just something about getting information that you might know, repackaged in a crisp, shiny new book.  It’s exciting and you pay attention differently.

I am hoping to have these books completed by the end of next week.  Then I will be back at the bookstore for the two I left behind.  After that, I will be tweaking my blog, reviewing my platforms and hopefully, prospecting again.

Wendy McCance

Wendy McCance is a Michigan based freelance writer and social media consultant. Wendy has gained attention as the founder of the popular blog Searching for the Happiness which can be viewed in 9 local papers online, including the Oakland Press. The combination of writing skills and social media knowledge is what makes Wendy such a powerhouse to work with. Stay tuned for opportunities to advertise, guest post and as always, have your questions answered.

To contact Wendy McCance about a writing or social media assignment, interview or speaking engagement, please email her at: [email protected]

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6 thoughts on “Sometimes the Best Way to Improve Your Business is to Go Backward”

  1. Can I Be the Space for This?

    mysticmarks.blogspot.com

    Spiritual teacher Eckhaart Tolle instructs us regarding the critical importance of accepting and living in the Present Moment. Tolle feels that placing our attention on the Now is a primordial, fundamental spiritual practice which is necessary to truly experience “the fullness of life “.

    Our ego, however, has other ideas. It is never satisfied in the present but is always wanting something more so it can be “satisfied” and “happy”.

    However, our constant grasping for something more is actually covering up the happiness. Tolle says when we slow down and become very relaxed and create spaciousness, we let the happiness COME TO US.

    Dr. Betty Sue Flowers, Director of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum and a devoted follower of Tolle, recently made this comment during Tolle’s PBS presentation on present moment awareness:

    “When you are fully present what you need comes to you.

    Some kind of magic happens.

    When you are fully present you think of the answer without going through all the stress. It comes to you as if it’s a gift and you can be relaxed. When you are in the Now not only do things take care of themselves but the thing you thought you wanted happens in a different way or becomes something utterly different.”

    Dr. Flowers is telling us that we DO NOT need to strive for answers or solutions; we just have to be Present in our lives and we will then receive what we need. And I am betting that the answer we receive will be the best, the most creative version of what we wanted and it will be something we could not imagine on our own.

    Tolle says to have the fullness of life we have to come to an OPENNESS to the present moment…to establish a relationship with it. For whatever arises in the Now, he suggests we use this mantra:

    Can I be the space for this?

    This question invites you to enter into the Present Moment and there you are. Whatever is happening IS happening. If you argue with thIs, you suffer.

    If you accept what is happening…surrender to it, you go more fully into Life and become aligned with it.

    Here is Tolle’s proposal:

    Open yourself to what is.
    Take it in with your attention - the Now.
    Surrender to what IS at this moment.

    If action is required, it will come out of the state of attention and awareness and whatever answer you seek will emerge in its most glorious presentation from your alignment and connection to “What Is”.

    Yet another brilliant example of how our connection with Life blesses, affirms and sustains us on our Divine Journey!

    Marie Helena

    Reply

  2. Wendy _ I’m sorry to hear of your health challenges. If you are looking for an alternative - and or a great self growth program let me know and we can connect. I have read All marketers are Liars - great read - I am currently rereading the Celestine Prophecy - have you read it? I wish you great health and abundance.

    Reply

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