Getting started seems impossible - frustration

[DaveyLoos]

Hi,

It's already been roughly a year since I first read the book. Since then, I have read it three or four times to not lose motivation and tried to get started a couple of times. However, I seem to be stuck with the same problems forever and the problems are numerous: getting a muse, then designing a webshop, driving traffic towards it and so on and so on...
It's like an endless list of obstacles to overcome. And on top of that, I have to do all of that in between activities of my current job. So that makes that I am frustrated now because it seems to be impossible. I hear people talking about 'just quickly setting up a webshop using dreamweaver, but to be honest, all of that stuff ain't easy. It is hard especially when you did not get courses about it. I have the feeling that the four hour workweek just is not for me. Yet, the 40 - 50 hour workweek is also making my life go to fast. How to get out of this? The book has been like showing a dog a pile of nice food and holding it in front of him, but never giving it to him. He'll go nuts.
Davey

[AntonTheKhan]

Originally Posted by DaveyLoos

Hi,

It's already been roughly a year since I first read the book. Since then, I have read it three or four times to not lose motivation and tried to get started a couple of times. However, I seem to be stuck with the same problems forever and the problems are numerous: getting a muse, then designing a webshop, driving traffic towards it and so on and so on...
It's like an endless list of obstacles to overcome. And on top of that, I have to do all of that in between activities of my current job. So that makes that I am frustrated now because it seems to be impossible. I hear people talking about 'just quickly setting up a webshop using dreamweaver, but to be honest, all of that stuff ain't easy. It is hard especially when you did not get courses about it. I have the feeling that the four hour workweek just is not for me. Yet, the 40 - 50 hour workweek is also making my life go to fast. How to get out of this? The book has been like showing a dog a pile of nice food and holding it in front of him, but never giving it to him. He'll go nuts.
Davey

SO YOU ARE THAT GUY!!! You are THAT guy that works a regular job and IS trying to build a business on the side and finds it hard. Wow, pleasure to finally meet you. You are so unique.
Ok, enough ragging on you. From your post it seems you have no clear idea about what you want to do, which is why you don't have focus. Focus first, then the rest will come. Honestly, the whole idea of just setting up something, anything, is a little silly. If you put no love and interest in your business it will never go anywhere, not even get started.
You are telling me that for an entire year, you weren't able to even get the basics of Dreamweaver. That you couldn't even read Dreamweaver for Dummies? I mean cummon. If you really wanted to do this, you would have done at least something.
I admit, its hard. Harder than I expected. But not impossible and certainly not all that hard. Its just getting started and completing one step at a time rather than trying to do everything at once. Thats why you feel so boggled down.
Break it up. Set up must-hit deadlines for yourself.

[froldt]

DaveyLoos, I've just started myself. I've read the book twice now in about two weeks. The first time for reading and the second time for a beter understanding (when I wasn't so tired).

The focus makes a great difference. One thing that I've noticed, personally, is that the two-item todo list makes a huge difference. I'm in the process of moving, and I'm down to the last three days. So my time is over-run with all of the things that I have wanted to get done over the past month but haven't gotten around to.
My todo list yesterday was about 10 items long. I got 4 of them done. However, two of them were things that HAD to be done, and my day was worthwhile because I got them done. The other two were just side things that needed to be done and happened to be along the way. Today's list is shorter. I have just as much to do, but the critical things are first on the list, and I have a time scheduled for them. The other things are separated by a space, and will be done if there is time left-over for them. Today I feel less stressed and confident that I can get everything that I need to done.

Break the process into smaller steps. Sit down with the book, today, and write down the groups that you can identify with. Tomorrow, work through the brainstorming a product section. Soon you will have your muse idea.
As far as the website, you can also break it into smaller pieces and work on a step at a time. Today's item could be "get Dreamweaver for Dummies." Tomorrow's item could be "work through chapter one." etc...

It is hard, I agree. I am currently working on my muse. I am in the design phase and have to take care to not fall into the trap of detailing it to death. I've got a good idea, and the process to get it to market. Now I have to quit worring about the details and just go do it! So next step is the website. I'm going to do it a piece at a time.

Hope this helps, and you can do it!

[Mike2212]

Have you considered using one of the ecommerce carts from 1and1 or godaddy. Super easy to set up. Yea they are limited as to how you can make them look, but it gives you an opportunity to test the concept before diving in too far. You could also check out carts from miva or volusion.

[Vacman]

DaveyLoos,

It's tough man.

And can be overwhelming.

But if you were to break it down into smaller pieces.

And just take one small step a day.

Even if its a LITTLE tiny step.

Just think about it.

You'd be 365 steps closer than you were when you first picked up the book.

Better start now, cause I can almost promise you that it's going to take longer than you think.

And every day you wait, is one more day you won't have what you want.

Go take a step.

Today!

[webgal]

Oh go ahead and give up now. Throw in the towel. It will never happen. <grin> Did I tick you off enough to inspire you? I hope so.

[travelhead]

Hey,

I'm a full time affiliate marketer- I started 7 years ago

Here's what you need to do:

1) Set a goal for yourself. Realistically, what type of position do you want to be in exactly 1 year from today?

2) Once you set the goal, write down all the things you might possibly need to achieve the goal. This could mean a new computer, certain software, particular relationships, a mentor, a certain amount of time, money, giving up certain things, sacrifices you need to make, dedication (# of hours a week you will invest).

3) After you've completed step #2 (if you don't complete step #2, you need to re-think your life), you need to organize all that information into a meaningful plan. Start from 1 year out, how might your life feel like? Picture your new lifestyle. Develop a vision for yourself and what and why you are exactly going to embark on a mission that will fundamentally change your life.

4) After you've created a vision for yourself and your potential business, you need to dig deep into researching everything about your plan. Start talking to people, researching ideas, getting suppliers, finding a website designer, and all the stuff you NEED. Don't worry too much about all the pieces, just FIRE! Start taking small baby steps , EVEN if you don't know which direction to go! There's an amazing thing that happens when you start moving-- that momentum will propel you forward.

5) Believe you can do it. Believe that you are in control of your life and you were given certain talents and abilities to put your life to the work for positive change-- you are going to create value for others in a BIG way.

6) Continue pushing forward, even if it's small steps.

Good luck!
Josh
(I posted a more in depth reply at scrappybusiness.com)

[JFrenzel]

That first piece of advice that was given to you is key. I am telling you this from personal experience. I started a landscape co. and in my first year did over $1 million in sales, not saying this to impress you, but impress upon you that it can be done if you have the right mind set. I hate the business and would not wish it on anybody. I am in the process of getting out completely. Without rambling on, I just want to suggest that you find what it is you want to do. Forget thinking about the money. IF you just do something for money its not always the best. And you may get burned out, like I did with the landscape company. Take time to yourself and meditate. Read some solid books and take time to write. You only have one shot at life, you might as well figure out what you are shooting for.


Hope it helps a bit,

Cheers

Jose

[kazzmeister]

I have the same problem with getting started, although have only been at it for a few months. I find myself questioning Tim's advice a lot. I am dying to travel, and being that I'll be doing it as a female alone, for about a week I had myself convinced that Tim's ideas wouldn't work in my situation. However, I read various applicable areas in the book again, and he answered all of my fears.

I found it very rewarding to realize he'd said this would happen, and went back to the first exercise. It helped me a lot. I haven't traveled yet alone, but I have made a hostel reservation and will be going for a one night trial stay this month just to see if I can hack it.

I also get too worried about the details of the muse. I've made a bit of progress, but am curious to know how much time and effort other people have put in before seeing success. After reading through the book the third or fourth time, and getting to the muse math, I realized how much work goes into starting this. I'm guessing that it's not always going to be the same for everyone, nor for every muse.

Am I right in thinking that after the first muse, the next will be easier, and the next, etc?

[TimW]

Rome was not built in a day.