Since this global event started, we have all quickly stopped old habits and learned new ones. I know we all miss summer travel, casual hugs, and the cancelled events. But we’re finding our way through it together.
My area has a mask mandate. You’re not allowed in businesses or public spaces without wearing a face covering. Sure, it’s hot and annoying. But I find it very easy to follow through.
I did have one embarrassing moment recently. I forgot to put on my mask at a gas station. At the last minute, a sign on the door stopped me. I scampered back to my car and grabbed my mask. No harm, no foul.
Follow through on this is easy for me.
Why?
- I believe this action has a defined benefit for me.
- I believe this action has a defined benefit for others.
- If all else fails, there’s a physical cue to remind me to take action.
With these three steps in the mix, taking action is easy for me. But what are some things that are hard?
Where do you struggle to take action?
In online business, some of the “basic tasks” create an outsized amount of struggle. We encounter resistance, shame, confusion, more shame, and fail to take action.
Email marketing is particularly challenging for many online biz owners. How many of us have a dead list who wouldn’t know us from Adam? You haven’t sent an email in weeks? Maybe even months? You’re burdened with dread about it. Shame for letting it go. Taking action isn’t just hard for you, it’s nonexistent.
Let’s compare your current email approach to our action framework above.
External motivation: “Shoulds” from online gurus.
Internal motivation: Shame spiraling out of control.
Physical cues: Umm, none? It’s all digital, right?
I hope it’s starting to make sense. Your struggle with email marketing isn’t unique. It’s kind of inevitable. If you pour diesel into a regular gas car, you aren’t motivating it to go harder. You’ve just destroyed the engine.
Shame and “shoulds” cannot produce easy action.
We’ve got to match what you put in your mind, to what you want to get out. If you want easy action, we have to untangle toxic motivations, and put in easy motivations instead.
What’s an easy external motivation?
What’s an easy internal motivation?
What’s an easy physical cue?
External motivations
What is the defined benefit for others? Your emails provide advice, entertainment, encouragement, and empowerment! Readers look forward to your emails. Hearing from you leaves them feeling better than before.
Internal motivations
What is the defined benefit for you? Your emails invite responses. You’re able to keep in touch with your readers. You get 1:1 market research. Your emails directly drive your income too. Email marketing has the highest return on investment for any use of your time. Emails = sales.
Physical cues
This is the most overlooked component for digital businesses. Without a physical storefront, you have to to create your own physical cues. I rely on affirmation cards. They’re the visual reminder of all my motivations.
Affirmations are the direct line to changing your thoughts. A simple prayer or motto will open the door to real action.
For the full run-down, download the free business mindset guide below. I’ve distilled a lot of high-level concepts into a quick & actionable workbook. So you can immediately print out some pre-filled affirmation cards, plus blank cards to customize with your own message.
Let it be easy
Hitting resistance around basic business tasks is inevitable. But the answer isn’t to push yourself harder. Instead, step back and reframe the task. Bring your internal motivation, external motivation, and physical cues into alignment.
Where are you hopping on the struggle bus? Where can you take easy action today?
