That cool “work station” that you created for yourself isn’t so cool anymore is it?
The desk that seemed waaay to big at the time is now covered with papers, magazine articles, printed copies of web pages, unopened mail, coffee cups and food wrappers…right?
OK, time to get serious about running a business. Just because you can work at your business in your pajamas and fuzzy slippers, doesn’t mean this is all fun and games.
This is a real business that requires real management and organization. Because of the informal working environment of an internet business you absolutely must find and develop a personal work ethic and build a strong character to organize your desk, your computer and your work habits.
Basic Rules:
1. Have a specific time every day that you will be working at your ‘company’.
2. Make sure that you have a clean, quiet, organized work area.
3. Have a plan of action every day. Set weekly goals. Write them down (but be prepared for some unexpected dilemmas also).
4. Take a day off for something you enjoy doing (this is huge!).
5. Discipline yourself to follow Rule #1 and Rule #2.
I can’t tell you how important these rules are to your success. As “newbies” we’ve all had to deal with the disappointment of learning that we won’t make millions of dollars in just two weeks!
Sorry to say this but, get over it… and let’s get to work. Internet marketing isn’t for the weak minded or weak of character. Its hard and lonely work. There are no office parties, no holidays off, no gossiping/story telling by the water cooler.
Here are some suggestions and ideas that I’ve learned and used to keep me organized:
When you were creating your “work station”, I’m sure you probably did what I did and decorated it with a bunch of motivational placards, magnets, sticker etc…get rid of them!
Basically anything that can distract you. (Pictures of family or someone close to you is totally cool though…that kind of stuff can remind you why you’re doing this to begin with)
Put your computer screen in the middle of your desk, your speakers to the sides, if you have a CRT put it someplace that doesn’t take up desk space or constrict your legs under the desk, take your external hard drive off the desk (side note: you’re backing up your stuff right?!). Lighting is a plus too, natural light preferably. Make sure you can see what you’re working on… obviously.
I was a voracious (how’s that for a big word!) note taker. And if you’ll take a look at your desk and you’ll probably see that you are too. This is a real waste of your time in my opinion. Why? Because all those hard copy notes you took, you can’t find, and the notes you carefully filed in your computer for future reference, are just one of hundreds of ‘files’ you’ll never take the time to read, even if you could find the right one. Browse them all quickly…and dump.
Kind of simple for some but this is what works for me. I have two small notepads one on either side of my keyboard. One is for notes, to-do list, important calls, etc., the other one I write down all the URLs, webpages, and other stuff that I want to review at a later time.
It really helps me if you start each day by putting the date on the top of the notepad. When I’m all done with these notes I just toss them… recycle actual, it’s frowned upon if you don’t where I live.
I obviously throw some technology in my note taking too, but the point here is to get rid of it when you’re done.
Pretty simple stuff huh? Yes and no. The focus is that organization is a huge part of your online success.
Just doing my part to help you succeed 
Talk soon,
-Jonathan
P.S. – If you have any tips you’d like to share that helped you, or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.
August 21, 2011 at 2:50 pm
Great stuff Blaine! Seems that you have the organization game down cold… can’t stress how important it really is.
Thanks for the kind words!
Talk soon,
-Jonathan
P.S. – I’m a huge Cardinals fan… I say at least second round this year!
August 27, 2011 at 6:42 am
Thanks so much for the article.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.
September 1, 2011 at 2:07 pm
I appreciate the kind words.. thanks!
-Jonathan
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October 5, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Thanks Jonathan!
Talk soon!
-J
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October 11, 2011 at 10:40 pm
Glad to be of help Darnesha. Good luck.
J.
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December 19, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Glad to be of help Michael. Don’t give up.
Jonathan
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Thanks Stacey,
Jonathan
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March 19, 2012 at 6:47 am
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any methods to help reduce content from being stolen? I’d truly appreciate it.
March 19, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Erin,
Copyrights entail almost a 6 month wait…per article! So unless you have an eBook, etc. attempting to copyright original articles is tough.
Most of the article libraries, Ezine Articles, etc. have very good filters to protect your original works.
Just insure that you submit your articles, and get them approved here FIRST, before you publish them anywhere else.
Good luck.
Jonathan
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