March 31, 2006

Vol. II, Issue 07

A Note from the Editor

Hello to All,

Welcome to this issue of The ART of Business newsletter and a big welcome to all the new subscribers. My apologies for getting this issue out a day later than scheduled. We just got back from a mini vacation in Las Vegas, and of course, our flight home was delayed so I'm way behind on my "to do" list. Which is actually a good thing, because it inspired this week's article, "Outwitting Overwhelm." I know you'll be able to relate!

I'm amazed at how fast our subscriber list continues to grow, and I can't help but feel empowered by the knowledge that so many of us are pursuing our entrepreneurial dreams--to live our lives according to our own agendas. We are a force to be reckoned with! If you know someone who could also benefit from the tips and strategies we share, please feel free to forward this newsletter to them as well.

I'm gratified too that many of you, who have already taken our free Infopreneuring 101 e-Course, have said that the course has inspired you to keep moving forward toward your goals. That's our mission at the Women's Business Gallery: to help other women gain the knowledge and inspiration they need to achieve their business goals. If you haven't taken the free course yet and you'd like to find out more about becoming an infopreneur, I encourage you to sign up now: Infopreneuring 101.

And if you've already taken the 4-day course and are ready to learn everything you need to know to set up a successful infopreneuring business, you can still sign up for the 7-week Infopreneuring Intensive workshop that begins on April 10. We'll be covering the whole business building process in a step-by-step fashion using the Infopreneur's Handbook, which I've created especially for this course, so you definitely don't want to miss out on this program. It's only $297 for the 7-week course, and the best part is: you'll be up and running your own infopreneuring business before you even complete the course!

Details and registration information can be found at: Infopreneuring Intensive. Registration closes on Monday, April 3 though, so if you want to sign up for the April 10 session, now is the time to do it!

And now, on with the business of business. I hope you enjoy this issue's feature article, "Outwitting Overwhelm."

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Outwitting Overwhelm

It's times like these that overwhelm can zap your energy, making it even harder to get over the hurdle. So what's a busy entrepreneur to do?

Before you reach the tearing-your-hair-out, ready-to-collapse-with-despair stage, sit down, take several deep breaths, and gather your wits about you. The first step in getting from Point A to Point B is knowing which direction to go, so you need to be rational when plotting your course. You'll be much more effective in accomplishing tasks when you can approach them with a sense of calm.

• Prioritize. First, think about all the things that need to get done, and make a list of them in order of importance. Include everything you can think of: What's causing you stress because it isn't finished? What absolutely must get done first? If you need to, renumber the items so that your list reflects the most important task first and the least important task last.
• Delegate. Next, see if there are items on the list that can be done by someone else--either co-workers, family, or with outside help, such as by using a freelancer. As entrepreneurs, we're usually used to doing everything ourselves, but when we become hopelessly overwhelmed, we have to learn to let go--to let others help us. It's not always easy to give up control, but it's sometimes necessary to save your sanity. Write down next to the task the name or names of a person or people that you can delegate to get that particular task done.
• Delete. Next, look at your list with a critical eye and be brutally honest with yourself: are there things on the list that don't absolutely have to be done? Sometimes, giving yourself permission to NOT do something is just the ticket you need to revitalize yourself. Unloading burdensome chores that aren't mission critical can give you the burst of energy you need to accomplish those tasks that are critical. Scratch through any items on the list that don't absolutely have to get done.
• Re-prioritize. Now look at your list and see which items are still the most important, and which ones you have to do yourself. What needs to get done today or by the end of the week? What needs to get done before the end of the month? Write down the deadlines for getting each task finished.
• Calendaring. Now that you've got your list of tasks that need to be done and their due dates, transfer the information from your list to your desk calendar, Day Timer, or computerized calendar. Whatever method you use to keep track of appointments and such is where you should list your tasks, writing down the task name on the day you need to do it or the date that it's due. Also write down the names of people you'll delegate tasks to and the dates to contact them.

Now you're ready to begin working on projects that are on your calendar today, and you know exactly what needs to be done on a going-forward basis. By organizing your thoughts, delegating and deleting tasks, and committing your schedule to paper (or computer), you can outwit overwhelm. Now all you need to do is the work itself! Time to get to it!

Until next time, here's wishing you much success in your endeavors,

Angel Brown

www.womens-business-gallery.com

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and co-workers. You can subscribe to this newsletter by visiting: www.womens-business-gallery.com/newsletter.html

Copyright 2006 by Angel Brown. All rights reserved.

Published by the Womens Business Gallery, Woodland Park, Colorado