Are you a lurker? Are you more comfortable being passive than proactive?

 

You know...one of those people that surfs around other people's websites and social media profiles trying to find out what's working, but can't seem to take action on her own business?  Do you spy on others to see how much success they're having, but can't seem to make it happen for yourself?

   

Before your self-esteem goes completely in the toilet, let me assure you, you're not the only one who's resorted to lurking instead of doing.

(YUP! GUILTY!)

But...there comes a point when you have to ask yourself, "Why? Why am I looking outside myself and my business for clues to success?"  

 

If you really take the time to think about your answer, (and if you're being honest with yourself) it's probably one of these:

• "I don't know what I'm doing."
• "I don't have a plan."
• "What I'm doing isn't working."

Truth be told, lurkers operate with a little bit of all of the above. When we don't know what we're doing, when we see others achieving the things we want for ourselves, we lack confidence and begin looking outside ourselves for what IS working and who is getting good results.  

 

Nothing wrong with that. It's encouraged! But if you spend all your time lurking and not actually "doing," that's a problem! Your success depends upon the actions you take right now, and every day.  

 

Listen, no one is going to do your business for you. You didn't start your business only to have it stagnate and cause you stress. You started it because you knew it was the key to your future, the path to your success.  

 

All too often, people get excited about starting a home business and fire it up without a plan. Does that sound like you? That's like jumping into a pool when you can't swim! Panic sets in, and that's when we start to look outside ourselves for solutions.  

 

The truth is, you have everything you need!  You just need to quit lurking, set a plan and get into action implementing the plan. It's not enough to blindly follow what someone else is doing.  

 

Sure it's good to model someone who is successful, but you also need to think for yourself. You need to know if modeling what they're doing will contribute to achieving the specific purpose and goals you've established for your home business.  

 

It's in the doing, the implementation of your daily tasks, that real understanding and progress take place. We learn and retain more by doing, so make this a priority.  

 

As far as the what specific actions you take? They need to be aligned with the direction of your goals, but you will find more success by completing smaller actions on a consistent basis.   There are two excellent resources that I have read and want to recommend that helped me in my business and in life.  

 

In his book, The Slight Edge, Jeff Olson lays out the concept of daily discipline resulting in massive success. He advocates being consciously aware of the slight edge when making small, seemingly insignificant decisions throughout the day. Really simple advice with profound effects.  

 

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine espouses the same philosophy and lays it out in an easy to read book. According to Darren, "First you make your habits, then your habits make you." This program will help you to become a better you by creating better habits and eliminating bad ones.  

 

For many people who struggle with staying focused and biting off more than they can chew, these two books have been widely praised for changing lives and having a dramatic effect on the success rate of both personal and professional endeavors.  

 

The compounding effect of many small, daily actions applied consistently, builds confidence and successful habits. The result can mean the difference between a very profitable business.   Instead of a lurker, become a do-er. Will that be you?    

 

If you've read either one of these books, please share your comments here to help others on the path to creating success.  

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