Making Things Complicated

I think there are a lot of times when we over-complicate things; I know I do - a lot.  The "keep it simple, stupid" idea seems...well, too simple.

Over-Complicating My Marketing

For a long time, I thought that the only good marketing and lead generation plan was the complicated one - one that included as many strategies as possible (really more strategies than possible).  Otherwise, I felt I was carrying all of my eggs in one basket.

Recently though, I've smartened up.  I've started evaluating things with a results-oriented lens, and all of a sudden, things have gotten really clear - and easy.

When I looked at the actual numbers (not just over the past six months or so, but over the past four or five years), I knew where I could contribute the bulk of my business success - writing.  Nearly all of my contacts and prospects had found me through my writing, but instead of spending the bulk of my time doing that one thing, I worried about developing other lead generation tactics.  Why?  Writing (although not always the easiest task) was simple and easy to implement.

Lately, I've dropped almost all of the other tactics.  I've pared down and now spend almost 100% of my lead generation time doing the one thing I know works.

Over-Complicating My Networking

Over the past year, I've been trying (to no avail, mind you) to find another network that more closely matched my career goals (since I was no longer an active agent).

Each time, I'd quit the newly-found network in frustration, telling myself, "There's no place like ActiveRain."  (I felt like Dorothy.)

Finally, I asked myself, "Why can't I just forget this ridiculous search and go back to the network where I want to be?  Even though I'm not an active agent, I do have other things in common with the members there.  I'm a business owner just the same, I'm building my business through hard work and hard knocks just the same, and I enjoy sharing and learning with friendly, conversational, and helpful people just the same.  On top of that, agents need websites, too, dang it!"

Instead of beating my head against a wall, I decided to simply forget it and go back to what I wanted and what I knew.

Over-Complicating My Days

For months, I've been struggling with the profitability dance.  "Am I doing the right things?  Am I doing everything I can do to generate the work I need?  Am I monitoring things well enough to ensure that I'm profitable?"  I crunched numbers.  I made estimations and projections.  I sighed and chewed my nails, worrying about it all way too much and way too often.

Then I simplified.  I asked myself, "Realistically, what do you want to make at this stage in the game?  Don't throw out arbitrary numbers.  What do you really want to make right now?"  I came up with a real and reachable and okay-with-me number.

Then I asked myself, "What kind of lifestyle do you want right now?"  That was an easy one.  I wanted simple, uncomplicated, and easy.  I wanted space to breathe, and I wanted to step out of the rat race for a while (if not permanently).

"Okay, can you have both?  Can you make that kind of money working those kinds of hours and having that kind of lifestyle?"  A simple, "Yes."

Each day now, I track my time.  I watch to make sure I hit my time goal, which means I also hit my income goal.  After that, I do an hour or two of lead generation (writing), and then (are you ready for this?), I quit.

The really nice part is, I'm reclaiming some me time.  I'm catching t-ball games.  I'm going for regular walks at local parks.  I'm spending much needed time with family and friends.  I'm making decent meals (actually cooking) for myself for supper and sometimes even lunch.  I'm getting up when I want and going to bed when I want, and most importantly, I'm not walking around with a cloud of worry over my head.  How?  All because I've simplified, and I know there's plenty of time for everything.

You should try this simplifying thing!  It really works, and it's much more fun.