After a great festive period I am now back in the saddle for 2012!
There’s been plenty of time to reflect on the year gone, what I did wrong and what I should change going forward.
So, here are my 4 resolutions for 2012:
1. Become A Real Traffic Ninja!
Traffic is now the number 1 thing that will take my business to the next level.
So far I’ve been generating traffic using a number of methods that I’ve outlined here on the blog and especially inside the members area: Guest pointing, giveaways, WSOs, interviews, blog commenting, solo ads, offering free content etc.
This has build me a few thousand subscribers but now it’s really time to ramp things up. In the 2nd half of 2011 I spent probably 85% of my time on content creation and 15% on traffic generation.
In 2012 I’m going to rebalance this to at least 50% of my time on traffic generation on a daily basis.
I’ve got several new strategies in mind so stay tuned for my tips and experiences on these going forward this year 😉
2. Exercise Every Day
The more exercise I do the more alert I become and the more energy I have.
In short you could say more exercise equals more money.
I’ve been averaging 2-3 sessions per week during 2011 but it’s time to up the pace.
My target is to do some exercise every week day. This will be either going to the gym or taking a long walk (usually on nearby Hampstead Heath).
3. Watch Less News
Seriously, there’s so much bad news around its untrue.
The 24 hour news channels really draw it out and are full of items which are really just “noise” – by tomorrow everyone will have forgotten about them and moved on to something else.
I’m also “opting out” of the credit crisis and forthcoming recession.
Yes, there will be tough times ahead and I know that many of us will be affected directly. But there’s also a lot of undue worry and feeling of helplessness around (again a lot caused by the news).
Money is shifting around the economy from sector to sector. Follow it and adapt to the situation rather than stay in the same place and complain about how it’s all the politicians and bankers fault. Sure, people ARE to blame but dwelling on that is not going to improve our own situations and time soon, if ever.
4. Blog More Often
In 2011 I made 39 posts here on my blog (I just counted!).
Going forward I’d like to blog more: I’m going to target 2 posts per week on average (read: sometimes 3, sometimes 1).
I’m currently thinking shorter posts that are quicker to read, watch or listen to – what would you like to see?
Agree, disagree? What are the things you are going to change in 2012? Let me know in the comments section below….
Hi Rob
I don’t really go in for making New Year’s resolutions because I have never been able to follow up on them in the past. And once made you feel like you’re failing if you don’t follow through.
However, I can certainly see things that I need to improve in my life to make it easier going in 2012.
1) I would like to stop being such a procrastinator – a failing I have always had.
2) Along with number 1 goes “improve my decision making” – in the last few years I have found it increasingly hard to make decisions….I truly need to improve on that.
3) As with yourself – increase the amount of exercise I do each day – it truly does clear the clutter in your mind.
4) I already stopped watching the news so much a few years ago. I will continue with that strategy. The news just depresses the hell out of me each time I watch it. I also put a lot of the blame for our current troubles on the news channels constantly telling everyone how dire the situation is. To me that just stops people from trying too hard – they just start to think “what’s the point when the whole world is screwed?”
5) I will stop buying into the newer “shiny” business models that people keep tryng to sell me on – i’ll continue to take your advice and make steady and real progress in my business without allowing myself to get distracted.
And that’s enough to be going on with I think….lol
Kind regards
Kevin
AWESOME comment Kevin!
Very good point about the news channels being partly to blame – 100% agree.
Good luck with all of this Kevin. I think being aware of the changes that are needed is the first step and you’ve definitely got that sorted…
🙂 Rob
Hi Rob,
It’s the second time in the last week I read that a blogger has decided to stop watching the news.
I have to say that’s a decision I made one year ago. Actually around october 2010. And it worked really great. I got rid of the anxiety caused by the terrible news (especially about the Crisis).
It’s hard to take such decision. I don’t like living blind to what happens in the World. But it’s not necessary to bombard the audience with certain headlines.
Things are tough enough. We don’t need to be reminded constantly about it.
About the rest of your resolutions… I’m looking forward to reading more posts from you! 😀
Hi Cristina,
Glad to hear you’ve got some good results from not watching the news. I’m looking forward to the same for 2012! 🙂
Rob
Today’s news is tomorrow’s disaster honestly everyone who want to move forward in life stop watching news it’s everyday down beat I rather watch Simpsons .
Hi Jimmy,
Great to see you here at GHG.
Me too – or perhaps Family Guy insead!
Rob
Kevin you’re right. I have decided not to write down any new year resolutions this year because I am unable to fulfill them and then I feel useless. I’ve also been unable to stick to any exercise routine or going to the gym because of laziness and a long term health problem. However, a couple of months ago I joined an online programme that claims you can improve your fitness by exercising only 7 minutes a day, 3 times a week. I think the claim is a bit far fetched but I’ve been exercising every other day (half an hour) for 2 months now and I am feeling better and haven’t given up. I think it might suit people who haven’t got time, are lazy or like me, older (54) and/or with a health problem. So if you want to check it out you can use my affiliate link (www.7minuteworkout.com/?id=fitnow) or just google it.
Rob, I hope you don’t mind me putting an affiliate link, but you don’t have to join of course, just watch the presentation and it might open your eyes to a new fitness theory. I don’t know how much water it holds, but it certainly suits me, so far.
Hey Mouloud – that’s all good 🙂
Thanks for your input – Rob
Hi Rob,
Thanks for your e-mail.
I do not watch the news or buy a newspaper because you only get one side of any story and the storys or so depressing. Another thing I never do
is to watch any soaps on television – honestly the story lines today are awfull and people believe them to be true to life!!!
As far as excersising is concerned I go to Tai Chi twice a week and try to find time to practice this every day (for anyone who is disabled, some of the movements can be done sitting down – this was demonstrated when our Instuctor hurt his calf and couldent do the leg movments!!!
Walking is also extreemly good, great if you live near a park or by the sea. I live near the New Forrest so this is good – if the weather is good!!
Another thing I never do is to wish anyone a ‘Happy New Year’ this time of year – honestly we are ment to celebrate this on the 1st of January, which in my mind is the beginning of the two worst months of the year – much better to celebrate it at the beginning of Spring when everything is beginning to come to life. If I had my way we would all go into a deep sleep the day after Boxing day and wake again in the middle of March – we would be so refreshed and ready to start again. Even those who are ill could mend their bodies that much faster!!!
Just a few thoughts for this time of year!!
Best Wishes from Jill
Hi Jill,
Excellent tips here – thank you very much for sharing them with us! 🙂
I know what you mean about Jan/Feb being the worst months of the year and that’s definitely something that many people in the Northern Hemisphere will relate to. Every day is a step closer to Spring though and time flies so it won’t be long before we’re there I guess 🙂
Cheers! Rob
I find it amusing that the threads in here are more concerned about the news and their effect, I thought I would be reading about dedication, perseverance, desire for success, achievement etc. In all honesty no new resolutions for me, I watch the news to see what’s happening in the world but I dont let it disturb me…and as for exercise I do 20 minutes of ZUMBA every day, I’ve lost 10Kgs doing it. As for starting businesses, I sense that people haven’t got the energy to do anything, some are deeply worried by life circumstances, some are lazy, some are desperate, some are discouraged…the spirit is willing but the brain and the rest of the body are simply weak! Very few are dedicated and willing to start something that may take a long time to come to fruition and even if they start the business they soon drop out because the money is not fast enough coming in. I think we need to fall on a very good idea that has ‘instant success written all over it’ like the microsoft, the googles the facebook and the twitter.
I think I’ll put my thinking cap on and conceive of a very good idea that is suited to today’s economic climate. I can sense the idea it is floating in the ether waiting for my brain to capture it. I’ve got to have done everything before 21st December 2012, time flies and the Mayan prophecies are not far off. 🙂
Oh I forgot to mention that the idea needs to be easy and FUN..we dont reallly want anything complicated and time consuming!!
Leila – GREAT to see you here at GHG, thanks for your thoughts! 🙂
I agree that it’s fascinating how people have picked up on the news. It’s definitely something that has been affecting me and it seems a lot of others too!
There’s still so much money on the table from conventional ideas – any one can grab it IF they are willing to put in the work but as you said this is a major issue for so many people. I think one of the keys is to enjoy the process of learning and building a long term lifetime business.
It sounds like you’re looking for something a little more untapped though Leila 😉
It’s all good, just got to keep going…
Cheers, Rob.
P.S. ZUMBA was a new one for me – just had to go and look it up!
Hello Rob.
Like Kevin I really don’t like making new years resolutions because I never seem to stick with them and if I do I certainly don’t like telling people about them. The reason for that is they usually say have you given up already.
However I have decided to make some changes this year.
1) I do intend to exercise 3 times per week.
2) I don’t bother watching the news as all you get is bad news. When your brain is filled with negative stuff all it does is make you doubt that you can achieve anything.
3) I will be concentrating on my website, updating the content on a weekly basis, working on traffic generation and building that all important list.
4) As we all know we all have the potential do achieve anything we set our minds to. The problem most of us have is the belief. If you don’t believe you can achieve your goals through whatever you are doing, you won’t do it.
5) Finally I am looking forward to working with Rob and following his teachings.
Regards
Ray
Thanks for your contribution Ray – great to see you here on the blog as always 🙂
You’re spot on regarding self-belief. Cast any doubts aside and Just Do It! Confidence comes with practice.
Talk soon I’m sure,
Rob
Hi Rob
Many thanks for your e-mail!
I have always been a big believer in exercise in different forms like gymn, swimming or walking. Recently I have been doing floor exercises such as push-ups, touch the toes, for about 10 minutes every morning before breakfast. (7 days a week) It’s an effort and a discipline but I definitely feel better for it! One area I need to improve on is getting to bed sooner! I don’t make New Year Resolutions, but I’m determined to sort that one out. I know that I would feel better (have more energy) still for ‘early to bed, early to rise’!
I agree that there is alot of bad news in the press and on television! I think that it’s good to have a ‘working knowledge’ of what’s going on in the world so that you can be involved in conversation with people, but I wouldn’t want to be ‘immersed’ in the news – definitely too depressing!
In the past I have moved from one business opportunity (offline as well as online) to the next and lost a considerable amount of money in the process! I need to settle down, start again and really believe in myself! I like what you said Rob, in your post to Leila, that one of the keys is to enjoy the process of learning and building a long term lifetime business!
Peter
Hi Peter,
Great to hear from you – I hope you are well 🙂
7 days a week is great going for the exercise, well done! The benefits definitely spill over into the rest of your life whatever you do.
On the business side of things that’s definitely the right course of action – leave the business opportunity seeker mindset behind and become focused on one idea. Then just do it!
Good luck for 2012 and please share with us how you’re getting as the year rolls on 🙂
Cheers,
Rob
Very best wishes to your and your family Rob. It’s been a great pleasure “meeting” you and reading your posts last year, and I’m sure you will keep us all enlightened in twenty twelve, beyond goal setting, which is, of course, very, very important indeed.
We’ve recorded a vid to wish you a Prosperous, Productive and Prolific 2012 which you can watch here:
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=wRqi21wxp4o&list=UUbXYKNaavE2a7xej3JgEZ_w&index=1&feature=plcp
Thank you Fiona, it’s a pleasure “meeting” you too. Perhaps we shall get to meet in person sometime this year?
Thanks for the link but it doesn’t appear to be working. Please feel free to post it again if you can fix the problem.
Cheers! Rob
Hi Rob – hope you had a very very good break and wishing you all the success in the world for 2012 for someone who deserves it!!! Anyway some of what you say I agree with and jeez how I would love the time to do more excercise but you know its sometimes just not possible! As for the news bit surely its certain types of news you need to avoid – you know me I will never give up on the Dail Mail – makes me the well rounded individual I am today – although I no longer pay anything for it which I guess makes me feel slightly better……….my other resolution is to follow the Dukan diet….10 days in and boy do I want a beer!! Anyway I really just wanted to wish you good luck (I gave Asim your website link) and lets meet soon
Hi Nikki,
Great to hear from you and thanks for your best wishes! 🙂
Yep, filtering the news is the key but quite hard to do I think. Got to try and go cold turkey for a while.
Dukan? Never heard of this one but perhaps that’s not surprising… Stick with it though, I’m sure it will pay off.
Best regards to you as well for the year ahead, hope to catch up soon?
Cheers – Rob