I’ve Finally Said Goodbye to 2008!

| by Paula Brett | No Gravatar

planning for 2009

Yes, I’ve finally cleared my desk and am ready to launch myself into 2009! A very happy New Year to all my readers. I can feel it in my water that it’s gonna be an exciting year ;-)

I expect you think it’s a bit odd that I’m launching my New Year when we’re already half way through January? Well, I have to come clean and tell you that when I look back at 2008, I was a bit skittish; a bit flighty; a bit of a flibbity-gibbit.  I don’t know why but I just couldn’t settle down and finish many of the things I started.

I’m sure you know the scenario…. you have this brain-wave, this fantastic idea for a product or a project, you get all excited about it and you rush off and buy the domain name — you get started, then something else grabs your attention and you’re off on another tangent. And by the time you get back to that original idea, your enthusiasm has wained, or the project doesn’t seem like such a good idea after all!

Well, I feel as if this happened to me quite a lot in 2008 and it bugged the hell out of me all year. It was like I was floating outside of my body and watching myself doing it; being aware of it, knowing that it was gnawing away at me but refusing to do anything to put a stop to it. I was just coasting along.  Not a great feeling!

Of course, I was still making money from my products and projects that were completed but I wasn’t pushing myself to go on and `rinse and repeat’, which is what I talked so much about in my first post of 2008 when I was looking back at what I’d done in 2007.

It was only when I was chatting to my friend, Peggy Baron, on Twitter and she told me that that post was her favourite and she asked me if I was going to make a similar post looking back at 2008, that I started to really assess my performance last year in the cold, hard light of day.

I wasn’t impressed and I have to say it was quite uncomfortable!

Too many half finished, half realised projects – that’s what last year was all about for me. So, that’s why I’m only now saying that I’m ready to launch myself into 2009.  Like an office worker who has to clear their intray by the end of the each day, I couldn’t say goodbye to last year until I had cleared my 2008 intray. So, I’ve spent couple of weeks going through all my stuff – my online real estate, as some people like to call it.

I’ve scrapped some projects that were half started, so they won’t bug me this year, they won’t be at the back of my head yelling “finish me”.  And, most importantly of all, I’ve taken steps to go ahead and finish other projects that are viable and that I still have enthuisiasm for and that I still believe in.

I feel that I’m starting 2009 with a great weight lifted off my shoulders.

So for me, 2009 is all about

  • Discipline and planning
  • Following things through to the very end
  • Staying focussed
  • Risking failure
  • Bursting through that membranous wall that is my comfort zone and surprising myself

How about you? Can you relate to some of the things I’ve mentioned? Were there things you did in 2008 that you’re determined to kick to the curb this year? Are you starting this fresh New Year of 2009 with optimism and enthusiasm? Do leave a comment and tell me how you’re going to be moving forward this year.

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    1. 21 Responses to “I’ve Finally Said Goodbye to 2008!”

    2. By Elmer HurlstoneNo Gravatar on Jan 19, 2009 | | Reply

      Excellent post, Paula.

      Methinks you’ve said what many of us were thinking as we did our mental reviews of last year.

      Hopefully we’ve all learned from our experiences.

      Elmer

      Elmer Hurlstone’s last blog post..It’s Almost Christmas and Kids Need Toys-Please Help

    3. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Jan 19, 2009 | | Reply

      LOL, yes, I suspect you’re right there, Sir Elmer. I suppose it’s a case of “Could do better. C-” It’s good to have something to work towards, though, eh?

    4. By ArdyNo Gravatar on Jan 19, 2009 | | Reply

      Woah! what a coincidence I thought the same thing. I was doing 10 different things and could not finish any of them because I never focused on a single project.

      I am making some big decisions, dropping some projects. I hope 2009 turns out a lot better for both of us.

      Ardy’s last blog post..Why You Have To Jailbreak the iPhone

    5. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Jan 19, 2009 | | Reply

      It’s a great feeling, isn’t it – separating the wheat from the chaff! I think I’m gonna make a great saving on domain names too, I’ve cancelled loads that I know I’ll never use ;)

      I hope that you achieve all you aim for this year

    6. By Pat GrahamNo Gravatar on Jan 19, 2009 | | Reply

      Wow, Paula…very timely post and mind dump. I, too, was doing some of the same mental cleaning. I have moved some projects up to the front and dumped a few that looked good last year in the garbage disposal.

      In the last couple of weeks, I’ve joined a friend in a PLR project that will launch in a week or two, put some organizational stuff together (designing templates and gathering info I need)for one I am starting on in about 6 weeks. I’ve put some details for my future membership site on virtual paper, projected for summer.

      When I can catch a free breath, I am going to resurrect my PLRGhosts site focusing on PLR photo packs for marketers or anyone else who needs them.

      This will be a busy, busy year for me. If I get buried alive in details, I will whine to you.

      I haven’t forgotten your swift kick in the butt on a forum a few months back when you asked me why I wasn’t taking some action. It made me think about why I hadn’t. And now I am taking a lot of action as fast as I can.

      So, Paula…Thank you for your swift kick where I needed it. Might return the favor sometime.

      Pat Graham

      Pat Graham’s last blog post..Three Unusual Uses For Beer

    7. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Jan 19, 2009 | | Reply

      Excellent, Pat, you really do sound very organised. Planning is the key word, isn’t it? And you sound like you’ve got big plans. I can’t wait to see what you get up to ;)

    8. By Pat GrahamNo Gravatar on Jan 19, 2009 | | Reply

      Neither can I!

      Pat Graham’s last blog post..Three Unusual Uses For Beer

    9. By Peggy BaronNo Gravatar on Jan 19, 2009 | | Reply

      Kudos to you, Paula, for admitting publically that 2008 didn’t go exactly how you would have liked it to.

      And really, I can also call this one of my favourite posts because you again told it like it is with the refreshing honesty that is so often lacking with some internet marketers.

      I have no doubt 2009 will be a productive year for you what with all the thinking and planning you’re now doing. It does feel good to say goodbye to those half-finished projects with their little nagging voices, doesn’t it?

      I don’t care if it is half way through January… here’s to 2009!

      Peggy

    10. By Theresa MayhewNo Gravatar on Jan 19, 2009 | | Reply

      Hi Paula,
      It really felt like you were writing about me except for the part about actually making money online.

      That’s my goal this year. I’ve been one of those who buys the book, gets just so far and then for whatever reason lacks the follow through to make the money.

      This year will be the tipping point for me. #1 I have Alex Jeffreys for a coach, and #2 I have the support of all of our class mates to learn from and be inspired by.

      Thanks for an open-hearted post, Paula.
      Theresa

      Theresa Mayhew’s last blog post..Schedule for the Week of Jan. 19-24

    11. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Jan 19, 2009 | | Reply

      Amen to that, Miss Peggy! It’s nice to have supportive friends on line to give you a gentle nudge when you need it :)

      Theresa, thanks so much for stopping by. I am sure that 2009 will be your year, you’ve taken action and joined Alex and I’m sure you’ll succeed with him coaching you ;)

    12. By Trish FindlayNo Gravatar on Jan 20, 2009 | | Reply

      A very big thank you for this post, Paula.

      I agree with Peggy, it is refreshing to hear such honesty from a successful IM’er. Also encouraging for me to find that those further down the track than I am, still experience some of the same challenges.

      I am committed to making 2009 the year I bring one project to the earning income stage before I get into another.

      Best wishes for your 2009 Paula.

      Trish

      Trish Findlay’s last blog post..Focus on the positive, not the negative

    13. By Randy SmithNo Gravatar on Jan 20, 2009 | | Reply

      LOL… You reminded me of some of the things we both put so much time into – that never did get around to getting finished…

      And that then reminded me of other stuff too….OMG!

      Thankfully – I quickly slapped myself and remembered all the bits that did get done, and how well they are going…phew!

      But Seriously – From reading your post others should be able to realise that we all do the bad as well as the good – and as long as some of the good gets finished we’ll all get there…

      So hopefully – some of your readers will be inspired to at least get some of the good stuff they’ve been working on done to completion and making them extra cash.

      Oh and happy new year :)

      Randy

      Randy Smith’s last blog post..7 Free Videos, New Year What?, & Cool Traffic Resources!

    14. By Gary SimpsonNo Gravatar on Jan 20, 2009 | | Reply

      Hi Paula,

      Now, flibbity-gibbit – that is a newie on me, What is it? Confused? Disorganised?

      Gary SIMPSON

      Gary Simpson’s last blog post..Internet Marketing – the Gazz-Man and His Accomplice Will Now Reveal the Identity of “Q” – the Creative Coding and Designing Genius Behind this Blog.

    15. By Mark McWilliamsNo Gravatar on Jan 20, 2009 | | Reply

      When I first read your post, I wasn’t very sure what to say! I’m now back again, and to be honest I still don’t know what to say!…

      I have been doing some of the same things as you, except I don’t think I’m being strict enough! You’ll need to come round my way and make the decision for me, that way I’ve got no going back.

      This post would have been better addressed to me, as I too started work on a number of different things, and never got round to finishing any of them. Well, maybe a couple of things, although I half feel they could be better!

      Now I know I could scrap some of my interesting projects, but inside me I feel that I can’t. The sad fact is that it’s because they are almost complete in my eyes, or just need a couple more hours done on them! (Hmm, I should really get that outsourced you’d think?!)

      I’m not sure if I’ve ever said it, but I think I’m needing to structure my day. While it kind of has a structure, with a better built one, it would be able to hold me, and keep me on track and falling behind with things.

      Many things about 2008 for me have been posted on my blog, which might already be a big step for me?! – We’ll soon find out I guess!

      One problem with me is that I have too many ideas! Honest, and I bet some of you reading this and know me also agree. (Don’t be affraid to agree with me Paula, I’ve still got this big boot I can use to nudge you along at times!)

      It’s all fair and well having many ideas, and I’m sure I could use 80% of them, it’s just getting into the right mode and creating them. As I’m sure most of you are aware of.

      …Considering the fact I didn’t come here with much to say, I seem to have added quite a bit in this post! LOL

      Along with Peggy, I liked that post too. There’s just something about the way you write and talk, that I like.

      I hope 2009 is going to treat you well, and that you get finished everything you start. Talk soon Paula!

      Thanks
      Mark

      Mark McWilliams’s last blog post..The Jing Project Goes PRO

    16. By Paull HamiltonNo Gravatar on Jan 20, 2009 | | Reply

      Hi Paula, this is my first visit to your site, I am currently trying to get round of all of Alex’s students blogs – a very time consuming process.
      I can totally empathise with you about starting so many different things and never finishing them, being constantly distracted by something new. You know you are doing it, but don’t know how to stop. The thing that stopped me in my tracks was signing up for Alex’s course, and hearing him talk in his own inimitable way.
      If you have a minute, I would appreciate your visiting my site and perhaps leaving a comment. Thanks in anticipation.
      Paull

      Paull Hamilton’s last blog post..How dare anyone diss our Alex Jeffreys !

    17. By Tommy McLaughlinNo Gravatar on Jan 21, 2009 | | Reply

      Hi Paula,

      You know I can not believe that this is the first time at your blog !

      I am guessing that you are finding it hard to follow things through as Dan has you ‘manning’ the D9 support desk 24/7 ha ha ha !

      I would say you can not be a success without tasting failure first

      Man, have I had my fill of failure ;-)

      You will do fine ;-)

      Cheers

      Tommy

      Tommy McLaughlin’s last blog post..Alex Jeffreys Internet Marketing Guru- This is your Life!

    18. By Garry ParkesNo Gravatar on Jan 21, 2009 | | Reply

      Hi Paula,

      Thanks for the comment over on my site. I’d asked a few times about upgrading to WordPress 2.7 and nobody would confirm if it was risk free. I will upgrade now thanks to your confirmation :-)

      And I am so, so sorry that you have gone missing off my Blogroll. I’m sure you used to be on it. Anyway I’ve added you back on.

      Garry Parkes

      Garry Parkes’s last blog post..Higher Page Rank: Missing information

    19. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Jan 22, 2009 | | Reply

      Trish, thank you for stopping by.

      I think it’s important to admit mistakes and things that you don’t get quite right – not least for your readers but for yourself. Once you can admit to yourself that you need to sort things out then that’s half of the battle won.

      I hope you pop back from time to time and keep us informed of how you’re getting on in 2009

    20. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Jan 22, 2009 | | Reply

      @Randy – HNY to you too, Randy. Where’ve you been hiding yourself? Cooking up some good stuff for the year ahead, no doubt ;)

      @Mark – Yes, I know the feeling of having too many ideas. But’s that’s a problem in itself. Like you say, you need to be strict and work on one idea at a time and see it through till the end. Then go back to your notebook (hopefully you jot your ideas down) and start on the next idea and so on.

      Yes, be strict with yourself. DON’T allow yourself to move onto the next idea until the first one is complete.

      Most importantly, DON’T spend `forever’ fiddling about with something, trying to get it `just right’. Just get it out there. It’ll NEVER be perfect! It’s more important to get it out there and working for you, than to allow it to gather dust on your `puter and never see the light of day.

      @Paull – how nice of you to stop by and you’re very welcome :) Yes, you’re absolutely correct. I think FOCUS should be the key word for 2009, most definitely.

      @Tommy – I have to admit that D9 is our baby and we are very precious with our Clients, as you well know!!! We like to ensure that you all get our undivided attention. All part of the service ;)

      We’re planning bigger and better things for the D9 brand this year, so yes, this will take up a lot of my time, efforts and energy. I hope you’ll approve.

      @Gary – Gaz shame on you. You need to listen to The Sound of Music – How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria!

      “A flibbity-gibbit! A will-o’-the wisp! A clown! ;)

      @Garry – Arggh, I’ve done it now! Keeping my fingers crossed that your blog didn’t explode or disappear into thin air when you upgraded.

      Phew, just checked and it’s still alive and kicking – I don’t have to take cover now, lol

    21. By Gary SimpsonNo Gravatar on Jan 22, 2009 | | Reply

      Hi Paula,

      Um, do you really reckon I’d be the sort of guy to watch – heh – The Sound of Music?

      Terminator, Hunt for the Red October, the Highlander, Sink the Bismarck, Rocky, Predator.

      That’s my speed. Lots of hunting and then – when the quarry is found – lots of destruction. LOL!

      … and NO ridiculously long links today.

      Gary (x)

      Gary Simpson’s last blog post..Internet Marketing – the Gazz-Man and His Accomplice Will Now Reveal the Identity of “Q” – the Creative Coding and Designing Genius Behind this Blog.

    22. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Jan 23, 2009 | | Reply

      Erm, no, I s’pose not. Not macho enough for you, lol

      Yes, no links – in fact a surprisingly conservative and reserved comment – must have been hell for you ;)

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