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The Inner Marketer Day 3

Doubt“Code Blue” Breakthrough Strategy for Crippling Doubt

You have your business plan in order, you are following your daily operations procedures to a “T”. Your ads are running, your list is growing, people are opting in and clicking “Buy Now”….

Then you hit a block.  You can’t seem to figure out a technology glitch, or you Paypal account gets closed down, or one of your high-ranking money sites or posts gets de-ranked by Google.

Immediately, all those familiar voices flood your being, right to the very core… “you can’t”, “your luck has run out”, “you don’t deserve it”.

Everyone knows you can’t succeed, and now you can see that they are absolutely right.  It’s clear, because you have given in to the single biggest reason that people never get what they want out of life, out of love, and out of their business… You have given in to doubt.

What happens when you doubt Yourself?

Everything stops.

You no longer have the incentive to follow up with contacts that you’ve made.  You drop the ball on that important email series you were writing for your newsletter.  You can’t even begin to meet deadline on your next scheduled blog post.

Doubt gains a death grip on your progress and your success real quickly.

You’ve reached a critical moment along your journey.  

You either put into action an immediate, “code blue” breakthrough strategy, or you surrender your dreams and your efforts, and embrace the crippling doubt that is about to terminate your grandest dreams and biggest plans.

So what kind of breakthrough strategy could effect such a swift reversal of our fate?

Acknowledgement

Acknowledge what it is that has caused your doubt.  It may be a breakdown in your ability to accomplish a specific task, or a misunderstanding client, or your neglect to have done something you know you should have.  It could, in fact, just be a bit of bad luck.  Things go wrong.  Simply acknowledge what it is that went wrong, don’t ignore it.  (Hint: don’t be surprised if you hit periods of “doubt” for NO apparent reason.  You went to bed positive, work up devastated and don’t have any clue why.  Don’t worry why.  Just acknowledge the doubt you are feeling).

Reprieve

Give yourself a break.  You know things are going wrong, and you just may need some “time out”.  So allow yourself an hour, maybe a day (at most) of feeling sorry for yourself, or angry at someone else, or just some time to eat cotton candy and ride the ferris wheel.

Resolution

Determine that at the end of your reprieve, your doubt will be dissolved.  Your problems may still exist, but you know you can overcome them, or outsource to someone who can help you in your breakthrough.

Action

Now get back to work.  If you’re still feeling like you’re not capable, do mundane things.  Process some payments, answer some customer service concerns, make some comments on blogs, write a simple, uninspired email to your list just to let them know you’re still alive.

Faith

Know that, once you’ve put your dreams back into action… once you’ve resumed the process of success… the results you desire will follow.  I don’t actually have total faith in myself at all times, but I can always trust that putting my doubts in the hands of God will see me through.  And that’s the most powerful part of the breakthrough strategy.  Understanding that it’s not up to just you.  Not if you have a faith that goes beyond your own frailties and insecurities.

Call to action:  Think of the times you have doubted yourself.  How did you overcome that bump in the road or did you?
Blessings,

Donna

Donna Merrill
Donna is a well known blogger and creator of "Blogging Magic" - an intensive guide to blogging. "Blogging Magic" is for beginners who are trying to figure out how to bring their blogs to life with tons of visits, comments and social media interaction. It's even for advanced bloggers looking to reach new levels of authority and engagement with their audience.

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25 Responses to The Inner Marketer Day 3

  1. Viola Tam January 20, 2013 at 12:19 am #

    Hi, Donna,

    I enjoyed reading through your blog. You have talent in bringing stories to life. Yes, what do we do when we have that little voice saying that we cannot?

    I guess I am the lucky one. I was bought up in believing that whatever I focus on, I can achieve. I took me a number of years before I could be ‘in the shoes’ of those people who have negative self-conversations. Connecting people to real life success stories can help them dissolve the doubt. Yet, it is the long term vision that allows people to face the doubt and take action anyway!

    Thanks, Donna! This is an excellent post, as always!

    Viola The Business Mum
    Viola Tam recently posted..Stay at Home Mum – Why Network Marketing?My Profile

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 20, 2013 at 4:36 pm #

      Thank you for your kind words Viola!

      There are so many that have those negative-conversations with themselves but it goes very deep sometimes.

      It can be from a parent, teacher, or even as a child in the playground with their peers giving negative thoughts. This all is stored away in the subconscious like a computer.

      Once faced with repeated behavior that is limiting, it is a red flag to get some help to move on.

      You were one of those lucky ones!

      Donna
      Donna.Merrill recently posted..Balancing Act Of An Online EntrepreneurMy Profile

  2. Teresa Farre;; January 13, 2013 at 5:07 am #

    Nice article and perfect for the new year…who doesn’t hit those bumps. I find that taking a break, playing with the cat or music/dance loosens me up and I can get back in action. Staying with it is important…much harder to stop and re-start. The action plan is a good reference. Thanks for sharing.
    Teresa Farre;; recently posted..Email Marketing that AttractsMy Profile

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 13, 2013 at 5:47 pm #

      Hi Teresa,

      Welcome to my blog. Taking a break with our pets is always great way to take time out. Oh and dancing around the house does it for me too!

      Thank you,
      Donna
      Donna.Merrill recently posted..Mastermind GroupsMy Profile

  3. Donna.Merrill
    Twitter:
    January 8, 2013 at 6:41 pm #

    Hey Barbara,

    So glad this was help to you. And really happy that you understand that it is a process. We all go through it at one time or another on this roller coaster ride called marketing.

    We do have to remember, we are human, with human emotions. When our business is at a lull, or sometimes even dips down, we cannot let it get to us.

    We just have to take “time out” re-group and come back in the swing again, refreshed with new ideas.

    Blessings to you,
    Donna
    Donna.Merrill recently posted..Success QuotesMy Profile

  4. marquita herald
    Twitter:
    January 8, 2013 at 7:50 am #

    Great tips Donna – althought I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the image you have here. Anyway, I rarely waste much time when I hit a glitch. I’ll poke around the problem for a little while – then set it aside and set about coming up with a work-around. Then I periodically revisit the glitch and somehow always manage to either figure it out, or end up finding a better way.
    marquita herald recently posted..The Biggest Obstacle to Achieving Dreams and GoalsMy Profile

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 8, 2013 at 11:47 am #

      Hi Marquita,

      he he that picture! Since Google made changes months back, I’ve been doing my own pictures. And guess what? As goofy as it may be, they are showing up on “google images” with a link to my blog. Go figure!

      Anyway….I like the system that you have when you hit a glitch. I call it “opposite action” which is the best way to deal with that. The problem doesn’t get you spiraling down, but instead keeps you going. Revisiting the glitch will help you get over the hump because you are coming back with a fresh new mindset. Awesome!

      Donna
      Donna.Merrill recently posted..Success QuotesMy Profile

  5. Neamat Tawadrous
    Twitter:
    January 6, 2013 at 11:41 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    This is a great post addressing the killer “Self-Doubt”!

    Everyone experiences self-doubt at some point in their lives. For many of us, self-doubt can be crippling. It can impact our relationships. It destroys confidence. It causes procrastination or lack of effort. It can be extremely frustrating to live with that voice in our head telling us you’re not good enough to do or have whatever you might want. These thoughts can enslave us.

    To overcome these self-doubt thoughts, means to feel confident, comfortable in our own shoes. We have to know that we are okay and that no matter what, we will make the right choice for ourselves and if not, we learn to acknowledge and overcome our mistakes.

    This is a great post Donna. Thanks for sharing it.

    Be Blessed,

    Neamat

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 7, 2013 at 1:16 am #

      Thanks so much Neamat for your input.

      We do experience self-doubt at times in our lives. It can be slight or so strong that it cripples us in our journey.

      I love the way you wrote about how to overcome these self-doubt thoughts.
      Thank you so much.
      Donna
      Donna.Merrill recently posted..Fear of SuccessMy Profile

  6. Margarita January 6, 2013 at 10:22 pm #

    Donna, this is a tough one.

    When you do everything you are supposed to do and still nothing. A wall. A plateau. The mastery is to be able to go through the desert even though it is devastating. The faith of the existence of the oasis can keep us going. A loving mirror is a must in this case. Someone who believes in you more than you do. the dream killers should be ignored. 🙂
    Margarita recently posted..How To Give Your Very Best | Loving Mirror | Safe HavenMy Profile

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 7, 2013 at 1:10 am #

      Hi Margarita,

      I like the way you put it “The mastery is being able to go through the desert even though it is devastating. Faith always keeps me going.

      Thank you for your words of wisdom,
      Donna
      Donna.Merrill recently posted..Fear of SuccessMy Profile

  7. Robin J Emdon January 6, 2013 at 12:29 pm #

    What a fabulous and inspiring article Donna! Very useful stuff! Thanks! ~Robin~

  8. Annetta Powell January 6, 2013 at 4:45 am #

    Hi Donna,

    Happy to find you here in the Blogging challenge.

    Well, I had a major blog with one of my business last year and I had to take a tough decisions. Should I stay with it in their terms or should I go ahead with my own decisions. As always, I never put all my eggs in one basket and I took my decision to leave the company.

    I have no regret or or blame them or blame them for that. If you believe in yourself and the business you are doing, you do not need to compromise on your values to anyone else. But if you start doubting yourself, it turns out to be that you mess up the whole thing. Life is short. Keep moving

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 6, 2013 at 1:52 pm #

      Good for you Annetta!

      Oh boy, do I know about decisions like that! You made the right choice going with your heart and values.

      Life is too short to sell yourself out! When we doubt ourselves it is a red flag to go into that thought and work it out – as you did – and make that decision.

      Kudos for you!

      Donna
      Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 4My Profile

  9. Dr. Erica Goodstone
    Twitter:
    January 5, 2013 at 10:18 pm #

    Donna,

    I like your suggestions. When I get stuck on something I just cannot figure out and then I start doubting myself or feeling like giving up, that is when I will stop and focus on something completely different. Maybe I will just shut the computer and go to my health club, if not to work out at least to use the jacuzzi and sauna. Or maybe I will stop to pay some bills or read some emails.

    Sometimes I don’t return to the problem until a day or two later – and suddenly I see a new way to handle it. Or maybe I spoke to someone in between who made a suggestion. I get renewed confidence and then I am able to tackle what was previously so difficult, even overwhelming.

    Great post. Makes me realize I am not alone in succumbing to doubts and worries. The key is to find a way to keep moving in spite of those temporary feelings of inadequacy.

    Warmly,

    Erica
    Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..Melatonin and your Health: 11 Factors You Ought to Know. Guest Post by Clare KelwayMy Profile

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 5, 2013 at 10:30 pm #

      Absolutely Erica!

      If we let those doubts enter our mind, it will only lead to a domino effect, loss of energy, feeling sorry for ourselves, and so on.

      Well there is no room for that in our lives my friend!

      Doing your positive actions does alleviate the “doubt”

      Oh you are so not alone. Doubt is part of our lives. Overcoming doubt is turning from victim to it to Victor! And that is a wonderful thing!

      Donna
      Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 4My Profile

  10. Garen January 5, 2013 at 8:09 pm #

    For awhile when losing my rankings in Google I was very upset and really just felt like calling it quits. However, as time goes by I pretty much just snapped back. I said I guess I made a mistake on building links with to many anchors (exact). Well, I know how to fix it, make it look more natural. Lesson learned. Now I am smarter.

    Then I discovered blogging and to keep my mind busy from obsessing about my past failure it has helped me a ton. I think the thing that really got me back and motivated was my Dad telling me, “think about it you haven’t had anything significant income wise and your not hurting to bad for money for 7 months; I have seen you come back a million times from stuff in your life.”

    I guess the never quit mentality I learned from baseball early on in life has helped. Basically, working as hard as we possibly could. Win, lose, as long as you give it everything there is no shame in that. Better to give it your all than make excuses on why you couldn’t do something.
    Garen recently posted..Can Content Marketing Boost Your Website?My Profile

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 5, 2013 at 9:53 pm #

      Bravo Garen!

      There are those times when things “crash” in this market, and yes, the normal reaction is “I quit” or “I can’t” But it is only a reaction in your mind. It is being disappointed about all the hard work you put into one place.

      But..as you say: Lesson learned. With failure comes inspiration when you don’t give up.

      I have seen how quickly you learn and apply and get yourself back up in the game. Horray!

      Donna
      Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 4My Profile

  11. Holly
    Twitter:
    January 5, 2013 at 7:55 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Totally get this!!

    Constantly working on my doubts!! They come, they go.. and I get over them.. But I always find a way to get back in the saddle so to speak.. I am waiting for the day when they are much farther and farther apart!!

    It is easier and easier to stop the start of it than it used to be… So glad that I have been able to work through some doubts.. But of course something else comes along.. Guess I need the challenges or they wouldn’t show up! Great topic!
    Holly recently posted..10 Simple Ideas To Get More MOVE In Your DayMy Profile

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 5, 2013 at 9:43 pm #

      Hi Holly,

      Doubt will always be there. It is a problem if you give in to it and allow it to stop you from anything you want to do.

      Years ago, I allowed it, but now it is just a red flag in my mind. I teaches me to ask why and then decide if I want to go forward.

      Thanks for your comment,
      Donna
      Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 4My Profile

  12. Rick Lelchuk January 5, 2013 at 6:29 pm #

    Donna,

    It’s good that you address this subject because there isn’t a one of us who hasn’t been gripped by doubt… and if you say never for you, you’re lying to us and yourself. It’s happened before and it will happen again. You and I are human and that’s what it means to be human.

    A couple of things come to mind when doubt rears it’s ugly head for me. I get away from the situation, take a walk or a drive, sit on the porch and do nothing for a while. I get my head clear and I’ll watch my “Doubt Gotchya Again” Mind Movie made especially for these occasions. Then, I’ll get back into action. Being busy really helps. Sitting around and wallowing in my own self-pity doesn’t.

    Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

    Thanks, Donna for letting me express.

    RICK
    Rick Lelchuk recently posted..Extraordinary Living Through DisciplineMy Profile

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 5, 2013 at 9:29 pm #

      Well Done Rick!

      When the monster doubt comes around the best thing to do is “opposite action” like you do!

      And it is true, it happens to all of us and we will say yes if we are honest with ourselves.

      Thank you for your lovely comment!

      I wear my T shirt with pride lol
      Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 4My Profile

  13. Bruno Buergi January 5, 2013 at 1:18 pm #

    Faith is from my point of view the most important thing you need when you build your own business. So many people will tell you that you can’t do it right or as you explained some things don’t work as they should. When you have faith in yourself then you can handle these difficulties much better.

    • Donna.Merrill
      Twitter:
      January 5, 2013 at 1:28 pm #

      Bruno,

      Faith works! It is the opposite of Doubt! Having faith in yourself and a higher power can get your business going with light speed!

      Doubt is a killer!

      Thanks for stopping by,
      Donna
      Donna.Merrill recently posted..The Inner Marketer Day 3My Profile

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