Category: Motivation

STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES? TRY THIS

Posted on by Alastair Walton

One of the biggest hot topics today is mental health.

It seems as if more and more people are dealing with problems like depression, anxiety etc.

This is also something which many people in business have to handle.

If you’re struggling with these issues then you need to do something about it.

After all, unless you’re able to keep yourself on an even keel you simply won’t get anywhere.

So what’s the best way to do this?

In my experience it’s blogging.

There are several reasons for this.

The biggest being that most stress comes from not having clients or work to do.

(And therefore not having money coming in.)

When that happens you’re usually left sitting around staring into space…

…and this is what leads to problems like anxiety and depression.

But this is why a blog like this can come in so useful.

Whenever I’m stuck with nothing to do I’ll use the time to reel off a dozen or so blog posts.

It always makes me feel better.

Blogging is almost like a form of meditation actually.

Not only that, it’s great writing practice and also helps you find clients.

(In fact, dozens of people have hired me because they liked my blog.)

Plus it massively reduces the stress of not having work…

…and also helps to clear your mind and put your thoughts into order.

More tomorrow:

Cheers,

Alastair Walton

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT ZOMBIE’S

Posted on by Alastair Walton

I was watching a Tony Robbins interview the other day…

At about the halfway mark he said this:

“I’m not here to have an argument with my brain.”

I think most people can relate to this. Whenever we have to do something (whether it’s exercising, eating less, or breaking bad habits) we tend to get into arguments with ourselves. The one side of us knows that we have to take action…

…but the other side resists.

Whether it’s through fear, laziness, anxiety, or simply the unwillingness to change…

…our mind slams the brakes on.

But in order to get anywhere in life you have to stop doing this.

You have to learn how to turn off your thoughts and do what needs to be done.

You have to put yourself on autopilot and become a mindless personal development Zombie.

I’ve experienced this in my own life.

At one stage I wanted to start taking daily walks.

I was slightly overweight and knew that I had to get more exercise.

And although I did start to develop the habit it was still hard as hell.

I’d sit there having an argument with myself…

“Should I do it?”

“No I’m too tired…”

“You have to do it…”

“Today was really tough…”

Etc. etc. and so on.

It was only when I started to turn my brain off and get out of the house no matter what…

…that I managed to hit this habit with 100% accuracy.

The point is this:

Don’t get into arguments with your brain.

Stop thinking about what you have to do.

Simply decide what needs to be done…

… turn your mind off…

…and get going.

Cheers,

Alastair Walton

WANT TO BE A FREELANCE WRITER? DO THIS FIRST

Posted on by Alastair Walton

I’ve had a lot of success in this business.

On the other hand, there were times when things went pear shaped

One thing I’ve learnt about freelance writing is that it definitely goes in cycles.

One minute you’re swamped with work…the next it’s crickets.

On top of this, clients come and go.

And in my experience this usually happens at the worst moment possible.

What you also have to realize is this:

Freelancing is, by its nature, a highly unstable business model.

It’s really a thing of feast or famine.

So if you’re just starting out (or you have hopes of doing this one day) then here’s a massive piece of advice: start building up your emergency fund.  You’ve probably heard it said that you should have at least 3-6 months of living expenses saved. This is good advice, but a year is even better. In fact, you should actually go beyond this, and save up as much money as possible.

What’s more, learn to spend within your means.

Don’t blow every cent that you make

Better yet, create products which you can sell as a sideline to your freelancing career.

The bottom line is this:

You need a bankroll that will help you ride out the bad times.

Do this and you’ll survive long enough to make writing into a viable career.

Cheers,

Alastair Walton

P.S. Another big advantage of a bank roll is that it helps you deal with deadbeat clients. If you have money saved up then it’s very easy to dump a crummy client. On the other hand, if you’re desperate for money then you’ll have to take whatever you can get…