We have TONS of stuff to cover today, so before you get started I would like you to do three things:
- Go grab a cup of coffee (or tea
) - Turn off all distractions
- Take 10 deep breaths and just relax!
Industry News
Google recently made some updates to it’s Social Search function. Up until now when you did a Google search, you may have seen a list at the bottom mentioning some of your social contacts. These contacts may may have done some similar searches or suggested some of these sites.
Now when you do a Google search, your social contacts are integrated directly into your searches… much like social proof.
Google has caught on that social networking is a powerful force and optimizing on this will only make their business model stronger. 
Cool Stuff To Check Out
Ready to be inspired? If this article written by Kiesha from WeBlogBetter.com doesn’t keep you on the beaten path I don’t know what will. There are no coincidences in life and her story on how one guest post turned into her later owning an already successfully established blog and then taking it to new heights… well, you’ll have to read it for yourself.
Not too long ago I wrote an article on Putting An End To Overwhelm Once And For All! (if you haven’t read it yet, I recommend you do). This next video covers this topic as well, just in Marie Forleo style. She shares a very powerful excise in this video, so be sure to watch it.
Are you a player or a bystander in the online business game? Jimi Jones from JimiJones.com wrote an article titled Life Is Not a Spectator Sport some time ago that really touched me.
The one thing he said that hit me like a ton of bricks:
grab some real life before the game is over
It’s to the point, in your face and there’s no hiding out with this one. So I second that motion: Get off the sidelines and get in the game! No excuses!!
There is so many things great about this article, I can’t put it into words. Go read it and live it!
This is a special shout out for my blogging buddy Hector Cuervas. Hector has been working on a new membership site called Podcasting For Bloggers that will be launching on March 1st and it’s all about podcasting. Yeah baby!
I think this is fantastic as I soon will be venturing into the world of podcasting as well. Head over and check it out. Also, you will have the opportunity to enter to win an all free access to his membership by simply commenting and sharing his page. I think that’s pretty sweet, don’t you think?
Gail Gardner from GrowMap recently posted an article titled TwitterCounter: Strategy to Increase Twitter followers. In it she discusses several strategies that will help you to optimize your marketing efforts and take your Twitter experience to the next level.
With close to 16K followers herself and being very active in this medium, she a very reliable source and it would be in your best interest to heed her advice.
Looking to make some extra money? Looking to create an almost fully automated site that gives you the opportunity to just sit back and generate some sales with very little effort?
Just let me say, nothing is completely automated! There will always be some work involved on your part. And if you are looking for short cuts in creating a long standing, successful online business, then you may be heading down the wrong path.
That being said, this next post was written by my dear friend DiTesco from IBlogZone.com and I’m very excited about looking into it soon. It’s titled Making Money With Amazon, Easier With This WordPress Plugin (woof, mouthful… I thought I was bad DiTesco!), and he offers great advice on how you can set up sites that integrates Amazon products into it.
Here is one site he created in seven days with one of these plugins. Nice!
This last article is jam-packed with information on the new changes with Facebook. It was written by Tim Ware from HyperArts.com and it’s titled 8 New Facebook Page Changes: What You Need To Know.
There has been some important changes in relation to Facebook Fan Pages and it’s a good idea to be aware of what they are and how it can affect your business. One of the biggest changes is the ability now for you to like and comment on other pages using your Business Page profile.
Resources
In case any of you are not familiar with Mari Smith, she is a Social Media Expert with her main focus being on Facebook. She did a live broadcast this week on SlideShare going over the the new Facebook changes as well, using an application called Zipcast.
Note: Here’s the link if you want to watch her one hour broadcast. You will have to opt in, but it’s very informative and it’s worth watching.
Zipcast is much live UStream in that you are presenting live and people are able to chat with you during the event. However, what distinguishes this application is that you can also broadcast your power-point slide show at the same time.
It’s free to use, although they have upgradeable packages. It only takes 60 seconds to set up a live broadcast and it is definitely a very powerful tool to use for your public or private meetings.
Last Thoughts
Wow, quite a week huh? And thank you for sticking with me if you made it to the end. I know it’s a lot to digest, but there’s a lesson to be learned here.
Often, we will come up against the feeling of overwhelm when we are presented with lots of information. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of knowledge. The key thing to remember is to take in what’s relevant to you in moving your business forward and leave the rest.
Here’s the deal guys and I’ve said this before. If it’s not moving you forward in business AND in life, then don’t do it! Be honest and ask yourself, is what I’m doing now putting me one step closer to my life and business goals?
If not, stop it! Email is something you have to manage, but I guarantee, checking it every 1/2 an hour is not going to move you closer to your goals.
Today’s Action Plan:
Make a list today of all your actions and start dropping (or at the very least decreasing) those actions that are not producing results or moving you forward. OK? Good! 
Here’s something a little fun for ya! I first shared it in my Crossroads article and I thought I would share it again. Turn up your speakers!!
THAT’S A WRAP! HAVE A FABULOUS WEEKEND!
Power-packed post, Michele.
Love that video by Maria Forleo. Nicely done and entertaining as well. I also could not agree more about focusing on the things you can control.
Enjoyed the post in it’s entirety and a big THANKS for the mention.
Have a great weekend, my friend.
Hi Jimi,
Yeah, Marie is great and very entertaining!
And you’re very welcome! It really was a great post and I truly enjoyed reading it.
All the best!
P.S. Love your new profile pic.
Hey Michele,
Fantastic article! You stuff a lot of great tips into these weekly articles. This really is quite the week. It’s important nit to get overwhelmed, because as time goes on more will be expected from us. With more power comes more responsibility.
You always have to be cool, calm, & collective. ( :
God bless,
William Veasley
Hey William,
You’re right…with more power does come more responsibility. And dealing with it with ease and a level head is the only way to tackle these newly added responsibilities.
It seems to me, you’re handling it very well!
Wow, action packed indeed and first, thanks for the honorable mention
Finally made it, lol.
Anyway, great stuff to dig in here, as usual, and I am particularly interested in getting a closer look as what Hector is up to. Sounds interesting. Google’s changes has been generating so much buzz in the SEO world that it only proves that it is never a one “time” thing. An ongoing process indeed. Now we’ll see how all this “social activities” will play in the near future. Thanks Michele and have a great day.
Hey DiTesco,
Yes, it’s a long time overdue! I have to remember to give you some link luv more often… it’ definitely well deserved.
I think it’s going to be excited to see the impact of all these social activities. I do predict that those who get in the game now, will be one step ahead of their competitors for sure.
Talk soon.
Always great to read from you, Michele!
Google has definitely been undergoing some major changes in the past month. (Especially the farmer update in the past week. Goodbye, Mahalo!)
Thanks for the wonderful compliment Joseph! I think Google may be starting to realize that they are finally coming up against some competition. We shall see where this leads… exciting times.
Hey Michele,
Always enjoying your weekly roundups. This one’s no different. All top-notch content here. Although I’ve already read most of the stuff you posted, Gail’s article wasn’t the case. Following a similar strategy and have to say it is effective. Jimi’s article is also one of my highlights. He definitely knows what he’s talking about.
Have a great week Michele!
Hey Daniel,
My biggest challenge- suggesting articles to my ‘circle of friends’. The great thing is that we follow many of the same group of people in our industry; the bad thing is that we follow many of the same group of people in our industry. Funny how that can work both ways.
I’ve actually know of Gail’s strategy for a bit, but I’ve been too busy to really implement it 100%. It’s a process that takes commitment and time on your part for it to work effectively. Definitely worth it though; will just have to schedule that process in, you know?
Great hearing from you.
I remember the article you wrote on putting an end to overwhelm, and the video you’re sharing here is a great follow up to that post.
I plan on trying out the exercise Marie shared with us later today. I appreciate your final advice on not doing anything that isn’t moving my business and life forward.
It’s easy sometimes to lose track of what’s really important by putting too much effort into things that are not necessary and not very productive. Thanks for sharing Michele.
Hi John,
Yeah, Marie’s exercise was a real eye-opener. You start to realize all the nonsense you can easily drop from your day to day operations.
Have fun.
It’s the first time I have heard it called ‘overwhelm’ Michele, I’m more used to ‘information overload’, but they are both the same problem. You made a good point about only doing things that move you forward, going around in circles is definitely to be avoided. Unsubscribing from email lists is one way to save time that I recommend.
John
Leamington Spa, England
Hi John,
Unsubscribing to emails is a GREAT way to deal with overwhelm (or as you call it information overload
). I not too long ago just did that as well as created filters for my email and it has worked wonders.
I went from a couple of thousand emails in my inbox ( I kid you not!) to now an average of 30-40. And it’s made such a difference!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your input!
Hey Michele,
Loved the video, so inspiring!
Isn’t it?
Thanks for stopping in Ben. Hope to see you back again soon!
Michele,
The Amazon plugin DiTesco recommends it fabulous. It is soooo easy.
I am also interested in what Hector is up to I am going to check that out!
Yep, I needed that cup of coffee for this post. Thanks and have a great week.
Hi Sheila,
Haven’t had the time to use that plugin yet, but I definitely will be checking it out. Hey, I’m entrepreneur… what can I say. Always looking for the next best thing.
What Hector has going on seems great! Sure you can probably learn it on your own in due time. But who has the time for that?
Hope you enjoyed that long cup of coffee.
Talk soon.
I have just released a plugin that people might be interested in, called Super Amazon Banners – it allows you to insert highly converting product images with a strong call to action and your affiliate link to Amazon products.
Had good feedback so far, and am looking to add new features over the next few weeks.