Bob Baker's The Buzz Factor

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Bob Baker's Indie Music Promotion Blog
News, notes and ideas on music marketing, self-promotion, artist empowerment and more
September 30, 2008
What Are Your Top 3 Things?
I'll admit it. Lately, I've been feeling overwhelmed.
Too many tasks on my to-do list. A constant stream of email in my Inbox. And more demands seeming to come from every direction. Such is the life of a full-time author and small business person.

But I'm not willing to accept this as the normal state of doing what I do.
So here's something simple I'm going to try to get my balance back. And I encourage you to try this as well.
Every morning ask yourself:
What three things can I do today that would have the greatest positive impact on my ...
Then fill in the blank.
You might complete the question with "music sales" or "career as a musician" or "fans." Perhaps "Internet presence" or "live gigs" would work here too.
Really ponder what would have the "greatest positive impact" on your chosen area. And write down your top three answers.
Now you know what's most important and what to focus on today.
Here's another version of this that might be even more powerful. Ask a series of similar questions limited to one thing you can do in the most important areas of your life.
Examples:
You get the idea.
Instead of being swept up in the endless flow of tasks and trying to get "caught up" -- which never seems to happen for me -- instead focus on the big picture and what is truly important.
Let's try it together. We may still have a long list of things that are "undone." But I bet we make monumental progress on the things that are most important.
-Bob
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Too many tasks on my to-do list. A constant stream of email in my Inbox. And more demands seeming to come from every direction. Such is the life of a full-time author and small business person.

So here's something simple I'm going to try to get my balance back. And I encourage you to try this as well.
Every morning ask yourself:
What three things can I do today that would have the greatest positive impact on my ...
Then fill in the blank.
You might complete the question with "music sales" or "career as a musician" or "fans." Perhaps "Internet presence" or "live gigs" would work here too.
Really ponder what would have the "greatest positive impact" on your chosen area. And write down your top three answers.
Now you know what's most important and what to focus on today.
Here's another version of this that might be even more powerful. Ask a series of similar questions limited to one thing you can do in the most important areas of your life.
Examples:
- What one thing can I do today that would have the greatest positive impact on my happiness?
- What one thing can I do today that would have the greatest positive impact on my health?
- What one thing can I do today that would have the greatest positive impact on my wealth?
- What one thing can I do today that would have the greatest positive impact on my relationships?
- What one thing can I do today that would have the greatest positive impact on my contribution to society?
You get the idea.
Instead of being swept up in the endless flow of tasks and trying to get "caught up" -- which never seems to happen for me -- instead focus on the big picture and what is truly important.
Let's try it together. We may still have a long list of things that are "undone." But I bet we make monumental progress on the things that are most important.
-Bob

posted by Bob Baker @ 8:58 AM
3 comments
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What About Bob?
Bob Baker is an author, indie musician and former music magazine editor dedicated to showing musicians of all kinds how to get exposure, connect with fans, sell more CDs, and increase their incomes.
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Great advice Bob! Focused action is one of the biggest secrets to success.
Nice one! Some great advice indeed :)
Great ideas and reminders Bob. Everyone can find themselves in the same boat that appears to be swamped. This is similar to Stephen Covey's four quadrant approach to prioritizing your life. Great advice!