1) Go full screen mode.

If you’re anything like me, you probably have several browser windows open while you’re writing.

The problem is every time I stop writing, I’m tempted to click on one of those open browsers and start reading something that I really shouldn’t be focusing on.

Dark Room is a simple Windows text app that covers your entire screen. In other words, you won’t be able to see anything else on the screen, except what you’re typing.

Write Room is the free Mac version.

2) Write non-stop in 10 minute blocks. I got this idea from Steve Manning at WriteABookNow.com, and it is absoluely awesome.

I find that when you sit around and contemplate what you’re writing, you tend to get stuck more often.

It’s much easier to quickly write a block of text, and then go back through and edit later on, versus trying to pen perfect prose.

3) Remember that most people in the world are either bad writers or scared writers.

When I read the stuff that I wrote last year, I swear it’s the most horrific thing ever. I’m VERY self-critical after the fact.

But I find that many writers are self-critical while they’re writing.

And if you’re constantly rating your work, you’ll slow yourself down. In some cases, it can halt a project all together. (Especially if you’re a new writer.)

What keeps me going is knowing that most people are so-so writers. The other quarter are timid writers, and never release anything they write.

So even though I’m hard on myself, I realize that I stand in a minority position.

Don’t attempt perfection. It’ll never happen. 

Just get your stuff out there and tweak as you go.

Save time and grow rich,

Alexis Dawes

My 4-year old LOVES boxes.

I ordered 4 pairs of boots from Zappos (the best freakin’ online shoe store in the world) and they came in this gigantic box. When mini-me saw the box I thought she was going to pass out.

She was just utterly amazed that I had gotten her this box. She gave up a Christmas morning gasp when she saw it sitting in the living room.

Now mind you, I get mini-me some really nice toys.

Leap Frog games, baby dolls with every possible accessory, all kinds of knick-knacks from around the world.

But toys mean nothing when they’re pitted against a great, big box.

And it’s not just my kid either.

My cousin says the same thing about her 4 and 2-year old. They constantly fight over the boxes that come in the mail.

The obsession with boxes – I think – lies in their simplicity.

With a little imagination you can turn a box into a car… a house… a push cart… a drum… a robot body… an airplane. So many options from a big piece of folded cardboard!

She can play with a box for hours on end.

But she’ll get bored with a Leap Frog game in less than 15 minutes.

Why?

I believe it’s because today’s games have too many buttons and lights and pieces and features. And kids just get overwhelmed.

We do too.

In fact, there’s a word for this overwhelming feeling. It’s called feature fatigue.

According to Word Spy it’s: “Mental exhaustion and stress caused by products that come with a large number of features.”

Normally this term is associated with items like digital cameras or software.

But I’m finding that infoproduct authors can be feature pushers as well.

Guru extraordinaire Dan Kennedy calls it the ‘thud factor.’ You sell a great big package so people feel like they’re getting their money’s worth.

I love Dan – but I despise the thud factor.

I recently purchased a $1,000 package from a well-known copywriter. I love this copywriter to death. When he talks about himself, I feel like he’s talking about my life. The similarities are scary.

But damn, I almost hate that I have like 7-10 books to go through.

When I start reading something I want to be done in a day or two. I’ve been going through this stuff for a few weeks now.

Even though I really enjoy it, it’s a lot to take in. Almost too much.

I understand the psychology of why there are so many manuals. And customers probably salivate when they get that back breaking box in the mail.

But I’m one of those customers who likes short, manageable chunks of information.

Just give it to me straight. And let me use my own know-how (imagination) to make it work for me. That’s all I want.

It’s no different than my daughter using her imagination (know-how) to play with the box.

More bells and whistles isn’t always better.

Create a small, quality product and those of use who suffer from feature fatigue will love you.

Think small and grow rich,

Alexis Dawes

Judging from all the public and private feedback I received after posting My Brain is a Non-Stop Workaholic I’ve realized that I’m not the only writer on earth who has a problem with idea overload.

There seems to be a silently suffering group of us.

I say ’suffering’ because even though it’s fantastic to be an idea person, this ability can also slow you down.

When your brain is constantly bubbling new business ideas, you have an extremely hard time focusing on the task at hand.

This idea looks hot… and this one will DEFINITELY pull in a quick million… and THIS one will have customers beating down my door… oh but wait, I should try this one because…

Your brain is constantly calculating the project and profit possibilities.

And if you give in to that constant inner dialogue, you’ll find yourself starting 50 different projects – and completing none.

Can I get an “Amen”?

I’ve coined a special name for these types of people. New Project Addicts.

Hi, my name is Alexis and I’m a New Project Addict.

Oh yes. Me. A New Project Addict to the 10th degree.

I love starting new projects. It’s a rush. I always feel like, “Whooo, I’m getting closer to that million dollar year!” But it was this rush that held me in a little tiny box for many years.

I just couldn’t focus all of my energy on the bullseye long enough to hit the damn thing. It was like knowing the winning lottery numbers, and not having the strength to go to the store and play them.

It was only in the past couple of years that I finally figured out a plan that worked for me.

I’ve been using that plan religiously. Religiously! And the difference is like night and day.

My income quickly reached the six figure range ($100K+). I still have time to spend with my family. And I’m no longer working until 2-3am every night.

I’m still generating ideas galore. I still get the same insane headrush whenever I start a new project.

But I’m processing my ideas much differently. And that’s how I’m able to keep my New Project Addiction under control.

Anyway, I promised that I would publish a free report for those of you who suffer with the same syndrome that I do. And I did.

First go check out my latest blog at New Project Addict.

Then pick up a copy of The Focus Plan.

(Just so you’ll know, you may freely redistribute The Focus Plan to your customers, subscribers, and site visitors.)

Focus your mind and grow rich,

Alexis Dawes