Comments on: How to Get Started on Things You Keep Putting Off

By: "Used Trailers"

"Used Trailers" — Sat, 22 May 2010 05:50:22 +0000

Pulling the trigger can be the most difficult part. Especially if one isn’t feeling that confident. Great post for motivation, and really inspiring. Good luck in the future, and keep working smarter not harder.

By: Ali

Ali — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:51:07 +0000

Thanks Holly! Glad I could help out! I think cold calling would be right at the top of my list of most put-offable things (I’m not too keen on making phone calls in general!)

Have you come across the book “The Well-Fed Writer: Back for Seconds” by Peter Bowerman? He has a whole chapter in there on cold-calling. I’ve briefly reviewed that book (and his first one) here: http://www.aliventures.com/reviews/reviews-books-for-freelance-writers/

Hope it goes well on Monday!

By: Holly Bowne

Holly Bowne — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:26:42 +0000

I stumbled across your blog post at exactly the time I needed to read what you’ve written. An EXCELLENT post! I’m feeling very empowered after reading this. Of course, it’s Saturday. And the thing I’m avoiding doing is cold-calling companies in the area I live to offer my writing services. So I’ll have to wait until Monday. I’ll have to read your post here once more for some encouragement before I pick up the phone .

By: Ali

Ali — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:35:54 +0000

Thanks Kaizan!

I guess I’m confident with blogging because I’ve been doing it for years, and I find it easy to express myself well in writing. (Though I sent off guest posts to CopyBlogger and Men With Pens yesterday and I was definitely going through an “I’m not good enough” mini-meltdown while trying to write those!)

The thing I’m probably most scaredy-cat about is meeting and talking to new people. I’m getting better, though!

By: Kaizan

Kaizan — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:09:28 +0000

Nice article! I especially liked the two possibilities when the first step is scary. So true!

It’s interesting that you say you are naturally “timid”. You are so proactive and dynamic with this blog and guest posts and e-books, that I almost can’t believe that you hesitate at all!
I guess it shows that you practice what you preach!

By: Reflection [Banter Studio]

Reflection [Banter Studio] — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:38:31 +0000

[...] things we want to do, and sometimes get overwhelmed by what to do first. Reading this post by Ali Hale started something in my brain today. Clicking through to [...]

By: Ali

Ali — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:43:46 +0000

My week seems to be going a bit like that too! Going for one thing at a time definitely helps. I have a bit of a love/hate thing going with to-do lists at the moment, but they can be handy when it feels like there’s this huge mountain of “stuff” to plough through…

By: Colin

Colin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:25:59 +0000

Nice article, Ali! I seem to be putting off the more-than-a-dozen things I just e-mailed to Naomi, as well as a whole bunch of tidying. Daunted by the sheer number of plates to spin. And I hear Leo very calmly telling me to do one at a time. There’s a corner of my house that needs to be tidied. I’m on it!