OK, now that you understand both The Skills:Performance Ratio and Practice:Performance Ratio, let’s put them into action:
Your Lifestyle Creation Experiment for today is to identify one area of your personal life you want to improve, one SKILL that if you improved it would make a difference in your results in that area, and one way to improve your own Practice:Performance Ratio in that area.
Your Business Creation Experiment for today is do the same for your business: identify one area of your personal life you want to improve, one SKILL that if you improved it would make a difference in your results in that area, and one way to improve your own Practice:Performance Ratio in that area.
- Obviously, one practice session for one day is not going to suddenly give you Olympic-caliber skills, so the next step is to choose at least one hour per week – preferably the same hour each week – and make it your sacred Practice Time to do nothing but practice the fundamental skills of your chosen profession.
Preferably, you’d be like a top-level athlete and be practicing at least a few hours each day, but at least getting in the habit of doing it a minimum of once a week will get you started and then you can increase that amount as you go.
- Here’s an example that will give you some food for thought as you choose your own Skills to practice today and show you a practice application of how to simultaneously improve your Skills:Performance Ratio and Practice:Performance Ratios for your business.
For getting results in internet marketing, one of the key skills is copywriting- in other words, writing copy that builds trusting relationships with your prospects and then compels them to purchase whatever it is you are selling.
What most people don’t know is that one of the ways some of the today’s best copywriters have gotten so good is to practice their skills incessantly – NOT by writing sales letters or websites for their own stuff- but by practicing the copy of other copywriting greats.
A quick application – The writers of The National Enquirer and Cosmopolitan are paid to sell millions of copies with 3-6 word headlines- to do that, they are some of the best headline writers in the world. Improve your own headline-writing skills by grabbing a couple copies of both publications from the newsstand or library and practicing rewriting every one of their headlines to apply to your own business.
That’s a superb practice session and doing that regularly will quickly improve your headline writing skills.
You can also model the greatest copywriters of the past.
Pick up a copy of Tested Advertising Methods or any of the other classic ad books that contain actual copies of winning sales letters and headlines.
Then get out a blank sheet of paper and hand-write each one of them –just copy the words in your own handwriting. The act of copying the ad or headline burns it into your brain and allows you to build a base of knowledge to draw from when you later go to write copy for your own stuff.
Once you’ve copied them by hand- practice rewriting them to apply to your own stuff too – maybe the sales letter sold golf clubs and you sell time shares – keep the structure of the sales letter and rewrite the headlines and subheads to apply to time shares instead of golf clubs. Practice sessions like this pay huge dividends down the road in giving you the base of high-level skills necessary to enjoy world-class results.
To recap quickly:
Your Lifestyle Creation Experiment for today is to identify one area of your personal life you want to improve, one SKILL that if you improved it would make a difference in your results in that area, and one way to PRACTICE that skill today.
Your Business Creation Experiment for today is do the same for your business: identify one area of your personal life you want to improve, one SKILL that if you improved it would make a difference in your results in that area, and one way to PRACTICE that skill today (even if you can only practice it for 10 minutes, it will help so do it regardless of how busy you are)
Choose what you are going to do for each one and share your choices by posting a comment below.
-Jeff
September 25th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Dear Jeff,
In my personal life I will practice what I preach to other working mothers that I need to take 30 minutes a day for myself and just exercise - does not matter what but just do it!
On the business front there is a laundry list of things to do but I really like your suggestion on the headlines. I know my weakness is follow through’s because of ‘time’ constraints and that they are a pain in the butttt …. but that action is the key to any business success and so I will take a task to completion every day. At least one task a day and an important one not a putsy one!
Sunita Pandit
September 25th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Dear Jeff, Thanks for showing me today what was wrong in my business all these years,
It is somethimes the small things that is messing up the whole system, in my case, I dont need a university degree to set things right just a small adjustment to the way I go about my marketing.
Thanks Annette
September 25th, 2008 at 5:31 am
Hi Jeff,
My lifestyle and business is intertwined. I have spent years practicing self healing and learning techniques which have given me a solid base to write about it and help others to heal themselves.
September 25th, 2008 at 5:43 am
Its so funny because I’m at the stage in my Internet business where I have to practice writing a Sales Letter. I had no idea how to go about it, but, thank you Jeff for the insight you just gave me. For a while there I was so overwhelmed by it all as I have just started working on the Internet as a business. Sometimes when you’re lost you tend to chase your tail and run in circles doing things that are so unnecessary to the end products, when all we have to do is just stop, relax, and take a deep breath. I know what I have to do now. I have been wasting time and procrastinating for far too long. I know where I’m headed now and will learn to focus on the important matters. Thanks again Jeff , your lessons are like Gold to me.
September 25th, 2008 at 6:10 am
One area of my life that I need to improve is my level of preparation and knowledge in web-based applications. If I spent time learning how to apply myself in this area, it would increase my productivity, allow me to move onto other important tasks and create the results I’m after. To achieve this, i will endeavour to spend one hour per day on increasing my knowledge and experience in web applications.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Oh, definitely EXERCISE is my personal life “downfall”. I need to practice exercising - maybe only 10 minutes at a time at first or with 1 lb weights.
In my business, I need to learn how to develope my own squeeze pages and how to get them on a web host. So designing Squeeze pages by looking at others’ pages is my practice for today.
Thanks, Jeff for sharing these nuggets!
Joyce
September 25th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Hello Jeff,
For my personal life, I will exercise everyday to improve my health and gain a better energy level. I was doing that for years and stopped this year - I don’t know why? I appreciate your suggestion regarding re-writing the headlines and sales letters to become more proficient at copywriting. Although I have swipe files and ebooks on copywriting, I had not practiced re-writing the information.
Thank you for the insight. This is really helpful.
September 25th, 2008 at 10:36 am
This may sound as if I did not notice before but, I’ve decided I must finish the dishes before going to bed, and leave the kitchen and dressing room as orderly as possible before sleeping everyday. Tonight before I fall into exhaustion again I’ll likely feel refreshed when I’ve done these kitchen clean-ups. Every day has become so tiresome due to these places having gotten out of hand. After they are in order then I can find a good way to keep my students’ daily worksheets in order and up to date. Having those essentials nice will allow me to see my design materials without guilt then I can return to drawing more light designs without feeling stressed. And I see then I can spend time learning new materials and technology. Somehow everything seemed too chaotic before this small ah ha! which seems very workable and real.
Oh no a huge cockroach just wandered across the floor!! Its really time to take specific action!!
September 25th, 2008 at 10:47 am
It makes sense… in order to be successful, first you must learn to do it well and better than others.
In my personal life, I need to increase my energy level. I’m going to do that by eating healthy and exercise more often. I’ve already started to take notice in this area, I’ll continue to make small strides.
Next, for my business. I’m not sure what type of business I want to start, but I know I want more than my current 9 to 6 job. I have a interest in investments, so I’m going to start by reading.
Thanks for breaking down the basics for us, Jeff.
September 25th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I definitely need to improve things in my life and from now on, I will be practising saying what I really feel and think to my partner. For far too long, I’ve said nothing, just for the sake of a quiet life. Just writing this makes me feel 10 times better.
As for my business, I’m going to practise writing articles for my blogs, which are my own work and not other people’s rehashed. By the time I’ve spent an hour a day for a few weeks, there should be some really good stuff coming out of it.
September 25th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Hi Jeff, thanks for the insights. I always go on internet on a daily basis, but now I will use this skill to analyse and learn how to use web based applications effectively. When I was going thru the information I came across words like you need “good headlines and sales letters” to promote your business and I went like am I gonna have the ability to do that, but now I can see its not that hard all what is needed is to practice from what others have done already and the rest will follow.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
This helped to give me the insight I needed in terms of “practice”. You have a great idea.
Too often in our attempts to save time by taking shortcuts we actually end up wasting a lot of additional time because we didn’t take the time to do, or learn to do, whatever it was properly to begin with.
I have let my life get totally out of control, which is not like me. I have taken on so many different “make money” projects (I think in an attempt to actually avoid doing anything and thereby failing) that there are so many things that need to be done that I am unable to focus on anything and therefore accomplish nothing.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
For both BCE and LCE I will focus on ‘Communication Skill’ and the action will be to read widely including practicing copywriting as suggested.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Thanks Jeff. I am extremely shy, especialy with women.You’ve made me relize that I need to practice talking to them in order to get over this problem.I am going to try knowing that I will get better at this with practice,even at first if I make a fool of myself , which usually happens.Mainly because I am a nervous type of person. I love your Idea of practicing my copywriting skills, for my business, which can also tie into my social fears, giving me something I may be able to say, to start a conversation with those beautiful, but also scary women. Thanks again.
” All Men Have Fears. The Brave Put Aside Their Fears and
Go Forward ,Sometimes to Death…Always to Victory…”
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September 25th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I agree with both
Sharon (out of control lifestyle,to too many make money projects)) and withjJane. I need to de-clutter first. (and get organized.)One can then work if the house and desk are in order.It can be done before computer time!
September 25th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
This is good stuff, thank you.
I am finding other peoples responses very helpful.
September 25th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
For my personal area it would be to have more energy and I know that exercise has always helped me with that. This month I did make a goal to exercise 3 days per week and so far I’ve only missed one day (I’ll use that blank piece of paper for that day (smile))! So for next month I’m going to add two more days and plan to exercise 5 days per week.
For my business area it would be writing skills with a focus on article writing. I have a difficult time getting the first draft started and know there are ways to get the outline done more quickly. I have three different training modules that will help improve my skills in this area. I’ve only read them once and know they all have great information to help me improve my skills. So I will take time each day to read the training material and pactice writing.
Thanks again Jeff! This is great information!
September 25th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Personally I need to get back on track when it comes to taking care of myself, eating properly, etc.
I think that what you have pointed out is valuable as when I am looking at things such as headlines and advertising material I will look at it now in a different way, i.e. I will take more notice of the ones that have been tested and ones that really work. Your suggestion to copy and practice the skill regularly is also a good one and one that I will need to work on.
September 25th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Hi Jeff
Guess I’, going to have to stop skipping the long walks with the dogs in the morning. I’ve changed my diet to get healthier but some mornings I just don’t feel like that long walk That must stop. As for my business I’m doing this on a shoestring so I’m going to have to practice my free traffic techniques on a much more regular basis. Find them and then use them and practice my headlines ads etc. Great lessons and comments
September 25th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Jeff this is awesome!
Thnks for the ideas about practicing what successful people do with copy writing everyday! I recall reading an article that simply stated ‘to be successful, copy someone that is’.
September 26th, 2008 at 2:31 am
Lifestyle creation: I need to complete the aspects of divorce that are dragging on (believe me,
not due to me) the custody and finance and just move on. Its the kids I care about. It is incredibly nasty with smoke bombs and subtrefuge on a daily basis. It takes up an extraordinary amount of my time. I need to use the skill of Detachment.
Business creation: my goal would be to wrap up the divorce and take whatever energy spent on dealing with that put into business. I would become Engaged. In essence I would do the reverse. It would be MARVELOUS!!
September 26th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Hi Jeff
I will continue taking my walks in the morning however I will add 15 minutes of workout as well. Perhaps situps and simple pushups. I really didn’t feel like walking today but I must push myself to continue my exercise.
I will write articles for my blog and find ways to use free advertising for my website.
thanks
Ken
September 26th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Jeff,
I read “Seven habits of very successful people” by Steven R Covey a couple of years ago. If I remember correctly the seventh habit is called “Sharpen the Saw”.
Since then I’ve:
- Learned type writing (more than 300 letters per minute)
- Implemented the “Get Things Done” concept for my Personal and Time Management
- I’ve done an Ironman in 12 hours
- I’ve taken a Project Management Professional degree (PMP) at
pmi.org
- I’ve learned a Mind Mapping Technique
- I’ve learned ways to remember names.
- I’ve learned techniques for multiplying two digit numbers with each other
in my head.
So, why am I bragging about this? To be honest I’ve got problems coming up with new areas to improve. I think I’m not challenged enough at my work today. It’s simply going to smooth. I can do my job on half time. A luxury isn’t it? But I get frustrated. I need more challenges.
That’s my biggest learning for today.
When it comes to Ironman disciplines there are always areas to improve.
My goals for next year is to do the swimming (3800 m) below 1h10min, the biking (180 km) below 5 hours, and the running (42195 m) below 4h11min.
I know I need to practise to achieve these goals. I also know that it helps me a lot to have written goals and to do my affirmations every day. For my it works!
Best!
Lars
PS I miss comments in your comments about what you read about the other guys taking part in this program. My first reflexion is that we seem to be on different levels.
September 26th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Oh my goodness! Where to start! Now there are 2 or 3 things I’d like to do. In my personal life, I already started 6 months ago with a very good plan for relaxation. I spend 50 minutes each day practicing meditation - it’s not that easy and it does come with practice. My practice sessions are well entrenched.
For my business, my action plan for today is to spend 30-60 minutes learning about internet advertising.
September 26th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Perfect and so simple in theory, I have to be a better communicator, I’ll start today by calling one or two clients that I haven’t heard from in a while. I’ll start by setting aside 15 minutes a day to call clients, I am very aware that you have to keep in touch with your clients, but I don’t, it’s a no brainer, I’ve been waiting for my clients to keep in touch with me. Duh, no wonder my sales are at a long time low.
Thanks, I really needed todays lesson.
September 26th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Relationship enhancement in both personal & professional. Personally - having my mom/daughter days again - did it yesterday afternoon (it was GREAT) - my daughter decided to get her hair done (she walked into the salon as a 13 year old & walked out looking like a 16 year old - so needless to say my eyes had some moisture to them! ;-( They definitely grow up ttttoooooooo fast!
Professional I decided to serve fruit juices, light snacks (sunflower seeds, sun chips, etc.) to my members to let them know that I appreciate them & it was just one more thing I could do to express how I feel about them. My way of saying THANKS and also my way to create an EXPERIENCE in my office!
Thanks for the challenge Jeff!
September 27th, 2008 at 7:47 am
For personal; I’m going to start doing the yoga that I’ve been putting off. I’m also going to practice a technique I read about a while back that is not complain about anything (even in the mind) for 7 days. It’s amazing what little things we catch ourselves “whining” about.
Professionally: I’m committing to reviewing my professional tecniques and info for an hour a week.
September 27th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
I need to get back into a healthier lifestyle also where I feel happier and more comfortable.
For my Business,…………….I think that I will start out with……………Being more positive. Actually I will be more positive with both.
Thank you everyone!
Jeffrey
September 30th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Thanks you for the two methods to end or at least reduce the complacency we can all fall into — especially when we don’t deserve this comfort, i.e., when there is no success happening.
For sure we all need to be Olympic “Life Athletes” and approach everything in that way!
September 30th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Thank you for giving us two methods to end or at least reduce complacency. Complacency we really don’t deserve to “relax” in when there is no success happening.
We really need to be Olympic “Life Athletes” and approach everything from that standpoint!
Let’s shake off the cobwebs and get to it!
October 1st, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Hi Jeff , I have identified one skill that doesn’t need any practicing. However, if I practice the opposite of that skill, I will truly benefit. The skill is procrastination, I am really good at it. Now I have to practice action, doing or whatever the oppposite is in order to remove that kind of negative skill in both aspects of my life. I will start doing, doing and doing some more until i don’t even think of doing because I will be doing. Whoa! Sorry, amazing how powerful your insights and action plans work. I am liking this. Thanks!
Ex-procrastinator,
Donald