I intentionally did not post a Motivational Monday post this Monday.  I am focused on closing out some tasks so that I can turn all of my attention to meeting the 2012 goals that I set out for myself in my 2012 Internet Marketing Goals post.  But I am having some motivation and focus issues myself — don't we all — so I figured I would take a break and share this scary fact with you.

Scary Fact:  Almost 3% of 2012 is over. There are less than 350 shopping days left before Christmas.

Seriously, this is the hard part.  Right now.  Today.  You set all of these awesome goals several weeks ago, and promised you'd start on January 2 (after all, January 1 was a Sunday).  But now it's January 10th, and you can already start to feel the doubt creep in.  Can you make your goals?  Are they even realistic?  That little voice (the yucky one) is talking to you.  I know it's starting to talk to you because it's starting to talk to me.

A bigger problem is the distractions.  For example, today I bought a WSO from Willie Crawford.  It's totally awesome.  But it does not directly help me with my 2012 goals — at least not at first glance.  Why did I buy it?  Well, it was really (really) interesting and a great value.  Willie is amazing in many ways (and a really nice guy in person).  Was it a cool offer?  Yes.  Did I need it right now?  Not at all.  My best guess is that it is a very sophisticated form of procrastination.

I put the PRO in procrastination (I actually have a T-Shirt that says that).  I'll have to upload a picture later.

Here is my advice.  Lay out a clear plan to achieve your goals (complete with dates and performance targets) and stick to it.  Work on it every day.  You already know my goals, but you don't yet know my plan.  I'm publishing my plan on Monday, January 16th.  And make sure your plan is trackable.  Just like mentioned in this tweet to me the other day.

Paul's right — and that is basically what I am publishing on January 16th.  Stay tuned.

Bonus Money-Saving Tip:  Never buy anything Internet Marketing related until you need it.  If you are working on traffic and need a link boosting tool, buy it when you need it.  Don't buy it just because some marketer sent you an email on a Tuesday.  This tip will save you money and help keep you focused.

The tip comes originally from Jimmy D. Brown — a guy I really respect.  Jimmy has a goal to sell 1 Million $3 ebooks this year to help orphans in Mexico.  Very cool project that shows just how powerful internet marketing can be.  I would tell you to check out Jimmy's project here, but I just told you to FOCUS.  So, don't do that.   By the way — no affiliate link there.  No upsell.  Just Jimmy helping orphans.

Have a great productive day,

Mark