Never did I realize what I had gotten myself into, the challange, the work involved, the responsibility, the accountability to myself and others, but also the fun, the growth, the joy of expected and unexpected results and the joy of success stories to be told.

The 30 day challenge came as a result of learning a new business strategy within our community of entrepreneurs, internet marketing and personal growth - WEST (World Entrepreneurs Success Training). The three of us were talking about it in our weekly mastermind session.

Was this marketing strategy better than what we already knew?

There was only one way to find out - apply it. The person who had taught us this new marketing strategy claimed that we would reach definite results if we applied this strategy for thirty days. We had seen the concept of 30 day challange in other places, and so we decided to create our own.

The challenge was to drive a set minimum amount of traffic to our blogs within thirty days, and that that traffic would result in the planned for income.

We decided to give ourselves a couple of days to formulate our plans. This planning stage was also part of the new marketing strategy we had just learned.

First each of us had to determine our goals. All three of us have our dreams and we also know that dreams are dreams until you make them physical, with set goals, a clear picture, a definite plan. This became my first challange - to work out a definite plan with numbers, clarity, keywords calculation, and more.

The second thing we had to decide on was how to be accountable and to whom, what methods to use. We realized that the challenge would much more effective, if we created a way to be accountable to each other. We decided that we would mail each other twice a day. In the morning with the plan for the day, in the evening with achievements and results.

A. came up with the idea of making this public within our community. We asked for it, and after some hesitation we received our own platform - The Ladies of WEST 30 Day Challenge Group.

Some First Results

At the time of writing we are just a week into the challenge, so it is too early to say if the marketing strategy will give the results as promised. But there are definite results at this early stage.

I am seeing greatly increased traffic to my blog; rising interest in me - via twitter, facebook, and other social networks (people look for me and follow me); incredible useful and positive feedback from the article submission sites; some early conversion into cash.

Additional Results and Unexpected

The first days were extremely challenging to me. I was so set on doing this and creating success that I worked way too many hours. I was exhausting myself. I decided to relax and let go, to enjoy the process and that is giving much better results.

I have improved my working methods, so that I get more done in less time. Familiarity with the system of course also eases the work load.

Every day I have new insights and understandings of myself, of the strategy and internet marketing systems and tools. I am finding out what is working for me and what is not, which sites I like using and that are giving me results. I am learning which tasks I can do quickly and which ones will continue to take time.

One of the greatest understandings is that it is actions that count. As if I didn't know beforehand!!! Why else would I do a challange?

In doing this I have discovered products to create that will enhance my longer term plans. I want to share a secret with you here. When I created my plan for 30 days, I began with a three year plan that I broke down into smaller plans. So this is just one step in many more to come. But don't tell anyone.

"The successful always has a number of projects planned, to which he looks forward. Any one of them could change the course of his life overnight."
Mark Caine: Non-fiction author

1. Know what you want - in hard numbers and end date
Without knowing what you want - what's the use. Make sure it is stated in the positive only
2. Create the plan and stick by it
If you don't know how to create a plan, ask someone who does, and stick to the plan, but be flexible
3. Find someone to be accountable to
It may be something like we do, sending mails to each other. I read them, not to place judgement, but because I get ideas. We often put our insights into our mails
4. Stay focused
Don't allow anything to enter the hours you set aside for the challenge
5. Set specific hours of work (but be flexible)
If all tasks are not completed that day, transfer to next day. Stick by these hours, going beyond will cause exhaustion of mind and body
6. Journal
I run several journals: my daily personal journal, my to-do journal, an insight journal
7. Look after yourself on all aspects
physical - eat properly and healthy and exercise
mental - keep a clear and clean mind, read or listen to uplifting material
spiritual needs - whatever this means to you. I meditate a lot
8. Each day - celebrate the accomplishments
Give yourself a pat on the shoulder or hug yourself, or just say "Well done, good days work". This is so important for the subconscius. Drink a glass of wine, go for a nice meal
Whatever celebration is to you
9. Persevere
Old saying: Rome was not built in one day. The same goes for any project you may be involved it. Most failures in all spheres are due to this.
10. Actions, actions, actions
Only taking action in all of the above will give the results. You can't leave out even one bit. As if I didn't know that!!! That's why I entered the challenge

When I started the challenge on the new marketing strategy I never dreamed that it would be so rewarding. I have discovered so many new abilities within myself that I never knew existed. I am making so many new friends. I have received greater clarity in all spheres. A true life lesson.

Will I ever do another challenge? You bet.

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