Business Lessons From My Weed Puller

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I used to hate pulling weeds. Now I love it. …I know …you think I’m nuts..

My whole adult life I’ve really enjoyed gardening seeing things grow and knowing that I cared for it and played a big part in the success (or sometimes failure) of my gardens.

Pulling weeds on the other hand is one of those annoying things about gardening I avoid like the plague. Bending over, digging, breaking the roots, knowing that if you don’t get it all …the suckers will just be growing back bigger and stronger than ever.

Arghhh..it’s like they know they have this control over me and so I have always hated weeding my garden or lawn.

After this last weekend, I now LOVE pulling weeks.

…and it’s all because…

My husband bought me the right tool for the job. And now it’s ENJOYABLE. This bad boy rocks!

This got me thinking about all the tools I use for business and how they make the tasks that would otherwise be painstaking, so much more enjoyable.

Now of course if it was a job that I could pay someone to do, that would be the perfect tool, but when that isn’t possible, a great tool can make a world of difference.

Here’s My Top 5 Tools I use in my business that make my life more enjoyable:

Tool 1: Screen Capture Software

I couldn’t imagine having to create a tutorial through the written word and screen shot images. It’s just so much more powerful to literally show someone how to do something while you’re verbally explaining it (and soooo much faster).

I use ScreenFlow. It’s cheap, easy to use and does everything I need it to. Because I make a lot of screen tutorial like videos, this is an absolute tool for me. For windows users out there…try the free CamStudio.

Tool 2: Smart Phone

For 3 reasons. First, if you’re doing any social media, having the ability to update your status anywhere is great. I lived without a “smart phone” for a long time and missed out on so many tweeting & facebook’ing opportunities cause my phone didn’t have that capability. Now if I could just figure out how to filter out all that spam

Second reason, is because it has iPod capabilities. I can play all the training audios and videos that I have. It’s so convenient to listen to when driving, or walking the dogs.

Learning in passive mode is so easy and my iPhone makes it even easier. Before iPods, you’d have to drag CD’s around with you (read books, which I still love doing, but isn’t so safe to do while driving or cutting the grass), or actually sit at your computer and try not to get distracted while listening to audio training. I know I just can’t do that.

Third reason, is for the tethering option. Because many weekend during the summer we spend at the lake, it means I can stay connected to my business if I need to. Not that I “have” to…but I have that security to know that if I need something..it’s a click away.

Before my iPhone, I’d have to run into town (population 300) and use the library…not so convenient.

Tool 3: Keyword Research Tool

Can you imagine having to find keyword competition manually? Ughh..I can’t…

Being an internet entrepreneur, I know that almost every project I do starts with keyword research. I use a tool call Market Samurai. I purchased it when it was in Beta so I got a great price.

It is one tool I use almost daily and it tells me so many little secrets that save me a ton of time.

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Of course there are many other tools I use on a daily basis, WordPress, my autoresponder (AutoresponsePlus), my MacBook, my video camera, my mic (which I spent too much $ on, but now glad I have it), etc…but my point is is that when you have the right tools, business gets easier and life more enjoyable.

Tell me about your favorite tools…

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