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What to do when you don't know what to do?

Anything considered a "hustle" and not necessarily a CENTS-based Fastlane

Crazy GG

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Hi all.

I am someone who has no problem taking action and working hard.

However, my current efforts haven't produced great results so far and my biggest problem is knowing what to actually do.

I think that stems from the fact that I don't know what exactly is my problem at succeeding.

For context, I am en eCommerce seller and I sell products on my Shopify site.

There are hundreds of different things I could do:
  • Continue testing new products
  • Get better at video creation
  • Work on my website
  • Switch business model
  • Look at countless youtube videos
  • etc
I know this might seem like a dumb question, but do you guys have a system on how to figure out what to do next when what you are currently doing is not working?

Thanks!
 
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ZCP

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put everything up on a big 'murder wall' so you can see it all
review all the data and ask the next round of questions
gather info and put on the murder wall
sleep on it / go exercise
block quiet time to review and analyze and determine a path
decide on up to 3 paths
start down the paths of 3 of the top ideas
listen / test / pivot

that is the step by step

the REAL advice....
is pick a day and time that you will MAKE A F*ckING DECISION and get to WORK on that path. THAT is the most important thing. Then block in that day and time, prep with the info above, and TAKE ACTION.

EVEN if wrong, keep moving. You will at least learn what not to do.
 

Kevin88660

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Hi all.

I am someone who has no problem taking action and working hard.

However, my current efforts haven't produced great results so far and my biggest problem is knowing what to actually do.

I think that stems from the fact that I don't know what exactly is my problem at succeeding.

For context, I am en eCommerce seller and I sell products on my Shopify site.

There are hundreds of different things I could do:
  • Continue testing new products
  • Get better at video creation
  • Work on my website
  • Switch business model
  • Look at countless youtube videos
  • etc
I know this might seem like a dumb question, but do you guys have a system on how to figure out what to do next when what you are currently doing is not working?

Thanks!
Go back to the fundamental and talks to someone who has a lot of experience in the space.

Every field has a few time proven ideas and approaches that best summarizes the 20 percent effort to 80 percent results big picture.

Many others have figured out before you did and you can learn from them.
 

Jobless

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There is usually a single constricting bottleneck. You find that, and work to widen it. Then repeat.

You lack a certain resource or the knowledge of how to leverage the resources you have. Usually it is found by looking at the numbers. If you lack numbers to look at, the solution is to first measure input vs. output (performance), and figure out the formula and factors involved. This will hint at what action may be the most effective.

If you cannot alter the formula or increase input by any action, then you find a different idea and execute on it instead.
 

Andy Black

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There was something I liked about the book “The ONE Thing” …

What ONE Thing can you do that will make everything else easier or unnecessary?

If you don’t know what your ONE Thing is, then finding out *is* your ONE Thing.


Anyway, we work in weekly cycles.

Every Monday we get the stats for last week and look to see what the pattern is from previous weeks and try to take one action we think will make the biggest difference that week. Then we let the data come in for the week and repeat next Monday.

We decide what to change based on what will have the highest potential upside.

Remember, the market doesn’t pay for input or activity.

What (potentially small) change can you make today that could result in the largest improvement?
 

biophase

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Hi all.

I am someone who has no problem taking action and working hard.

However, my current efforts haven't produced great results so far and my biggest problem is knowing what to actually do.

I think that stems from the fact that I don't know what exactly is my problem at succeeding.

For context, I am en eCommerce seller and I sell products on my Shopify site.

There are hundreds of different things I could do:
  • Continue testing new products
  • Get better at video creation
  • Work on my website
  • Switch business model
  • Look at countless youtube videos
  • etc
I know this might seem like a dumb question, but do you guys have a system on how to figure out what to do next when what you are currently doing is not working?

Thanks!
For ecommerce I'd look at it this way.

First, do you get enough traffic? Then, do you get conversions?

If no conversions, then it's either your website, product, price or quality of traffic. Figure that out and then change what you need to, then repeat.

If it's traffic, then it's your marketing or brand.
 
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Itizn

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Whichever actions get you in a live conversation with another human being

is what to do
 

Crazy GG

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For ecommerce I'd look at it this way.

First, do you get enough traffic? Then, do you get conversions?

If no conversions, then it's either your website, product, price or quality of traffic. Figure that out and then change what you need to, then repeat.

If it's traffic, then it's your marketing or brand.
How much would you say is enough traffic? 100 sessions?

Right now I have had about 200 sessions, 3 add to carts and 0 sales.
 

biophase

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How much would you say is enough traffic? 100 sessions?

Right now I have had about 200 sessions, 3 add to carts and 0 sales.
You really should have 2-3 sales with 200 visitors at a 1-1.5% conversion rate.

Do you have google analytics installed? How long did those 200 sessions stay on your website?

200 visitors and no sales can mean anything though.
Did they view one page left in less than 20 seconds?
View your product page and not add to cart?

With only 3 add to carts, I'm thinking your product page is either bad, price is too high, or product sucks.
 
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Johnny boy

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Spending years constantly feeling that way and actively trying to get out of that fog and actually make progress in the right direction is how you get out of it.

I remember being extremely motivated and not knowing where to pour all that energy into, but that emotion doesn't last forever. Eventually you get some clarity, then it feels like you're unstoppable, then you get what you want, then you get lazier. And then when your goals change again, you go through the cycle again. Extreme desire and frustration, clarity, focused effort and success, then laziness and figuring out how to motivate yourself again.
 

LiveEntrepreneur

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Hi all.

I am someone who has no problem taking action and working hard.

However, my current efforts haven't produced great results so far and my biggest problem is knowing what to actually do.

I think that stems from the fact that I don't know what exactly is my problem at succeeding.

For context, I am en eCommerce seller and I sell products on my Shopify site.

There are hundreds of different things I could do:
  • Continue testing new products
  • Get better at video creation
  • Work on my website
  • Switch business model
  • Look at countless youtube videos
  • etc
I know this might seem like a dumb question, but do you guys have a system on how to figure out what to do next when what you are currently doing is not working?

Thanks!
This is a great question and something that I struggled with a long time and still do to some extent and I found out the answer is somewhat simple. You need to keep working on tasks that push the money needle forward, or activities that will produce the highest returns. Like you said, there are a lot of activities that you can do, pick the ones that will be the most beneficial to you. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that you want more of a step by step guide to know what the "next" thing is to do? Unfortunately there isn't, and there doesn't have to be. It's all about moving forward.
 

LiveEntrepreneur

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Spending years constantly feeling that way and actively trying to get out of that fog and actually make progress in the right direction is how you get out of it.

I remember being extremely motivated and not knowing where to pour all that energy into, but that emotion doesn't last forever. Eventually you get some clarity, then it feels like you're unstoppable, then you get what you want, then you get lazier. And then when your goals change again, you go through the cycle again. Extreme desire and frustration, clarity, focused effort and success, then laziness and figuring out how to motivate yourself again.
Great advice , I can relate to this.
 
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Albert KOUADJA

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Very interesting thread. I find your advice very helpful.
 

Crazy GG

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You really should have 2-3 sales with 200 visitors at a 1-1.5% conversion rate.

Do you have google analytics installed? How long did those 200 sessions stay on your website?

200 visitors and no sales can mean anything though.
Did they view one page left in less than 20 seconds?
View your product page and not add to cart?

With only 3 add to carts, I'm thinking your product page is either bad, price is too high, or product sucks.
Yes, I have GA installed. Most people bounce, my bounce rate is very high. Yes, it's less than 20 seconds.

This is my current product page. I am constantly trying to tweak it and this is the latest version.
 

Crazy GG

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This is a great question and something that I struggled with a long time and still do to some extent and I found out the answer is somewhat simple. You need to keep working on tasks that push the money needle forward, or activities that will produce the highest returns. Like you said, there are a lot of activities that you can do, pick the ones that will be the most beneficial to you. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that you want more of a step by step guide to know what the "next" thing is to do? Unfortunately there isn't, and there doesn't have to be. It's all about moving forward.
Yeah, I guess I am sort of looking for a step by step guide. You're right, there is no silver bullet.

It's just feels quite frustrating spending a lot of time and effort into something and not getting anywhere, which means that I am working in the wrong direction.
 
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sanok

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If I don't know what to do I read books or influencers. Then usually new ideas come.
 

DavidePaco00

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put everything up on a big 'murder wall' so you can see it all
review all the data and ask the next round of questions
gather info and put on the murder wall
sleep on it / go exercise
block quiet time to review and analyze and determine a path
decide on up to 3 paths
start down the paths of 3 of the top ideas
listen / test / pivot

that is the step by step

the REAL advice....
is pick a day and time that you will MAKE A F*ckING DECISION and get to WORK on that path. THAT is the most important thing. Then block in that day and time, prep with the info above, and TAKE ACTION.

EVEN if wrong, keep moving. You will at least learn what not to do.
I agree, you can t master more than one or two skills at the same time effectively
 

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