One of the hazards they never bother to tell you about when become an online marketer is brain fog. You know what I mean... you've been sitting at your computer for 10 minutes or 10 hours when you realize your brain is moving slower than a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter.
And you know if you could just get your brain in gear, you could get a ton of work done today. But despite that 5th cup of coffee you still can't seem to focus. What's a marketer to do?
I take a cue from Nelson Mandela when this happens and I take a walk. If the weather is good, I get some sun on my face, too. Taking even just a 10 minute brisk walk outside can do wonders for your brain, and 20 is even better.
Did you know that making a habit of writing backwards with your non-dominate hand can create an abundance of new connections in your brain that make it work better, faster and more creatively? Leonardo Da Vinci filled entire journals with mirror writing – and you have to admit, the guy was no slouch when it came to intelligence or accomplishments.
Doing things that you don't normally do, such as taking up a new interest or hobby, will also awaken sleeping parts of your brain. Make it a point to learn a new skill so well, you can teach it to others.
Try going to bed earlier. Most people don't get enough sleep, and this is one of the biggest causes of brain fog. Sleeping in until noon isn't good, either. As they say, moderation in all things. Get up at a decent time, drink water and exercise, and then get straight to work.
Take a mid-afternoon nap. Thomas Edison was a prolific napper and look at what he accomplished. And Winston Churchill – despite running a powerful country during a world war – set aside hours each day just for himself to nap, bathe, dress and eat in peace.
Take risks. If you're risking, it's going to be something important to you. If it's important, you're going to have an enthusiasm for it. And if you've got enthusiasm, brain fog tends to vanish. Henry Ford believed that if you're going to fail, you should do it fast and learn from it. In other words, stop dreaming and take some action. No one who base jumped off a bridge ever felt like they had brain fog at that moment.
Cut out the sugar. The more sugar you eat today, the more tired you will be later today and again tomorrow. It's not worth it. No doubt you've seen the recent study that suggests Oreo cookies are as addictive as cocaine. It makes for a great headline, but the bottom line is sugar is addictive and as we've known for years, it's bad for you, too. Go 21 days without your favorite sweet tweets - whatever they may be - and see how you and your brain feel.
Bonus: When you cut out the sugar you'll not only feel better, you'll look better too. They did a double blind study where men were asked to rate the attractiveness of women. Those women who did not eat sugar the previous day were rated as being more attractive than those that did. Sugar not only makes you and your brain sluggish – it also makes you less beautiful or handsome.
Make health such a big priority in your life, you end up creating a product in the health niche and sell 100,000 copies. Why not? It's been done before and it will be done many more times because there will always be people who are willing to pay to get their health and energy back. So let them pay you.
See what happens? I start out by writing a few ways to combat brain fog when you're stuck behind a computer for too long, and I end up creating a new product.
It's good to be an online marketer, don't you think? The ideas are everywhere and the market for solutions never ends.
Now put away the candy and go take a brisk walk to clear your head. Then come back and get down to business.