FOCUS Made Easy
Get the Flash Player to see this content.
What’s Next?
1. Go to your inbox now to confirm that you want to get the next video entitled “The Entrepreneurial Divide”, where you’ll discover the top 7 areas where your H.A.A.M.S is holding you back most (and what you need to do about it!)
(if you got here directly without signing up, head on over to http://www.bareknuckleproductivity.com where you can sign up! That’s the *only* way you’re going to get all the videos!)
When you confirm, you’ll be taken back to this page:
2. Please leave a comment below and share where you believe your H.A.A.M.S is holding you back most and what you would be doing if you were no longer in the grip of the H.A.A.M.S.
The best comment gets a complimentary copy of my upcoming “BareKnuckleProductivity 2.0 — Unstoppable Momentum” course!
Speak soon
Veit
Hey Veit,
awesome video! It’s rare to see new stuff nowadays, sometimes I feel like “I’ve seen/heard/read it all!”
Keep up the good work, I’m looking forward to the “Entrepreneurial Divide”-video.
Sven
Like or Dislike:
4 
1
[Reply]
Focus Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Hey Sven, thanks for the comment!
You’ll love the “Entrepreneurial Divide”, your HAAMS is gonna hate it;-)
Veit
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
4 
0
[Reply]
excellent
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Veit,
I love the comparison to the gambler.
Awhile back, I was (and at times when I splurge) a confessed “junkie”. Bought course after course, newsletter after newsletter, and book after book looking for “the answer.”
I amassed quite a pile of “stuff.”
But at the same time, I happened to take action on a couple of pieces of advice, so I went on and developed a successful copywriting / marketing business.
Now, I still want to kick the habit as they say, because while I do focus on my business, and have kicked the “course buying cycle” for the most part…I would like to also kick the rest of it because of the industries I write copy in. I still go on “binges” from time to time.
Help!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Focus Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
tell ya what, I do go on “binges” from time to time myself.
but this time round it’s a conscious decision — don’t
get me wrong, the buzz is still there, but at least I’m in control
and I can choose what to do next.
Cheers
Veit
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
[Reply]
Veit,
This is great stuff! Bravo!
Kevin Alexander
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Hey – have you been hiding out in my office somewhere? You have a hidden camera in my bookshelf somewhere?
I know you do, otherwise how could you have known how I’m thinking?
I can get affiliate sites up – I know WordPress backward and forward, the technical stuff is no problem. I can even get some posts up with my technically perfect well-cloaked affiliate links. “Some” posts – not many, not enough. Ahhh, the drudgery of it all.
I don’t mind working – I do it all day. I can and do build WordPress sites with the best of them. I tackle and overcome technical issues that I thought I’d no chance of solving. But at the end of the day, or the next day, the reward comes – success! Accomplishment!
But what of my affiliate sites, the ones that are supposed to make a ton of money and let me do what I want? Any traffic today? 5 visitors? Where’s my reward? Where’s the accomplishment in that? I know, underneath the conscious naysayer, that if I were to do the things I know, traffic would come, sales would come. Maybe next week, maybe next month.
But it all seems a waste of time, I’ve done all this work, haven’t seen any results. Now I’m stressed! I should be doing something to make some money!
I know! I should write a plugin that does something cool – I don’t know what, but I know there will be some problems that I’ll have to solve…ahhhh, sweet escape.
I know I should be working on my money sites – but I have to get this plugin working!
####
I need help, don’t I?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
4 
0
[Reply]
Poppie Reply:
November 8th, 2010 at 3:01 am
Awesome story above…Seems like my office too!
Ahhh
One day,
Kindest,
Poppie
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Great stuff. Bring it on doc!
Thanks.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Focus Reply:
September 10th, 2010 at 7:34 am
glad you like it, more to come today
Veit
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Yee Gods Veit,
I was like you dissected my brain to work out how I ticked. The cycles you described could match my bank balance. It makes a change to listen to somebody who really does understand how the human brain works, and not some guru who read a book, and made a few guesses based on their limited experience. Incredibly powerful stuff.
Thank you very much indeed.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
[Reply]
Focus Reply:
September 10th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Glenn!
Glad you liked it! Now it’s time to interrupt those cycles!
Video 2 coming up today!
Veit
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Well done Veit,
Not only are you spot on with what is happening with IM-junkies and others, but your video production itself is excellent. Good lighting, effective delivery, and an interesting and absorbing pace.
Looking forward to your next videos and keen to see if that PhD has helped you help influence others to change these bad reptilian habits of ours.
Richard
Hong Kong
PS. Sorry, must get back to and FOCUS on a video project of my own. HAAMS out of control, again. And to think multi-tasking is supposed to be a good working trait. Mmmm.. who says?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Focus Reply:
September 10th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Hey Richard,
nah, it’s not my PhD, it must be the G&Ts I’m serving them;-)
multi-tasking … every time I try, it bites me in the backside…
so I stop trying… (not much luck trying to explain to my wife that
me taking out the rubbish is multitasking and I shouldn’t do it…)
Veit
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Thank you so much for this video. It speaks to something I have really been struggling with lately. I have been asking myself why do I keep looking for the magic bullet?
Your comments on this cycle is not something to be ashamed of, really were helpful for me. I am very excited to learn more.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Focus Reply:
September 10th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Hey Cordell, appreciate the comment.
I went through the same cycle of “shame” a few years ago … constantly kept hearing from the so-called gurus: “hey, you clearly don’t have what it takes when you can’t take this simple information and put it into practice….”
I remember one particular interview Dan Kennedy did with some Scott…whatever, and they went on and on how these useless people were buying courses and never taking any action.
thanks Dan…
anyway, the new video is up, check it out, there you’ll figure out what *specifically* is holding you back most (well, it’s gonna give you a headstart in your search;-)
Veit
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
[Reply]
Veit
Im always glad to receive stuff from you in my inbox because its soo brilliant and the content is just amazing.
What you have described as the HAAMS is something ive noticed in myself a bit too much and i really am looking to break this dreadful cycle!!
thanks once again and looking forward to your other videos
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Focus Reply:
September 11th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Hey Manuel,
thanks, I really appreciate your comment, makes my day when my stuff makes a difference!
have an awesome weekend
Veit
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Hi Veit!
Wow, this was really an eye opener for me. Though it’s not a pleasure to discover. that in some kind I am an addict.
I knew for sure, that there was something wrong with my behavior, purchasing one course after another. But I could not get the big picture, so to speak. Until now!
I feel, that watching this video will be a turning point for my IM Career. And I almost did not want to watch the video, because I thought, there would be nothing new in there for me.
Looking forward to the next videos! =)
Isabelle
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Focus Reply:
September 12th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Hey Isabelle,
congrats on making this huge step forward!
The next one might be even more uncomfortable, yikes, but definitely worth it!
#3 is coming out Mon or Tue where we’ll then stop the unpleasurable stuff
and get into doing something about it;-)
Cheers
Veit
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
This cool ,
ilike it
Please …i do internet marketing for 1 years ,my profite is very small ,i want do this for leaving ,please teach me..i have websiteido click bank low sale
please teach me to succes for internet marketing make money
thank you everyone will teach me
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Hi Viet,
I really like your style and message. But I must confess, stopping to watch your video makes me feel like I’m feeding my HAAMS again. I walked into my “IM” office to continue writing a book I will be placing on another website of mine, in order to sell my own product. But I am finding it difficult to complete the book so I am diverging..and wondering why I find it difficult to “push myself” to continue writing. I have diagnosed myself as one who feels “unworthy” of success, even though I have supported a family for 30 years, hold a job as a software developer and am nearing retirement age. The only problem is, I have no pot of gold and don’t trust social security.
So I am thinking that watching your videos may give me the insight I need to change my mindset. Heck, I’ve even got a couple sniper sites set up and ready to go. I also took a costly “Advanced Coaching” course that turned out to be about sophisticated “link-spamming” for traffic. Thay already assumed I knew how to set up sites and was just looking for traffic. I am now in the middle of coaching by the venerable John Taylor and I find myself wanting to jump on your 30 day “Unstoppable Momentum” bandwagon. Yep, I’m a sicko indeed!
However, I feel a responsibility to John and myself to finish my first “digital product” site. I suppose I can go back to my “sniper” blogs after that. Or MAYBE because I already have many of the parts set up already I can somehow get one of my sniper sites like icefishinghousereviews.com to start making money. Basically, I just need to get SOMETHING making money for the confidence to proceeed (not to mention my Wife’s approval LOL).
I will watch your next videos to try to cure my HAAMS addiction and get back to productivity.
Thanks Viet, and good luck with your endeavors.
P.S. Sorry about the TMI…how can I find it easy to write a long comment but not finish my book???
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
[Reply]
Focus Reply:
September 13th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Hey John,
read your other comment before this, so now I get the mis-spelling name thing.
Here’s one of the big secrets of focusing we’re covering in-depth in the course:
you need to let go (consciously and emotionally) of any half-started/half-finished courses or projects.
It’s a bit like throwing good money after bad: you’ve already mad a significant investment, so you keep investing (although it’s pretty much a dead project).
In your case, my suggestion would be: make a conscious decision to let go of the “link-spamming investment”, decide right now whether to ask for a refund or not, and then let go.
do that for all other courses (even when they’re still sitting there, shrink-wrapped ‘n all).
Then you’ve got more energy focused on John Taylor’s coaching and you’re much more likely to get the full benefit from it.
if after that you’ve got the freedom, time and money to go back and play with sniper-sites, cool. But for now, let go of them and focus on John’s coaching.
All the best
Veit
Like or Dislike:
3 
0
[Reply]
My HAAMS seem to kick in whenever I’m not exactly sure of the next step. I notice it at work too. Then I start reading forums, or worse, playing games. And of course reading the forums distracts me with some “new” idea, which then takes me down a different path and I start something new.
Well, that sucks … I AM GOING TO FOLLOW ONE COURSE UNTIL SUCCESSFUL …
oh crap which one … should it be this … or should it be that … ?
Just kidding … I know what I have to do …
Like or Dislike:
3 
0
[Reply]
Focus Reply:
September 15th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Hey Evert,
you’ve hit the nail on the head: if you know exactly what the next step is, you’re sorted.
I like to compare it to being in the Army where you’re told exactly what to do, how to do it and when to do it. (ok, apologies to anyone in the Forces, this is of course a gross overgeneralization, but you get the idea: if you don’t do exactly as you’re told, you are quite possibly dead….) … and as a result, life is relatively straightforward.
In a way similar to a corporate job, a lot of people are quite unhappy in their corporate jobs because their freedom is quite limited, but at the same time you don’t really have to think too hard what to do next, you’ve got a boss who tells you exactly what’s next.
(and of course, those who are seriously unhappy then try to break out and set up a business from home, “make some money on the Internet”… and suddenly it’s no longer clear what the next step is, noone is telling you what to do)
There’s a great study by the American Association for Training Development (basically: Human Resources), and they found out that
if you learn something on your own, e.g. read about it or hear about it, then the odds of taking action on it are around 10%.
If you make a conscious idea to adopt the idea (and ask yourself “How can I apply this in my life/business?”), then the odds of success go up to 25%.
Make a committed decision and the odds go up to 40%
Lay out a plan of exactly you’re going to do it, and your chances of success are 50%
Commit to someone else, and your odds are 60%
and here’s the kicker: when you have specific accountability to 1 other person (which could be your boss, could be a coach or mentor), then your odds of succeeding are — are you ready for this? — 95%!
Coming back to your “next step” observation: if there is one good thing in David Allen’s “Getting things done”, it’s page 284 where he talks about exactly this:
when creating a to-do list of “things to do”, never ever make them big abstract things like “set up a website”, but be super-specific. What is the first actionable step you can do without thinking.
if you want to set up your website yourself, what’s the first step? It has to be as specific as: “go to http://www.myfavouritehostingcompany.com, and sign up for their baby-monster-croc package”.
If you’d rather have someone else do it, it would be as specific as: pick up the phone and dial 0800-my-favourite-website-designer…
sounds tedious, but this is exactly the kind of stuff where dear ol’ HAAMS goes: “ah, this is ok, no stress, I can pick up the phone and dial 0800…., no need to panic…”
And that’s pretty much WHY the third phase, (the Preparation phase) is so incredibly important. (and also the reason why the majority of “New Year’s resolutions” fail within a few short weeks)
Cheers
Veit
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
6 
0
[Reply]
I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your entries very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Hi,
A few weeks ago, I got your eBook ( or was it a report ) and printed pages 4 and 5 where you give instructions to “no longer be at the mercy of procrastination”.
I’d love to get something like that about temptations, or distractions. It’s a big struggle for me, and I believe it comes as one the main reasons for my procrastination.
Thanks !
Have a colorful day !
Philippe Moisan
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Focus Reply:
September 29th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Hey Philippe, thanks for the feedback.
Here’s the thing: temptations are only distracting as long as they’re temptations.
Had a chat with a client of mine yesterday and we came up with “hey, I’m too busy
to procrastinate”.
Ultimately, that’s the aim of BareKnuckleProductivity: get you to the point where temptations simply aren’t temptations anymore, simply because your mind is too busy with the stuff that’s important.
But, I’ll look into it and see what I can do — just want to make sure you don’t deal with temptations at the “symptom” level (which we all know, doesn’t work in the long run, you just can’t lock yourself in a cave for very long….)
all the best
Veit
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
True what you say in the video.
Although there’s also other sources of anxiety.
If I can speak of my case, i don’t happen to be a
course junkie just for the sake of it. I happen to
have a Demanding Girlfriend Online Relationship and
she sort of pushes me but sometimes in a cold, strict
way. She’s a Dominatrix, if I should mention it. Some
friends have told me to leave Her but the truth is I
Love Her and also face the prospect of Loneliness.
These two kinds of Triggers have led me to go from
course to course but with a different motivation: I’m
a newbie in Online Business and willing to learn as
much as possible and understand ways. My exposure
to different courses has somehow slowed me down as
mentioned in the video but it also has made me under-
stand different ideas and while I also understand that
I should focus on something, it’s also true that there
are other kinds of barriers such as the inability to
afford certain aspects needed to fulfill such courses
such as web hosting or email autoresponders such as
Aweber or Get Response. Thus the blocks aren’t just
mental but also economic, especially for people from
poor countries that don’t make as much as in the U.S.
That’s why I also think of other immediate solutions
and that sends me from system to system. I’m also a bit
overwhelmed by too much mail in my inbox. That’s another anxiety and stress factor. Lately, I’ve been
putting my hard disk in order from the scattered info
from those systems and Free Reports and Gifts.
Nevertheless, the videos are interesting and informative. Won’t miss them. When you have several
online courses, the best solution is to Bookmark them
in a special place of the Bookmarks Bar. That way, it’s
easy to refer to them everytime and reduces stress.
This story is true and I stand by it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Dear Dr. Veit U.B. Schenk:
Friday, October 1st, 2010 at 8:16am Yokohama, Japan
I am so pleased to see a person of your academic accomplishments and brain heft dive in to the internet marketing “community” as Frank Kern likes to call it.
I believe information marketing is the best drug on earth because it keeps me struggling to figure out how to make it all work and that excites my neurons/keeps Alzheimers at bay.
I shall divide my comments into pre and post FREE.
Until recently I did not have any money to “invest” in paid products and as I felt I was in “learning mode” and it was easy to download pdfs etcetera I did so with some abandon and I read
almost all of them plus watched the videos for more than 2 years.
It was the choose, trust and execute “thang” that had me flummoxed. I like to think about it as my info dating game period. Now I know most of the pretty girls on the net, how they market and which ones do it with somewhat of a spirit of help others to help yourself. ( I found you through Kevin Reilly…Kevin is one of the + guru guys).
I would say that the FREE line is perversely pernicious, at least in my experience. Yes, its free but not really free if it just turns into brain borscht.
Post Free
About 45 days ago I came into enough money to start buying information. I admit I made some mistakes in buying some products that looked simple on the surface but actually are quite complex in the implementation but I also made some good decisions.
Specifically, I decided to stick to one time payment products as much as possible and only pay for infrastructure products e.g. hosting and AWeber monthly.
I have to say that in almost every case Paid Products, especially ClickBank products are much better than FREE products in terms of the scope and depth of information on offer.
I feel it is more of a question of buying a signature product in the areas that you (as an information marketer) have decided to concentrate in.
For example, if “you” need to master list building than buy a one time payment product and really master the techniques provided.
Another key consideration is the “can I really do this particular type of thing internal self talk debate?”
For example: If I buy Jeff Johnson’s Traffic Voodoo can I really be happy doing all this Social Posting or would my self image be better preserved by a Mo Latif approach to getting traffic?
It is rather like trying on a good suit. I need to feel sympatico with my info provider(s).
The Role of Strategy
I feel that in some ways it is easier to think strategically from the start because of break even points, however, in my experience, it is harder to think strategically ala, Rich Schefren, right out of the box when you are starting out online with out a cash box to back you up.
I, me and my as the info gold hunter needed to make a few sales to justify myself to myself (and my significant other) and that pushed me further into the FREE HAMMS abyss.
And of course, it is this very focused strategic thinking that is the key to staying on track in the first place! The Online Catch 22!
I have now paid enough to figure out my strategy finally. Too bad I have run out of money to implement it at the moment, rather like Patton running out of gasoline.
But we shall overcome!
Thank you for a most informative video and wishing you every success with your online endeavors.
Sincerely,
Harold Glascock
Skype: algorithmica
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
[Reply]
Focus Reply:
October 5th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Hey Harold, really appreciate your long feedback!
and I particularly love the “added benefit” of information over-consumption: keep Alzheimer’s at bay!
Hey, you may be broke, but your brain is fully functioning….;-)
regarding strategy, check out Michael Masterson’s Ready, Fire, Aim. He’s of the opinion that you pretty much “screw strategy” to begin with, and all you need to figure out is your optimum selling strategy — how do you sell as many copies of your product as quickly as possible.
Without that cash-flow there’s no point having a great strategy.
And as Michael is one of Rich Schefren’s mentors, I reckon going with Michael first, and then “investing” a few grand on Rich’s courses is the correct order.
Cheers
Veit
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
[Reply]
WOW…Veit, What an eye opener….you nailed me. So am not stupid, I just got stuck in a Brain Trap!!! Thank you..
I stumble on your comment from FK blog post You: The Best Guru Ever and you just tied in the missing piece to make sense of this merry-go-round….so cool.
I just realized I became an info junkie…and here’s my pattern so far
I start a course , start implementing , hit a road block, get distracted by a shinny object, get the feel good “ Oou maybe this will work better, and here we go again the euphoria of a new course. I have so much knowledge about IM now that friends thinks am some kind of expert…..But am still in that corporate job I hate so much.
Many, Many Thanks I sure will do an internal clean up, and get busy.
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
[Reply]
Realy true, you open up my eyes,
thank you verry much.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Dear Herr Doctor Veit U.B. Shenk:
Friday, October 8th, 2010 at 7:49pm Yokohama, Japan
vielen danke for the Michael Masterton tip I have started following:http://www.earlytorise.com/
perhaps some of your other readers will enjoy it too.
Best regards,
HAL
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
I have never bought a single ebook or online business course in my life. But I really enjoyed this video. I shared it I liked it so much! You are a very smart man!
Great video! Thanks!
Alexander John
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Veit buddy, I had to pop by and see what you were working on, and I’m amazed at the high quality fo this. This is TED type stuff, really!
Fantastic delivery also. Keep up the good work.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Hi Dr Veit
Its’ a pleasure to see you in action ie being wildly enthusiastic about the reasons that can change peoples bad habits for their good above all, It’s commendable, I am sure you have made many people feel at ease with their situation and provided the mental ladder to help them out of the proverbial swamp they have been in for long periods without even recognising the swamp’ even existed in the first place.
It’s a splendid legacy and a gift you impart to others.
Long may you Reign as the ‘King Of Change’and inspiration..
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
[Reply]
Wow, those Success figures back up there a bit, sure made me cry…big time.
5 mins before I read it, I had just come to the conclusion I function 10 times better with a guide, person, friend, mentor, real person,than by myself & now there are the figures to prove it!
Am also thinking…does this brain stem survival thing need to be placated by a true “WHY”?
Shiny New Stuff makes so much sense, but as others have found, has holes in it somewhere.
Then in amongst all this shiny, awesome, promise of freedom clamour, last week I clicked on something I had long resisted, “until I made good online”.
Well, big shock…as when I read it I suddenly felt set free and all the stuff I never knew were “blocks?” all seemed to fall away behind me. It was an amazing experience.
Things I had mentally thought/fought with for ages just vanished. Things like business,reliability, regularity, responsibility, being stuck with a responsibility to a huge list and so on, all seemed to re-arrange themselves behind me in a different order of importance that seemed natural and non threatening.
Now I’m not worried about online marketing etc, I just want to get crackin’ on the ….hmmmn, yes, new course
and do my thing!
Can’t explain it more than a re alignment that feels great and I feel able to do it.
OMG…I hope I haven’t just described an advanced case of chronic Brain Stem Survivalitis!
Oh well, it feels good anyways!
Better check in here in a few months time to see how I’m going!
Kindest,
Poppie
PS, thanks for the great info Doc…
Does that make sense?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Hi Veit,
A trash talking scientist – how refreshing! You nailed me fair and square on so many points. The whole self-improvement movement spawned (or perpetuated) by The Secret set me back a full year. Then I went on another rampage buying, downloading, studying, getting mentored, and becoming more and more frustrated and confused. Even though I’m still curious as hell and love information I’ve cut back dramatically on my consumption If this is a 12 Step program count me in.
Cheers,
Brenda
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Focus Reply:
November 17th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Hey Brenda, darn, it only has 6 steps in it, I reckon you’re gonna have to do it twice;-)
Veit
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Veit
OK, I’ve bought the courses. My brain stem works just like you said. Ready to move on but “flight” response still kicks in. If I could get the ol’ brain to stop thinking and start doing I could make the leap. Just realizing this makes me think I’m halfway there. Ready for the next step.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Help!
Sabre-Tooth Tiger alert!
How do I interrupt this cycle?
I’m in an unending cycle of going from my Inbox to this page and back again!
I have signed in.
I have confirmed.
I have clicked the link —
–and here I am for the third time. (Or is it the fourth?)
Where are the 7 steps?
What happened to them?
With each circular trip my anxiety level goes up…up…up
Perhaps I should simply run out onto the Internet and buy another course, any course… the first course I see… aaargh…
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
[Reply]