Conquering the Messy Middle: Balancing Dreams and a Day Job with the 12-Week Year Strategy [LNIM256]

In Episode 256 of the Late Night Internet Marketing Podcast, Mark Mason dives deep into the inevitable “messy middle” that many of us face when pursuing our goals for the year, particularly those set with high hopes at the start. Mark shares a personal setback from his own week, where his day job’s demands sidetracked his progress on his 2024 goals. Despite the hiccup, he emphasizes the importance of the 12-week year approach for staying on track, a system that allows for quick detection of deviations and easier course corrections.

Mark candidly discusses how external audits at his day job consumed his time and energy, leaving him with little for his personal business projects. He confesses, “My day job got crazy…it’s a very, very stressful kind of thing.” Yet, this episode isn’t about dwelling on the setback but about finding ways to bounce back. Mark’s message is clear: “You’re not the only one…This is a real thing that happens to everybody.”

Show Notes

The Messy Middle and the 12-Week Year: Mark discusses the concept of the “messy middle” – the phase where plans meet reality and often get derailed. He advocates for the 12-week year approach, which provides a structured framework to stay focused and make substantial progress in shorter sprints. This method helps in quickly identifying when you’re falling behind, making it easier to adjust and keep moving forward.
Dealing With Interruptions: Mark shares how a hectic week at his day job, filled with external audits, put a dent in his progress. He uses this personal anecdote to demonstrate that interruptions are part of the journey. The key is not to get discouraged but to adapt and adjust. Mark advises, “Understand what the impact of this is, and then the next thing you need to do, obviously, is adjust your plans and adapt.”
Adjusting Plans and Adapting: When setbacks occur, Mark suggests reassessing and reprioritizing tasks, considering outsourcing, or even postponing non-critical activities. He emphasizes the importance of keeping the end goal in sight and making necessary adjustments to stay on course. “Sometimes it might mean that I need to block some time in the evening…to make sure that I catch up,” Mark explains, highlighting the importance of flexibility in planning.
Inspirational Quotes for Motivation: Mark wraps up the episode with powerful quotes from historical figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, using them to inspire and encourage listeners to persevere through challenges. “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today,” he quotes Roosevelt, reminding us that doubt is the real obstacle to achieving our goals.

Resources and Links

Next Steps

If you’ve found yourself struggling with your goals, remember that setbacks are a normal part of any journey. The key is to detect, assess, and adapt. Don’t let the fear of falling behind keep you from moving forward. If you need a reset, consider applying the 12-week year approach to bring your goals into clearer focus and make adjustments as needed.

Call to Action:

Subscribe to the Late Night Internet Marketing Podcast for more insights, stories, and strategies to help you succeed in your personal and professional projects. And if you’re seeking direct guidance, reach out for a complimentary coaching session at latenightim.com/apply.

Remember, every setback is an opportunity for growth. Stay focused, stay motivated, and let’s crush those goals, one night at a time.

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