I did it.

It took all I had, but I did it.

I deleted my Firefox extension that handled all my gmail accounts… gave me email previews… and basically let me keep tabs on my email 24/7.

I was doing well with only checking email a few times a day, but that extension definitely wasn’t helping.

I keep going to check it… it’s so weird that it’s not there.

But now that I have the best virtual assistant in the world, it’s not necessary anyway.

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You know, in the Altitude DVD’s, Eben talks about the “OCD loop”. He says that he finds most people, whenever they have some extra time, will go to their computer and check their email. Once they’re done, they’ll check their stats. Then any auctions they’re bidding on. Then the MySpace/Facebook/whatever. And once they’re done, they’ll start all over again, back to email. Then stats. Etc. He says it’s completely involuntary and he does it himself sometimes.

Anyway, I did the same thing with that gmail extension. I’d check one account. Then another. Then another. And I’d go through all 12 or so accounts. What a waste of time

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In other news, bartering ROCKS.

I went on E1KAD (for the love of all that is holy, I love that site… ignore that hype-y letter!)… made a post offering to write copy and/or consult for people that wanted to do things I don’t enjoy – PPC, site design, rewriting articles, ghostwriting, etc… and ended up with a plethora of people.

Seriously, I have a small army of people doing stuff for yayFOOD. I know I could just get the money from copy and outsource, but it’s more fun this way. I can help those that otherwise couldn’t/wouldn’t want to afford me… work with great people… AND not have to deal with training people or language barriers.

I cannot WAIT to see how this turns out.

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Lessons of today’s blog post: Get a virtual assistant. And barter. Both will rock your world.

Chris Brisson is amazing.

I decided to hold off on Europe.

I kept going back and forth in my head. Up until the day before, I was 100% resolute that I was going to go.

And then at the last minute… I realized it was probably not a smart decision.

I’m still going to go… and SOON… but I think it’s more important for me to hang out and concentrate on yayFOOD for a little bit. I kept putting so much focus on copywriting and my other ventures, that I’d been neglecting the site that makes me the happiest, the one where I can REALLY make a difference in people’s lives.

So anyway, I’ve made some major decisions that allow me a lot more time now. And it’s been AWESOME.

I’ve been able to knock out so many things that have been in my mind’s “to-do” list for the site (including taking the letter from the professional format to a sales letter… memberships exploded with that, btw).

I hired a virtual assistant to help me, and she’s incredible. My programmer is ridiculous… he keeps taking it upon himself to make amazing changes to the site (who can say that about their programmer!?). And I’ve been getting amazing constructive criticism from lots of people.

So yeah, good news for yayFOOD… bad news for Europe… but I will go soon, mark my words.

Wake up, usually at 7am-ish…

Go to a cafe at Venice Beach and work from 8am – 1pmish…

Go LAY OUT ON THE BEACH for an hour…

And drive to a new cafe for afternoon work.

I love Los Angeles.

P.S. I need to post again soon, lots of stuff happening. I’m actually in the parking lot of my Toastmaster’s meeting now (wanted to get over my hatred of public speaking ), but I’ll schedule some more time in soon.