This has come to my attention more than once. When I will be working on a personal project for a while and getting really into it. I come to find someone else has produced a similar product or the exact same thing I have made. Now immediately what has gone through my head in the past is a mix of if I need to keep pursuing this project or ditch it. Here is how I asses my projects and whether I need to continue or ditch it.

Do you have an edge?

I take a hard look at what the new competition has. I will buy the product/service and use it like any other user. This way I can actively have an idea if my product will be released with the same or, from what I see, as a better set of benefits. Interact with the community and see what their problems are with the product/service early on and if you can solve or have solved them in your own product/service. This is one of the most major factors in deciding whether to move forward with the project or not.

How complete is the project?

If the project is far from done or even far from an alpha test, then it will most likely get tossed aside for a rainy day thing to do. Otherwise if I see my project is half way or close to done I will push through and release what I have and then slowly add in various features to make it more competitive in the marketplace. On the flip side you have to look at your competition and see if they have a complete product as well. If they do not then you can have a leg up and get your completed product to market faster.

How much competition is there?

Recently one of my project ideas was capitalized on by another group faster than I was able to make it. Pretty discouraging right away, although it didn’t stop me because they were the only competition out there. If you release a product with the same features and nothing different at all you still have chance to actively compete in the market place. What makes this a prime opportunity is the ability to gain a user base and have a separate group to mold your product into. In most cases you will mold into a product with its own special features and needs based on the user base you have.

Taking all of this information into account you can get a clear overview of the project and what you have ahead of you. In almost all cases I will move forward on a project if I can say yes to these questions and I still have the passion for the product. Good Luck!

When you start a blog, it is usually easy to come out of the gate with topics about your niche or subject. But as you delve deeper you will tend to find yourself having trouble coming up with topics to write about. It is important to not stop writing because the second you do, days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months and then your blog is non-existent. Try using the following tips to get your writing juices flowing!

Use Google’s Built in Search Suggester

Visit google.com and start to input any type of search term. Enter any topic and it will start to give you a list of suggestions of what you might be searching for. Google uses popular search requests as a basis for returning results, so these items are great topics to write about!

Keep a Notepad With You or Use Your Cellphone as a Note Taker

It’s important to always have a way to write ideas down with you at all times. I usually get great ideas for topics when I’m on the go or away from the computer. When these ideas pop in your head make sure you have a way to jot them down!

Freshen Up an Old Subject

A great way to come up with a new post is to go through your old posts and pick out a subject from one of them. This is a good way to elaborate on a previous topic and create some site interlinking opportunities. You can also update some of the ideas you previously had to better suit what you’ve learned recently.

Write an Opinion or About an Experience

A lot of times we paint ourselves in a corner and don’t use our own experiences as ideas for blog posts. You can write about prior experiences and how you dealt or overcame them. You can be opinionated about a product or a subject. Never forget that people read blogs for firsthand knowledge of subjects!

1. Ditch Distractions

For those of us who work at home and this can apply to the office as well. Ditching all distractions, if even for a couple hours will increase your productivity. You will be focused on the tasks you need to accomplish and get them done faster.

2. Turn Off Email

This is vital to success. I can’t begin to tell you how often I will check my email if its turned on. I see a notification or hear a little ping and I am instantly drawn to go look and see whats up. The solution here is to turn it off for two to three hours at a time. There is rarely an email which needs your immediate attention. If the email is so important, someone will find another way to contact you.

3. Turn Off Instant Messengers

Another astounding thing. If you keep your instant messengers on all day during your ‘work’ hours, you are dooming yourself to being totally unproductive. Think about every time someone sent you an instant message with the lastest awesome song or a piece of gossip which totally engulfed you. Before you knew it two or three hours are gone and you feel like you wasted away your day.

4. Develop a Morning Routine

A morning routine will wake you up and get you prepared for the day ahead. I’ll tell you my routine and you can get an idea of how it can help you be productive.

I wake up at 7am and have breakfast. Usually a bowl of oatmeal or some fruit and a big glass of water. This way I’m taking care of breakfast right away. Then I will go workout for an hour and build up some good energy for the day. Then finish it off with a solid shower and I’m ready for the day.

This routine takes me roughly two hours to complete. By doing this alone, I feel ready to attack the day and I have energy throughout the day. Now I’m not expecting you to copy my style exactly. This is what works for me. The idea is wake up a little earlier than you normally do, eat well and take care of your health.

5. No Overkill

If you find yourself sitting in front of the computer working for 18 hours straight, chances are you are not nearly as productive as someone who worked 12 hours with focused sessions. It is actually counter productive to work so much. I suggest working in four hour sessions and taking a break. Go play video games, read a book or get outside. When you come back, your brain will be fresh and ready to deliver four more hours of active and focused work.

Make a habit out of being productive and you will surely see bigger and better results from everything you strive for.

What are your keys to being productive?