When you want to do something like send a proposal, just figure out how you want other party to respond, and then work out how you might get that response. Then DO something. Once you've done something, you'll get feedback, and you can go on from there.

=> Tactic Two: Keep learning

Learn something new every year. Take courses. The Internet has made this easy --- you can learn from comfort of your office chair. Take time to learn how professionals do things that you're puzzling about.

For example, on Digital-e we've got several email courses that have been well received:

http://www.digital-e.biz/ecourses.html

We've even got FREE courses.

Many, many other sites have courses which will help you along road to success. Every course you take will give you insights and knowledge. If you're serious about living your life well and achieving success, you must keep learning.

Do you read? All successful people read constantly. Reading's a painless way to learn. Anyone, no matter how busy they are, has time to read.

=> Tactic Three: Get creative. Make lists of things to TRY then WORK list

Ask yourself questions, like: "How might I do this?"

Then make a list of things you could try. Strive for creativity.

I love this story in Inc about an ice-cream seller who hires based on how creative potential staffers can get with a white paper bag:

http://www.inc.com/articles/marketing/market_methods/grassroots/ 11375.html

(You may need to paste this long URL into your browser.)

Keep listing until you have at least 20 things you could try. Then use your intuition to pick one item from your list and do it.

=> Tactic Four: Rely on feedback

When you work your list, you will get feedback. (You can’t get feedback unless you do something.) Feedback is merely guidance. It will show you which areas are productive, and which are not.

=> Tactic Five: He/ she who hesitates gets run over by a truck -- - ASK

This is another way of saying "work your list". Ask people who can directly help you. If you want to sell something to a company based on a proposal, call company and say: "I'd like to send you a proposal to do X. What should I include in proposal?"

Or perhaps you want to sell images to an image library. Call an image library. Pick up phone and tell person on other end what you want to do. That person will pass you on to another person. And maybe another. But you'll find out how you do it. Then, just do it.

If you're a writer, and you want to write a children's book, pick up phone and call publisher of a book you enjoyed reading. You may get voice mail. If so, leave a message. If you don’t get a response within a week or two (people are always busy, so don’t take it personally) send a email message, or a letter or a fax. Persist.

Try above five tactics. If you try even ONE of them, I promise you that your life will change.

***Resource box: if using, please include***

Digital-e: For writers and creatives. Ebooks, free ezines, Creatives Club. Love to write? Turn your talent into a business! http://www.digital-e.biz/

By replying to these statements with leading questions, a reframing occurs. New possibilities and solutions begin to emerge.

Here are some examples of questions that challenge old assumptions:

"If we tried again, and made this slight change, how might it improve results?"

"What could happen if you increased your skills and value by gaining knowledge in new areas?"

"What support would you need to accomplish this job?

"If we began again with a clean slate, what would you do differently?

"How could we determine response to this idea in advance?"

"What other options are you willing to create?"

How would you turn squashers listed above into possibilities? I'm sure you can think of more thought barriers similar to my examples.

This exercise will strengthen your creativity. It also makes an enlightening group activity. When someone replies to leading question with another squasher, questioner again challenges answer with another leading question.

Try turning idea squashers into possibilities by challenging assumptions. You will generate many creative solutions that might have been overlooked. You will also solve problems in a way that is skill enhancing and enjoyable.