One of the things I do is keep WEEKLY stats or numbers.

We use Google Docs now to keep track of our stats.

There are SEVERAL interesting ways to do stats that will HELP you maintain focus and stay on track.

Let's say, for example, that you're just starting your business, so you don't have any sales yet to keep stats for!

You can set activities for each day and assign POINTS to each of those activities. For example:

* Research niche for 20 minutes = 3 points

* Post in a forum = 2 points per post

* Make an intelligent comment on a blog = 2 points

* Write for 30 minutes = 5 points

* Call and make friends with a list owner = 8 points

You can set whatever points YOU want for whatever activities you want. Then what you do is tally up your points for the day and post them on your graph. What gets TRACKED improves and increases.

Just the act of TRACKING behavior increases it. This is an established fact.

Here is a totally awesome site that will help you STICK to your goals. That site is amazing and will 100% help you keep your commitments to yourself, your business and your future, regardless of the nature of your goal.

If you have problems FOCUSING or getting off track, then you absolutely will benefit by trying out stikk.com.

In MY business, we track things like sales, commissions paid to affiliates, refunds, # of support tickets and so forth.

I like to track numbers weekly and monthly. Your monthly numbers are the most important. But I like to track weekly or I forget about the monthly ones.

Here's the BIG SECRET of using numbers to improve your business and your life. Create a plan of action in advance for what actions you'll take if your numbers are in a downward decline.

You want to list a set of actions you can take to get them back on track.

Are sales down? You should already have a standard set of pre-planned actions to take. Things like:

* Create an exciting new promotion and send to affiliates

* Update a product and promote the updated version

* Hold a webinar and sell something

* Offer affiliates an increased commission for one week or month

The actions YOU take are up to you. This is only an example. But the idea is you have the list made out in advance. And you just start going through the actions one-by-one until your numbers improve.

The legendary football coach Bill Walsh did this. He had plans created in advance for what plays to run in virtually every instance he might find his team during a game.