Do You Suffer from 'Guru Syndrome?'
By Lisa Rickwood, BFA, CTACC

You know you're buying too many online programs when you open the door to your office cabinet and a huge information marketing binder falls on your head. (That really happened to me)

I'm not sure when it first started - it was one of those silent, deadly things that kind of creeps up on you...

You see an online Internet guru promising you can have 'passive revenue' by setting up your products and then the money will come flowing to you. You click on the link, buy the product, wait for it, try it and then it becomes 'shelf help.'

A couple weeks later, another online guru has a great product and once again, you get sucked in.

It happened to me and I'm not saying the online products I bought were bad. On the contrary, they were the best of the best - very well produced and informative. The problem was not the products, the issue was my undiagnosed 'guru addiction.' I wanted to be connected to every great guru on the Internet. And, I couldn't get enough of the 'next great product.'

The year, 2007, became my 'Information Marketing Junkie year.' I just couldn't stop ordering classes and programs and because I love learning, the gurus got me 'hooked.' At the end of the year, I felt frustrated, broke and 'jaded.' Yes, I learned a lot and put much to practice but I was spending so much time reading Internet Marketing emails and wasn't spending enough time with my own company.

If you suspect you may suffer from this affliction, study these warning signs of 'guru syndrome addiction.'

1. You belong to more online marketing lists than you care to admit.

2. You have so many free Tele-classes and audios to listen to that you've forgotten where they are on your computer or bookshelf.

3. Every time a new product or course gets promoted online, you have to tie your hands behind your back to keep from whipping out your credit card.

4. You feel your body quiver as you try to talk yourself out of buying another program.

5. You have so many products on your shelves, you're not even sure if you've listened and read all the information.

6. You spend so much time watching other people's programs and classes that you haven't created your own.

7. You doubt your own skills and potential because you study every guru out there and then compare yourself to them.

If you recognize yourself in this article (I'm a recovering guru addict), you may benefit from taking a media fast and automatically taking yourself off lists that you don't really read. You might also want to put a limit on how many programs you buy. Instead of whipping out the card, give yourself 24 or 48 hours before you buy the system. You may find that you have a similar system in the cupboard that you bought last month. (This happened to me)

When you simplify your information overload, the clutter will diminish, you'll feel more focused and you'll have confidence in what you do. A little guru worship is okay - just be reasonable.

Lisa Rickwood,"Business Stress Buster," is a business coach, visual artist and author of Escape The Pace: 100 Fun And Easy Ways To Slow Down And Enjoy Your Life and co-author of Power & Soul: 42 Successful Entrepreneurs Share their Secrets for Creating the Business and Life of Their Dreams. She helps business owners ‘master stress for professional and personal success.’ Get your FREE e-book, 5 Critical Actions That Hurt Your Business and Add Stress to Your Life…and How to Escape Them by visiting: http://www.escapethepace.com