Recently, I failed to do something I should have done. The project would have benefited me and my online business. I tried not to be too hard on myself. Tried to maintain my usual positive mental attitude. I wanted to forgive myself and move on. But I was having trouble putting it out of my mind.

Finally it occurred to me that I should be hard on myself. My positive mental attitude was interfering with my progress. I had failed to meet a goal that was completely within my control. Deluding myself into thinking that it was okay to remain positive was a disservice to myself.

I realized I needed to take some time and be negative. I let myself be depressed, angry, and defeated. My inaction was wrong. There was nothing to feel or be positive about.

Don't ignore your mistakes in an effort to maintain a positive mental attitude. If you have an online business you've certainly heard that you have to get into the right mindset to succeed. You have to be positive. You have to KNOW that you will succeed, and you will.

I completely embrace this philosophy. No matter how bad you feel like you are failing, press on. Those who press on will succeed.

But, it's important to realize the limits on the value of a positive mental attitude. If you don't, you'll be happy all day, yet you'll make no progress towards your online business success.

You can't spend your days failing to take action, failing to meet your goals, failing to make changes; and yet telling yourself, "I can do it," "I'm going to succeed," "I'll never give up." Where will you be in a year? Your online business will be exactly where it is today. And it's going to get harder and harder to tell yourself with any level of persuasion, "I'm going to succeed."

A positive mental attitude goes hand in hand with persistent action. When you begin feeling negative, what's the cure? Listen to a motivational program to restore your positive mental attitude.

So when you neglect to write your blog post or place your Ezine ad what's the cure? Just like you pull your attitude up, you must pull your action up. Stay up late. Get up early. Whatever. Get it done. Maybe not all of it. But do something.

Don't just put on your headphones and listen to a "you can do it" CD. Don't lay in bed and affirm over and over that "everyday and every way I am better and better." Today, you're not doing it. Today, you're not better. Yes, you can still succeed. But not if you consistently ignore your mistakes in the name of a positive mental attitude. This will get your online business nowhere. And eventually, you will give up.