If I Had To Start Over. . .

[Julie Anna]

Hey David,

I see this is by far the most popular thread on the forum, why would you want to close it?

I took another look through and I can't see any evidence of people getting upset either (!)

What's to be upset about, it's just an open discussion, a frank exchange of views. That's what forums are all about isn't it?

I agree. Yes, I went back and read from the beginning and do agree it went a bit wonky and definitely dovetailed and side tracked from the OP. However, I think the points from the original discussion have been more than profitable (I don't mean financially. Ha!) for many of us here.

JA

[DebGallardo]

...Not every one SHOULD be trying to make money with internet marketing because they COULD be doing something else that would take less time to monetize and they'd have more fun in the process. Most people who buy my programs that don't succeed are trying too hard at doing everything but what they are already good at. Mainly, they don't value the skills they have, and think that they don't have marketable knowledge.

That's where the big problem is in my mind: [people] trying to learn business development while seeking out some foreign skill to learn and monetize...

I have to agree with Bob's assessment about why so many people struggle while others succeed. I can see where many could manage to pursue something that isn't their passion as long as the money is coming in. But if a person is in the wrong field or niche, then not only are they just out of their comfort zone (which has been stated here as a normal part of doing business online, not to mention being an essential part of personal growth), but it's no better than having a lousy job you don't want to get up in the morning and go to day after day. Why would anyone want to punish themselves like that?

Let me be clear. I'm not talking about people (like me, for example) who get discouraged and want to move on to another shiny thing instead of toughing out where they are until they're in profitability. I'm talking about people who are out of their depth because they're pursuing something they're totally unsuited for. Many of these folks have been sold the proverbial "bill of goods" on internet riches. Others have just made bad choices.

IMHO, the most successful people must have made either instinctive or fortuitous choices about what area of business online to pursue, or gone through a process of trial and error that didn't take 5 years. I wonder how many online successes actually hit it out of the ballpark the first time?

We don't generally hear about the things they "fail" at unless they're being transparent saying, "You see me as successful now, but I've failed so many times at so many things, you wouldn't believe it."

Paul Evans has said something like that. So has Carrie Wilkerson along with many other online success stories.

I realized at the beginning of my online marketing learning experience back in early 2005 that I was constantly getting in my own way. 2 1/2 years later I met Lynn online. I've been alternately embarrassed and defensive about having been a part of her forum for nearly 2 years and STILL my business is not where it should be. (That's code for "making money.")

Is it Lynn's fault? The forum's? The community? The gurus? The internet?

NO, a big fat NO. I'm still getting in my own way. Write this down, imprint it on your brain: MINDSET IS EVERYTHING.

This summer I took a step back from everything online in order to do some soul searching. I haven't come to any conclusions yet, but I have started blogging again, which I hadn't done since May.

I take that as a good sign that whatever "winter" I was going through has passed. I know for a certainty, however, that I don't want what I do online to be as tedious and boring and mind-numbing as the secretary's job I had before the position was downsized. I liked the money from that job just fine, (I'd think I was rich if I made that much right now !), but I was barely surviving emotionally in such an uncreative, unfulfilling j-o-b that I could do technically, but not efficiently. I had ZERO JOY.

So I'm trying to determine if what I've been doing online is really where I want to be in the long term. Having come so far with The Story Ideas Virtuoso, I can't just abandon it. But I have to decide where to go from here.

I want to discover that place for me that makes me want to get up in the morning eager to face the day and to do what I love and love what I do.

It's not that I can't do hard work or delay gratification. Doing live theatre (I'm currently playing Miss Hannigan in "Annie") is often grueling. Learning lines and music and lyrics and choreography for 6 weeks at a time is getting harder at my age. But it's all worth it, because there is NOTHING like walking out on stage and making people laugh or cry or cheer or applaud or jump to their feet because for a couple of hours you've helped them to forget their troubles.

For me, whatever I do, it's all about the people. I'm a "we" person, not an "I" person, contrary to what some may believe about me. I want to make a difference in other people's lives. On stage I can do that, one show at a time, but there's no money in it. I do it because I love to perform.

Surely there must be a way to combine what I'm already doing, perhaps in another format, that could take the skills I've learned online and make at the very least a modest income. That's what I'm searching for. And I'll know it when I find it.

Bob is right. What we choose to do has to be a good fit, or success is unlikely. Or so I believe.

Deb Gallardo

[Johnny Mac]

My two cents are "you gotta be in it to win it" - With the help of the big man even getting a website on the internet was a victory to me. its a long strange trip at least im enjoying the ride. :}

[Julie Anna]

It's not that I can't do hard work or delay gratification. Doing live theatre (I'm currently playing Miss Hannigan in "Annie") is often grueling. Learning lines and music and lyrics and choreography for 6 weeks at a time is getting harder at my age. But it's all worth it, because there is NOTHING like walking out on stage and making people laugh or cry or cheer or applaud or jump to their feet because for a couple of hours you've helped them to forget their troubles.

Wondered how you were doing, Deb. Glad to have ya back.

Where are you performing? It would be so cool to go watch you. I'm inspired!

JA

[DebGallardo]

Mansfield Ohio. Are you nearby? LOL

[Julie Anna]

Mansfield Ohio. Are you nearby? LOL

Rochester NY area. I guess a wee far for a night at the theater.

[jamessamy]

Hi All,

Let's end this thread and Let Lynn have a wonderful day ahead. The more we share the more it will bring memories.

We have to move on and do it...as Lynn always says.
Pass is pass, let the present be a lesson to learn and move on

Just a thought from me...no hard feeling

[David Jackson]

Let's end this thread and Let Lynn have a wonderful day ahead. The more we share the more it will bring memories.

We have to move on and do it...as Lynn always says.

I suggested closing this thread hours ago. Several others agreed with me. Even Steve, the author of the thread wanted it closed. But apparently, Lynn doesn't want it closed - and it's her forum.

David Jackson

[jamessamy]

Thank you Jackson

I mean not totally close but try to minimise in order for our mentor Lynn to be more motivated to go on

[Lynn Terry]

I'm fine, and fine with keeping the thread open. I'll have more thoughts to add on the topic myself soon even.

A very thought-provoking discussion to say the least.