The Wheels On The Wagon Are Not Going Round And Round.
Affiliate marketing like anything in this sweet life can have it's ups and downs.
I am not sure of how or where or why but I have gone off the boil. It has been a struggle for, the last little while. The wheels are spinning but I don't seem to be getting any traction. When I arrived at WA it was so exciting, there was just so much buzz here it was just going off, affiliate marketers dream come true. It was invigorating and certainly got me on the right path. It is hard to put a finger on it exactly. If you have been in business you can sense it, hard days and nights for that matter are a coming. It is at this stage you have to dig deeper to stay in the game. If you have experienced this in business you may hear where I am coming from.
We can wheel out the one-liners till the cows come home but after a while, they seem to take on a negative connotation . I can imagine that this is the stage where folks pack up their troubles in the old kit bag and trundle off home where ever that may be...........oh I am working at home oh no.
The first part is realizing that things are not going according to plan, the next part is "ok" what are you going to do about it old son. It doesn't matter the "why" you got to where you are, what does matter is the "What" . The what are you going to do about it.How are you going to move forward?
Problem and Solution
Fortunately, for me, I have been here many times, so I have developed an understanding of the process, over time I have become aware of some of the triggers and furthermore the symptoms that will ensue. I call it my seventh sense a lot of sweat and tears went into earning it and even more, work goes into keeping that understanding . The word to describe it is priceless. You may identify with what I have written, you may be going through it, or have been through it. You may have detected that a lot of my musings come from a certain quarter and I make no apologies for that.
To work on a seventh sense, my realization was that I was the source of the problem, conversely, I am the source of the solution. In fact, I create the solution.
Everyone goes through this, no one is immune, it will happen at some stage of the process. The day, week or month when " Mr double doubt" comes to pay you a little visit. If you think that " this won't happen to me" I have some news for you, that you may not like to hear. It will happen it is just a matter of when.
The important thing is what are you going to do about it, for me, I figure it into the overall plan, so when I sense it coming I have a strategy in place to counter the effects. So instead of it becoming a game stopper, it becomes a powerful tool that I can use to propel myself on to achieve better outcomes.
What you figure the road bumps into your plan , the short answer is yes and you have solutions already in place, the short answer is yes.
Sometimes Martin, Richard, Albert, Winston,Zig,Abraham, are not going to cut the mustard. The most famous one-liner " it happens to us all just get back on the horse" you just cannot. Not when things are not working out and everything is going down the gurgler, your world is collapsing around you, at that point it is not ok.
Become an observer of your own business experience what actually excites you , what motivates you, your passion and not just niche passion, that deep seated live it like no tomorrow passion. Become aware of what turns you off, be they experiences, people, platforms, become aware of what your triggers are. Create solutions and you will be in the game well after other folks have given up.
Remember;
There is no such thing as failure if anyone tries to tell you that, then they are pulling your leg, no one ever fails, they give up and that is something completely different.........!!!
Just putting a different perspective out there, I would really like to know what you think, feel free to climb on board. I am not promoting negativity, I am promoting realizations, that will lead to better outcomes. I just noticed a shakey vibe through some of the comment threads, this post maybe a counter weight. Thank you for reading this far. As usual get out there and do the business. WA is a unique place in terms of the online industry, make the most of the opportunity, leverage and sell heaps.
Alexander
Recent Comments
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I started out my journey with WA with the mindset of a year's commitment. There's so much to consider and learn, and everything takes time. I'll have more time when I retire Sept. 2nd, which will put me at the half-way point (6 months). I know I will see some good results. Thanks for confirmation Alexander.
You are welcome Robin, the key to it is the understanding that it can be done, I am sure you will achieve all your goals and aspirations. that is awesome A year online is massive what I am finding is that you get to a tipping point and you develop this clarity and the way forward is like it simply unfolds before you. Go and get it Robin
For me and I am sure many others here its the first time doing this sort of online business. And with the long hours that are constantly poured into it,I too come to that point.
I try though to not loose that momentum.Like things I tried in the past,a lot did not become fully realized as a result of that lost momentum.
So when "mr double doubt" comes along I visualize that dream or goal I implanted in my mind the first day I signed up to WA and let him go back to where he came from...
Thanks Alex
Well said Roopesh, I like how you handle " Mr double doubt " one thing he doesn't like is folks not taking any notice and moving on toward their dreams regardless, he tends to vanish in that situation.
I think you have raised a really important point, things can be hard going but it is important to keep that momentum going. For many of us, it is the first time venturing into the online world, it is good to be aware of some of the pitfalls that may slow our progress down. Thank you very much for your positive response.
It's human nature to have doubts occasionally. We just don't want to be doing it all the time! It may be a good time to get away from it for a few hours, or a day. Come back with a renewed sense of purpose. How about a brand new approach to something? Maybe write a post so off the wall you had never previously considered anything remotely like it? Shake things up, Alexander! Here's an idea for you: Write a comedy routine, go do a comedy open mic-it'll probably only be 3-5 minutes. Don't worry if you fail miserably-At least you'll get a fresh post out of it! Shake it up! :)
Classic Rick, I am the consummate showman in my walk around the world persona. We can end up taking ourselves too seriously for sure. Thank you for the wonderful advice my friend you have provided an excellent solution. Shake it up excellent idea.
Great article! I have not much experience in creating businesses, but the "doubt doubt" gremlin, I know it very well in so many things I have done so far. Sometimes after a few weeks, a few years, and even after 20 years - although the doubt in all cases is grounded on different parameters.
"Who are you in the face of doubt?" - and what are you going to do? Yes, these are the crucial questions, and actually, you can never know before hand. The "7th sense" needs to tell you (me) in every single occasion. And I trust that, after all, nothing goes wrong, the possible detours might have been needed in life, before.........
Life's experiences provide us with a very good lantern to shine a light on our path moving forward. We may have been through similar situations it is a case of remembering and moving forward with a stronger mind set. Thank you so much for your well thought out response. Best wishes moving forward.
Its a great post Alexander and not negative at all I think it outlines the reality that all businesses face and especially online ones such as affiliate marketing.
For me whenever I feel things are not going well I resort to creating more content of some kind. This automatically puts you back into a creative and productive zone, then you are better placed to say OK things aren't going well so I need to change something.
It might be small things you change, focus on a different social media site or something. But again by being proactive you become more energised and creative. One of the reasons I really like this business is because it is all about analysing- what worked, why did it work, what didn't work, why not, what can I do to change it?
Never stop asking questions and analysing and then you will always be moving forwards. And if in doubt ask, someone has always been where you are before and found a way out of it.
Hi, Marie what an excellent response thank you so much for taking the time. The reason that I wrote this post was that I have noticed the odd comment where folks are struggling we all go through that. When we are starting out it is a lot harder and perhaps we just don't have the same coping skills. Just to let folks know it can happen to us all.
I really like your approach, the main attraction for me is similar to you I like the analysis but also the strategy aspect to the online business model never a dull day. My issue is that I end up spreading myself too thin. your close out is very good advice which many of us would do well to take on board thanks once again.
Wow Alexander, a pretty sobering blog about the realities of life showing up, and having to dig down to upright myself.
It's uncanny how all day the message to work though failures, and persevere until I triumph.
I agree that there are times the motivational words and slogans are not enough, and I'm so disheartened that I can't even keep my eye on the prize.
About all I can do is trudge and keep the "I will not give up" mantra going.
This is not negativity on my part, it is wisdom of living long enough to know that I'm a survivor and this will pass, leaving a glorious lesson in its wake.
Good Fortune
Richard
Hi, Richard awesome response I think you and good fortune will be very good friends. The big thing for me is becoming aware that things will always go to plan but making an allowance for this so when it goes off-road time is wasted beating yourself up it is all part of the process and just a matter of adjusting and moving on, reading your response I think we are singing from the same book. Very good to meet you and best wishes for your online adventures.
It's either feast or famine in business! I always look forward to your posts Alexander because you make so much sense! You and I both know that it takes a lot of guts, blood, sweat and tears to keep on when facing such odds.......all the quotes in the world will not help us if we are down! But against all odds we do get up and go on and we may not even have got to the tunnel where the light is supposed to be on at the end of it!
On the bright side.....you become smarter if you stick with it, you can laugh at yourself more often, you do develop a thicker skin and in the end you become a better person and then is when the magic happens!
Keep it up Alexander! Alexander the Irvine! GO ALEXANDER GO!
Traditional business can be full of challenges, its online counter part is no different in fact it can be very challenging. If we have faced challenges head on we have a foundation to build on. Being aware of the processes involved gives us a basis to forge on for sure. Like all things in life, there is at times nothing like "winging it" just call me Biggles lol. Like someone famous said, "if you're not living on the edge then you are taking up to much space" .
You have covered some very valid points in your response, Michael, I really feel for some folks we all arrive here with positive anticaption, my hope is that we overcome the challenges that we will face and move on to create a successful online presence.
There are a few of us lol, top effort with the video, that is sprung from challenges in motion, steampunk is starting to excite my imagination, and as you are fully aware, it is where magic and the spice to life start happening.
I agree. I've been in and OUT of a rut for the last month but I find a way to keep going and yeah, I've sensed some people that are struggling but you just gotta remember why we signed up in the first place. Quitting is not an option. Maybe, when you're in a slump, it's not the right time to get back on that horse, you may need a break to re-group...so, Don't shoot the horse...you can saddle up another day when you are ready.
Hi Mark, awesome reply, that is so profound don't shoot the horse,......... You get to a place where quitting is not an option, it is where that stoic self-belief kicks in. It is at that point where there is no turning back we can change the world. Thank you for your comment very much appreciated.
This is a wonderful blog, and I can definitely identity with what you're saying:) I quit teaching 9 years ago, and started a small tutoring business. The first year was extremely tough, and I had a LOT of people telling me that I would never succeed. This only made me more determined to make it work! There have been ups and downs like you have with every business, but now I can look back and thank God that I didn't give up. Sometimes it just takes baby steps and a lot of faith:). So...never quit! It's always darkest before the dawn:). Thank you so much for sharing your blog!
Blessings:)
Suzi
Well done Suzi, and thank you very much for sharing your experiences. It is sometimes when we reflect back on our endeavors that we truly find the value in what we are doing and achieving moving forward. What we do reflects into the lives of the folks around us I am sure.
Blessings to you.
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You are so right with what solution we must generate. Our work must always be in an evolutionary format. The same thing does not work in the same manner time over time.
We always have to adapt, improvise, and over come the next hurdle that comes our way in order to keep our businesses on the "cutting edge" or at least closer than most.
The internet is a fickle thing and what was great today may not be so tomorrow.
That is why WA is such a great place to be a part of. For when someone finds new innovations, sharing without hesitation is put forth for all to adapt.
Outstanding post Alexander. Thanks for bringing it to the table.
Hi, Greg, you have articulated one of the prime benefits of being a member of WA, we are indeed blessed to be here. That whole ethos of sharing and caring is so good and I would say unparalleled within the online industry. For many of us, it may be the one thing above all else that helps us to get across the line.
The internet is changing so rapidly, we really need to keep up with the pace what better place to be to do that WA provides a wonderful foundation. You have raised some really valid points thank you for bringing your positive insights.
My pleasure