I Wasn't Destined to Start an Internet Business.
I think for most of us, when we are born we are not destined to be anything in particular.
Sure there are trust fund babies and there are folks that are pushed into taking over a family business, but generally speaking 99.9% of the time there is no specific direction assigned to us in life and even as we become adults, we continue to control the direction and the destiny in which our lives assume.
What Was My Personal Destiny?
I wasn’t destined to be the owner of an internet business any more than I was destined to be digging ditches or a hair stylist...or an astronaut...or someone without a career at all.
In fact, growing up, my goal in life was to become a professional baseball player. That very idea faded around 14 years old when my arm when from being a rubber arm to one that hurt every time I threw the ball (lack of stretching and icing...we are foolish when we are younger).
I wasn’t any more destined to own an online business than Michael Jordan was to play in the NBA, Bill Gates to create Microsoft, my parents to do their respective jobs, or you were to find WA and create something brilliant as a result of this.
What if?
What if I decided to go to school to become a carpenter, which is a great career? Would I be a successful one? Would I be considered an expert now 14 years later at my craft? Would I be one of the top respected builders in my city? Would have I come up with a better way of doing something within this space?
What if I decided to open a restaurant when I was 22? What it have been a success? Would I have franchises of this restaurant today or multiple locations? Or would have I been one of the many restaurants that failed?
What if I decided to not go to school and use my own ideas to start a totally random business? What would that have been? Would it have been successful and what niche would have this been in?
What if Carson and I decided to start a totally different business, which we were very close to doing, and never purchased the domain WealthyAffiliate.com back on that autumn of 2005 day.
Lots of what ifs?
That is the point I want to make here.
I wasn’t destined to become an affiliate marketer, an internet marketer, or work within the software industry. There is no way.
The same way you weren’t cut out to do what you do, or what you are about to do. You create it. You choose it. That is the freedom we have in life. I
We get to carve out our paths, our legacy and our journey moving forward one day and one movement at a time. It is a beautiful thing.
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Kyle, great story! The ironic thing of it is that I spent all my years as a carpenter. I went through apprenticeship, became a journeyman and worked in the trade up until a few years back. I began at 26 yrs old and am now 47. The last years of my career I developed pain in my joints which was diagnosed as partial arthritis and partial worn tendons. This wore on my passion and abilities with the trade. So here I am today attending school and looking for a new beginning. What If I would have chosen a different path to begin with? All of this is motivating me to keep on moving forward and carving that path. It's never too late. Thank you everyone for all of the wonderful insight.
Yeah, sometimes our physicality dictates what we do. I know personally I couldn't do anything that is too back breaking, but there maybe a point where I need to do something other than be on a computer for a good part of my day.
Who knows. It's exciting though and this is how we evolve and shape our legacies. :)
I got into Wealthy Affiliate when one day I was informed that the company will shutting down in the year 2021. My so call green zone suddenly turn to red zone. I believe my choice is a choice by circumstances but I'm happy to find a new green zone now. A new horizon for me to build my new green zone. Green zone of my own creation. :))
Find your green zone...better yet, create your green zone. That is exactly what you are going to be doing here at WA and I really do look forward to working with you and seeing what you accomplish moving forward Nazmi. ;)
well said.. the internet didn't even exist for 3/4 of my life so the thought that I'm embarking on a business at nearly 50 as an online entrepreneur is definitely not something I could have banked on.
I love your last sentence and fully believe we each can carve our own destiny - definitely a beautiful thing - well said Kyle!
Well I'm glad that you & Carson didn't decide to start a different business. It's funny how things work out. I had to retire way before I could actually afford to. Lucky for me, I came across your website one day. Finally, for the first time in my life, I have a job I love & I created it. So yes, it is a beautiful thing that we have the freedom to choose & create the life we want. I still have a long ways to go but I'm loving it.
Great Post!
Destiny, predestination or free choice? Who knows? One thing is certain, you & Carson are creating a Dynasty.
Thanks for the kind words Lauren, when you put your focus on people and what value they are getting versus what you are getting as a business owner, that is when things really start to happen.
So true... your focus is absolutely in the right place. Your motivation is pure. Everyone can feel it, and they respond accordingly. Really, really special what you've created here.
Kyle, I have had two career path changes that were totally different, I gain my electrical trade certificate and worked as an electrician (mainly because my dad said "you need a trade to do well") then after a few years I went into transport and heavy haulage, when you do what you enjoy that's when you can make it a profession. So after quite a few years and managing a few large transport and earthmoving companies. I went out on another tangent. and now after looking at so many internet businesses I am so grateful to have found WA. So it is true life is what YOU make of it, the choice is ours. Thanks Kyle.
Kyle, consider this. WA did not happen by accident, and it is not a fluke. When I visit the website and read the comments and stories of other members, it is clear to me the True Purpose of Wealthy Affiliate:)
God Bless you and Carson.
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Awesome! Very true.