Sorry Kyle, I Broke My Own Rule - SAC Update

Well, having worked in manufacturing for 12 years I developed a few rules to live by. These are a combination of experience and many discussions with mentors and bosses over the years. Here is my short list I follow to help me succeed in my "9-5" job.

Rule 1 - Under Promise and Over Deliver

Usually this comes from a response to something unplanned. Everyone always asks when it will be worked out. You must find a happy medium when promising or else you will lose the trust of your co-workers.

So, you can't "sandbag" too much. This means if I think something will take 4 days, I probably shouldn't say it will take 8. Saying 5 really means I am leaving myself some wiggle room just in case.

This way, it will seem like I am over achieving, but I am really just not using my contingency time.

Rule 2 - Don't Be Afraid To Commit (or Fail)

The first step to becoming better at committing is to realize you will fail. It happens, get over it. The only thing you have to be sure of is to not fail twice on the same commitment.

In my industry, failing to me is spilling a chemical or getting someone hurt. That would be an absolute failure that I could never come to terms with. But being wrong or having something not work as planned...

That is called a learning experience. So instead of succeeding or failing, you are succeeding or learning. That will make it easier to commit.

Rule 3 - It Doesn't Need To Be Perfect (80 / 20 Rule)

Have you ever tried finishing a project and wanted it to be perfect? Or, in my case, wanted to make a decision but couldn't get all the information you need?

Well, I had a boss once tell me that you only need 80% of the data to be right... totally blew my mind. So I tried it and guess what I learned... it doesn't need to be perfect and you don't need all the information. You can still get to the correct place.

So I shoot for 80% and then go back and refine up to 100%.

Yup, those are my 3 rules to get by. Where am I going with all of this?

So I Failed Kyle and Myself

I broke rule #1. I saw the post about the SAC. I thought it would be great because it could help me earn an income here and retire from my full-time job.

So I promised Kyle that I would spend 3 hours/day (or 21 hours/week) on my SAC website. In all reality, I do have that time to spend on blogging... who needs sleep anyways. I promised Kyle that I would spend 21 hours and become a Super Affiliate.

Well, I missed something else...

Ahhh Shoot, I Broke Rule 3

I went and committed on something that I definitely did not understand 80%. Actually as I started digging in I realized I probably only knew 20%. This last month of SAC has been spent researching, researching, researching, writing, and researching some more.

So to achieve the 12 posts I needed in 30 days I needed more time. I have 6 posts currently and I have spent the time I committed.

What Am I Getting At?

Well, I remember how excited I was to get the PM from Kyle about the SAC. I was determined to do it, but I have to say I wasn't ready.

I know Kyle accepted many deserving people into the SAC this year, but I just can't do it. Here are the things that I missed:

• I enjoy everything about beer
• There is too much I don't know about affiliate marketing to really be able to blog about it (I am still building the passion)
• I can talk / write for hours about beer... and brewing
• Social media is good, but where do I even begin for an affiliate marketing site?
• I am getting really good at Social Media for beer
• 21 hours is the time I have to blog... total... for my sites
• Did I mention I am passionate about beer?

What am I trying to say again?

I Am Sorry Kyle, I Wasn't Ready

Yup, I was accepted into a program where I didn't really belong. I really do hate writing, so finding a subject I truly love is key. Beer checks that box, but affiliate marketing isn't quite there.

I will be bowing out of the SAC for this year, but that doesn't mean I am going away. I have plans to get ready for next year's SAC (of course I must be accepted back in first). Here is how the rest of my year will go:

• Focus on building my niche site... I am #7 on Google for a post!!! Coincidentally, I am #7 and #8 under the same keyword :)
• I will complete Bootcamp for the website I started with the SAC. It will start seeing traffic and become trusted. Then next year's SAC will be more successful.
• Social media like crazy for my niche site. I have beers to Instagram, recipes to Tweet, and how-to's to tape and put on YouTube

So yes, I didn't make it through SAC this year. At least I didn't break Rule #2... I learned something so that makes this a success post :)

Cheers!

Nate