Challenges and Gratitude

blog cover image
9
275 followers
Updated

This weekend presented some serious challenges for me - I was not able to spend any time working on my website or training as we had relatives in town for the funeral of a distant, but well-loved member of my wife's family. The whole weekend was strange, awkward, and anxiety inducing- due largely in part to the fact that people kept asking me what I do for a living.

For the past 20+ years, my life has revolved around my work in the restaurant industry. I began washing dishes at a coffee shop up the street from my house when I was 14 and over the years worked my way into management and, eventually, ownership. I have a great love for and a lot of pride in the industry - it has grown leaps and bounds in the last decade and for a long time nothing brought me more pleasure than making sure people were happy with full bellies. In 2015 I suffered a pretty severe injury while I was at work and the following 2 years were a patchwork nightmare of insurance claims, long calls with my attorney, and, essentially learning how to live again with chronic pain. It was a tough road, but at the end of it, I felt ready to jump back into the restaurant world and prove to myself and those around me that I could do it!

Well, it turns out I couldn't do it. At least not in a way that I felt good about. The heavy volume of business, the 16-hour work days, and the constant stress of trying to collaborate with an owner who had no experience or knowledge of how a restaurant functioned caused a lot of physical problems and left me feeling badly on an emotional level. When I finally admitted to myself (and my wife) that I needed to find a different source of income, she encouraged me to focus on something that I love - writing. Not having a degree in journalism or even a long-standing blog to showcase my abilities, I hit a brick wall. Sure, there are a lot of "writing" jobs on line...mostly copy writing for other peoples blogs or websites. Neither pay well, at least not from the perspective of a brand-new wanna-be writer, and if I'm going to be writing, I want to do it for myself.

Last month, my path led me here, to Wealthy Affiliate, where the missing pieces of this big internet puzzle are finally falling into place. Last week during training, I kept saying to myself, "oooohhhh...that make sense! Why didn't I know this 10 years ago!?!" I logged off on Friday evening feeling fantastic about the potential I have to make money doing something that affords me not only an income, but a way to bring home a paycheck without putting my physical and emotional health at risk.

Then on Saturday, in the midst of their mourning, my in-laws felt the need to turn the spotlight to me: What was I doing now that I had left the restaurant? How was it possible that my wife and I could survive on only her income? Was I looking for something else? What the hell is Affiliate Marketing? Didn't I know that nobody makes money online these days? Didn't I know that blogs and websites were out of fashion? Didn't I know that the chances of being successful on such a large platform were nonexistent?

While I am aware that their concern came from a place of love and wanting myself and my wife to have a good, comfortable life; it felt like criticism and judgment. I began to question if this training was really the best thing I could be doing with my time, if it would actually ever yield tangible results. I began thinking that I should probably cancel my membership to WA, buckle down and find a "real" job.

Then I logged in this afternoon and saw that my website had been indexed on Google over the weekend! I have been really focused on certain aspects of training and there isn't a lot of content on my site at this point, but the articles I have posted are obviously worth-while. Which was just the reassurance I needed - this training is worth it and so am I and so is what I have to say.

I truly believe that the Universe sends you signs and nudges when you need them - and that is just what I got, a sign that I am on the right track, that I am making progress, and, I need to keep it up.

I want to extend a great big THANK YOU to the community here; for reading this post, for answering my questions, for keeping the good vibes raised high - I am sure other well-meaning folks will question my unconventional approach to earning a living, but I also know I am not alone in this and that feeling of inclusion is priceless - and one I am very grateful for.

Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training

Recent Comments

8

Inspiring, wonderful, story!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read it!

well, I'm getting a lot of criticisms from relatives regarding any entrepreneurial venture really, so I can fully relate to your experience.

Very sorry to hear about your injury and chronic pain. Hope that keeps getting better.

Hi Sara! I truly believe that WA is your ticket to success :)

Our community truly has the best resources and training in the industry and the people here are helpful, kind, and downright caring. We all want to see you succeed!

Stay positive and focused and that is your first step in the right direction.

Best of luck on your journey to success!

Thank you so much! I believe WA is my ticket to success too! So happy to be a part of such a great community!

Hello Sarah, You Name it and You Claim It!

Stay Positive and Focused!
Yes, You Are on the Right Path, Patience, Perseverance with Gratitude and Positivity, Yields Great Rewards Eventually!
It's a Journey, not a Destination!

I find that the Wealthy Affiliate Platform is Superb for in-depth and breadth of training and especially warm and welcoming community members who are extremely knowledgeable and always available and willing to share tips and ideas, inspiration and encouragement with fellow members... as you say, 'Priceless'!!

Well Done Sarah, Keep Going Strong, Oh Yeah!!

Best Regards,
Andrew! :)

Thank you for your enthusiastic and positive comment! I appreciate you!

:) Your welcome, Thanks also for your Inspiring Post, even in the tough times, the Good Will Surely Follow!! :)

See more comments

Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training