Why I didn't become a Chiropractor.

[FriendlyRob]

When I was a kid in school, I had lots of ideas of what I wanted to be when I grew up. I went through a large number of things, a veterinarian, a pharmacist, a lawyer, high school teacher, and a chiropractor, among many others.

So what did I become when I grew up? I don't know. I went from one crappy job to another crappy low paying job, with no clear direction what I wanted to do. (until I discovered internet marketing of course)

So why didn't I become a chiropractor? because I was poor at math. I failed grade nine math, passed it in summer school, barely passed grade ten math, failed grade eleven math, failed at summer school too.

I just didn't occur to me until last night (literally). Since I am now suffering from severe back pain and had to visit a chiropractor this morning, I started thinking about it again. I just realized that I spent a lifetime in crappy jobs because I couldn't be bothered improving my math skills.

I had it backwards!

I've been earnestly working in internet marketing for almost 3 years now. I did not innately have all the skills that I needed for success. But I didn't let that stop me, I took the time to develop the skills.

What is my point?

I guess I want you to ask yourself, are you going to let the skills that you do not possess right now keep you from what you want? or are you going to take the time to learn what you need to know: simple html, ftp uploading, copywriting, hosting.

These are the things that my list is telling me that they don't know how to do, all the "technical stuff"

I didn't know all those things when I started, but I do now, because I refused to fail for the second half of my life like I did in the first half. I took the time to learn the skills that I knew I would need to know to succeed.

I challenge you to do the same, and don't quit.

[Terry Hatfield]

Don't feel to bad. Most of the Chiropractor's that I have met have told me that it is a crappy job.

But for sure you are right, the secret is to face the challenge and not run away from it!

Terry

[1960Texan]

I too, sucked at math (it bores me) until I joined the Navy and was put in the avionics training program. In practice, avionics is 90% common sense and 10% math; in school it's 90% math and 10% common sense. I was told that if I failed the course I would automatically be re-assigned as a boatswain's mate. Those are the guys that spend their days swabbing the deck, chipping paint, dragging chains, and all the other "grunt" work that needs to be done in order to keep the ship afloat.

Suddenly, math was easy! Even though I failed basic algebra and geometry in public school, suddenly I had the proper motivation to learn trig and calculus, and passed the course with flying colors.

That was a great lesson for me. I realized that with the right motivation, I could do almost anything.

Will

[TheDebtEliminator]

Hello Rob,

I know a very successful chiropractor, that is a very happy man.

He works short hours (6-hours per day) for 4-days a week and earns in the low 5-figures per year


Best Regards

[Colton]

It's never too late.

[emumbert1]

I like your attitude. I'm not going to be a victim, either. I made a fairly good sized nest egg (7 figures) by owning radio stations. I sold them about 10 years ago, spent a little recklessly and put about 50% in the stock market. Now, I'm living in a 1200 sq foot apt. and making a comeback. I will do it! I'm trying 12 hours a day to juggle some affiliate marketing to pay the bills, with some long term PPC sites for residual. Sometimes I get so darned tired I can think straight, but I just keep on going. I've been at it about 3 months, and have already made some money. I'm soaking up as much as I can, as fast as I can. I don't want what's left of my savings to run out before I can make this work.

This forum is great! I will prevail. "In all things, large or small, never, ever, ever give up" paraphrase Winston Churchill.

[FriendlyRob]

Originally Posted by Colton

It's never too late.

Well, yes but now that Chiropractic is no longer covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, it is probably no longer a good business to be in.

IM is where I am enjoying making my living now, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm just glad that I did not allow my lack of technical knowledge to stand in my way.

[Marketstriker]

Agree for 100%. I've seen in this story so many people. But for me the question sounds from the other side. Why don't I like to do what I do? Because of the problems and barriers which make me feel tired at the end of the day or because of the wrong niche that I just don't like.

[Woody C]

Originally Posted by TheDebtEliminator

Hello Rob,

I know a very successful chiropractor, that is a very happy man.

He works short hours (6-hours per day) for 4-days a week and earns in the low 5-figures per year.

That's not very good? Like $20,000? What is low 5-figures?

I am currently in medical school after taking years to decide what I wanted to do. I do NOT want to do it for the money, but for the joy of helping people when they need help. That is why I got into IM - So I can make enough to not have to worry about money from my practice.

Thanks for the post!

[markd33]

Originally Posted by FriendlyRob

So why didn't I become a chiropractor? because I was poor at math.

lol I had no idea math was such a vital part to cracking someones back perhaps for counting the notches in the spine to make sure you don't "adjust" the wrong part and make them paralyzed?

On another note, that's a very inspiring post. And I see a lot of myself in that story. I too had lots of ideas of what I wanted to be when I "grew up". Ranging from working in a bank, to singer, to IT tech...etc And all in my teen years I must have had like 50 jobs at practically every place you can imagine from walmart to gas stations to restaurants.

But over time I decided that I just wanted to be wealthy and be able to do whatever - it's not that I'm against working (heck I work 16 hours a day sometimes with growing my business) - I'm just against HAVING to work for money. I just never thought it was right that people had to work 40 hours a week 9-5 just to make ends meet so that when you hit 65 you can "retire" and live out the few remaining years you have decrepit and unable to do a lot of the things you once had an asperation to do (like mountain climb..etc).

Success is all about persistence. Everyone fails a few times before they hit the big one, but when it happens it makes all the failures in the past work while. And it's always good to keep this in mind - to solidify what was originally said you can't give up at the first sign of trouble. If there is something you need to learn, learn it. If there is something that you need to buy, buy it - or save and buy it. The only limitations are that which we place on ourselves

[Mr. Enthusiastic]

Great topic, Rob!

I'm also surprised that math is needed for a chiropractor. I can understand needing algebra to calculate forces and angles, but I don't know what a chiropractor would need to know about math beyond that.

I recently talked with another Internet marketer about how much he uses math to analyze his advertising results. He said, "I hate math, but I love to make money!"

Maybe some childhood dreams came true? After all, you wound up in a business where you get paid to poke at people's sore spots. And the real money is made with the follow up on the back end.

Interesting that vet and pharmacist were also in your dreams. Do you specialize in the health niche?

Will, thanks for the story about the Navy's perfect math education technique.

John, Woody, Mark: Looking forward to sharing online success with y'all in 2010.

Chris

[FriendlyRob]

Originally Posted by Mr. Enthusiastic

Great topic, Rob!



Interesting that vet and pharmacist were also in your dreams. Do you specialize in the health niche?

Chris

I don't think so, but I do seem to do well when I'm helping others. I think that's why I've been successful at this business.