I'm fighting mad, and you should be too!

16 replies
I'm fighting mad, and you should be too!

Ya know, there's a part of me that is embarrassed by watching heavyweight boxing or cage fighting on television. I mean, the idea of watching two grown men standing toe-to-toe pummeling each other to a bloody pulp is kind of disgusting. Nonetheless, there is something about such things that does pull me in.

You've seen that stuff too, I'm sure. There is a certain honesty about the whole thing. There are no excuses. There is no running to mommy for help and protection. It's a matter of physics, physiology, metabolic efficiencies, discipline and training.

At some point one of the contestants delivers a blow to his opponent which stuns or perhaps incapacitates him momentarily. A cloud of confusion envelopes the wounded warrior. The fighter delivering the blow has a decision to make. Shall I give my opponent a moment to recover his senses, or--shall I deliver the coup de gras--the finishing blow--to put him down for the count.

A winning fighter will always choose the latter option.

An analogy can be made here related to Internet marketing. I struggle with this myself and it is likely many others do too. You have a good day. Let's say you pull in $500 in sales. Great! But then you start thinking... I did pretty good today. Now I can take a couple of days off and relax. It's like the fighter above stunning his opponent and while that opponent is wobbly legged and dazed, the other fighter decides to give him a few moments to recoup his balance and composure.

But it was at that instant that the opponent should have been unmercifully dispatched to the canvas. Strike while the iron is hot--that's the theory.

When I have a good day or a good week I have to force myself not to become complacent. Don't let the opponent go! If you have a good day then keep on doing what got you to that good day with a vengeance! That is not the time to rest. That is not the time to slow down.

But most people will slow down at that point. That is their weakness; don't let it be yours.

I tell people all the time: To succeed in this business one must be willing to do what their competitors are unwilling or unable to do. Find their weaknesses and exploit them. Complacency is a disease that is contagious. When you have a great success, push forward and do not settle into a self congratulatory mode where you accomplish nothing.

Always be earning. Always be pushing. This IM thing isn't a game; don't confuse it for one. Those who hesitate will be left behind.

--Mike
#fighting #mad
  • Profile picture of the author alphadesign
    Yeah! You're totally right! Thanks for sharing!
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    lol. This posts gives me ulcers. I just concentrate on my own business and don't give competition a thought. I don't want to be fight ... fight ... fighting every moment of my life. I like to stop and smell the roses along the way.
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    • Profile picture of the author mikemcmillan
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      lol. This posts gives me ulcers. I just concentrate on my own business and don't give competition a thought. I don't want to be fight ... fight ... fighting every moment of my life. I like to stop and smell the roses along the way.
      Me too . --Mike
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    • Profile picture of the author mikemcmillan
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      lol. This posts gives me ulcers. I just concentrate on my own business and don't give competition a thought. I don't want to be fight ... fight ... fighting every moment of my life. I like to stop and smell the roses along the way.
      From my heart to your stomach --Mike

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      • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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        Originally Posted by mikemcmillan View Post

        From my heart to your stomach --Mike

        ***gulp*** Thanks, I needed that.
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    • Profile picture of the author mattlaclear
      Originally Posted by mikemcmillan View Post

      Always be earning. Always be pushing. This IM thing isn't a game; don't confuse it for one. Those who hesitate will be left behind.

      --Mike
      Whiners, wannabes, and gamers all get eaten alive eventually in this industry.

      Great post.

      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      lol. This posts gives me ulcers. I just concentrate on my own business and don't give competition a thought. I don't want to be fight ... fight ... fighting every moment of my life. I like to stop and smell the roses along the way.
      I think a good thrown down is a great way to reduce stress actually.
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    • Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      lol. This posts gives me ulcers. I just concentrate on my own business and don't give competition a thought. I don't want to be fight ... fight ... fighting every moment of my life. I like to stop and smell the roses along the way.
      Yeah, I tuned out around the 3rd paragraph.

      Sorry if that sounds harsh, but we frails tend to be short on combat metaphors.

      fLufF
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  • Profile picture of the author socialdaniel
    Very motivational post and something that I needed. I fully agree with you 100%.
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  • Profile picture of the author JamesGw
    I love boxing and mixed martial arts, and never really thought of internet marketing this way. You definitely make a good point with a pretty unique analogy. Unfortunately, I have to admit that I suffer from the same problem.

    The difference in IM, though, is that you can't ever really "finish" your work. Sure, you can have a $500 and ramp it up afterward, but that creates a process of constant escalation that may end with you having 4 hours of sleep a night. (I do.)

    That said, I do agree that complacency is one of the worst things that can happen in IM. It needs to be treated like a full-time job.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Originally Posted by mikemcmillan View Post

    To succeed in this business one must be willing to do what their competitors are unwilling or unable to do.
    You'll also find a lot of Internet Marketers have been very successful simply by copying what their competitors are already doing.

    But I totally agree with your message.

    I think it is very easy to become complacent when working for yourself. Some days it is hard to get motivated... even more so when you are coming off the back of a few good days. It becomes a lot easier to say... "I'll get back to it tomorrow...".

    This is when you should be pushing harder than ever. I think this is why things such as Mastermind groups, etc can help. Having someone or a group of people to share your progress with on a regular basis will drive you to achieve greater things.
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  • Profile picture of the author WebPen
    Sweet post Mike!

    It is definitely VERY tempting to "take a break" after you have a big day....

    and then your wallet hates you!

    That said- I do think there can be a balance between fighting and taking a break.

    If you rest one day a week, chances are you'll be able to hit it harder when you come back on Monday (or whatever day after you choose as your rest day!)

    I mean if I'm in a fight- I would much rather fight the dude who's tired than the dude who's fresh!
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  • Profile picture of the author espe
    Thanks for this post, it makes me want to exploit my efforts to the max
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  • Profile picture of the author theory expert
    Banned
    ....and with that mindset you all will never spend all day on the beach.

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    • Profile picture of the author mikemcmillan
      Originally Posted by Team X View Post

      ....and with that mindset you all will never spend all day on the beach.

      That looks pretty comfy. Hmmm... I may have to rethink my position :rolleyes:.
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  • Profile picture of the author Richard Groom
    Great Mike, this is really the sort of pep talk i need every morning!!

    thanks!
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