I am lost...

by Spuzzum

Posted: 12 years ago 26 replies

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Hi everyone,

I have been lurking around these forums for over a year and a half now and I am at a point where my journey through the world of IM is simply overwhelming and I am not sure what direction I should be focusing on. Here is my story...

I'm 32 years old and I have a wonderful wife, a beautiful 2 year old girl, and another baby on the way. My wife and I own a house in the suburbs, a car, an SUV and other stereotypical “stuff” that you might expect. All in all, the personal life I have is pretty friggin’ great. Which is why it’s so difficult to admit…I am completely miserable.

I never went to university, so I am technically ‘uneducated’. Despite this, I have been able to create a respectable income doing various technical support/web development/software quality assurance jobs over the years. I am technically inclined, but that only goes so far in life. There has always been a ‘knowledge ceiling’ that I real in every job that holds me back. But the bigger problem is that in EVERY job I have ever had, I have eventually reach the soul crushing feeling of working for someone else. I HATE it with such a passion, a feeling that I’m sure most of you out there can relate to.

Given the fact that I am completely unable to be happy working for someone else, I decided to explore the world of IM. My first attempt at building a Niche website has been moderately successful I guess. I have a website that I NEVER touch bringing in between $20-$60 a month in Adsense revenue, depending on the month. When I build this site, I knew next to nothing about SEO, so it’s been a great crash course for me (some could argue that I still know very little about SEO). I have not done any backlinking on this site and it took about a year before it began to bring in any revenue, even though it’s been #1 in Google for its keyword for a very long time. I think I was just lucky that I hit a viable niche. It took a long time to get off my ass and try again with a new website, but I’ve recently launched a 2nd website in the same niche arena. Much like the original site, this one is like a turtle plodding along without much traffic from the start. We’ll see how it goes.

Recently, I’ve been thinking about how I can get serious about making all my money online and leave the soul crushing job I have now behind. I’ve looked a bit into Affiliate marketing and it seems like that’s where you can make the most money. But as a ‘newb’, I am totally befuddled at how this all works. I’ve joined several affiliate sites and even put my first campaign up using a rookie friendly method that I read about on WF. So far, it’s been a dud. But that’s ok, I half expected that anyway. I had to start somewhere.
In an attempt to gain more insight into the Affiliate Marketing arena, I decided to join the war room today. I think it might have been a mistake, because there are a million quality ideas being shared in there and my mind can’t seem to settle on a single direction…

My goal: Quit my job, work from home and live off my IM income. I’d need about $4000 a month to subsidize my current monthly income.

My Problems: I can’t focus, I’m lazy, I’m tired, and I am notoriously indecisive. And I am scared to fail.

Have any of you been in the same boat? How did you succeed? Is it even WORTH dreaming about?

#lost

jamesrich1 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Spuzzum

My Problems: I can't focus, I'm lazy, I'm tired, and I am notoriously indecisive. And I am scared to fail.

You need to create a plan and dedicate your life to achieving it. You will need laser targeted focus, crazy work ethic and the ability to be decisive. Pretty much you need to do the exact opposite of what you are doing now, lol.
- Thanks
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Techology 12 years ago

Spuzzum, I would guess you are doing better than most noobies with your single site on $20-$60 a month. There are a ton of WSOs that promise that and follow up with 'rinse and repeat' so they can claim $2000 a month etc.

I am also not surprised your site has survived Penguin too. With no backlinks they can't penalise you! Nice one

The most common way to make money on the internet is to write about making money on the internet and sell it on here as a WSO.

The other way is to do something you enjoy doing that you can also sell. That way you *may* not be quite so lazy (we all suffer from that I think!).

Once you create a site that you are passionate about, put aside a few hundred dollars to test out your offers (good and relevant affiliate stuff since you don't have products). Use this to test your landing pages to see if they convert.

If they do, then create more and more relevant content and slowly build your organic traffic.

You can make plenty on the internet. You have already proved that by doing very little. But you need to get rid of your gloominess. And you do that simply by understanding that you have a choice to be miserable or not. It's one thing you have total control over. Go and crush it today
- Thanks
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Danny Saldana 12 years ago

[DELETED]

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- Danny Saldana 12 years ago
  
  Hi Spuzzum,
  
  I just read your post and it was amazing because I feel sometime I am in the same situation. I was browsing the Warrior forum looking to start/or join a mastermind group.
  
  I would like to know if I can be of any assistant or we can help each other and NO I am not trying to sell you anything, I just would like to meet/email like mine people like your self to help motivate each other to achieve our dreams maybe like a Faliure Club what do you thing? I am very passionate about Internet Marketing and no tell you the truth I am not making any type of real money online just about $20 a month from adsense income. I feel that their is a lot of hype on the internet and it is very difficult to focus.
  
  Well let me tell you a little about me.
  My name is Danny Saldana and I live in Califionia I am 31 years old Married to a amazing wife and two beautiful kids and I work full time about 60+ hours a week and yes I really hate my job just because it take too much time away from my family. My goal is to quit my job in a year by 12.12.12 and I am a little behind. Sometime I feel like giving up but my greatest fear is working for someone us for the rest of my life.
  
  My experience with internet marketing is advance I know the problem is with planning and time for me. I have spent about $20,000 of my hard earn income from hiring a mentors, e-books,Videos, outsourcing, course and seminar. I have the knowledge, I just need a kick in the butt and I would like to share my knowledge with like mined people I hope I motivated you as you motivated me.
  
  I would like to know more about you about and your sites and more about your experience, and if we can help each other if you are interested please PM and I will email you my personal email.
  
  Please feel free to ask me any question you my have...
  
  Best Regards,
  Danny Saldana
  
  Thanks
  
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Daburghjacks 12 years ago

can get a look at the site that is bringing in the 60 bucks?
- Thanks
- 1 reply
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- Danny Saldana 12 years ago
  
  No, Sorry I am not a big Fan of adult site....
  
  Thanks
  
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natansa 12 years ago

I'm just not in the same situation because it makes only a few days I frequent this forum, I'm not earning a penny, I'd really like someone put me in some way, I'm unemployed, with a beautiful pregnant wife to take care of conta.estou going crazy not knowing what to do!

someone with a good plan? I'm from Brazil, and perhaps we could explore a little more this side here in Brazil just know how to make money on the Internet
- Thanks
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rising_sun

Banned 12 years ago

" I can’t focus, I’m lazy, I’m tired, and I am notoriously indecisive. And I am scared to fail."

At first remove all this from you,do any course to develop it,I mean psychological course.
Then try to earn a lot of knowledge on IM from WF,other forums, and other reliable sources.

Then just do it for success and stick with it till success.

Thanks
1 reply

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Connie Lim

12 years ago

Originally Posted by rising_sun

" I can't focus, I'm lazy, I'm tired, and I am notoriously indecisive. And I am scared to fail."

At first remove all this from you,do any course to develop it,I mean psychological course.
Then try to earn a lot of knowledge on IM from WF,other forums, and other reliable sources.

Then just do it for success and stick with it till success.

Ya, you must remove the negative thinking from you first (actually not easy

) but we must do it for our future, especially for those who already married and got kids. Whenever you down, think of them, they might become your biggest motivation.

All the best and keep it up!

Cheers
Connie Lim

Thanks
1 reply

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joefizz 12 years ago

Hey!

We've all been there!!

"My Problems: I can't focus, I'm lazy, I'm tired, and I am notoriously indecisive. And I am scared to fail".

What You Need:

A Mentor

Getting someone focussed, goal orientated and giving direction is what a mentor will do for you.

However, you can lead a horse to water...etc...the final actions have to come from you... it's time to put up or shut up...(nicely :p)

Llwyddiant!

Joe
- Thanks
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TeamBringIt

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Spuzzum

Hi everyone,

I have been lurking around these forums for over a year and a half now and I am at a point where my journey through the world of IM is simply overwhelming and I am not sure what direction I should be focusing on. Here is my story...

I'm 32 years old and I have a wonderful wife, a beautiful 2 year old girl, and another baby on the way. My wife and I own a house in the suburbs, a car, an SUV and other stereotypical "stuff" that you might expect. All in all, the personal life I have is pretty friggin' great. Which is why it's so difficult to admit...I am completely miserable.

I never went to university, so I am technically 'uneducated'. Despite this, I have been able to create a respectable income doing various technical support/web development/software quality assurance jobs over the years. I am technically inclined, but that only goes so far in life. There has always been a 'knowledge ceiling' that I real in every job that holds me back. But the bigger problem is that in EVERY job I have ever had, I have eventually reach the soul crushing feeling of working for someone else. I HATE it with such a passion, a feeling that I'm sure most of you out there can relate to.

Given the fact that I am completely unable to be happy working for someone else, I decided to explore the world of IM. My first attempt at building a Niche website has been moderately successful I guess. I have a website that I NEVER touch bringing in between $20-$60 a month in Adsense revenue, depending on the month. When I build this site, I knew next to nothing about SEO, so it's been a great crash course for me (some could argue that I still know very little about SEO). I have not done any backlinking on this site and it took about a year before it began to bring in any revenue, even though it's been #1 in Google for its keyword for a very long time. I think I was just lucky that I hit a viable niche. It took a long time to get off my ass and try again with a new website, but I've recently launched a 2nd website in the same niche arena. Much like the original site, this one is like a turtle plodding along without much traffic from the start. We'll see how it goes.

Recently, I've been thinking about how I can get serious about making all my money online and leave the soul crushing job I have now behind. I've looked a bit into Affiliate marketing and it seems like that's where you can make the most money. But as a 'newb', I am totally befuddled at how this all works. I've joined several affiliate sites and even put my first campaign up using a rookie friendly method that I read about on WF. So far, it's been a dud. But that's ok, I half expected that anyway. I had to start somewhere.
In an attempt to gain more insight into the Affiliate Marketing arena, I decided to join the war room today. I think it might have been a mistake, because there are a million quality ideas being shared in there and my mind can't seem to settle on a single direction...

My goal: Quit my job, work from home and live off my IM income. I'd need about $4000 a month to subsidize my current monthly income.

My Problems: I can't focus, I'm lazy, I'm tired, and I am notoriously indecisive. And I am scared to fail.

Have any of you been in the same boat? How did you succeed? Is it even WORTH dreaming about?

If you have some money, do yourself a favor and find a mentor. They can help you get to the point where you want to be. There are quite a few mentoring WSOs these days.

Doing it all alone without any true direction is just wasted time, efforts and money. A mentor can help you avoid such pitfalls and you can cut your learning curve in half and gain success much faster.

Thanks
1 reply

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FIP 12 years ago

Totally agree re the mentor comments. Find a good one. Ensure you are active/proactive in that relationship. Learn from proven performers. Apply their wisdom and their experience.
- Thanks
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"If one advances confidently in the direction of his own dreams and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined - he will meet a success unexpected in common hours"
-Thoreau
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shenrick22 12 years ago

Make use of your money wisely, have aim to overcome your laziness .
- Thanks
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Trevor 12 years ago

Hey there,

There's no other way but to force yourself out of the laziness and start taking action.

Because you've been lurking around on this forum for over a year, you already must know all the things you need in order to get started.

So, assess what you've learned and what you think can work the best for you and stick with it. Be persistent and don't stop until you make that business model profitable.

Really, all the courses on mindset can help you, but if you in yourself aren't willing to make the changes, then all the reading is worth nothing.
- Thanks
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ProScribe 12 years ago

You are probably not anywhere as lazy or indecisive as you think you are.

You have managed to produce a good income which supports your family despite the fact that you didn't go to university. You must be reasonably driven to be where you are in life already.

Internet Marketing is no where near as hard as it might seem. While there are many different ways to approach it, I would suggest the basics are as follows.

Setup a squeeze page with something that people want in exchange for email address -> Use an autoresponder to give the people on your list useful information that helps them achieve whatever there primary need is ->Intersperse this with either a product you are affiliated with or your own product.

Everything else is pretty much secondary to that, a blog is a way of getting people to the squeeze page, as is paid traffic, video marketing, facebook or pretty much anything else.

My own experience is that you just need "time in the game" to get good at. Hang onto your job and keep experimenting and after a while you will just get it. In a way it is like practicing for a sport. Even if someone explains to you the right way to hit a tennis ball or swing a golf club you still need time doing it to actually be able to perform it correctly.
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IMLearningIM

12 years ago

set little goals to achieve. do hard to achieve it. then you will be habitual to achieve your goal. you can set bigger goals after success.

Thanks
1 reply

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Spuzzum

12 years ago

Originally Posted by jamesrich1

You need to create a plan and dedicate your life to achieving it. You will need laser targeted focus, crazy work ethic and the ability to be decisive. Pretty much you need to do the exact opposite of what you are doing now, lol.

Intellectually I know that what I have to change to be a success, but for whatever reason I can't seem to force myself to change. But I think writing this post was, in my own way, a start.

Originally Posted by Techology

You can make plenty on the internet. You have already proved that by doing very little. But you need to get rid of your gloominess. And you do that simply by understanding that you have a choice to be miserable or not. It's one thing you have total control over. Go and crush it today

Thanks for the supportive comments! I appreciate it.

Thanks
1 reply

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jamesrich1

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Spuzzum

Intellectually I know that what I have to change to be a success, but for whatever reason I can't seem to force myself to change. But I think writing this post was, in my own way, a start.

Thanks for the supportive comments! I appreciate it.

It takes 21 days to create a habit. The only way to start is to create the plan and literally FORCE yourself to do it until it becomes second nature.

Thanks

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vanse 12 years ago

First move Spuzzum is to get past being afraid to fail

Everyone trying online marketing has had a failure at some stage.
Some never recover from that - and disappear into some other arena.

Happens outside IM too - it's called 'life'

Trying - and failing is a step - but the next, really important step is saying:
"Well I stuffed that one - what did I do wrong, what can I change to make it better for next time?" - and then make sure you do that 'next time'.

While your 'failures' online are highly visible - so what? You're experimenting to find what to do so that it succeeds.

Hang in there - there is money to be made online.
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JRat

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Spuzzum

Hi everyone,

But the bigger problem is that in EVERY job I have ever had, I have eventually reach the soul crushing feeling of working for someone else. I HATE it with such a passion, a feeling that I'm sure most of you out there can relate to.

I totally can relate and was in the same boat. Did not matter how much they PAID me (and it was a lot), I'd get to the point where I just could not stand another day of it.

Originally Posted by Spuzzum

My goal: Quit my job, work from home and live off my IM income. I'd need about $4000 a month to subsidize my current monthly income.

My Problems: I can't focus, I'm lazy, I'm tired, and I am notoriously indecisive. And I am scared to fail.

Have any of you been in the same boat? How did you succeed? Is it even WORTH dreaming about?

I made it happen. I've been living on my own as a freelancer and supporting my wife and 2 cats for 5 months. It's not easy. My expenses are lower, about $3000 a month covers us. But it's up and down. I compose music, do QA jobs on odesk, write for TextBroker and various other sites, and even do some translation work here on Warrior. I set a daily goal for every day. Worse case scenario I pound away at textbroker for 12 hours a day! Best case, I write 3 songs and am good to go. Using your tech skills on odesk or elance can help you pay the bills and at least get you out of the office.

That's just my two cents. I hope it helps.

Thanks

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missnikki 12 years ago

" My goal: Quit my job, work from home and live off my IM income. I’d need about $4000 a month to subsidize my current monthly income.

My Problems: I can’t focus, I’m lazy, I’m tired, and I am notoriously indecisive. And I am scared to fail.

Have any of you been in the same boat? How did you succeed? Is it even WORTH dreaming about? "

Wow you sound like ME! LoL

I sure HOPE it is worth dreaming about cuz it is what I want ...
- Thanks
- 1 reply
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- niceguy36 12 years ago
  
  Hey guys,
  
  It seems like there are a lot of people with the same problem. To be honest, I'm sometimes lazy too and I had the same motivational problems a few months ago.
  
  Although I already solved those problems, I still suffer from one which seems for me very big: the missing socialization... I have friends, but NOBODY give's a **** about IM. They don't want to hear me talking about my website improvements and whatever. I just annoy them, because they don't understand anything and they don't care at all.
  
  From my experience in physical training (I train ~12h per week mma & strength training), I think the best way to keep motivated AND on track with the schedule is to either do it with friends or atleast keep some interested friends up to date, so you always have in your mind that you need to tell them that you were lazy; which makes being productive WAY easier.
  
  I would propose that we exchange skype/fb/g+ profiles and just talk about our plans, give feedback and just help each other out!
  
  If someone is interested to create such a little group, I would be really happy. I think I know a lot about IM when it comes to SEO, PPC, ecommerce, affiliate marketing and a little bit about the usual squeeze page thing ^_^
  
  Also, I'm nice (hence the name xP)
  
  I wish a nice day & warm regards,
  Mike
  
  Thanks
  
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annsjones 12 years ago

Get a mentor! not a famous one, but someone that you can talk to as a friend. Someone that has been there , has done that, and now is succesful. As Brian Tracy says ''fly with the eagles''
- Thanks
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571 12 years ago

Hey, there I am pretty much on the same boat. Little older. Actually quit my job last year. Just started doing IM recently. Been exploring startups and stuffs which didn't bear any fruits. Tried a lot of stuff (elance) but nothing near what I need to balance the expenditure.

My first site is collecting $0.3 daily. It is mostly because I actually write some real stuff there. I guess that was lucky, my second site is not doing anything. Maybe I messed it up with scrapebox.

There are so many tools out there. So much little details. I am trying man....

Yeh I need a mentor. But i guess that just comes naturally as who wants to give their secret away.

Really great to finally start posting in Warrior. People here seems more willing to interact. Also in blackhatworld, there is a little different.

Hope to meet some friends here. Who are on the same boat and would cheer each other up along the journey to the ultimate goal (which I heard is possible).
- Thanks
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Baldpilot 12 years ago

Always remember - anything is possible. Success is NOT a myth, it is a daily decision to do your best, intentionally get outside your comfort zone, embrace uncomfortable, and, as others have mentioned, maintain laser focus on your goal.
- Thanks
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FrozeN2694 Banned 12 years ago

[DELETED]

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- Malileo 12 years ago
  
  Spuzzum you are courageous to admit your problems. As you see from the reponses you are not alone. IM is easy yet very frustrating if you do not know what you are doing. You can spend months and years without making any headway. So just like any other profession, because to be a good IM expert is a profession, you need to set out some time to learn the ropes of the trade.
  
  Like others have suggested you may want to find a mentor who will tutor you in IM. But you must be careful not to confuse a mentor with a Guru. A mentor is someone interested with your success while a guru just wants to make a sale. I recently wrote in my blog an article on the difference between the two. You might want to read it see below.
  
  A good mentoring program will eventually address most of the problems you talk about that you are experiencing. It will most importantly show you how to leverage the forums for your benefit. The warrior forum or any other forum for that matter will not be confusing. You will know exactly what to do in the forum in order to leverage you IM business and you will not need to spend a lot of time perhaps just 15 minutes a day or a week. Then you are finished and gone to the next task.
  
  I must admit I was also experiencing the same frustrations as most of you but I took time out to learn IM. It reduces the learning curve and it does not take long. In 30 days you will be well equipped to tackle the forums and any other IM challenges.
  
  Hope it helps.
  
  Stephen Karanja
  
  Thanks
  
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Monetex Marketing 12 years ago

Don't be scared to fail! All the beginner fail at some point. Take the fail as a lesson, learn something from it, keep pushing toward success and as long as you don't quit, you are not failing.
- Thanks
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I am lost...

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