Just reached A New Low

by 34 replies
42
I failed my Chartered Accountancy exams for the semester ending December 09. I got my results yesterday.

I don't really know what to feel. I've been working at both offline and online ventures more so than often since last year but I never expected it to affect my studies.

Its been the worst 24 hours I have ever had.

I'm not really sure what I want to do right now. If I study hard i can finish my studies with my last exams in June.

I own an Indoor Advertising media company offline that I can't really work less for right now.

Online, i've only really had success since the last 6 months and I now know what I'm doing and how I can scale everything up. I don't think I can stop right now because I'd lose out on all the momentum (and money)I've gained so far.

I guess that leaves me with the only option of actually organizing everything properly. i suck at that. I own a whiteboard (which I still feel is the best investment I've ever made) but it only really helps when I'm brainstroming and as more of a place to write a quick to do list.

offline: online: education 4:4:2 (thats how I see it right now)

I DO know that the amount of real work I do is far less than what I can actually accomplish. Its just that working on so many different things takes a mental toll on you and at times I sit and wonder whether I should work on project A and B related to my websites or go and meet new clients for my indoor advertising media.

The thing is.. i can't let go of anything. At my age I SHOULD be able to do it all.
#main internet marketing discussion forum #low #reached
  • Well, you still have time to work on your studies before June. You just need to set your self some guidlines of when to work on your studies and when to work on your marketing. It may be hard at first, but once you get into a rhythm it will start feeling natural.

    The worst thing you can due is to continue stressing out over your disappointment. It's done and in the past and now will only serve as a distraction. Keep focused on where you want to go and you'll get there.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Hey partner... sorry to hear your exam didn't go well... that's rough!

    I can totally relate... workin online and brainstorming about 'what to do next' and 'what the hell am I doing right now' ... and all those 'new ideas' all the time... (the possibilities are endless online)... it can just consume you 100%!!

    Lots of times I feel So overwhemled with different ideas and projects. It can be really difficult to focus on 1 task at a time ... especially when brainstorming just comes out of Nowhere!!!

    When my brain starts running a million miles an hour... I just take a break... and walk AWAY!! Sometimes I have to take that few minute break real often.

    That few minute break helps me relax, sort out, and prioritize my next moves.

    Prioritize bud.... you got to prioritize... that's what the white board should be for a while... your prioritization tool.

    Best to ya!
    Dan
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Banned
    I would dump everything and pass your exams but that's just me. You prioritized your studies last in the line of your priorities, so if you're not interested in your studies and in passing, dump your education instead, although I think that would be foolish. This online stuff isn't going anywhere. It will be here long after your educational opportunities are gone.
    • [4] replies
    • Totally agree with this.
    • Take this from a professional student (and I know I'm gonna hear holy hell
      for this, but whatever.)

      I have the following degrees and certifications.

      BA Marketing and Finance
      Microsoft MCSE Certification
      Novell CNE Certification
      Computer Programming Certification in COBOL and RPG II
      NJ State Web Master Certified
      NJ State Web Design Certified
      NJ State Web Programming Certified

      Know how many of those degrees and certifications contribute to my 6 figure
      a year income?

      ZERO!!!!

      Today, you don't need a formal education to make it in this world. There
      are tons of online professionals that are living proof of this.

      If you want to make more money running your own online business than
      you'll ever make working a dirty J.O.B. then trust me, failing this exam
      is a minor bump in the road at worst and a non entity at best.

      If I were in your shoes right now, knowing what I know right now, I would
      have found a way to get an Internet up and running when I was in college
      almost 30 years ago.

      What I'm trying to say is, don't sweat this. In the grand scheme of things
      it is NOT a big deal and may actually be a blessing in disguise.

      Today...I use all those degrees and certificates to wallpaper my dining
      room.
      • [ 7 ] Thanks
      • [4] replies
    • know I shouldn't sit and wonder about what happened, but instead figure out the road ahead and thats what I'm doing.

      Prioritizing is going to be extremely difficult. Its more of a battle betwen what makes me more money NOW and what my dreams are.

      The thing is.. I AM interested in passing. I WANT to complete my studies. The only reason I've categorized education as a lower priority is because I don't see myself working as an accountant after I'm done with my studies. It has helped me alot in my offline business and it's a great fallback option shpuld things go wrong at any time in the future.

      The amount of time I've spent in taking my online business off the ground makes it extremely hard to "leave" it for a while.

      I'm more let down over the fact that i CAN and should have been able to do it properly had I worked harder and prioritized everything.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [2] replies
    • You should set your priorities (I think anyway) and decide what you think would be the most beneficial to your life. (IM or studies) June is only a few months away.

      Personally I think you should concentrate on your studies, I think your formal education is important and will always be there for you. Not everyone agrees with this though

      Kim
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Ive always been split on education and having that backup plan in the real world with a real job that pay's half decently (compared to other real jobs of course) and just stopping thinking about them all together and just focus on the whole marketing scene.

    So far ive managed to do both but as a more 'work experience' kinda deal so that i have people now who remember me and will both give me a job or help me get a job if i ever have a need for it.

    But in regards to actually getting a qualification that means anything i haven't got any of value. Yet am still looking to do some kind of short course to keep a backup plan always.

    I would reccomend that you carry on with the study's and look at outsourcing some of your tasks if not nearly all of them to someone else so that you can concentrate more on your studies.

    After all if they finish in July then that's only a few months away now and im sure you have spent alot longer than that trying to get this qualification haven't you? So why throw all that time away when your right at the end!

    Just my opinion though and im sure you will choose the right path for you.

    Mark Blaze
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  • As stated above, You should really prioritize.

    I myself am in college and I do IM as a part time hobby (With cash incentives of course )... But I would not fail school at the expense of this hobby.

    weigh the pro's and cons and really think what is best for your future.

    Being organized wouldnt hurt much either as mentioned above again.

    Anyways fellow warrior, best of luck, take it ez, and do NOT STRESS OUT. There are people with more problems than you, you can get past them if you really try hard.

    Regards,

    Jin
    • [1] reply
    • A lot of people are talking about having a plan B to fall back on (which is a good idea) but that their plan B involves getting a job in the offline world. I don't think that has to be the case.

      If plan A is having a bunch of sites that run on auto pilot making money whether you work or not, plan B could be to provide a needed service online like writing, link building, web design, etc. There is no reason why plan B has to be working at a J.O.B. and commuting to the office every day.

      Education is important and if working at a job is something you actually want to do, that's great. But I will NEVER work at a regular job ever again. Even if it means writing 50 $3 articles until I can get something better going.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • Agreed. Looking back on my last 20 years is a lesson in could have, should have. Make it count . . . today!
  • I know exactly what you're going through (at least I think I do!).

    I am finish up my final semester of graduate school right now and it's sooo hard to prioritize between school and IM.

    My heart and my head are totally into my online business, but finishing school HAS to be my #1 priority because I'm so close to the end. I will have wasted a lot of time and money if I don't finish now.

    It sounds like you're in a similar situation. Grind it out for just a few more months to finish your studies and pass your exams. At least that way, you'll have options.

    As somebody else mentioned, the online opportunity will be here in 6 months. If you can put in a couple hours a week, great! If not, it will still be here when you're done with your studies.

    Finish what you started because you're so close!

    Best of luck!

    Adam
  • Davioli, man i totally hear you on that one. As I sit here right now I have two exams on thursday which I totally need to study for and I spent the whole day marketing and getting a WSO ready. Man, right now I feel pooped, my brain is exhausted and it definately is an emotional toll. I graduate in june myself and I really need to get my but in gear. I added you as a friend, maybe we can both motivate each other
    • [1] reply
    • I gave up half way through my law degree because I realised that even when I have my degree, practicing law isn't what I REALLY want to do with my life.

      Ask yourself this question. Do you want to be an accountant and spend 40 -70 hours a week doing that or do you want to do what you do now and scale?

      I am not saying that education or IM is better than the other. I say that doing what you love is the best answer because you'll probably have to do it for a very long time and there's no sense in being miserable about it.

      Cheers
  • Being able to finish something that you start, like an education, takes discipline, shows your commitment levels with those things you start, and demonstrates the importance of creating more opportunities for yourself.

    These are all qualities that one would want to present and pass on to their children.

    Like sbucciarel said above "this online stuff isn't going anywhere".
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • My PhD got me a good thick book I can use as a doorstop.

    My messing around with JavaScript in my own time got me a $50,000+ a year career and IM earnings on top.

    Education's overrated.
  • Get your priorities sorted. Spend all time on studies and your spare time on IM. After you finish studying you will be able to dedicate more time to IM. I'm in a similar situation and I somehow manage it, maybe because my studies are not cumbersome.

    You don't but it definitely helps.

    Why dirty job? Why do you all frown upon having a job? Job is a great way to get new connections and socialize IN REAL LIFE! It's not a bad thing at all.
    • [1] reply
  • Davioli...

    By all means, complete the course requirements. As you said,
    you only have a short time left... BUT...

    My best advice to you is to stop looking at it as a "fall back"
    position. I've been in business pretty much all my adult life and
    I've found that nearly everyone who has a fall back position
    ends up falling back.

    Success is about 90% how you think and 10% what you do.
    Stop thinking about the possibility of failure. The more you focus
    on that possibility the more likely you are to experience it.

    Move forward... NEVER fall back!

    Tsnyder
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • I also own an offline company that takes up a lot of my time. Its what currently pays for my education and other expenses.

    I appreciate everyone's responses. It's been overwhelming to say the least. I will finish my studies because I don't want to lose the four years I've done till now.

    I also feel others SHOULD have formal education.. working in the outside world is a necessity even if you're making bank online. Having a degree gives you an edge when applying for jobs.

    I know I shouldn't think of a "fallback plan" in life. I shouldn't but i can help but do so. Isn't taking a calculated risk a good business decision?
  • Having an education is a good fall back if anything goes wrong in the future.

    I'm also a Chartered Management Accountant, and although i do not practice in that field any longer the knowledge gained from the education has helped me a ton in my online and offline businesses.

    At the same time i know of many multi millionaire business men and woman who have absolutely no qualifications.

    My advice to you would be to defiantely finish your studies. However, you have built your online and offline business to a level where you feel you can scale up. The knowledge from studying for and passing your final exams is not going to directly affect your business (apart from the time studying).

    You are not going to be practising as an Accountant so your income will be derived from your online and offline business. You will only be using the 'CA' title if you need a fall back option in the future.

    So what i would do is to NOT lose focus on my online and offline business. If studying for your final exams in June will affect these businesses then i would not do them in June. I would delay the exams to the next exam diet period or the next and give myself more time to study without it affecting my businesses.

    Riz
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
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    Just reached A New Low

    I failed my Chartered Accountancy exams for the semester ending December 09. I got my results yesterday. I don't really know what to feel. I've been working at both offline and online ventures more so than often since last year but I never expected it to affect my studies.