31 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
31 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Are You Living Life On Your Terms?

by KrisMainieri
22 replies
(This was originally posted on my blog - I wanted to share my adventure below to hopefully stimulate some warriors to take action!)

Change is so good my friend!

Until very recently, I was foolish enough to think..."Once I get my 'baller' house, car, boat, shoes, etc. I will be satisfied." Right?...Sooo WRONG.

When I moved from my "too tiny" apartment to a home which was about five times bigger (Isnt that what you're supposed to do when you make more?- Wrong!) I quickly realized... that bigger isnt better.

BIGGER MORE EXPENSIVE THINGS BRING BIGGER MORE EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS/RESPONSIBILITIES. Period.

The fact of the matter is the more things you own the more things you are responsible for, the more stress you have, and the less time you have to do things you want to do or spent time with the people you want to spend time with.

It was a slap in the face when I finally realized that I was spending most of my time managing the stupid crap I bought (or problems they created) instead of enjoying life.

So...I decided...to get rid of EVERYTHING! To change EVERYTHING!

Starting with my...baby...apple of my eye... Infiniti G35. And guess what? It felt GREAT.

Then I sold my furniture, home theater, motorcycle, iMac, etc.

I literally got rid of 99% of all my clothes and stayed with enough to last a week. Why you might ask?...

I decided to stop doing what every stressed out, overwhelmed, under-lived, American was doing to embark on a journey.

I am not just going on a trip...I am leaving my old life in the US behind in search for adventure.

I've always made crazy progress in life by making decisions that take balls.

1. Dropped out of highschool at 17 = got into Internet marketing and sold 34,000 copies of my first product.

2. Moved in with my girlfriend at 18 (knowing her only for 3 months) = Going on 3 years together now, shes my best friend and absolutely favorite person in this world.

3. Selling all my possessions, to free myself and search for adventure and growth = Billion dollar Kris?

Point is.. anything worth something in life takes balls.

If you're struggling to make some money online, then one of the reasons might be because you lack certainty. I felt the same way too. I used to hate committing myself to projects or tasks without being certain if they were going to work or not... so 99% I ended up NOT doing it.

Has something like this happened to you?

If so, screw it! Balls to the wall! Get a clear plan of action of something that's PROVEN to work and run with it. You'll spend more time making decisions then taking action. Don't let that be you!

Anyways...

Everything I own is going to fit in a backpack which I will carry around while I am country hopping around the world. Woot woot!

To know that everything I own fits into one measly backpack is exhilarating. :-)

If there is one thing that I learned is that the car, house, boat, motorcycle etc... is a pile of nonsense!

"I'll work 40yrs of my life so SOMEDAY I can take that dream vacation or buy my dream car.."
THEN WHAT? They'll be happy? The end? BULL****!

"Money buys happiness" - ha yea, if you've never had it before. How will Bill Gates feel after winning a $100 million dollar lottery? I bet not as excited as the dude that drives a bus for a living?

We tend to want things we don't have and put ourselves and our lives in situations we would never normally be in just to get them.

The first drive in that car you worked your tail off to purchase will be the BEST...it all just fades away from there.

When you realize you don't like something about your life/business:

Step 1 - Awareness (I realized external objects can't fulfill me internally)

Step 2 - Plan of action (Sell my stuff, share my success and travel)

Step 3 - Do it. (Everyone skips this step

I am going to see new things, meet new people, and learn to love and enjoy myself and the people around me without having ultra expensive toys to try to fill a void.

So my friends, if anything I have said makes sense to you, can you do me a little favor?...

Tell me about one big scary decision you've made in your life that ended up turning into a blessing.

Also, here's a simple tip to start eliminating your emotional attachment to stuff:

1. Give or throw away ONE thing you are emotionally attached to...or think you are.

2. Notice you didn't die, the world is still spinning and it actually felt quite liberating (like clearing up space in a cluttered hard drive)

Guys I am talking about the watch you like to show off to all your friends or that boat you believe to be a part of you.

Ladies, I am talking about that purse that cost more than what more people make in a year...you know what I'm taking about! I have a girlfriend, you cant fool me! ;-)

DO IT! FREE YOURSELF!

Be sure to notice in how FAST you move on.

There's a quote that I read the other day that I want to end with.

It opened my eyes and it just completely makes sense to me know...

"Everything popular is wrong." -Oscar Wilde

So Genius.

Q: What should I do next?

A: Tell me about one big scary decision you've made in your life that ended up turning into a blessing.

Then please help me spread this by clicking on the "Like" button below. Thanks!

Live life on your terms,

Kris Mainieri
#balls #kris mainieri #wall
  • Profile picture of the author Gary Pettit
    Excellent testimonial. I appreciated your post.
    Look up Winston Churchill quotes. They're awesome: true, pithy, and funny. They motivate my morning.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2594035].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author theory expert
    Banned
    "The more things you own ends up owning you"- fight club

    I have had money and had a love hate and I have had no money and have been unhappy. If I was to do things differently I would have hired a psychologist or stress coach to deal with the unbalance. It is all psychological.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2594853].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JustinDupre
    Taking control of your life would be huge and most rewarding I think..

    "The more things you own ends up owning you"- fight club

    The unbalance does sounds a bit scary.
    Signature
    I offer CPA coaching and investment opportunities for those SERIOUSLY interested in making money directly or indirectly with affiliate marketing. PM me for details.


    Read More about CPA/Affiliate Marketing on my Blog
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2595956].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author marketinggremlin
    Awesome words of wisdom and encouragement!!!
    Signature

    MarketingGremlin
    MarketingGremlin@gmail.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2602555].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author KrisMainieri
      Originally Posted by marketinggremlin View Post

      Awesome words of wisdom and encouragement!!!
      I wrote this with the hope of stimulating others to take action so they too can get what the deserve in life. Wealth and happiness.

      I am no different than any warrior in this forum, I promise you that many of you guys here are just a millimeter away from success.

      I too have been 'jaded' by my failures, but you gotta keep moving forward.

      "Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit." - Conrad Hilton

      A millimeter away from that first sale, a millimeter away from making your first big-hit online.

      Just dont give up! Believe in yourself and demand more of yourself than anyone could possibly expect and you'll become more successful than you've ever dreamed!

      Everything in your external world began in your internal world (your mind).

      You don't think I went through many times of self-doubt? Of course I did!

      The desire to succeed overshadowed all the crappy times! Now I'm grateful I stuck it through.

      Everyone has a story they tell themselves over and over - does yours MAKE YOU or BREAK YOU?

      I genuinely believe that ANYONE in this forum has the potential to make as much money as they like, but it starts first with a decision.

      DECIDE!

      I want to see you succeed,
      Kris Mainieri
      Signature
      How To Convert More Traffic Into Sales
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2607254].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author papacuppa
        Great story!

        I recently heard that John Reese had a simlar 'spring clean' And I know I've had clearouts in the past -- not so much fancy cars, more along the lines of dust bound motherboards ^^

        Something a little more exciting though -- at the beginning of the year I found myself unemployed and had some money in the bank. I decided to throw a rucksack on my back and backpack through Japan - Nagasaki to Sapporo in 3 weeks.

        I can't explain how liberating it is to have all your posessions on your back. And now, because I've had that experience and met all those people throughout the journey I've come back home and felt motivated enough to put 18 hours a day into my online business.

        Travel is magical, I can't explain it. If I had to put it into words I'd probably say that the physical momentum you get translates into mental momentum.

        If you're interested I kept a little blog for my pics and stuff @ papacuppadotcom

        Best,
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2611232].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author naruq
          Kris Thanks for sharing your journey with us members on the Warrior Forum! To answer your question Yes definitely I am living life on my Terms. When I was in Junior High School I wrote Out my Ideal day at work and Play. I wrote Down 184 things I wanted to do, be and experience. Out of the originally 184 Dream List, I have accomplished, experienced 131 so far. It was not just material things on my list. It was things I wanted to accomplish Spiritually, Mentally, Physically, Socially and Financially. For Example, One of my goals was to parachute out of an airplane thousands of feet up in the air. I experienced this when I parachuted out of an airplane in California a few months ago. It was a great experience!
          Signature

          Please do not use affiliate links in signatures

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2611398].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author KrisMainieri
          Originally Posted by papacuppa View Post

          Great story!

          I recently heard that John Reese had a simlar 'spring clean' And I know I've had clearouts in the past -- not so much fancy cars, more along the lines of dust bound motherboards ^^

          Something a little more exciting though -- at the beginning of the year I found myself unemployed and had some money in the bank. I decided to throw a rucksack on my back and backpack through Japan - Nagasaki to Sapporo in 3 weeks.

          I can't explain how liberating it is to have all your posessions on your back. And now, because I've had that experience and met all those people throughout the journey I've come back home and felt motivated enough to put 18 hours a day into my online business.

          Travel is magical, I can't explain it. If I had to put it into words I'd probably say that the physical momentum you get translates into mental momentum.

          If you're interested I kept a little blog for my pics and stuff @ papacuppadotcom

          Best,
          Hey great site! I love the pictures!
          Signature
          How To Convert More Traffic Into Sales
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2611611].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ridgway
    Very nice post, Kris.

    Frequently, I remind myself that I AM living the life of my dreams. If I look back on my original expectations for where I'd end up, I've blown so far beyond them it's ridiculous.

    Within about a one-year period in the late 90's, early 00's, I was introduced to "Think and Grow Rich", got some Tony Robbins materials, and had a cassette tape of Brian Tracy's "Goals" program. That was the beginning of the turnaround.

    But it was when I "took some action" after reading "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" that my internet marketing career took off.

    I decided I wanted a Jaguar convertible. Using Rich Dad, Poor Dad, I needed to create an asset to pay for it. Thus, my first e-commerce site was launched (2002). Not only did I end up making enough for the car payment, I made enough to leave my job and begin working on my business full-time.

    When I sold the business off in 2008, it was the realization of a dream.... While not enough to 'retire' completely, it bought my mother a new house, lets us vacation in Europe annually, and put enough away to get a great start on the nest egg.

    One thing for sure, there is truth in what they say about the journey being the destination. Enjoy it.

    I've certainly been blessed.... and reading the stories of fellow members here is a continued source of inspiration.

    Cheers,

    Ridgway
    Signature

    Ridgway
    Too Adult ADD for a real job,
    I love internet marketing.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2611559].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author KrisMainieri
      Originally Posted by Ridgway View Post

      Very nice post, Kris.

      Frequently, I remind myself that I AM living the life of my dreams. If I look back on my original expectations for where I'd end up, I've blown so far beyond them it's ridiculous.

      Within about a one-year period in the late 90's, early 00's, I was introduced to "Think and Grow Rich", got some Tony Robbins materials, and had a cassette tape of Brian Tracy's "Goals" program. That was the beginning of the turnaround.

      But it was when I "took some action" after reading "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" that my internet marketing career took off.

      I decided I wanted a Jaguar convertible. Using Rich Dad, Poor Dad, I needed to create an asset to pay for it. Thus, my first e-commerce site was launched (2002). Not only did I end up making enough for the car payment, I made enough to leave my job and begin working on my business full-time.

      When I sold the business off in 2008, it was the realization of a dream.... While not enough to 'retire' completely, it bought my mother a new house, lets us vacation in Europe annually, and put enough away to get a great start on the nest egg.

      One thing for sure, there is truth in what they say about the journey being the destination. Enjoy it.

      I've certainly been blessed.... and reading the stories of fellow members here is a continued source of inspiration.

      Cheers,

      Ridgway
      Rock on dude!
      Signature
      How To Convert More Traffic Into Sales
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2611620].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan Denney
    Dude, there went any drive I had to finish highschool.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2624314].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author affiliatetrendtoday
    Something a little more exciting though -- at the beginning of the year I found myself unemployed and had some money in the bank. I decided to throw a rucksack on my back and backpack through Japan - Nagasaki to Sapporo in 3 weeks.

    I can't explain how liberating it is to have all your posessions on your back. And now, because I've had that experience and met all those people throughout the journey I've come back home and felt motivated enough to put 18 hours a day into my online business.

    Travel is magical, I can't explain it. If I had to put it into words I'd probably say that the physical momentum you get translates into mental momentum.

    This motivates me.

    I just want to add my little half cent
    Nothing stops the man who desires to achieve. Every obstacle is simply a course to develop his achievement muscle. It's a strengthening of his powers of accomplishment. -- Eric Butterworth





    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2624351].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DivaOnline
    Your stories tear me up and I am not a sensitive girl, I just want this so very bad. I want to travel the world like you and help open doors for the people around me. I know that I am a "live on my own terms" kind of person and I will succeed. I know I have to be patient, persistent and stay focused.

    Thanks for sharing your experience.
    Signature
    FREE Report -"Search Engine Seduction" - Learn to Seduce the Search Engines!
    FREE Internet Marketing Dictionary - Know the meanings of all the IM terms - stop guessing!
    Want Millions Viewing Your Ads Everyday? -Learn How To Develop iPhone Apps!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2696617].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author KrisMainieri
      Originally Posted by DivaOnline View Post

      Your stories tear me up and I am not a sensitive girl, I just want this so very bad. I want to travel the world like you and help open doors for the people around me. I know that I am a "live on my own terms" kind of person and I will succeed. I know I have to be patient, persistent and stay focused.

      Thanks for sharing your experience.
      Never give up! Follow me on Facebook so you can actually see what I'm doing :-)
      Signature
      How To Convert More Traffic Into Sales
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2706744].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author testaccount1234567
    Excellent post my friend

    Kris knows his stuff and I'm not just talking about marketing which is clear from this thread.

    You got your head screwed on right mate, well done
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2710230].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Alex Rich
      Kris,
      The ancient ones say, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” Well, your words have come at what must be the perfect time for me to be browsing in this section. I had fasted on Friday after putting it off way too long, and devoted my weekend to meditation and reflection. Sunday morning I was led to a video interview series on a blog I visit, but when I saw the 37 minute time indicator, I decided not to listen to the entire video. However, by 5 or so minutes I was hooked.

      The message, from my perspective, was to assess what is it that you are passionate about and also have a talent for and go for it. Your financial future will grow once you’re working more closely from within your talent.

      That was the culmination of a theme that has been nagging at me for quite a while. It is common for marketers to spend an inordinate amount of time perfecting their blogs and changing affiliate links. And I was following this routine in pursuit of the dream of breaking free, financially by the end of the year. However, I’ve been focused on marketing where the money is, rather than where my passion and talent and experience are strongest.

      Enter Young Kris, with a message that hits directly at the core of my quandary, and motivates me toward my destiny at the same time. Beginning today I am re-tasking my personal website. I’m doing this because it is time for me to follow Kris’ advice and hit the road, so to speak.

      My background is hypnotherapy and personal development coaching. My passion, and my gift, is teaching and coaching my clients how to grow past the roadblocks and learned limitations that hold them back. The result is they basically transform their lives in about 3 to 5 days. Going forward I will work inside the niche that matches who I am.

      Kris, thank you for sharing your story. You have wisdom beyond your years. Be well and enjoy your journey through life.

      Cheers,
      Alex Rich
      Former Internet Marketer, and as of today, Personal Development Guru

      PS Here's my observation about the reality of life, “Human beings spend a tremendous amount of time becoming comfortable at doing things that don’t matter.”
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2710475].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author joyfulwraps
    So, Kris, how is it going now?
    Signature
    CLICKING this link will lead you to learn more about what I have to offer. Have a wonderful day![/B]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2710734].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dwave
    A thing of beauty I really needed to hear that. Thanks
    Signature
    Watch The Last Formula Film...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2711110].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TheGetStartedExpert
    Originally Posted by KrisMainieri View Post


    Until very recently, I was foolish enough to think..."Once I get my 'baller' house, car, boat, shoes, etc. I will be satisfied." Right?...Sooo WRONG.

    When I moved from my "too tiny" apartment to a home which was about five times bigger (Isnt that what you're supposed to do when you make more?- Wrong!) I quickly realized... that bigger isnt better.

    BIGGER MORE EXPENSIVE THINGS BRING BIGGER MORE EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS/RESPONSIBILITIES. Period.

    If there is one thing that I learned is that the car, house, boat, motorcycle etc... is a pile of nonsense!

    Live life on your terms,

    Kris Mainieri

    You are speaking my language! I got caught up in that whole housing market fiasco. I was happy in my little bedroom apartment. My "friends" told me I was crazy for not getting in on the action. Like an idiot, I listened to "my friends." When the bubble burst, I was stuck with a house that was half the value I paid for. In addition, I still owed $6000 in property taxes, $1000 in home owners insurance, and $24,000 in mortgage interest. My apartment was $9600 a year including utilities.

    *Sigh* Live and learn.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2734609].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PeterDunin
    great read my friend,thanks for the inspiration.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3015413].message }}

Trending Topics