Every year I see the same pattern.
In January the gym I go to is full of new members intending to fulfil their New Year’s Resolutions of getting fit or losing weight.
By March, 90% of the are gone, never to been seen again!
Of course, we’ve all done this kind of thing. We start a new project full of enthusiasm and commitment only to quit a few weeks or months down the road.
We make all sorts of excuses for ourselves: It’s not for me after all, I don’t have the time, I’d rather do something else, etc etc.
The truth is that we just decide to forego long term success for the sake of not putting up with a little short term pain.
But ALL things in life worth putting in some consistent work and commitment.
And internet marketing is certainly no different. In fact the commitment problems people experience with making money online are compounded by the huge number of distractions that hit us every day (usually via our email inbox).
There are many points at which people feel overwhelmed and quit:
- I can’t decide which niche to go into
- I’m not technical and I don’t think I can succeed because of this
- Creating a free gift or lead magnet seems like a mountain to climb
- I have built a website but have no traffic
- Traffic strategies that I’ve tried have “failed”
- I have traffic but no one is buying
- I’m making less money than I thought I would
- Customer support is taking over my life!
The list goes on, and on…
The Solution In 15 Words
So, here are 15 words to tell yourself next time you feel like quitting:
“Every challenge or struggle that I overcome is another point where someone else gives up.”
And it’s so true, every single challenge that you surpass is another step in which you are getting ahead of the game.
The mere thought of this can be very motivating. If fact, if you think about it you almost get to the point where you welcome challenges and problems that need solving.
Why?
Because, 1) You know that virtually every other successful person has also faced them at one point or another, and 2) Each problem you face is just another opportunity to get ahead of the game!
We’re all capable of success, the only thing that can stand in your way is yourself.
So I say: Bring it on!
Agree, disagree, am I talking nonsense? Please post a comment below and let me know…
{ 31 comments }
Hi Rob
I don’t make resolutions anymore. It’s pretty useless if you aren’t going to keep them.
Instead, I try to complete one task on my list every day.
Giving up is not an option for me, this is my new life and I will find my own level and make my mark.
I think so many people fail because they are afraid of the hard work, they aren’t prepared for it after seeing the rags to riches stories.
Dee
Happy New Year Dee, nice to hear from you!
It’s funny that a lot of people have commented on my last blog post saying the same: They don’t make resolutions because they don’t keep them.
Good point about the hard work. The thing is though – is internet marketing really that much hard work? Compared to most people’s jobs and other life experiences I’d say no. For me it’s a lot of fun and I think with the right attitude anyone can have that same experience.
Cheers, Rob
P.S. just signed up for your newsletter!
Hi Rob
I don’t find it hard work either, but a lot of work starting out. I don’t think people appreciate how much work it takes to get up and running. They then view this as hard work and give up.
Thanks for signing up for my newsletter. I hope you enjoy reading it, it is a bit of a ramble and only sent every couple of weeks, but I try to make it interesting! The resources are in my newsletter before I put them in a post and are, I hope, quite useful.
Dee
Well Rob what can I say last nights webinar was excellent. Everything you say is true. I used to be someone who when I did not understand something, I would just give up and try something else. What I have decided to do with my membership is to continue. If I have a challenge something I don’t understand I will ask the question. So far every question I have posted has been answered and I was then able to move on. So if you come across a challenge ask a question. I am very determined to succeed with the help from Rob and Gain Higher Ground.
Regards
Ray
You’re very kind Ray!
Glad you enjoyed last night’s “show”
Rob
Thanks for this reminder and the motivation that it gives as a result.
I agree with your post here – I find the biggest challenge with this internet thing and which might cause me to give up (which I will not do!) is staying focused on one task at a time – there are so many different ways presented out there on the internet – that you have to force yourself to follow one good program. Having too many going at once causes stagnation as you end up hovering between them and questioning which is right. Thanks for the advice in this post I look forward to reading further posts from you. Best wishes Moira
Hi Moira,
Great to see you here at GHG and thanks for your thoughts
You’ve made an excellent point there saying there are hundreds of ways to do the same thing online.
It certainly can be a massive distraction. The thing that I’ve learnt is there is little value in doing lots and lots of research trying to weigh the best options. You can speak to people or search the web but what works for one person will not necessarily work for another.
So it’s just vital to do a quick analysis of the choices, pick one and JUST DO IT!
Even if things don’t work out you learn so much. There are countless mistakes I have made 2011 but all of them have benefited me. I don’t think this would have happened if I’d sat at my computer endlessly trying to figure out which course of action was the best.
Glad you enjoyed the post and I look forward to seeing you back here soon
Rob
Words of wisdom Rob, I am going to print out those words & put them above my computer along with, { Failure Is Not An Option }
Thanks for all the Info.
Dave.
Nice one Dave! I’m thinking now that maybe I should do the same – we all need reminding to keep on track from time to time
Cheers – Rob
great 15 words Rob.
Recently, as property is my main business, I went on a course for a specialised property niche. We all loved it & it was exciting to see the opportunities & how we could capitalise on it.
When you start to do your research & due diligence, there are a LOT more issues & problems. The course was obviously not complete. HOWEVER, this to me, whilst frustrating, is ultimately great news because I know that at these hurdles more people will give up – so there will be even fewer competitors. Perspiration will beat inspiration!
Ian, that’s a great real life example of exactly what I was referring to in the post!
More problems? Great! I know I will overcome them and many others will quit.
Brilliant stuff, thanks for sharing this with us Ian.
Rob
Hi Rob really enjoyed the webinair last night it reinforces lots of your videos…I have certainly given up in the past and wonder how i could have been financially secure and enjoying the challenges if I’d stuck with it. Hopefully 2012 will be that year with guidance and motivation from GHG. I have always tried to live to advice I read years ago…’Don’t say you CAN’T until you’ve proved you can’t'…. it’s the proving which gives the motivation. you have to give yourself a chance. Best wishes, Melvyn
That’s a great quote Melvyn – thanks for sharing it here on the blog
Rob
Hi Rob,
Great points made here. So, so true…We just gotta keep on reaching. There is no real end goal with internet market but just a series of mini goals. You can never stop learning.
Thanks,
Lo
Spot on Lo, mini goals or baby steps is definitely the right approach.
I’m sure any experienced mountaineer would agree with us!
Great to see you here on the blog – please stop by again soon
Rob
We visited The home of Calvin Coolidge in Vermont a few years back (not on the crazy RV roadtrip btw) and I found a quote there that comes up evry day at 8 am on my iphone:
“Nothing in the world can take the place of PERSISTENCE! Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Persistence and Determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “Press On” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race!” -Calvin Coolidge
I like your 15 words just as much. All the best in 2012 Rob!
Hey Ralph,
Good old Calvin – he’s given some good advice there!
Hope the road trip is going well. You still in San Francisco or back on the road now?
Cheers,
Rob.
P.S. New readers intrigued about Ralph’s road trip might like to check out our interview session here.
.
Hey Rob – in SF but heading back East next week. Let the roadtrip commence! Hows things with you????
Excellent – through The South then I guess!
All good thanks Ralph. No road trips for me planned right now but I’m sure I’ll be travelling about a bit this year, probably to the US too at some point.
Drive carefully
Rob
Hello Rob
Thanks for your inspiring message.
You’re welcome Sean and thanks for commenting
Rob
Hi Rob
Just thinking about Ralph’s post regarding the Calvin Coolidge quote on ‘Persistence’. Some time ago I was sent a card with quotes from Sir Winston Churchill, who was, of course, Britain’s prime minister during the second world war. I read them every morning just to remind myself! I would like to share them with everyone. They are:
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our
potential.”
and perhaps the most famous of all his quotes:
“Never, never, never give up.”
Peter
Hi Peter,
Some more great quotes there thanks for taking the time to contribute here on the blog
Attitude, effort, continuity – let’s all try and stick with these for 2012…
Cheers! Rob
Love the ol Bulldog. Those are some great ones! One of my personal favs from him:
“A kite flies highest against the wind”
nice quite about the kite
For the contrarians amongst us, how about
“the only salmon swimming with the flow is a dead one”
Your mind is like an umbrella, it works best when it’s open !
Open your mind and achieve your goals.
Dead salmon! I think thats the best one so far
I like several quotations attributed to the great inventor Thomas Edison:-
1) “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work”
2) “Genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration”
3) “If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves”
4) “If I find 10,000 ways that something won’t work, I haven’t failed, I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward”
5) “Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits”
And a quotation from Eleanor Roosevelt. Which I think sums up the need to find a mentor in this business, or indeed,in any business :-
“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself”
And from Mark Twain (sorry, on a bit of a roll here….lol)
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that.But the really great make you think that you,too, can become great”
And from those modern day philosophers….Chumbawamba…
“I get knocked down…
But I get up again….
You’re never going to keep me down”