Basic Training… All Over Again

I’m one of the lucky ones. I may have been bullied in high school but after graduation, I was the lucky one. Lucky in getting dream jobs, lucky in finding love that made me a better person and even more lucky because I was always able to find a mentor who was willing to take me under his or her wing and show me how to become better at what I was doing and attain my goals.

The reason why I’m writing this weeks blog this way is because I’ve been able to watch the Beginners Advantage Classroom Modules which are part of the Affiliate System (AS) Community. Something that Dean is now looking to open to others to join. I was one of the lucky few, again, who was able to join back in December 2023.

Back to listening the Modules: to say that it hit hard – and hit home – is an understatement.

While listening to them, Dean presents the information without holding back anything! Some things – in my case quite a few – hit rather hard and made me think twice about my current venture in Affiliate Marketing.

My Affiliate & Sales Background

I’ve mentioned in past blog entries and in conversations that I’ve been “trying” myself out with E-Commerce sales for the last 7-8 years now (seems like more), dabbing in Direct C2C Online Sales via my own website, (I can say I broke even on those expenses) as well as trying my luck at dropshipping, (that one cost me) and finally now with Affiliate Marketing.

As I mentioned above, I’m one of the lucky ones. Even though I’m only a little over 57 years old, I’ve got a military pension for my time in the Army and currently am working for the government with quite a nice salary. Couple that with my wife’s revenues (she is fully retired from the Banking environment) and you would be right to assume that, contrary to unfortunately many, we don’t have any financial woes.

I’m also like Dean when he states that he’s spent more than his share in buying “shinny objects”, you can include me quite dearly in that group. Fortunately for me, I had the financial backing to help “clean up the financial mess” that I had created. Also, living in Canada and having a good accountant also made it that much easier for me; having a business in Canada can have it’s tax advantages.

But the question always remained as to why I hadn’t succeeded to my satisfaction with my e-commerce businesses? I’ve been part of Internet Profits for over 3 years now (13 April 2021) and I can honestly say that I’ve gone through the motions to complete the courses, attend the seminars, etc… Without any qualms, I can also state that I made a total of USD $356.00 in those 3 years within IP.

I’ve definitely learnt a lot, probably more than I anticipated if I’m honest with myself; but there’s one thing I never thought I’d be able to say: “I screwed up”. I need to apologize for my language here but there’s really no other way to say it.

I never took the time to sit down and assess what – but more importantly why – I didn’t truly succeed like I wanted with those ventures and if I’m honest with myself; I can say it here very honestly: I truly didn’t want to succeed. I never took this seriously enough to make it my own. During one video, Dean states: “To achieve success, you must become a person capable of success“.

I’ve always succeeded very well in all of my other endeavours, whether during my military career or civilian ones; it all came quite easily to me. Again, that “luck” factor comes to mind.

In module 2 of the Beginners Advantage AS Community Course, Dean presents a video with Admiral McRaven (you can find it on YouTube under his name & Make Your Bed) and how his time training to become a Navy Seal was instrumental in his career success. He talks about how “making your bed” can start your day the right way. If all fails during the day, you at least come back to a made bed.

Coming from a military family, you can believe that I’ve been doing my bed every morning since I don’t know when. But he also touches on several other points that, when pulled together, can help create positive habits – habits that can help you succeed in the Affiliate Marketing world – and anywhere else for that matter.

The reason why I’m bringing this up is that I came to the realization that although I’ve toughed it out and, compared to many of the initial students, I continued with Internet Profits instead of dropping out…. BUT, I never committed to my success here at Internet Profits.

You have no idea how hard that phrase was to type and record. I’ve always finished what I’ve started and many times I’ve also achieved more than initially anticipated in several of these ventures.

It Can’t Be A Game Anymore

Dean, as the perfect mentor, always seems to come out at the perfect time, (talk about always having great timing) when I’m at a crossroad and need to make a decision. I know I have all the tools, the capacity to learn and the drive to make it happen but now, I need to commit to my success within IP.

This is where I draw the line in the sand; it’s not a game anymore. My true success is dependant on me doing what needs to be done to get me to where I’ve always wanted to be and have: a financial income from my Affiliate Marketing business so that I can chose if or when I want to continue my other work.

Let’s not kid ourselves though, I’m not going to become Atif’s protégé overnight! (Sorry Atif, couldn’t help but include you here; love what you’re doing with Tik Tok).

My plan:

1. Remove the distractions – I’m spending too much time on the internet doing nothing
2. Review and define my IP plan:
   1. what is it that I want to achieve? How will I achieve it? when?
   2. I have my monthly financial goal but how will I get to that? in how much time?

Time to plan the future I want and start becoming the person I’m capable of being.

If there’s a time when I’d appreciate your comments, it’s really today folks! Thanks for taking the time to write it up in the comments section and if you have questions, don’t be shy to ask them as well and lastly, don’t forget to subscribe!

To your success…to our success!