Oh no, we’re not talking about quarter pounders here, (the hamburgers can wait) and definitely nothing close to another food item, we’re talking about one quarter of the year already having passed and being behind us. Another period of time we can’t change.
For those who have been following me along, you might remember that I’ve had a few issues since the start of the year. Family members in the hospital, loss of a very close friend, system issues: like not being able to access my WordPress Blog account for over a week.
All of these things make it so easy to quit and yet there are a couple of things that have to come to mind when reviewing this past quarter. One of which is I’m sure success is just around the corner… Just seems that the corner is a little longer to get to than I had anticipated.
remembering the process
with everything that’s happened in the last four months, it’s easy to lose focus and not remember my WHY.
One of the biggest advantages I have is, you, my readers. I don’t always have an idea of what I’m going to talk about and then I just think about, well, what would you like to hear?
Being on a journey like the journey we’ve decided to be on namely being self-employed and having an Internet based business requires a lot of focus a lot of dedication a lot of time a lot of patience and well, you know a lot of “a lot of’s”.
The one big thing we definitely have to be careful of is: making sure to not let ourselves become a hindrance to our success.
Success is there… Even when you can’t see it
Over the weekend I took the time to watch the film Rudy once again. If you’ve never watched it, please do; it’s not just about American Football. It sums up so many of life’s lessons that it does take a few times watching it to really grasp all of them.
At one point in the movie, Rudy decides to quit and he’s being talked to by a gentleman called Fortune, who is the football stadiums groundskeeper and who, years back, had decided to quit as well.
Fortune talks to Rudy about how he thought Rudy didn’t seem to be the quitting type.
He then goes on and tells him about how Rudy should be grateful because not only did he make the Notre-Dame football team – even though he is very short and small – but he will also graduate with a degree from a prestigious university.
At this point, there is a phrase he says that really hit me because when I heard it the first time I watched the movie, I really wasn’t in the same frame of mind as I’ve been these past months.
It also encompasses the WHY I continued on this internet journey even with all these challenges the past few months have brought.
He says and I quote: “in this lifetime you don’t have to prove nothing to nobody except yourself”.
I think I could stop this weeks blog right here and you would understand what I’m getting at. Every time someone tells you “you won’t make it” or family members don’t support you, you need to remember that you don’t need to prove anything to anybody except yourself.
Enough time wasted
my wife also brought up a good point when we were talking about my business. She asked me if I wasn’t a bit “happy” to have all these challenges happen during this time – that way, I had an excuse to not go forward and get closer to the success I was looking for.
That’s the great part about having not only a great life partner but someone who can talk to you right in your face and tell you the truth because, if I wanted to be honest with myself, the answer to that is a clear resounding YES.
I think I was happy that everything was happening because I could find an easy excuse as to why I didn’t get my TikTok videos up and running in between these times when I could have done them even if I didn’t have access to my Blog.
Challenges, Challenges, more Challenges!
Like I said last week there will be challenges between the starting point of your internet journey and the success you seek. It’s not a straight line.
One thing is clear; your success will be determined by how many times you will get back up, stand up, dust yourself off and continue your journey when things don’t go the way you thought they would.
We can have all the tools in the world, all the applications that will dictate work for us, ease the workload we have to do but if we’re not able to get back up and continue our journey towards success when heartaches and situations come about – then you’re better off quitting right away.
There is a difference between quitting… and knowing when to quit.
In this case, or at least in my case, my journey has been filled with ups and downs and, I don’t know if it’s a question of being a positive type of guy, but I truly believe that everything that has happened to me, has happened for a reason and with all of this, I’ve become much better because of it.
I think the best step I can now take – (insert smile here), instead of always trying to be a psychologist trying to fix myself and talking to you about it, (insert another smile here) – is to actually get up, dust myself off and start getting better at using the tools I’ll be using to reach my goals.
So, starting this week, I want to start the month of May with having started my Tik Tok videos and seeing where that can bring me. Enough talk, and a little more action!!
Like what you’re reading or have questions? Don’t be shy, write it up in the comments section for me to reply and more importantly, don’t forget to subscribe!
To your success…to our success!
How shocking it felt when you said we are halfway through the year!!
I cannot believe how quickly time has passed. We must be having so much fun. (smile)
I very much appreciate the quote “In this lifetime you don’t have to prove nothing to nobody except yourself”.
It is beautiful and powerful and links in with Dean’s talks about going at your own pace, you are not competing with anyone but yourself.
Look forward to your TikTok journey
Hi Eleanor,
Thanks for dropping in and your comment. Time does fly by when you’re having fun they say!
Seriously though, it is one big thing to go at our own pace – all the while making sure that we’re not putting any pressure on yourselves.
All the best!
Marc,
I have one of those partners that isn’t afraid to express their thoughts, in a good way. SJ is my sounding board and helps me along every step of this journey.
You post reminds me of another one I was commenting on.
It is the story of the caterpillar. The caterpillar turns into a cocoon and begins the transfer process into a butterfly. However, the caterpillar must go through lots of struggles along the way before becoming a butterfly. What is interesting is that the caterpillar must go thru those struggles with out assistance. If something tries to help it short cut the process the caterpillar with die and the butterfly will not emerge.
The moral of this is that we must endure the struggles if we wish to emerge as a butterfly on the other end.
You Got This!!
CJ
Hi CJ,
Such a great read and comment! Now, not only do I not know what to write… I’ve also come down with the “wet eye” syndrome.. Thanks CJ; coming from you this does mean a lot – and say thanks to your partner, we couldn’t ask for a better person to walk beside us in this journey of life.
Here’s to us taking flight my friend!
Marc, thanks for sharing your journey and being so honest about the challenges you’ve faced this quarter. It’s inspiring to see your determination to keep going despite setbacks. Remembering your “why” and focusing on your goals will help you push through tough times. It’s great that you’re taking action and starting your TikTok videos – here’s to a successful month ahead! Keep up the positivity and perseverance. Thanks, Atif
Hi Atif,
There’s really nothing more to add – apart from a big: thank you! And love seeing your journey as well!
All the best!
Hi Marc!
I’m so glad that you found a way to publish this post!
Our attitude can raise us up or tear us down! It is how we view what is happening around us. Yes, everything DOES happen for a reason….sometimes unknown to us until the light shines upon us at a later time in life!
I look forward to your TT debut! Take the leap and just do it!
All the best!
Milissa Neirotti
Hi Milissa,
It’s because of support like yours that I know that I can take that leap of faith – and whatever happens – well… happens. I’m not alone.
Thank you!
Hey Marc, I played softball this weekend (first time of the season youhouu) and believe me I did a lot of getting up and dusting off. 😁 Regarding my business, I’m too clean. Actually there’s not enough dust on me to take off. The reason is I don’t have time to work enough on it to get dusty. This week and last week were marked with much more tasks to do from my day job and the tax reports to make for all the family. But one thing is sure I need to get back up and find ways to free up time. 😄
Thank you Marc
Martin
Hi Martin,
Yeah, this crazy thing called life with all its particularities, wow! But like you said, taking the time to enjoy and work on it when we can, well, sometimes you just can’t ask for more.
Thanks for your support!
Hi Marc,
We all go through challenging times in our lives and try to make the best of what the situation is. It is easy to make excesses going through those tough times to be available for what really needs attention, like our business. I’m doing the same thing now. Things have gotten very hectic for me in my life, and I have been putting off setting up my email sequence because there’s other things distracting me now. I am putting in time and trying to get my emails all done, but not as quickly as I would like to. I’m so sorry you had such a tough time earlier this year. Time always heals. It sounds like you have a great life partner helping you through these tough times, and helping you get where you need to be in your business. Hang in their Marc… Nothing ever stays the same for long. It always gets better as time goes by. Great post this week. Thanks!
Meredith
Hi Meredith,
Thank you for your great comment and words of support. Sometimes, as you said, life will throw lemons and, well… you just have to make lemonade!
Take the time as well to bring your business forward – we’re all here together helping each other out and that has definitely no price.
All the best!
Wow, Marc, this is great! Just recognizing struggles and identifying the issues and solutions is a step in the right direction. If you want something bad enough, you will stay with it until….not unless. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. It’s a process that can take a lot of time and education to get to the level you want to be. It will happen as long as you can always recognize and accept that it isn’t easy, especially when roadblocks are placed, and the world’s weight is upon you. You are doing great! Keep it up!
Hi Vanessa,
Great words and fantastic support! When people ask me what I get out of this blog, well one thing is for sure – I think I’m getting much more out of it now than I ever thought possible.
We sometimes only think about the financial side of profits, etc.. and yet, here is the greatest gift any person can give to another: unconditional support.
Wishing you all the best!
It sounds like you and I are in a very similar boat: I just started hunkering down on my TikTok videos this past week as well. Up until now this has been a major hurdle for me, and one that I have struggled getting on the other side of. I appreciate it when I read others are having similar challenges… makes me not feel so alone on this journey.
I can also relate to having to balance and management the unpredictable when it happens… which is often at the most inopportune time. For me, I find solace in simply continuing to move forward, and less focus on the speed to which I’m doing that. Some weeks I feel like I “crush it,” and other weeks I feel like I’m going at a snails pace. I figure in the “end” (whatever that is) it will all balance out… I just continue to focus on progress, no matter how small… as well as giving myself a little grace. We’re all doing the best we can… and we’ll get there.
Hi Lauren,
We are truly not alone in our journey – and that is a great thing to know! I truly love the way you mention about the balance of it all and how we need to focus less on the speed we’re going and more on making sure that we continue moving forward – great advice to abide by and make sure I use, thank you!
Wishing you all the best!