Affiliate Marketing for Beginners Note For The New Year

I have been reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and in the Introduction he describes four “obstacles” we all face as we decide how we are going to live our lives.

Actually I prefer to think of these as four steps as opposed to obstacles. We may stumble on the way, but if we stay focused, we can make it to the top of the flight of stairs.

Step One

Step One is the stage of layered and buried expectations and personal calling. We all know deep down what we would rather be doing, but all too often we are taught that things are impossible and we settle for less. The burning ambition to be what we ought to be is there, but it is buried under years of “prejudice, fear and guilt”.

Step Two

Step two is the “Love” wall. This is the stage where we fear doing what is really our calling out of respect for our loved ones and what they expect us to be, or out of the fear of social rejection. That leads us to compromise so we conform to group expectations.

Step Three

Step three is what we reach if we beat through stage one and two; that is the fear of failure. The idea that we can fail speaks to our image of our selves, the sense of humiliation and embarrassment that comes with tripping up in public. The fear of financial loss is part of the process but not the most important factor. Personal commitment and determination play a far greater role.

Step Four

Step four is the most trying and noteworthy. That is the fear of success. What do you do if you actually realize your dream. Why you and not all the others who failed before you? How do you deal with the guilt of achieving your ultimate goal. Of all the steps this one has a quality of moral persuasion in accepting defeat and avoiding success. Many a person has ripped defeat from the jaws of victory and felt personally vindicated. What a shame.

Your Plan

So here it is. Regardless where you are in your quest to grow your online ambitions get rid of all the silt, uncover your real calling, and focus on your goal. Tell the folks and family that it is your calling. If they truly know and love you, they will support you all the way.

Get over failing, it is part of the process and no one has made it without stumbling and blowing many an opportunity. The answer is not to avoid making mistakes, you are going to make them. The point is to avoid making the same mistake twice. As the saying goes, when you make ten mistakes, get up eleven times.

And finally, when you rack up the sales, the traffic, the huge list of followers, congratulate yourself. Why? Because you paid for it the old fashioned way; with your own blood, sweat and tears.

We are all on the same Starting Line. Let’s make sure we are all at the party on the other side of the Finishing Line.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

May Your 2009 Be Prosperous