On February 9, 2009, I became yet another casualty of the economic downturn.
I’d sold Hondas at the same store for 13 years and on that morning I found myself standing in front of my chicken-shit sales manager and the guy he had to ask for help doing the hatchet job. Frankly, it’s not like I didn’t know it was coming; I knew my Dad’s death was imminent too, but that didn’t lessen the emotional impact.
I was rattled.
My wife’s lease would expire in two months and I likely would be unemployed. I live in the country a long way from everything so I needed a car, too. I had to buy two cars in one day and it was not the least bit pleasurable. I felt abandoned and betrayed even though I completely understood why I had to go. I went to clean out my office, 13 years of accumulated trinkets and memories. Fuck it!” I said, “let the people who did this to me deal with my stuff.”
I was broke.
I’ve never been very good with money but always seemed to have enough to pay the bills and buy a guitar or take a vacation. The deal was that I would be responsible for the “rent” and my wife would take care of the other stuff. Said “rent” would be due in 3 weeks and I didn’t have it; that, however, did not release me from my responsibility.
I had to ask my brother for money to live on.
Remember the guy in chapters 1 and 2? That’s the one. He was gracious and generous and even admitted to being happy he could help. I paid the rent and set about working on the website that led you here. And that brings us to today.
I’m facing a real challenge.
I have enough money to get me to the first of the year. I do not have a job, nor do I have any prospects for employment (lots of age discrimination–I’m 58!). However, I have been studying intently the field of Internet Marketing and after an arduous time disseminating its intricacies I believe I’ve wrapped my brain around it. So I’ve set a goal:
On Christmas morning I will give myself the gift of “never having to worry about money again.”
Which I have most of my adult life. Nothing has caused me more stress and duress than worrying about money. I have been blessed with a loving wife and good health, so money remains the sole source of daily worry. Well I’m sick and tired of it and in 2 months I will have slain the fiduciary beast and be on the road to complete financial freedom. And there’s one more thing…
On Christmas morning I will give myself the gift of a body that is 20 pounds lighter than the one I’m lugging around now.
In September of 2007 I sat next to my wife, my father and his wife, and listened to an oncologist read my dad’s death sentence. I proclaimed myself his sidekick and stopped caring about much else. I excused myself the Taco Bell and Wendy’s lunches; I deserved a break today, right? And for two years now I’ve been living with the same rationalization; the cost has been 15 pounds, none of which is muscle, I assure you.
So stay tuned. I’ll keep you posted on my progress and perhaps will share a cyber-toast on December 25th!
I don’t know why I’m posting here but here goes. I’m a male 50 plus recently laid off, broke, married with children and feeling like life has been one huge mistake, save my kids and wife. With mounting bills and job hunting taking money and time that seems to be making things worse I have come to the crossroads(Light Bulb). I’m fearful of taking risk(Internet opportunities etc)but can’t stomach going back to a job or jobs that pretty much has led me to where I’m at. So what to do (my mind races). Be in touch.
Steve, you sound so much like me it’s frightening–with one exception; I’m a few years older. As to the fear thing, I too am coming to a point where the money will be gone which scares the hell out of me. Someone said “Feel the fear and do it anyway”; that has become my mantra as I work diligently to create a new “work” paradigm for myself. Yes, you are at a crossroads. I encourage you to think of that as a beacon and begin moving toward the life you’ve always dreamed of. Going back to selling cars (or whatever you’ve been doing is not an option. By the way, are you looking at Internet marketing?
Since my last post I have been contacted by a competing company that wants to hire me. I’m broke,but still hesitant about reentering the sales world (I must be losing my mind). I looked at the SBI site that I found through your site and was blown away. As I viewed and read the material I could feel that tingling of hope and enthusiasm calling. I know it doesn’t promise riches but at least I could have a tangible grasp on something I am passionate about. I’m thinking of taking the job-getting a paycheck,putting up with the people there ,sales managers etc, all the while starting an internet biz(be a good student and learn and work my butt off) and hope and pray for the best. By the way I can’t believe I’m sharing all this with a virtual bud!!! Oh well.
I think you’ve got a plan, taking a job and doing the SBI thing. I’ve been at this for a year now and the more I learn about Internet marketing the more I come to realize how good SBI is. A $300 it sounds expensive, but with the hosting, keyword research tool, auto responder and other goodies you’d pay at least that much if you tried to do it on your own. The forums are an incredible resource too; you’ll be surrounded by everything from pea-green neophytes to pros that really understand the power of affiliate marketing are are knocking down near-obscene bucks. As an example of how that works, if you go to the SBI site via my site (http://www.personal-growth-journey.com/work-from-home.html) I get paid $75 (hint, hint). Feel free to stay in touch; I’ll be happy to give you any guidance I can.
Your Virtual Bud,
Jerry
Jerry,
I think I will take the sales position and just do my best to sell the most I can. This will allow my to get the money for the SBI start-up (that sounds pathetic,but it is what it is). From what you’ve seen is there realistic livable income from your site. I visited the site by going through your link so, I know you must have made $75.00, no thanks needed. I relate to you because I have many people tell me how I’m such a natural sales person and that people find me likable, but I to suffer from very low self esteem which i never discussed with anyone. I’ve been in sales forever without really liking it all that much, but dreading the idea of working 9-5. I hope this will lead to a new career/life path(SBI)or internet. Talk soon.
“I’ve been in sales forever without really liking it all that much,…” Again, I’m flabbergasted at how much you sound like me. As for my site providing me with a livable income…no. That site was something I had to do but frankly, the subject matter is not very monetize-able through a website. However, I’m building another SBI site around dog training/loving and that’s a topic that could put me on easy street. Internet marketing is a complex thing but if you put your faith in and follow the SBI “Action Guide” to the letter you will find a profitable niche and learn how to make it make money for you. Here’s a link to a wonderful free SBI resource:
http://aff-masters.sitesell.com/AffMasters.pdf. I would suggest you download and print it; it will give you a real-world look into the world of affiliate marketing. Contact me anytime.
Thanks,
I will print the SBI resource for review. I was curious if you had found other work or were you staking your future on the internet opportunity. The more I talk to the company offering the sales position I feel my stomach turn as the sales manager discusses how he wants to do ride alongs and work with me on reaching quota etc,etc. I don’t want to sound like a wimp and I do need work but, another job in a completely different field ,non-sales is potentially available but that would require my putting on a smiley face and acting like I really love the work and want to do it for the rest of my life. I think I really have lost alot of my zest for working for someone and that is very dangerous. I’m not really looking for you to solve my problems but was interested in if youhad gone threw these types of emotions. I know my attitude sucks right now and I need to get some help ,maybe professional.
At the recommendation of a friend and her usually skeptical teenage daughter I saw a numerologist on Saturday; I’ve never met with someone like this before. Without going into great detail she told me that at some time during my mid 50s I entered a stage of life that the challenges, disappointments and self betrayals of the prior years had been preparing me for. One thing she mentioned emphatically was that I was never going to make a good employee or, as you put it, “working for someone.” Psychic mumbo-jumbo? Maybe, but she nailed me in so many other ways that I have to at least consider that she knew what she was talking about.
I just wonder if you’re trying to be something you’re not Sounds to me like you are. Ain’t gonna happen, is it? So what you’re faced with once you come to that conclusion is figuring out what you are, accepting and embracing it, and then having the courage to be it. How does it sound to resign yourself to being a salesman for the rest of your life?
I’m gonna do Internet marketing to pay the bills while continuing to work on the Personal Growth site; I believe that’s where my fate lies but I do need to pay the bills. There are thousands of Internet marketing “gurus” out there that will tell you how to make an overnight killing with IM; as you might expect 99% of them are bullshitters who make their fortunes preying on guys like you and me. I want you to take a look at this guy, I have a few of his products and I really trust him. Do what he says and you could be okay real soon. I wouldn’t send him any money though until you really wrapped your brain around the intricacies of IM. ONe “guru” said on a forum: “Why are you all making this so tough? All you have to do to make money on the ‘Net is build a site, throw up a squeeze page and drive traffic to your site.” That’s akin to a neuro-surgeon saying “All you gotta do is open him up, remove the tumor then sew him back up.” Here’s where you can find Chris:
http://www.thelazymarketer.com/
Here’s a product he’s launching that I’ll probably buy:
http://www.thelazymarketer.com/blog/2009/11/26/affiliate-genie-the-price-the-launch-date-more/
Do a search for “conduit method”, it’s a program that put him on the map. Here is one of my conduit sites:
http://www.health-fitness-program-reports.com/
That should keep you busy for a while.
Jerry,
Thanks for all the links for information. I will take the sales job in order to pay down the mounting bills and get some of the pressure off. I don’t see myself selling more than 2-4 years so I have to strongly pursue the Internet business to create the future I desire. The life I want for myself and family will require thinking bigger than I ever have and I believe with this internet model this can become real. I know I will never reach it working a job. So I will continue learning and start with SBI focused on things I find exciting and motivating.I hope this is not a pipe dream but something that is real and lasting.
Thanks for the e-mails and as I continue my journey I’ll be in touch.
Steve, it’s been a pleasure. I’m starting a blog detailing my journey in IM as a resource/boost for other old dogs in our position. I know they’re out there in droves, middle-aged folks who got their asses kicked by an economic turndown they never saw coming. When I get it set up I’ll let you know–I expect you to be my first subscriber!
All the best,
Jerry
Jerry,
Keep me in the loop and I’ll keep in touch with my IM and work life sucesses or failures(forget the failures). Good look .
Steve.
Jerry,
Just a check-in. I’ve been back to work for one month. I know I should be thankful and I am, but it seems i’ve been there ten years. I was hired based on my past performance and I almost feel like they are going to wake up one day and realize that i’m not that salesman they thought they were getting(crazy). I’ll just keep playing the part until (I don’t know what). How’s the IM going,please tell me there is hope!!!
Steve.
Hey Steve, I’ve been expecting to hear from you.
For no apparent reason I thought of you and our conversations the other day; I’m learning to trust these serendipitous hunches. Still chugging away at the IM thing thought not Ferrari rich yet. But I have learned a critical lesson, the one I believe will ignite the tinder I’ve been gathering the last several months, and that is this:
Find a mentor with a product/business plan you like and focus on it to the exclusion of all the other BS that’s out there. For me that product is Commission Blueprint. It is thorough and have no doubt that if you follow its plan you (I) will succeed. I have supplemented it with “Affiliate Genie”, a $97 product that makes building websites a breeze. Here is one I’m promoting now: http://house-training-adog.com.
Hey Jerry,
Great to see you are pursuing your interest. Funny you mentioned ‘Ferrari’ That marque is a passion of mine. I don’t have one but have always love the history(racing etc.)I still believe that I will be in position financially to realize that dream. I checked out your site(very nice). What is ‘Commission Blueprint’? I’m interested in SBI and the “Affiliate Genie”. I need to get the $$$ together to get rolling on something real.
Thanks, Steve.
Commission Blueprint is an all-inclusive “make money with affiliate marketing” program. It set me back $500 but I’m determined to prove to myself it was worth it. I trust the guys who put it together and the more I dig into it the more I see what a powerful program it is. It’s kind of like a mentor holding your hand and saying “Here are all the tools you’ll need to succeed. Here are explanations on how to use them. Here is a schedule for you to follow so you’ll be making $100-150/day in 4 months.” And if you show me how to make $150/day I can just keep doing that until I’m making $XXXX/day. Check it out; they’ll give you one tactic that it alone could set you free. http://www.commissionblueprinttwo.com/7daytrialspecial.php
Thanks,
Steve.
Jerry,
Just a check-in. I’ve been back to work for one month. I know I should be thankful and I am, but it seems i’ve been there ten years. I was hired based on my past performance and I almost feel like they are going to wake up one day and realize that i’m not that salesman they thought they were getting(crazy). I’ll just keep playing the part until (I don’t know what). How’s the IM going,please tell me there is hope!!!
Steve.
Your story sounds exactly like mine. I took a job selling Hondas around the first of March and every minute I spend there is agony. As for the IM…
Last week the first voices began; “You’ve been trying this for months and nothing’s happening. Why not just give it up?…” On Sunday I went to one of my affiliate accounts to pick up some artwork and there was $41 sitting in my account. So just for the heck of it I checked out my Clickbank account–$78! Nothing this week, but now I know it works.