Marketing Newbie Journal

As we go through our daily lives, we are are constantly faced with demands on our time and attention.  Life happens and our priorities shift.

I’ve just been through such an experience.

In the Beginning

You see about a year ago, I decided to leave my  management Job at a Resort in Florida to move to the Island of Vieques, about 8 miles (13 Km) east of mainland Puerto Rico.  I’ve lived in the Caribbean before, on the Island of St. Croix and I missed being in this area.

When I was in Florida, the economy started going downhill.  I found myself working over 60 hours per week just to make ends meet plus a commute of 2-hours daily.  The stress started to get to me and manifested itself in weight gain, high blood pressure, lack of sleep order amoxil and an acid reflux condition to name a few…in other words, my job was literally killing me.

It’s amazing how things happen all at once.  My car that I just finished paying for quits running and needed a new engine which I could not afford so I had to start carpooling to work.  I’m over my head in credit card debt, and now I’m losing my house.

Amidst all these I get an email from friends of mine who are living on Vieques informing me of a House-sitting opportunity for at least 6-months.  I could live for free for that long and start over at a place I loved to be.  As you can tell, it’s a no-brainer for me.

So, here i am starting over. It’s been almost a year since I got here and I’m so much healthier.  I’ve lost some weight, my Blood Pressure is down, am sleeping better and no more Acid Reflux and the biggest bonus is that I can spend time with my friends again.

The house-sitting gig is over.  However, the owners of the house offered for me to stay at their cottage on the property for a very reasonable rent.

I have also decided to revisit the idea of starting my online business.  As you’ve read in my first blog post, I’ve tried before without success.  But this time it was going to be different because I’ve joined Alex Jeffreys’ Mentoring Program.

And what’s the problem you ask?…well, S#@t Happens

I’ve been supporting myself by working as a Waiter/Bartender and doing some computer work on the Island.  I thought I had everything going just fine.  I was working at this small hotel on the Island as a Bartender at night and doing some Computer and Accounting work during the day.

I was making enough to pay for rent and other living expenses and afford to pay for the coaching program which I’m paying in 3-installments.

The problem with the restaurant business here is that it is seasonal.  Also, they change ownership and or management so quickly, which is what happened just recently.  A few weeks ago, there was a change in management at the hotel I was working at and the Bar Hours have been cut drastically.  My day job has also been eliminated.  So, I needed to look for a new job.  I found one at amoxil clavulin another restaurant but business had been so slow, I had to look for a second job which I finally got – starting tonight.

Newbie Drowns

Needless to say, my priorities have changed within the past couple of weeks.  My focus had shifted to the situation at hand.  I needed to concentrate on finding new jobs.  Building my business had been put aside for a while.  With month end coming up, I needed to make enough money right away to cover expenses.

As I return to  my business, I find that I am sooOOO far behind on my work at the coaching program.   The other students are working on Module 5 and I’m still working on Modules 1 and 2. I’m feeling overwhelmed and actually quite embarrassed to be so far behind.  There’s so much to do.

Luckily, I managed to get my blog up…but I’ve only got one blog post so far and a few half done waiting to be completed and published.

I was drowning, feeling desperate to catch up and almost ready to give up.  But that means I would have failed again.

Newbie Saved by Blog Readers

At this point, the old Newbie would have given up.  But this Newbie is not giving up.

Although I have not been actively making my blog posts, I’ve been making notes and developing ideas for blog posts. I’ve also been checking on the comments.

I have received comments from fellow students which I expected. Then all of a sudden,  I’m starting to receive comments from readers who found my blog post on the Internet.  And the best thing…they are all positive and encouraging.  I checked on this site’s Google Analytics Report and I found some activity – so cool.

I would like to thank everyone who left their comments…you can’t imagine how much of a boost you’ve given me.  You have encouraged me to keep going.  You are proof that the system works.  You’ve got me fired up and back on track.

Thanks for saving this Newbie from being another Internet Marketing Statistic. 

Thanks for saving this Newbie from drowning.

The only way I know how to show my appreciation is to keep on keeping on.  Or as Alex Jeffreys would say:

KOTOBOT – Keeping On Top Of Being On Top

So, I’m back to work.  Picking up where I left off.  Working on my 90-Day Goals and Business Plan.  Getting my business organized.

I’m reminded of something I read or heard before – which I paraphrase:

“It’s not important how long it takes to get there – what’s important is that you get there”

So whenever you encounter obstacles on you journey to building your own business or in life, just remember that there will be road blocks  along the way.  Just get over them or get around them and never ever lose sight of you destination.

Watch out for my next post on moving “Forward to Basics” – Goal Setting and Business Planning.

“See you at the Top”

Marc