Today was a very exciting day for me because I handed in my formal notice and will begin working on my site full time at the beginning of September. It has been a very long and slow road to success, but I finally feel I have achieved my original objective which was to increase my website revenue to the level where it can replace my day job. As it turned out, my feelings were somewhat mixed. I had expected to feel jubilant and excited, and of course I did, but I had not expected to also feel just a little sad about the prospect of leaving.
We are moving to a beautiful arts and crafts house by the sea where I will get to realise my dream to be a full time writer working when I want on whatever projects I decide to progress. It is not the website income that is the main reward for all of the effort I put in, but the feeling of freedom that financial independence brings that is the greatest reward for me.
Looking back over the seven years of effort that has taken me from a standing start to where I am today, I can see the winding, uphill path that I actually took. I am not convinced that it was the optimal route, by any means, but I am still thankful that it got me to where I wanted to be. In case you are interested in what I actually did, I blogged about the experience here. As you will see, the path I took was not easy, straight or even visible to me at times.
When I began, I had absolutely no plan at all and I also did not understand the importance of understanding your target market and positioning yourself as the natural provider in such a way as to fill various wants and needs that are always present. If I had understood the truth of this more clearly, I think there would have been a shortcut I could have taken. But, the truth is that I had no plan and no market position. I did, however, have a vision and I was able to painstakingly work my way forward step by step adjusting my working methods as I went.
My vision, or dream if you prefer, was always to become a full-time writer. As I said, that dream finally becomes reality on 1st September. Recently I mentioned that I had seen a poster that said, ‘Dreams are like rainbows. Only idiots chase them’. Well, I guess by that measure I am fully qualified, but in the words of Captain Sensible, I would like to remind you that, “if you don’t have a dream, how you going to have a dream come true?”
Finding the way was not easy for me. But I simply resolved to keep going until I made it. At the risk of mixing metaphors, that meant that I just kept throwing muck at the wall, so to speak, until some of it stuck on there. I was able to notice what worked and what didn’t and engage in more of the activity that produced results and less of the fruitless activity. Those few principles put together are a nice little summary of what became my strategy.
Over the course of time, I became more and more effective so that in the last year, my results seemed to compound. I am convinced that was simply because I had become completely focussed around activity that I knew made a difference. For anyone starting out, I would say that provided you can remain focussed on your vision and also commit yourself to a process of continual improvement, then ultimately, you cannot be stopped. Success is right there, fully achievable for you too, provided you are willing to put the effort in.
This is a great step forward and I think everyone in the Internet Marketing area want own timing and want to become his or her own boss. I wish you all the success in your business although you have already made a reputable position for yourself.
One of your best posts. I will print and highlight your lines: For anyone starting out, I would say that provided you can remain focussed on your vision and also commit yourself to a process of continual improvement, then ultimately, you cannot be stopped. Success is right there, fully achievable for you too, provided you are willing to put the effort in.
Success is right there…. ok – I gotta go now, off to grab it.
P.S. I forgot the most important thing I wanted to say: CONGRATULATIONS!!! (on achieving the freedom you sought)
Congratulations on your achievement. That’s a position I would like to be in where I have the freedom to travel with my family and to be able to write simple poetry to change people’s thinking. I have a long way to go but again hearty congratulations and good luck for your next step.
Excellent news, Will! I am extremely happy for you for attaining a long-term goal. May you have success in all of your future endeavors. Keep on writing!!
Congratulations Will. Have total fun in your new life. Make sure you have good Internet connection (smile).
Now let’s get your ebooks on Amazon under your name this time.
Many congratulations on catching the rainbow and reaching the dream
Congrats Will. I remember I had a big plan for the day that I handed in my notice, I wanted to throw a big party and celebrate but then I got laid off before it ever got to happen.
Hi Will…
I live in Canada and have been one of your supporters for the past 4 years. It is understandable how you have reach the level of independence in your work. My Best Wishes.
I retired a little over a year ago after 50 years of steady employment, but spent the last 25, as a student of psychological motivation. I found your presentations most rewarding to the point that there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t read some of what you have presented. You have done well and I thank you for your hard work and dedication.
If I may quote your last message ” Success is right here. fully achievable, provided you are willing to put the effort in”…………..You did Will…Congratulations and the best for your future.
Hearty congratulations on achieving this great life goal! There is a wealth of wisdom in your last two paragraphs. Kaizen–constant improvement–is how Toyota made the Camry the number-one selling car in the world. In our busy lives, it is easy to forget that that the direction of our journey is more important than the speed. Will, your article is a valuable reminder to all of us.
Not once did you mention the word “fear.” To me, that’s the sign of a truly successful person; you knew what you wanted, and you went for it, and now you are doing what you love. Congratulations!
Congratz Will. I wish you the best in your new free life. I can’t wait to get to that spot myself.