A New Hope…
Back in 1999 I was a single bloke, I had a mortgage on my house but I was yet to settle down and have kids (Hadn’t met the right girl yet!) I was earning a reasonable wage though nothing spectacular, although two thirds of that went on keeping a roof over my head and general day to day living expenses, with a bit of overtime each week was able to go out and enjoy a pretty good social life.
Even back then I wanted to improve my financial position and find a better way to earn a living…. I somehow ended up on the mailing list of a british entrepreneur by the name of Andrew Reynolds who was was still quite new to his business at that time, I bought several of his products with the intention of making some money… well my best intentions just did not work out.
I guess the main problem was that I just did not get it, I dont recall these manuals, at least the few that I read, actually having anything resembling clear step by step instructions, what I read seemed too difficult…like there was missing information or something, a lot of it seemed vague to me, perhaps I did not understand enough of it, perhaps I just did not have the ‘Need’. You see if you have the ‘need’ that will feed the ‘desire’ and if you have enough desire then there will be no stopping you, no matter how long it takes or what obstacles you find in your way.
I bought a few products which I did not even fully read through, or in the case of a set of video tapes I watched the first video but then left the other four, it just seemed that life kept getting in the way and like I already said I did not really have the need, just the desire and so was just looking for something easy… and so it continued until late 2000 when I stopped buying info products, having convinced myself it was all a rip-off and none of it could not possibly work for someone like me…
Fast forward to mid 2008, i’d met the right girl several years earlier and settled down, she already had four kids, but we went on to have two of our own, then her two eldest girls had a child each so there I was settled down with a great family, six kids and two grandkids. I’d rearranged our finances, increased the mortgage to raise capital so we could improve our family home because it was a bit small for all of us. Everything was fine although I was working long 12 hour shifts on a continental shift system, that brought in a good wage on which everything was based, and then after three years my employer shelved the continental shifts which cut my hours and shift premium, and suddenly we were living on the bread line.
The only spare money came from the overtime I was able to work each week, fortunately that is something that is normally plentyful where I work,
You can only work six and seven day weeks for so long before something starts to give, the constant tiredness starts to take it’s toll, your relationship suffers, and your kids start to miss having time with you and wonder why daddy never has time or is too tired to play with them… for me the realisation that something had to change came when I got irritated one day at my daughter, only two and a half years old at the time, who was asking yet again if I could watch tv with her for a bit… when I said no because I was about to go to work (early for some extra overtime) the look of pure disappointment in her face stopped me in my tracks…. she did not complain just looked down at the floor said ‘okay daddy’ and shuffled off to sit on her own in the lounge in front of the tv… and it dawned on me this had become a daily occurance, it was either tv or read a book or play with the toys, she wanted my attention every day but I wasn’t giving it, and then I thought hang on i’m hardly spending any time with my kid and here I am getting irritated… some dad i’m turning out to be!, something had to change, I had to find a way to earn more money so I could cut my hours and stop being such a disapointment to my daughter.
And so shortly after, another one of those home biz op letters came through my door… perhaps it was the inner realisation that I had to start looking for another way to earn more money in fewer hours, or maybe it was just really clever copy writing that caught my attention… or maybe at a basic level I realised I had a very big need… which would fuel my desire to make changes to our lives… whatever it was a light went on inside my head and I found myself once again looking at the possibility of a home business opportunity… so I signed up for what was a series of physical products with master resale licenses. A few weeks later I received an invitation to the 2008 entrepreneurs bootcamp, a three day event that could surely rock even the most skeptical person into believing that an ordinary person really can become successful and make a lot of money in information publishing and marketing, enough to completely change their lives forever.
But and there is always a but isn’t there, I took a few wrong turns….bought products I didn’t really need, procrastinated at times, there were occasions when I would have to do something which would take my focus off learning this business for a few weeks, then when I went back I would have to spend time catching up. Sometimes I would reach a sticking point, and when I couldn’t figure it out I would move onto something else I thought was similar thinking I could make a breakthrough there and then backtrack to the other bit I was stuck on. During this time I amassed quite a collection of info products many with varying levels of resell rights.
I should have stuck to one thing and stayed with it until I achieved results, instead I flittered from one thing to another and that is why I have not started making money yet, I have still been moving forward and learning… but in a meandering and haphazard way.
It has now been a year and a half that I have been struggling to make a start in this business, and I have to point out that I have learned a heck of a lot about how it all works in that time… although I have products and websites in place and ready to take orders, and a squeeze page with opt-in form ready to begin collecting subscriber email addresses, and an auto-responder set to send out a sequence of emails to start building my list and start making sales, but I have yet to join the last few dots so to speak andI have not at this time launched my home business properly, but one thing I do know is that some day soon I will take that final step that will start the wheels turning, and how do I know this? because I will never give up, I will never accept defeat… there is only one way to go and that is forward and up! nothing else is acceptable… because this is my new hope, hell it is my only hope of seriously improving mine and my family’s lives, and just to make absolutely sure I steer a steady course and know in which order to join the dots i’ve done something I should have done a year ago… i’ve taken out a little insurance policy in the form of a mentoring program, John Thornhill’s marketing masterclass.
Now I know I will succeed in this business regardless, it might take weeks, or months or even another year or two before I’m earning on-line, but this way, on J.T’s program I’m taking a learning by numbers approach, no detours no wrong turns or silly mistakes just everything I need to learn to become a successful marketer delivered in managable chunks week after week, and so far after just two weeks I have already expanded my knowledge and skills and am feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation, like i’ve started on the home run after being on a long journey for what feels like forever.
So I’m now going to drink a toast to a brighter future…and I look forward to the day where I’ll be able to give something back by helping other people to make it on-line…
To everyones future success… cheers!
Pete Chapman.
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Hi Pete
You’ve expressed your story in a wonderful way. I spent nearly seven year living with a bunch of others, so your ‘mini community’ brings back memories. I too have step children, tho they haven’t bred a clan yet.
I also am having trouble joining te last few dots, as you put it. I don’t have products or squeezie pages. But I’m sure that will all happen in time. John a great coach and I’m pleased I took the recommendation to follow him for this year. After all, ’twill soon be 2011, and I will be that much further along.
Do let me know if I can be of any help or service to you. there may be the odd little thing I’ve done ahead of you.
And to your success as well!
Anthony
Thanks Anthony much appreciated!, I think we all have a common goal being ‘part of the program’, that is to realise true financial freedom and get away from the grinding wage slave life which so limits us. This is the year where I will break through into proper marketing and product creation (it’s a gut feeling…pieces of the puzzle just keep falling into place, and I keep getting ideas although I dont yet have the knowledge to put them all into the right place), and certainly by christmas this year I intend to be earning enough of a regular income to permanently give up the overtime at work (its a small but important first goal).
It’s some journey we are on but my god it’s exciting and I feel like a kid again (I’m 42!), As we all learn new stuff I’m sure we can all help each other out…because I dont see this as a competition but as a joint effort between like minded individuals all working towards a common ambition…
So here’s to all our success…
Kindest regards
Pete
Shoot Pete,
You don’t realize how far along you are, do you?
From someone on the outside thinking out loud, it’s about to happen for you.
My take: You been around and you seen a lot. Now it’s time to make a move. The old Pete would quit, but not the new Pete who made this post.
Work hard, believe in yourself and good things will happen.
Best of luck,
Alan
Thanks Alan I appreciate your comments, I’ve been stumbling along for so long now, each time I learn something new another part of the jigsaw falls into place and I feel that little bit closer, it’s like my ‘doorway’ into this new kind of life is just over the horizon… I cant so much see it yet I just feel it approaching… and i’m starting to feel like i’m being pulled forward… it’s exciting and a little weird at the same time. There is still much to learn and do but being on the masterclass has given me focus and straightened my course… and now having joined the masterclass forum and starting to ‘connect’ with other like minded members I’m starting to feel this big community spirit which has added another dimension to the whole experience… and as I continue to learn and move forward I have this real big calling to reach out and help others on the course who are struggling more than me…, because helping others to get what they want is the key to my own success!.
So yes this is my year to make it happen, and if I can do it I’ll try my hardest to make sure I pull as many people along with me as I can, because success is meant to be shared.
Thanks again Alan
Pete
Hi Pete, I believe you have come to the right place to kick start this business for you. John is an excellent mentor to have. Do use the forum as there is a wealth of information and knowledge on there too and it will support your progression.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Thanks Mandy I do have a good feeling about both the forum and this year in general, the masterclass is my compass and I have both the desire and determination to see it through…
This is one journey I’m going to enjoy right to the end (does it ever end…?)
Thanks again for your comment
Pete
Hi Pete,
I like your style of writing. hang in there, learn all you can, and you’ll be just fine. We’re all here for support.
Best regards,
George Nieves
Thanks George I appreciate your comment, it’s funny when I think back just a few weeks ago I sat in front of my laptop ready to write this, the first post to my blog… and sat there… and sat there… had a cup of tea and sat there… and thought to myself ‘ok i’ve been sat in front of this laptop for half an hour now and so far don’t even have a title for my very first post!’ so I brain stormed for a bit, thinking about what John Thornhill said that it doesn’t matter what I write so long as I write something… for whatever reason the Star Wars film episode IV ‘A New Hope’ sprang to mind and I just thought the title of that film seemed to fit my situation perfectly, ‘just write about yourself’ says John, so I did… slow going at first but then it started to get easier, ‘at least 200 words per post’ says John, Hmmm I seem to be having difficulty writing any LESS than 800 words!, so I seem to have tapped into something I did not realise I had… A love of writing!, and thats an important revelation there because I wonder how many other people on this Marketing Masterclass course are going to find as they progress that they do indeed have hidden talents, that they develop interests and a love of things they never would have thought of before…? So I guess my message to everyone who reads this post and it’s comments is… keep an open mind, keep learning keep trying and don’t give up, because by the end of the first stage (I regard the masterclass as just the first part of a long journey of retraining and discovery) every one of us will surprise ourselves by what we have learned to do and how much we come to enjoy it.
Thanks again George
Pete
Pete…
I absolutely loved your story! Wow, what a nice family you have
I came through John’s class last year and you are absolutely right to have signed up to this fabulous course that will simply “keep you on course” and finish connecting those dots for you…the only thing you must do is take action!
And, keep taking action…no matter how small the act is…everyday. I too refuse to give up my dream of making it online. I will never give up…I will keep pushing the envelope until the Universe simply has to manifest my dream.
That is the key…when we hit “those spots”…you know the spots where others give up…those are the times that the Universe is testing your resolve to succeed.
Truly success comes to those who want it the most…and the reason is simple…
THEY DON’T GIVE UP!
I’ll be following your blog closely!
Kathy
Hi Kathy and thank you very much for your wonderful comment, you have absolutely nailed the core attitude we all must have to succeed in this business!, you have written your comment with strength, determination and purpose and it is obvious you mean business, I don’t think anything is going to stop you from achieving your dream, I wont wish you luck because I don’t think you need it… just keep reviewing what you have learned while continuing to learn more, check and double check those niches and micro-niches and at some point you will find that golden nugget which will begin your ascent to the stratosphere.
Thank you once again
Kindest regards
Pete
Hi Pete
Well you seem to be well on your way to internet success! I have just joined johns masterclass with no internet experience at all, but I am enjoying the journey!
All the best with your business
Nick
Hi Nick thanks for the comment, you will find Johns Marketing Masterclass the right way to go in your search for on-line business success… no internet experience? no problem! anything you dont understand on the course just ask on the forum or you can email me direct, you will certainly find lot’s of help amongst the masterclass community.
I wish you the best in your studies and hope you achieve what you want…
Best regards
Pete Chapman
Hi Pete,
Your story is one that could be applied to thousands and thousands of people, the difference is most do nothing about it!
You are taking action, so it will happen, although it will take time.
I too started with a look at Reynolds ‘system’ – it went back within a few days – utter garbage, although a lot fall for it and give him their hard earned cash.
All the best with the course.
Regards,
Bill
Hi Bill Thanks for your comment,
It is really easy for people to complain about their lives… lack of money, lack of spare time, cant do this cant do that etc… but not actually do anything about it!, I’ve known quite a few people who I have listened to their general and prolonged moaning about all that is wrong in their lives, I have given practical advice and pointed them in the right direction but the majority just find some excuse why they cant or wont do it, these people I wont waste my time trying to help… but show me someone who does not just moan about their problems but accepts the only person who can make things better is themselves, and actually want to work at it, I’ll help that person to achieve those changes all that I can,
As for Andrew Reynolds training products/courses, I do like his stuff and have found a lot of useful info in them, most I have looked at has been geared to creating an off-line business. This is an area I’ll be getting into at a later date, what I do find from his courses is a lack of being taken by the hand and shown every step in detail (unlike the MasterClass which really is designed for the beginner)
So I would say that one of the reasons so many people fail to even get off the ground let alone become successful with Andrews courses is that the majority are like us, they need more precise training with a lot of hand holding, perhaps his training programs are designed that way?, perhaps he has been in the information publishing business for so long and become so successful that he is maybe not so sensitive to the real training needs of most wannabe info publishers & Marketers?, whatever the case is there are a lot of people who have found success through him and his millionaire vip students, he has something like a thousand plus positive testimonials so he must be doing something right, and of course there is the work he does for childrens charities like Great Ormond Street and the Make A Wish Foundation.
What I do know is that in life you cant please all of the people all of the time, but what we should do is follow just one major mentoring course, whichever one seems to suit us, from beginning to end, work hard at it and not even think about chopping and changing when it gets a bit tough (as all courses must do at some point), some mentor’s suit some people better than others… and in John Thornhill I believe I have found the right one for me at this stage of my internet business.
I wish you the best with the course…
Pete
Hi Pete…I love that Globe pic!
Your blog is really looking great. Keep up the awesome work…determination and resolve to succeed!
Kathy
Hello Pete,
I am changing my blog over to helping out MC students. I am a 2009 MC graduate and will have oodles of great information to take advantage of. You will learn from all of my mistakes and make this journey more lucrative and pleasurable! GUARANTEED!
visit> http://www.craigstringham.com
Sign up to my e-mail and rss feed and never miss a single bit of the excellent material I have to offer all of you.
Here’s to your success,
Cragar
Excellent idea Craig, as good as the course is it is sometimes good to get a different perspective on some of the training.
I hope it goes well…
Best of luck
Pete
Hey Pete.
Believe it or not I too started a long time ago with Andrew Reynolds products. I had actually forgotten about them.
There they are look sitting on the book shelf in the lounge.
Oh well at least I’m not alone in shelving them, that makes me feel a bit better.
Keep that feeling that your on the home stretch cos’ that’s how I feel and its an amazing feeling.
Your family must be very proud of you.
To your success and mine (and to all the others who want to make life better).
All the best
Gert.
Thanks Gert, yes I still have those A.R products, the thing is I have a sneaky hunch they will one day be useful!, because I have plans to incorporate physical products into my business at some point… its all good stuff it just might not be written in a way which many of us new marketers find easy to follow and impliment.
I wish the best of success to you in your endeavors
Pete
Hi Pete, Though your story was a bit long, I still find a way to enjoy it through until the end. It was such a heart warming and very inspiring post knowing where you came from. I agree. It first started on the need. When we see our family’s need, then our desire comes in. Our desire to help them financially and to make a better living. Trials and hardship are just stepping stone to success. Cherish it and just enjoy, those bring a new lesson to each of us. I wish more success Pete. Cheers!
Thanks Abbie and your right trials and hardship are stepping stones to success…
Best regards
Pete
I admire your determination to learn something painstakingly, not giving up and it really paid off. Two thumbs up for you sir.The company I was working for 10 years was unexpectedly downsizing its employee late December and unfortunately I was one who was retrench. For almost everyday of my first month as a jobless, I sacrifice walking to my brothers house just to learn how to use the PC and at the same time I was taught video editing too, for some reason because of my determination I got a jib the second month for which i was only jobless for a month only. I f we are determined to learn something, it gives a positive result.
An interesting post right there mate . Thanks for the post !