One of my goals in 2012 is to reach out more to fellow marketers.
I’ll admit I’m doing it for selfish reasons.
See I’m looking for a group of marketers who do something really rare these days.
That is, they actually do what they teach.
It’s sad to admit it, but my guess is 90% of the people who teach internet marketing or offline marketing have never done it.
They simply follow a fad, learn a little bit about it, and puke on a page long enough to sell it to you.
I don’t blame them entirely.
I remember being told – “just buy 3 books on the subject, take the best stuff from each of them, and whamo you’re an expert.”
Lucky for me I never fell for that trap and have just stuck to teaching on topics I’m involved in on a daily basis.
It turns out – I’m not alone.
Today I had the pleasure of talking with Lisa Gergets, author of the Amazon Minisite MegaProfits course.
You can learn more about her course by clicking HERE
We talked a little business but I was more fascinated with her “story”.
It turns out she moved from sunny Chicago to the middle of no-where Wisconsin – population 624 people.
She’s so far out in the woods not even Survivorman or Bear Grylls could rescue her.
When I asked her why she had an interesting answer:
“This is where I want to be, my family wants to be, it’s perfect for us.”
The answer itself isn’t as interesting as the question behind it is …
What is your definition of success?
I mean I doubt you’ll see any big gurus shooting their State of the Internet address from a little farm in Wisconsin anytime soon.
Most gurus show a lifestyle full of fancy cars, expensive homes, and blinged out watches.
That works for them – but what works for you?
Here’s why I ask.
A week or so ago I paid for consulting time from Guru X.
When we were going over income figures he kept telling me “dude you need to make more money …”
I asked him why?
“Because it’s how the game is won and lost. He with the most cash wins.”
The problem is – he doesn’t get it.
I don’t measure success like he does.
Sure the money is great.
But that’s not as important as the following reason I do what I do:
Freedom.
No alarm clock.
No boss.
No To-Do list or TPS reports.
No company bull*&%# or annoying cubicle co-workers.
I bet I’m not alone in this thought.
In a recent survey I read, over 70% of the people who responded said they would actually take LESS money for MORE freedom.
At the end of the day – isn’t that what we’re really after.
More money is nice.
More freedom is awesome.
What about you?
Why are you doing either offline or online marketing?
What’s your definition of success?
Do you agree with my definition of success or am I just full of it?
Hit reply and let me know – I’d really be interested in hearing from you.
Talk soon & don’t forget to reply.
Tim
Tim, bonjour from France…
Like Lisa, I too choose to live out in the “sticks” – although, In my case that’s the Parc National de Limousine et Perigord – a rural part of France, best known to the English as Dordogne country. A place of such outstanding beauty, agricultural and historical abundance, the English waged a 100 year war against the French to try and wrest it.
I live in a house that has stood for over 700 years (in parts), which is an on-going source of renovation and restoration. I have with me my first wife, my youngest daughter and her husband, their 3 children, a dog, 3 cats, asorted chickens… and… my mother-in-law (4 generations under 1 roof).
My sources of financial income are varied, and although my need is no longer so great, I still like to derive income by way of the internet.
My aspirations now are more focused on reducing my reliance upon centralised utilities and fractional banking systems… although I have no wish to become a “hippy”. I still like to travel and find myself developing a greater affection for trains, rather than planes or automobiles.
I haven’t worn a wrist-watch for 7 years.
For some while I have realised that success is a journey… not a destination.
for me, its the freedom….