Make No Mistake
You know how some things just grip in your memory, you carry them with you throughout your life. When I was just 14 years of age (and I was a precocious enfant terrible), a cute young hippy approached me on Earl’s Court underground station in London and asked, “how d’ya know when ya’ve made a mistake?”.
“Er… I guess when things start to go wrong“ was my uninspired reply.
“But how do ya know what would’ve happened if you’d made a different choice?”, he countered sagely.
That was the entire conversation, because my train arrived and I boarded it and journeyed out of his life. He, however, remained in mine.
His words had had a profound effect upon my teenaged mind – or perhaps I just fancied him – but what he had said stuck firmly; and here I am contemplating it once more.
During my life, I haven’t adhered to the philosophy at the heart of his statement, but I have often pondered the purpose behind events — good and bad. Lately, I’ve been at a crossroads, and because I’ve just taken a fork in the path that’s signposted to the unknown, I find myself once again thinking about the meaning of those words, spoken so hastily, all those years ago.
Life had become predictable, too stable, stale, practically inert — my need for challenge and to stretch myself wasn’t being fulfilled, and isn’t that what provides the Zing, the Pling, the Ker-Bling?
So, I’ve taken a deep breath and a leap of faith. I’ve left my job at the charity, where I’ve found my purpose in life for the past six years.
It feels a bit scary, but also very exciting.
Now I have to be exceptionally self-disciplined and scrupulously organised.
I’m looking forward to being able to invest more time into researching new ideas and ventures, as well as focusing on making money online by building my current projects into consistent money spinners.
At a squeeze, I’m earning sufficient to remain afloat, but there’s a long way to go before I’m able to indulge myself in the style to which I aspire!
My ultimate goal is to develop a network of (mainly passive) income streams through internet marketing. Freedom from the reliance on any one source of earnings will enable a greater flexibility in how I live my life.
My decision to try making money online has already enabled me to start working from home. As soon as I’m making enough money online to relocate anywhere in the world, I plan to make a home on the Greek island of Crete.
I’m already studying the language, and imagine I’ll fit right in with the local community.
To think that the young hippy, whose name I never knew, is still in my life, and doesn’t know it. If you were around in the seventies, and recollect a brief, but profound, chat with a fair-haired London gal, do say “hello”!
Reward Rebel
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Hello Reward Rebel,
I tried the hippy scene in college during my first two years, but I wasn’t in the UK during that period. So it wasn’t me.
This path on the fork road that you took towards the unknown, a leap of faith it is indeed. The best thing for you to do is not to look back, but keep on going until you’re settled.
There is that “period of suspension” which I believe you are in right now that gives you the anxiety and makes you think of TERROR and FEAR of the CHANGE! Once you uproot yourself from your previous place and you try to reach towards a higher level, there is that point where your feet no longer touch the ground and your hands haven’t quite grasped the ledge of the next level securely. This is the “period of suspension” I refer to.
The more you focus on the ledge and learn how to climb up safely, the less you will feel the the need for the ground where you were once rooted.
There will be bruises and scratches, and it won’t be easy; but getting there will be rewarding and exhilarating. It proves you made the right choice, it makes you feel adventurous, it may lead you to more audacious adventures where failure is nothing to fear, because you still have a better base to fall back on and a platform to stage other adventures.
As to that hippy’s question, “how do ya know what would have happened if you made a different choice?” You can already plot where that choice of sticking to your former job is going based on the direction, relationships and purposes which are attached to that job’s milieu. With this new one, you can set the direction, relationships and purposes to that which you want to happen and where you want it to go. That’s a big difference. Stop procrastinating, look forward, and forget about that stinking hippie who was probably too stoned to make any real sense. He may already be in the next life — Durano, done!
Durano Lawayan’s last blog post..Bout Busted in Bangkok
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I think your plans sound wonderful!! I’ve always thought Crete would be a nice place to be…maybe we’ll bump into each other there one day! lol!! Seriously, it sounds like an exciting time for you right now…it’s nice to stretch!
jenny-up the hill’s last blog post..Vote For Me!
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Hey Durano,
Your explanation of the ’suspension period’ does make sense.
It’s not that I regret leaving work - I’d considered going part-time, but as the organization grew, my job shrunk, and I no longer found it challenging.
I want to be in charge of my life, not have it dictated by circumstance.
Thanks for the morale booster;-D
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Hello Jennie-up-the-Hill,
Firstly, a big welcome to you, and secondly, what a delight it would be to bump into you on Crete! I’ve always said that when I make my millions and have bought my yacht, I’m gonna sail round the world to visit my lovely friends online. So, be prepared;-D
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“I’m already studying the language, and imagine I’ll fit right in with the local community.” — That comment followed by the picture was hilarious!
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Glad it made you smile, CyberfiZZle;-D
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Hi Reward Rebel-
I enjoyed visiting your blog, and especially reading your post.
It is indeed true that making a change of this magnitude can be quite intimidating, hence the reason so many people continue to trudge along their lives in drudgery and unfulfillment and unhappiness. It takes guts to step out on faith, and believe there is something better, more valuable and more fulfilling on the other side.
I wish you all the best in your new endeavors. May you find success in your business and create the life you envision.
Take care.
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Thanks for stopping by, Kimberly, and for the kind sentiment;-)
I notice CommentLuv doesn’t appear to have kicked in for your comment nor for the previous one - hope it’s just a minor glitch;-(
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Kalimera Layne,
and Good Luck for your planned relocation to Crete …*-)
Michael here from Germany.
I envy you, because it seems you’ve found your (favourite) place.
I’m still on the lookout for mine. Heading towards Southeast Asia during the next months.
I don’t know what kind of online business modell(s) you are following to earn enough to reach your goal.
But if you didn’t consider it until now, i strongly recommend to try out Affiliate Marketing.
Regards,
Michael
Michael’s last blog post..How a Famous Affiliate Marketing Superguru Started From Scratch. And How You Can Do The Same
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Kalimera Michael,
Crete has become my favourite place in this region of the world, for sure. I have travelled a bit in more exotic locations, but for now prefer to remain a short hop from the UK.
Funny you mention affiliate marketing, because I consider it the key to the real money, too (although developing your own products and doing JVs is juicy, too;-)
Have you tried ‘Affiliate Elite’? It’s brilliant, and in my opinion better than ‘Google Cash Detective’.
Anyway, this acknowledgement of a comment is turning into a post, so I’ll shut my yackety;-D
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It seems to me that what you really need to do is find your niche. And one of the things that I really miss from your posts is more about what you actually do outside of this blog. Do you own other sites and blogs? What ways are you making money right now besides this blog (if any)?
Build more upon your brand - your niche and what you will become known for will come out of that. My last post (which is linked below) has some good tips for the road that lies ahead…
JTPratt’s Blogging Mistakes’s last blog post..7 Habits of Highly Successful Bloggers
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