Struggling to Self-Motivate

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Posted on 14th May 2013 by Tony in Random

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bored babyFor the last few days I’ve really been struggling to find motivation to get things done. I’m coasting. Doing the bare minimum just to make things happen and get things done. I can’t remember when last I have felt this frustrated or irritated with myself.

I won’t say that I’ve always been a “self-actuator” or whatever term people use. My dad used to label me as “lazy” because I’d always try and find the quickest way to get things done so I can just go back to reading books or sleeping or whatever else sloths and hermits do. This is probably what made Internet Marketing so great for me. I can reduce my workload to less than an hour a day, still pay all the bills and have all the free time I want.

Except …

What does one do with all the free time? I know, sounds crazy in a world where everyone is always incredibly and increasingly busy … I literally keep myself busy on skype, twitter and facebook. And reading the news, which just makes me even more depressed.

Maybe I need a holiday? Or a pet-project? A hobby?

These are the questions I think about. It’s no longer about “taking over the world” or building a huge empire … it’s about “what kind of value am I adding”?

I don’t think these are bad questions to ask. I know that I have a higher purpose.

Just fuddling my way through things at the moment.

If you have any thoughts, please add them to the comment box…


Can you still make money online?

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Posted on 11th March 2013 by Tony in Business Advice

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Two weeks ago I met up with a group of “Internet Marketers” in Cape Town. This quirky bunch of folk have decided to ditch their normal day jobs and make money online. Some of them sell ebooks online, others sell specially designed software. Others, like me, enjoy working in an affiliate marketing environment.

It’s a risky business, this Internet Marketing, but every person at the table agreed that they wouldn’t do it any other way. You can choose to do your own thing when you want to. You have the freedom of going to your little girl’s ballet recital or watching your son’s rugby game without asking the boss’ permission first.

I’ve been working ‘online’ now full-time since 2006 (and in total since 2002) and I love every minute of it. Of course, it has it’s ups and down and it has it’s challenges, but it can absolutely be done. Over the last 11 years I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’ve also made millions. And I’ve lost millions.

But it’s been an incredibly exciting journey.

I’ve decided to start blogging my thoughts and ideas. I hope you’ll join me on the journey!


A crazy start to the year!

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Posted on 12th January 2013 by Tony in Free Tip |Thoughts

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deer_in_the_headlights_lookGreetings!

So this is my first week back to the office after a 3-week break. Not exactly a “break” but go-slow from the usual panic stations and craziness. Which has made me a feel a little like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck! Action Stations! Action Stations! Set Condition One Throughout the Ship!

So besides sharing a house with two Mexicans, a Scot and a Pitbull I was joined by Eden and Daniel who returned to work on Monday. And we jumped straight into it.

I have to admit I was pretty bleak when the week started. Short months are always really bad for the budget and the nature of my business has become far more day-to-day than retainer-based, so I’m always watching the numbers. Let me be honest: I was in a blind panic.

It took a talking-down from a good friend to make me take a moment – to sit down and look at things objectively – and then realise that I am in control of my emotions and I have to proactively decide how to respond to the situation. I made a strategic decision, put my focus into it and then watched the numbers.

And they did exactly as predicted – they climbed (this is a good thing).

Lesson Learnt: Panic helps nothing. Take a deep breath. Think of a strategy and move forward.