from the Get To Know Me series.
I’m a family man that wants the best for my family, and more than I had; that wants to reach all of my creative and financial goals, and create opportunities for my loved ones; that wants to burn black holes in the dark memories.
I used to be a teacher. Taught 4th and 5th grade for a decade. Got out of that because I was burned out and even more dissatisfied with the state of the industry. I stopped believing in the system and no longer cared more than my students did. The writing was on the wall. So I left teaching and found internet marketing and to a greater-more-specific degree, content and copywriting as a freelancer, and in-house marketer for names you prob’ly know.
I do earn a full time living and support my family. We’re not hurting like many others are out there. But it’s still not enough. And recently, I have had to ask myself, “What do I really have in all this?”
I don’t have my own traffic, don’t have my own digital assets, don’t have my own email list. I won’t have anything if I don’t wake up tomorrow and do it again, and again and again, etc. I’ve been going nearly five years in this manner, and though it has it’s perks like I never miss my child’s dentist appointments, leave the house at a whim, enjoy an empty gym at Noon, “punch in” at midnight in my long underwear with bed head, and I’ve exceeded my teacher’s income, I still find myself feeling like I’m a flat tire away from disaster.
So where’s the ideal starting point for someone like me (and maybe you too if it applies)?
I have the confidence, the necessary skill set and ability to create my own business (around me as opposed to being in complete service to others). I think the answer is just one day at a time. One blog post at a time. One new connection at a time. One new customer at a time. Doing those things for a long time. It’s like Seth says, “drip, drip, drip.”
With this post, I want you to know the shoes I’m standing in right now. I’m barely out of the starting gates, but I know I can do this, and I’d like for you to know you can too.
Any thoughts?
I know one thing… I’m going to do this before I REALLY have to.
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Eric, you never cease to astound. Thank you for your courage and your honesty. It’s like water in the desert. You do indeed have everything you need to do all that you desire. And then some. I count myself lucky to know you…
Thank you Tripp!
Drip, drip, drip. . . one day at a time.
What a great blog post Eric. Like you I am new to this as well and like you I will be successful at it no matter what, so let’s see if we can help each other along the way although I think you are a bit further travelled down the road than me.
I’ve been hacking away on this road for awhile. The struggle has been worth the effort. Now I want to transcend the experience and achieve more.
Eric, I agree with Tripp. Your writing – both content and style – is a breath of fresh air. You are constantly bringing a new perspective to this industry and to the world. You know how to turn a phrase so that is speaks to the heart of the matter and the heart of your reader. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
Thank you Michelle. I’d really like to tell a bigger story. The practice of doing the work is the reward.
Eric, Ditto to the above comments. The transparency draws a loyalty between souls.
For me, I know I can walk a similar path of disclosure, discovery, direction. I’m torn between the logistics of a blog vs building on a platform I own. If that makes any sense.
I like that phrase, “The transparency draws a loyalty between souls”