November 6, 2009
June 04′. I had just quit my job selling mufflers at Midas. I went for 6 weeks without making a single dollar. It was one of those wonderful warm summer weekends you get in the Midwest… yet It was as though I couldn’t sleep, eat or breathe. The pit in my stomach grew daily, I was terrified. I took a leap of faith, quit a decent paying job, to pursue a full time career in online marketing. Almost like a little bird who decides to jump out of the nest a just a couple days too early, only to find the ground is patiently waiting to reach up and smack him in the face.
I was sure I would have to go back to my job. Mentally, I was flailing. Questioning myself incessantly, feeling stupid for deciding to quit so soon. I was throwing every piece of crap I could conjure at the walls in hope of making something stick. Only to have it fall right back into my face and burn my eyes.
This dream, that I thought I was entitled to be fulfilling, was crumbling in front of me like concrete made without limestone. I felt a sense of pending doom and panic come over me, unlike anything I had ever (and now will never) experience. I found myself paralyzed with fear, crippled with debt, completely insolvent. Credit cards maxed out, unable to pay my rent, and out of money. Out of time.
It wasn’t long after the proverbial ton of bricks hit me. The solution MUST be inside me, hiding in some back corner of my subconscious mind, covered by the web of paralyzing fear and chatter. The solution was there from the beginning, patiently and simply waiting to be discovered. The whisper of the solution was drowned out by the static of my fear. I was days away from railroading myself back to my job, and my old defeated way of thinking. Back to a way of life where I was sitting victim and being defined by my circumstances.
I made the decision right then and there. The decision that I would refuse to revert into the old person who was powerless, and paralyzed by fear. I was going to create my own circumstances, regardless of the cost. As a reactive being, I prepared myself mentally to live in a cardboard box should that be required. But going back, admitting defeat, was no longer an option. I burned the boats. This was it.
If you know depression. I know it as well.
If you know panic, and every other fight and flight response. I know them better.
If you are broke. I was likely more broke.
If you are afraid, and know fear. I was just as terrified.
I decided to try to go inside, and retain the power that I knew was lying dormant in me. To take the initiative to recreate my circumstances the way I wanted them to be created. It became clear to me to persist, even just a little longer than I thought possible, a solution would appear. Not an indignant refusal to quit, but rather a calm knowing, that I could do it too. Not unlike the thousands of successful entrepreneurs that have proven the dream of free enterprise is attainable, if you are willing to pay the price to earn it.
Lose my house and get evicted? Big deal.
Suck it up and work a couple side jobs to pay the bills? Who cares.
Sell my couch to buy groceries? Not so bad.
Sleep less? I will sleep when I am dead.
Allow my ego to learn its place? Finally.
Now, I am not here to present to you a overly simplified recollection of the events. Or make this sound easy. All I know is that once I was able step OUT of my head, and start to truly trust myself, my innate ability (that we all share) to formulate systematic solutions for each of the problems I was facing, started to happen organically.
In the end, I didn’t have to go back to my job. I didn’t have to call any more friends or family for more bailout funds. I didn’t have to spend another dollar that I didn’t have on leads. Most importantly, I didn’t have to allow the fear to continue to suffocate me. It was clear the only person that I could trust, or needed was myself. The cacophonous clamor of my mind was drowning them out, Like an old tube radio, slightly off tune, the crackling static tuned into a clear message like a calming symphony.
Within 10 days of this weekend experience, now over five years ago, I was on the leader-board for top sales in my company. I was being recognized nationally and mentioned on calls. I was now an example of someone that “Could.”
I say this not to brag, but to rather fortify the notion that we ALL have what it takes inside. Somewhere along the journey we forget.
I choose to remember, and I choose to remember it well. I choose to remember that if I keep my head down, stay humble about my success, take responsibility for my failures, I can continue to contribute more to society than I take. Somehow, we all know inside that the secret to a happy and fulfilled life as an entrepreneur is really nothing more than this: Giving more than you take.
What are you giving? What are you taking? Who are you going to help get closer to their dreams today? Who are you going to challenge to become a more selfless person? Who are you going to inspire? How are you going to be the tide that raises all of the boats in YOUR harbor?
Figure out how to answer these questions, and you won’t know what to do with the abundance that begins to flow. To me, that’s ultimately all it took. Looking back it seems easy, but for everyone of you still trying to earn your way, there is no circumventing this lesson.
And if there was, it probably wouldn’t be honest and right. Madoff come to mind?
My best,
Don't be stingy, share with your friends!
Posted: November 6, 2009
Filed under: Jays' Letters
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This could not have come at a better time for me. I’ve got chills…they’re multiplying..OK, I promise not to sing but I’ll do a little happy dance because I’ve been reminded that it’s still about giving a lot before taking. I sometimes wonder how much and for how long I can just keep on giving but after reading this, I think I Know. How much? More than I’m giving. How long? forever.
Thank you Jay.
Anthony
I’m trying to reactivate my membership in ccpro but the system doesn’t recognize my log in.
Is it because too much time has past is the reason I can’t reactivate my accountm.
please contact support to have this fixed.
support@myccmarketing.com
Jay, thank you again for the inspiration to continue, and the knowledge you possess. People are made into leaders by who they follow, if everyone followed people like yourself, holycow how great would this world be. Thanks for the leadership and inspiration to become a better self. See you in Vegas.
Tim Bouchey
Thank you Jay.
My first moment of doubt and a subtle sense of panic confronted my for the first time last night.
Your timing really is good.
I do belive in myself and the success Im going to have trough CCP but I am indeed batteling my demons of past failures right now as I write.
Im looking forward to a vitamin shot of confidence at the Las Vegas event.
Jay, what an awesome post! Thank you! I think we all need to hear that someone else has struggled too and gotten through it. It gives us hope that we can do it too. You have touched and inspired me on many occasions, and so I thank you very greatly.
Can’t wait to see you in Vegas!
Kelli Jacobson =)
Thanks Jay, Exactly what i needed, as always another awesome article, =)
Jay, your words touched me in a very special way. I can relate to your story because I’ve been there. Nevertheless, I needed to read your story and it awaken a new desire and determination within me. Thanks for sharing.
Will see you in Vegas
William Jones
Powerful post, Jay.
Looking forward to Vegas!
Jay,
Thanks for the inspirational letter. Right now I am going through the same things you experienced 5 years ago. Reading this lets me know that we all have to pass through these feelings of doubt and fear before we can become the person we want to be-an individual with the courage to take control of their future to create the success that they want. There is no other way to get there!
The full moon tugged pretty hard on the confidence this time around, but only momentarily. There are so many many things to learn and “proverbial” beans to get in row during the set-up process and the launching of the marketing funnel. Patience….. I just keep breathing, reminding myself to enjoy the process, tossing out fear and doubt, and reaching for the joy and abundance surrounding me in this organization.
Thank you for the inspired team’s and your continual words of encouragment. Encouragment + our dreams=a powerful combination.
In appreciation and gratitude,
Laurie Monahan
I’VE BEEN TRYING TO GET GOING WITH THIS COMPANY FOR SOMETIME,BUT I GUESS I DON’T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO SO. I HAVEN’T HAD AN INCOME FOR SOME TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SOME MONEY AND GROW WITH THE COMPANY.
Excellent as usual Jay. You do lead by example. It is always nice to hear, that someone like you, who we are all trying to be like, had issues in the past. This article will help everyone. We all need to here stuff like this every now and then to keep us focused and to remember to trust in our selves.
Right on Jay! I’m there with you all the way. I don’t want to waste one more day, remembering and regretting all the mistakes I’ve made. I’m not there just yet, but at least now I know where I’m going and how I’m getting there! God bless you for your kindness and caring!
Hey,
Very well communicated and truly inspiring.
Thank you.
Hello Jay: I realy enjoyed what you wrote due to the fact that i lived that situation not once ,but unfortunitly a few times and i respect the fact that you can spill your guts and feel proud about it because that in it self shows what your made of and for me and it should be for others total insperation and trust in the person and company that we are working with and for to achive the same goals and someone like you leading the charge and that is not ment to blow smoke if you now what i mean.A little about me and try to make it short but i am a few books waiting to be written and excuse my spelling i do not have spell ck on this email.Plus i only had a 10th grade education and from a young age coming from a fairly well to do family i was a maverick my father owned 2 car dealerships but i had my own idea’s I was married at seventeen with 2 kids selling pots and pans door to door and alarm systems and vacume cleaners and at 19 borrowed 20000 from some shark and started my own business at 25 i made my first million.lost it all by the time i was 32 and did it again at 40 and got crushed again there is a lot of facts and heart ach that go’s with all that happened after 3 failed marrages and 3 heart attacks open heart surgery at48 I decided to change things and get into finance and made myself and others wealthy again.the past two years i lost it all as a matter of fact last Nov.My wife and i started packing what i had left and not sold to eat and keep the electric on in our 2 million dollar home and lost my 3 cars and just made sure my daughter graduated penn state we had no where to go and a dear friend offered me one of his new townhouses to move into with no money,pay me when you get it he said i can’t sell them anyway .we where a week away from the sherrif puting us in the street I still had a mortgage company doing 0 business or one or two loans here and there and also was doing back room personal bankig deals which with all that has been going on all trust was shot and i sold everything i could sell and wanted to run,quit,cry and my self respect was in the tolit and decided to use what little money we had coming in to get involved in the internet i neede to find some sort of hope to keep me going and trying to hold on to what faith and raw guts i had left since it seemed to have a glimmer of hope to start somthing to make more income and still kind of working 3 jobs at 61 years old telling myself you have done it before and a lot of praying to give me ansewers i lost most everthing in so many internet scams and a few weeks ago i was going thru the web hours and hours at a time and googling and found carbon copy pro actully Michael force and for a couple of weeks i tried to beleive and had only a little money left somthing told me go for it.Then the excitement came in ,Tonight after reading your email this afternoon bugged me and said self i need to respond to your letter because i relate i also joined as M1 and have not made a sale yet but i intend to take it to the top i do have ADD and learning and setting my system up has been a challage and wanted to get to vagas but cancelled because i need it to start marketing and get my hub and videos and brand myself because i am still proud of who and what i stand for .Last night or thur,night i was really ready to say i am making another mistake DAMM,But when i tuned into JJ leader meeting he hit home about owning not only our failed attemps but our successes also and at times after gettig beat up so bad we tend to loose our focus mentally sperituly,physicly,our mistakes happened al we need to do is say ok let’s fix it I have a very good feeling now.Sorry for being such a long response but i went to bed and got up and had to write some things down to share.ALL AND ALL NO MATTER WHAT I WILL REACH MY GOALS!And a speacial thanks to mark hayes and the supportstaff are starting to help me and i bought the new seo prgram and decided to not go to vagas and get my hub done and video and market my butt off,Yes my story is very long and painfull but there have been so much of a good life that overrides everything and for a guy who did not even make his first sale yet I had a lot to say.
Thanks Now I can sleep tonight ps: My Mortgage site is http://www.firsthallmarkmortgage.com in case someone needs a mortgage.LOL!
My Best and Thank you for helping me get back on track
Aaron
Hi Jay,
This post is talking to me. I am so much paralyzed by the fear of cc debt. This gives me so much hope and vision that I too can do it.
many thanks
Damayanthi
I joined CCPRO a month ago.Coming from a Medical background,I know very little about the Intenet and setting up a website.I am still experiencing teething problems including the fact that I have not received my BIB.I was ready to throw in the towel.Jay,you have inspired me to go on.Thank you
Nosipo Sipamla(South Africa)
Jay, i don’t want to flatter for flatter sake, but man this stuff you just wrote is GOLD. You sure know how to encourage in a way that gives everybody hope and determination to succeed. This is a classic case of drive, resourcefulness and perseverance all rolled into one. In the end it’s up to us whether we succeed or fail. We have the tools we just need to keep using them till we get the result.
Thanks always for your encouraging input,
Daniel Jankovic.
Great Post, thanks for sharing. I have been struggling and making mistakes…not following the plan as outlined, think that I am smarter than the average bear, been led astray by other “new opportunities” and “better systems”. But I am back on track and following the system that you have put together. Looking forward to the M2 and Marketing event in Las Vegas, hope to meet you and the other leaders and be inspired and directed towards the success I know that you can lead me to.
Thanks
Hello Jay,
Thank you for this. Your comments couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ve just started with CCPRO and while l have had those negative voices in my head saying all sorts of things. I know my decision to move forward with CCPRO is the right thing to do. I have some similarities you experienced some years ago when you first started out. I;m determined to succed and learn from otheres, and really look forward to build something worthwhile for myself and my family, plus I know l can contribute something positive to other people.
Again, Thnak you.
Best Regards,
Grenville Benton.
Up at 5am this morning to get 4 hours in before heading off to work. With the pitman sitting on my shoulder this morning questioning, “why are you doing this to yourself”, your email hit my inbox and knocked him right off. Thanks once again for your inspiration and looking forward to meeting everyone in Vegas. Reading this I know the investment of Travelling over from Australia is one of the best decisions I have made.
Wow, been there done that a few times!!!! I was going to hold off for the BIB until a settlement comes, but I dont want to wait that long so because you forced me to remember other sacrifices I made to get where I am . I am going to hold off paying a bill and get BIB and get started with my business on-line!!I have gotten out of debt before and this will get me out of debt forever! I just got diagnosed with SLE (Lupus).Iwant to leave something to my children other than debt!Can this business be handed down or willed to someone?
Thanks JJ for suggesting I make a comment here!
This particular post couldn’t have been more perfect for me today!
I had been planning to quit my “day job” by March of 2010 and work on my Internet Business. I was working two nights a week as a private duty nurse for a little girl when she suddenly died a few weeks ago and I was left with “no more job”. http://www.JessicaWeLoveYou.com. Talk about the universe pushing me out of the nest!
I’m living with and taking care of my elderly parents and my sister in law who had a stroke (you can see videos of them at my website) and I was the only one with gainful employment.
Now, I have chosen to take on this opportunity to make a huge difference for the world. (Any myself and my family)
I find it amazing how loud the internal voices get. I find it amazing to recognize how I have been programmed to seek employment when things get tough. (No, actually, it is a running and screaming crying with snot in my nose session as I get my arse in gear to go find the boss that’s going to pay me what I’m worth and I can once again get into the “comfortable rut of a prison” and get that weekly paycheck that takes all my time and allows me to pay the bills (and, even then with struggling)- but at least I’m responsible!!! (huh?)
So, I have chosen to take this on – to engage with this opportunity and be in action daily to find those people who are looking for me and this opportunity. It is a matter of faith. I remember Tony Robbins said that faith is using your creative imagination to visualize the best possible outcome to a situation while fear is using your creative imagination to visualize the worst possible outcome!
Heck, I can sell some stuff on eBay and do some Web Design work to supplement what I’m doing and, since I’ve been pushed out of the nest by something greater than myself, I might as well start flapping my wings as hard as I can and maybe, just maybe, I’ll find that I really can fly!
Thanks for your post – it couldn’t have been more perfect or supportive!
Darry