This happens to everyone, but it is how we react that make all the difference. This affects every entrepreneur I've talked to, and they all agree with me.

We will have great days and really crappy days. But it's how we react to the crappy days that will make us grow and find the good days so much more rewarding.

Are you like me? Do you beat yourself up over something that is just part of life? You think, like I do, that maybe it is your fault and you really messed up, but beating yourself up over it isn't going to help anything. Trust me, I know.

So check this out to get my unsolicited tips of advice regarding this. Believe me, I've been through more failures than successes but this advice has gotten me through the toughest of times. I hope it can do the same for you.

As an entrepreneur, you have to understand that you will fail. There's a hundred ways you can go wrong and only a few that will work out well and in your favor, but in order to find the success you seek, you must give yourself permission to fail and move on.

Forgive yourself, learn from your mistakes, adjust the issues that caused the mistake and do what you can to prevent it from happening again. But whatever you do, stop beating yourself over it.

If you can't, if it's bothering you so much that you can't focus and you can't work, take a break. Go for a walk, put the work away for the day and go to sleep, but get back on the saddle the next day with a refreshed mind and a positive outlook.

I mean, shit happens, but the faster you can move yourself through this cycle, the more chances of success you will see.

The post Give Yourself Permission to Fail appeared first on Digital Marketing Through Content & Influence.

I headed out to Eisenhower Park in Orange with a group of friends to do a 5K walk. It's a shame that I used to run 5K just as a warm up when I was a teenager, but I guess our priorities change as we age.

I should walk more often and maybe I'll even get back into running. For now, let this be a reminder and a motivator to get in shape and do better today than we did yesterday!

The post 5k Walk to Kick off the New Year 2018. Vlog appeared first on Digital Marketing Through Content & Influence.

The rest may be afraid of success, maybe they're afraid of facing a challenge that seems too difficult to overcome. They retreat to their comfort zone. But there's a reason the cliche of stepping out of your comfort zone exists; because it works. People that push boundaries, challenges, and limitations persevere.

It is through this perseverance that successful people find success and if you aren't working towards that success with a solid vision, chances are you're going to give up soon.

You may be busy but broke, you may be focusing on the wrong things, spending time in the wrong places. Unproductive, you see the time passing you by, or you think any other number of excuses, like:

It's too hard!

It's too difficult!

I can't do it!

I have a job!

I am busy with the kids!

I have school, then I'm so tired!

I want to learn how to code first!

I don't think it is for me.

All of these are excuses I've heard in the past 6 months from people that won't push through and work through challenges and obstacles. Instead, they go after another shiny object.

After all, it's easy starting out, the brainstorming part is addictive, the busy work is distracting, the process of setting everything up is rewarding, it makes you feel accomplished. But then the newness wears out and you're back to square one.

Are you going to make an excuse for your lack of perseverance, again? As I talked about in a recent video. The most important thing to change one's life is to start in the path towards that change, with a goal in mind and moving towards that goal.

But the next most important thing is to follow through. Otherwise, you'll find yourself quitting and starting over, again, and again. Make a commitment to yourself and follow through. I have helped many of you start with the 21 step training, or with a blog. Some of you have done well and are now running successful blogs or making great money.

But many people aren't using their blogs or making money. These are the same people that will email me and say "it doesn't work!" To which I respond that I want to help. I ask, show me what you've done that didn't work. I get no response after that. I want to help you, but you have to put in the work.

Did you finish the 21 steps? I get no response after that.

Did you write 10 blog posts? No response...

Sometimes I'll get one more response saying "it just doesn't work!" "It's too hard" or "I didn't understand." And the cycle begins again. If you already started the training, finish it, start your business. Persevere.

If you already started a business somewhere else, and you know it should work, and you have proof that it works for others, then carry on. It doesn't matter if you sell widgets on eBay, hand-crafted artwork on Etsy, t-shirts on Teespring, or digital products on Clickbank.

Put the uncomfortable feelings aside and push through. In a video Shia Labeouf did a couple years ago and has since become an Internet meme, he said something that fits my blog post today.

The post Tired of Starting Over? appeared first on Digital Marketing Through Content & Influence.

There are so many issues with blogging, and you really don't need to add yet another problem to your blogging process. comparing yourself to others is going to do one of two things for you.

First, it will give you a false sense of achievement and security; it will boost your ego. If you compare yourself to someone that hasn't achieved what you have achieved, you will feel good. You'll feel good temporarily. But this satisfaction is empty, it will last very little and then you'll be on your way to find someone else you consider "less than you." Needless to say, this isn't good for you.

The second thing that comparing yourself to others will do is get you down. If you compare yourself to someone else that seems to be ahead of you the opposite will happen. You will feel like you're not good enough, you will feel that you can't do this and you are a failure. You may even feel like you need to quit and go back to something else you are good at.

The thing that both of these scenarios have in common is that both are temporary and under your control. You don't need to compare yourself to others and go into this dark hole of self-deprecation or false edification.

Instead, spend the time working on your craft. Revisit your "Why?", revisit your purpose and focus on your goals. This is the most important part of the video. Your why is important and I also talk about how to deal with haters.

photo cover credit: ericaxel. 

The post Why You Shouldn’t Compare Yourself to Others appeared first on Digital Marketing Through Content & Influence.

On this day (May 20) pretend to be a millionaire or start working on your plans that you think will make you a millionaire.

Word on the street is that everybody would like to be a millionaire. That means you, right? And in jest, timeanddate.com suggests you should pretend to be a millionaire today, or start working on your plans to become one.

Let's not pretend

I want to talk about the second part of that. Being a millionaire can give you security. But it's difficult to make a million dollars, or so it seems. Here are some ideas:

Some people will tell you that all you have to do is visualize it, think about it, project it and it will become so. That's a bunch of baloney if you ask me.

Other people will tell you to invest in the stock market, or in options or commodities. I'd say that you have a chance of making a million dollars or more with that, but you have an equal or greater chance of going broke as well if you don't know what you're doing.

Maybe you want to find a new hot startup and invest some money into it, wait and hope that they become the next Uber, or Snapchat or Blue Apron; well, maybe not Uber right now, but you get the idea.

Instead of talking hypotheticals, I'm going to give you two practical ways of getting closer to being a millionaire, starting today.

Spend less than you make

Here's the first method to help you become a millionaire. It's not always about how much you make, but how much you get to keep so be thrifty and wise with your money. Will Rogers, the highest paid Hollywood actor of his time said this:

And it's true. The best way to accumulate wealth is to not spend your money. So next time you go out, next time you go shopping, next time you are browsing Amazon, remember this: spend less than you make.

If you're going to use credit cards, make sure you can pay the full amount all the time, so that if you're using a credit card, you're using it to accumulate rewards, get a better deal, or get some consumer protection. Do NOT use a credit card because you don't have cash in the bank.

From first-hand experience, I can tell you that using credit cards to purchase things for which you don't have the funds in the bank, is a recipe for disaster and financial enslavement.

Add multiple streams of income

The second way I'll suggest to becoming wealthy is to add another revenue stream. Most people make money from a single source; their job. You are probably in this group, and you may even have a good job that pays you well. You feel secure, don't you?

But the bottom line is that your job is the only source of income, if you become disabled, or if you get laid off, or if your employer goes out of business, you're shit out of luck. There goes your security!

Even with a job, you should have other streams of income. Not only will this help you generate money faster, but it will also give you real security and freedom. You'll feel less stressed, and you'll be happier overall.

Sell something online, start a blog, become a consultant, become a reseller, learn to invest, work on ways to get more money for the same amount of time and effort you spend every day!

Living proof

What I describe above is exactly how I work and live, my blog generates part of my income, I also consult and coach people on how to start businesses and how to improve their businesses.

The results are great because they allow me to spend time with my kids and wife and friends and still my blog makes money. I earn money while I'm at the park with my kids, out with my wife or having dinner with friends.

Sometimes one of my sources of income may dry up, as I talked about with Coco Jack, but I don't need to worry about it because I still make money with all the sources of income I have working for me.

You can see in the screenshot below, that I get paid various amounts from different sources, I also receive physical checks from a few companies, and as of the writing of this post, I am waiting for 3 checks adding another $1500 or so.

There are also about half a dozen other companies that owe me between 230 to 1000 for this month.

The post Be a Millionaire Day appeared first on Digital Marketing Through Content & Influence.

If you read my blog on a regular basis, or you visit any of my social media channels, then you might have heard of them. But most of you haven't. Two comedians and one entrepreneur.

What do they have in common?

Bill Burr wasn't one of the best known comedians up to just a few years ago. The same thing goes for Louis C.K. Social media put them in the spotlight.

How did they become an "overnight success"?

They've been working small stages with 20 people, shitty stinky bars telling jokes to a small audience.

Gary's been doing videos, and tweets, and interviews with all kinds of audiences and dropping jabs for over 10 years now. He'll even be at Affiliate Summit East this weekend, kind of.

And now, some people think he rose out of nowhere, they think he's an overnight success. They don't know the effort he has put in. They don't know the value he's been delivering day in and day out, sometimes to an absent student.

Gary started Wine Library TV without anybody watching the first month. Ok, maybe a few people watched during that time. Admittedly, I didn't. I met him back in 2009 at an event put together by Bryan Elliot, an event about social media where he casually talked about his first book.

By the way, as a small aside, go watch the very first video he posted, Episode 1 of the Wine Library TV series. Pay attention to the quality of the video, the sound isn't that great, the best quality available is 240! I mention this because I so often emphasize to you that you should start your videos NOW. The content is important, but you don't have to have a totally professional setup to get started. No need to wait for that. Start!

Back in 2009, I bought his book, Crush it and that Christmas I bought 15 copies and gave them away to some of my friends. I told them that this book would change their life. Most of them, to this day, haven't read the book.

[bctt tweet="The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. -- Chinese Proverb" username="notagrouch"]

But they've now heard of Gary through social media, they've heard him at an event that they're familiar with, like a real estate event or SXSW. They saw him on Youtube, or some other place and think, "Where did this guy come from?," they think: "Who is this guy that gets 1000s of likes and comments on every piece of content he posts?

The question of how does someone become an overnight success makes me think about this video:

Yes, there is some element of "having the DNA" but you also have to hustle, you have to have talent, you have to have a thick skin, you have to have patience, and most of all, you have to work hard. Nothing happens overnight.

People won't understand you, people won't believe in you, they may even put you down. but your customer will if you treat them well. Develop your people skills, even if you don't have them now, you have to work on them.

Then I thought I would share this and put a nail in that coffin. There is no overnight success! 

If you only watch one video today, watch the one below

Go out there and get it done, don't whine, don't complain, hustle. Ask me any question I can help with, I want to help you.

The post Overnight Success appeared first on Digital Marketing Through Content & Influence.

I have a picture with him somewhere during his first book's tour.

And why? Not only because he's a fast talker, but because he works (and worked) his ass off to get to where he is now.

He's one of those guys that predicts the future of social media, marketing and business in general, but then puts his head down and makes things happen. Then he'll either push everything to happen the way he predicted or he'll just create a new trend.

Like his latest Q&A series and quick videos. Lots of people did this before, but now that Gary does them, everyone is jumping in the bandwagon.

But this just showed up in my Youtube inbox and it was a cool video. Great for the fans, (I admit to being a fan). And a great introduction for the uninitiated. Enjoy

The post This Guy Will Electrify Your Business and Revive Your Purpose. Get to Know Him appeared first on Digital Marketing Through Content & Influence.

Here's the Youtube version of it:

One of the most inspiring stories I've heard and seen. She's over 60 years old. What's your excuse?

You can chase your dreams at any age. You're never too old. So get up and push on!

Notice how The playlist is so important. I recommend you spend some time thoughtfully creating a playlist that inspires you like this did for her.

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The post You Have to Believe appeared first on Digital Marketing Through Content & Influence.

This is why I have little patience for moaners and whiners. Watch this video and then I dare you to complain to me about your life.

The post How to Make the Best of It appeared first on Digital Marketing Through Content & Influence.