What is Your WHY? Make 2014 your time! (16)
2014 IS HERE. In fact stackers we are already 5 days deep (WTF! time is undoubtedly speeding up).
I know many of you on this forum, are super eager to change your life in 2014, leave your mark and finally man up to the entity who is begging to be released inside. Whether its financial, health, life, self goals nothing is impossible, and the progress you can make in 1 short year is just insane. 2013 was a crazy year for myself, and I was so fortunate to work with dozens and dozens of people starting out in affiliate marketing looking to get a little more freedom in their lives. I've now been helping people for close to 3 years, and it would easily tally 200+ different people.
Some are back to 9-5's, some are still itching along trying to find that string of profitable campaigns, and well some have completely surpassed me and are just crushing it.
But what is the stand out difference between those who made it, and those who just ended up flaking off?
They had a real emotional sparking WHY they must succeed.
If you're coming into this game, simply to cash up your bank account and buy those worthless material possessions that you think will change your life and your street cred, well mate, I am not saying you won't be able to do it, but it will be a lot harder as this motivation is neither here nor there. That motivation wears off as soon as you stop looking at the pictures, and it all goes back in the box anyway when you die,
There are 6 standout dudes that I have worked with, who have completely journey'd through hell, all of whom are on this forum. But their common point of success, they all had a very deep emotional WHY, whether it was to put their elderly hard working mum into retirement, or save cash to exit their 9-5 and pursue their true passions. You need to have something that lingers at the back of your mind, eating you away the more you fail, the harder that inner demon is knocking on your door, that is how you keep on going on.
Personally, I had a why before I even knew much about motivation. Also, you must be passionate. If you hate this game, this game hates you. Find some passion in the process, make it fun! Rewire your brain to enjoy the mundane tasks, listen to upbeat music, wake with a fucking smile. I know this forum counts for most countries of this world, but most of us are in positions that people would beg to be in full to the brim of opportunity, do not waste the lottery of birth.
Most would say Kevin Durant is one of the best NBA players of all time, have you ever noticed how he gestures the number on his chest, 35? WHY does he get out of bed every single day, training hours and hours on end, monotony at its finest. Bro's, his not done yet. His high school basketball coach, who contributed to the success of Durant died at the young age of 35. His WHY, is to win a championship for his coach, until then his not complete.
Find your WHY stackers, and you will look back over 2014 in glory.
Bonus TIPS for making it in affiliate marketing this year:
Network: Surround yourself with successful people, or those with a common goal. At STM we LOVE masterminds, we rave about them all the time, why? Because I think most of us successful ones can point it down to being in masterminds. Affiliate marketing can be a lonely game, working remote etc you need to express your feelings and common knowledge amongst peers. Get out there, be confident, talk share gain booms!
Treat it like a real business: Affiliate marketing, we all know, its gotten a fuck load tighter then ever before. Gone are the days of $500 budgets and 1000% roi days. You're going to need to have structure, designated work time, constant progression. When you're your own boss, you must make sure you focus on completing the highest priority tasks for the day, its a whole different game without a boss telling you what to do, this is your life. Routine, use it.
Spend money on education: When you're losing money on your campaigns, you're not pissing in the wind, its not over. You're essentially buying education, I still find it fascinating that people are willing to spend $25,000+ a year or more on college/uni fees on full time study for years on end, for (guarantee??) of a job after? Well affiliate marketing requires an education too, and that is buying data for your campaigns, which you then assess and make an educated decision on how to get profitable, or whether to move on, in which you have still gained knowledge. EVERYONE loses money in affiliate marketing, its just you make ALOT more back when things are going well. Think on the positive side.
Don't Skimp on necessities: Shared hosting? GTFO now! Hosting/Tracking are the backbone of your business, do not go cheap here. Invest in a good tracker and minimum VPS hosting.
Budget: <$2500 - POF >$2500 - Adult/Mobile/FB/PPV
Lets make this the year you never go back, be the person you want to be, stop just thinking it. Find your why, and DO IT.
Don't forget to live, and smile everyday for this chance to live another day.
Sick post maynzie. Sometimes its easy to get lost in the daily grind. Good to take a step back and look at the bigger picture and remember why you got into the IM game in the first place.
"I still find it fascinating that people are willing to spend $25,000+ a year or more on college/uni fees on full time study for years on end, for (guarantee??) of a job after?" - Great point there Maynzie.
Such a sick post. Thanks for this Maynzie. Looking forward to finally meeting you at ASW
Boombacinos.
As you would put it.
A+ post homie :-)
That guy is a sick speaker!
I have had strong "WHYs" to motivate me in AM before. First WHY was to stay with GF when she moved to Spain for university. Second WHY was to pay family back after I got scammed big time. Third WHY was to make enough to buy a place I could call my own, and live a lifestyle of anywhere, anything. I've reached that point now, which lead me to my last New Years resolution, "make my self uncomfortable". Money can only get you so far. I feel like I've lost that WHY in AM.
What are the WHYs for people who have made it business wise already? (e.g enough money to keep rolling in investments, assets etc)
The big "why" for me was to secure a future for my kids. 15 years ago I started out with trading, then moved into website development & trading over the early part of last decade. It took me until 2004 to really start to make anything pay off. I had a solid 5 years of pain, in trading and other business, before I seen any decent reward. But I stuck at it, and always focused on my end goal to live mortgage free and be able to have solid income that would help me secure my kids future.. I got there but I still remember vividly those early days 
Thanks for the excellent motivational thread, Maynzie.
For me, joining STM was a declaration of intent. I spent most of 2013 waiting and planning for the moment I could fully commit to affiliate marketing - with a budget! I was forced to sell my property in 2013 but I got a large cash return anyway, which finally arrived in my account in December. I've set aside January to focus on learning all I can and getting some campaigns going. My ex and son moved to Greece last year and I desperately want to get a place out there (rent can be extraordinarily cheap, like 200 Euros per month!) Ideally, I'd be able to work from there too and maybe move out there full time.
I've been self-employed in the creative industries for a few years now, I make enough to live on but never had the extra to spend on testing campaigns. And my work kept me local to London - I need to be independent of that now.
In my fantasy, I also get to buy my home back. But that's second in line to establishing an independent income which allows me to spend time in, or move to, Greece.
So I have a motivation way beyond simple superficial wants - this is a heartfelt, heart-aching need! And finally I have the means - a budget and membership of this forum.
So far, I've been very impressed with all the great help and advice here. For someone like me, it really feels like I've found the 'holy grail' right here.
I would dearly love to be one of your success stories - please, everyone, kick me squarely in the ass if ever I slack off!
Thanks again. And here's to 2014 being a great one for us all!
Phil
Excellent post as always!
maynzie can you please make some room in your inbox? can't send you a message
One more video on the topic 
When I first started out I wanted to make money so I could travel and never have to work a 9-5. One year ago (after ASW 2013) I started making AM money, moved out of my parents place, lived in NYC for a few months, then traveled the world for a few months. 1 year ago I was losing money every day, but today I broke my first $3k profit day. 2014 has been huge already. Next week starts my next trip.. Vegas, Thailand, Japan, and who knows where else. Traveling the world is still my motivation, but I want to start moving into bigger investments. I'm fucking excited for 2014. Let's get this money.
Boooom Maynzie. I listen to Eric Thomas constantly to keep myself motivated. You were one of the first to help me out back then and I see you are still going strong. I took a long break from IM, but now I'm back at it again. Now in hindsight I look back and see I was probably so close to success, but I just stopped before I could reach it. The biggest thing I'm working on right now is developing a solid work ethic. I have a lot of drive that gets me started, but my work ethic is shit. My WHY is to get the lifestyle I want and let my parents retire and enjoy the rest of their lives. Here's to 2014. I want this year to be THE year where I finally hit it big.
Fantastic post, Maynzie. Great way to start the New Year.
Originally Posted by mike_s
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