A look inside the profitable world of online marketing.
Is fear stopping you from succeeding?
Hey everyone!
My son was bitten by a poisonous spider this week.
He is only 5 years old, and since he is so small we have been to the doctor twice already to have it lanced, cleaned, and tested…
And he is on several antibiotics to stem the infection.
He is going to be fine, and I’m sure you don’t REALLY need to know about my personal problems…
But I wanted to tell you because I what’s happened has been a strong reminder that I have forgotten one of my cardinal rules.
You see, I have been shut down in a TOTAL PANIC by this bite.
All I do is worry…
My stomach has been upset, I haven’t been able to eat…
And talk about tired! All I have done for a couple days now is sleep.
Work? Out of the question.
I missed deadlines, I missed calls… It was all I could do to even answer my phone.
And you know what?
It was (and still is) totally irrational… And yet it’s been making me insane for days now.
Why am I so worried?
There is nothing I can do about it that we aren’t doing already…
It’s totally out of my hands.
This experience has been a great reminder for me of something I promised myself many, many years ago:
Not to ever worry about things that I can’t control.
Of course I love my kids more than life itself, and of course it’s natural as a parent to worry…
But worrying myself to the edge of panic? Unacceptable.
Becoming immobilized by fear of “what might happen” and shutting down?
Shame on me.
So what is it you’re afraid of?
- Losing your job?
- Not being able to provide for your family?
- Snakes? Spiders? Swine flu?
More importantly: Are your fears stopping you from being successful?
Whatever it is that shuts you down, and renders you helpless…
Take a long hard look at that fear and realize that most of it (probably) is irrational.
What you need to do is prepare as best as you can, and then stop worrying about it and go about your life.
It’s out of your control.
Anyways, I just wanted to share some thoughts I have been having about what’s happened to me this week.
Hopefully it helps.
Erik
P.S. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Post your comments, and share your fears!
| Print article | This entry was posted by Erik on June 11, 2009 at 9:18 am, and is filed under Working From Home. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |

about 1 year ago
My prayers are with you and your son, Erik.
I despise spiders.
That had to be terrifying, but you’re right-
why let fear immobilize you?
Just pray and go on.
That’s what I do. Things usually aren’t as
bad as they seem at the moment.
All the worry in the world won’t make things
better and can hurt in many ways.
Hug him for me. He’s going to be fine.
Kristi
about 1 year ago
You and your family are in my prayers. I can’t tell you not to be a little nervous, but you know we usually learn by actually going through a situation like this.
I have a baby on the way so I know I’ll have plenty of opportunities to worry myself.
Keep up the good work and God Bless.
about 1 year ago
Hi Erik
I’m sorry to hear about your son’s injury and the challenges that you,as his father, are facing. You’re right- fear,especially fear on the behalf of those we care for, can suck the energy right out of you. It can also remind us what’s truly important to us-the people we love.
Hope both he and you are recovered soon.
about 1 year ago
First, praise God your son is doing well, and prayers too, for Your Peace and Calm in this difficult time. Funny-irony—just before I came to my email I had to put Chigger-id on a spider bite on my leg!
Fear—Boy do I have that! I’ve been “paying for the gym membership” for MONTHS and not doing a darn thing!!! What if the IM/MLM product I’m paying for won’t work for ME? What if the customers hang up on me? (one of my products is a calling service). What if “everybody else” can/will/does earn money, but I won’t?
And on and on!
I’ve FINALLY decided to go ahead and just “jump into the cold water” and get started w/ selling my product, and then the parent company upsets the apple cart on buying/compensation plans and I am gripped w/ fear again that since I haven’t sold ANY products yet, I’ll be stuck having to sell the lesser quality product, w/ different/more complicated compensation plans.
The “There’s a Hole In The Bucket, Dear Liza, Dear Liza” syndrome! Gaaaaah!
Glad your son is okay, you will be too, and oneathesedays, I’ll getaroundto promoting my product/making my website/getting that yacht!
Cliche Cindy!
aka Susi.
about 1 year ago
Your comments make wonderful sense and I have not learned how to do that – if there is nothing you can do – then let go. Its like an elephant sitting in the middle of your life. It blocks the view of anything else. Any help on how to put it somewhere. You can’t forget it but there has to be some way to let it be until it works itself out and not be there block ing your view.
about 1 year ago
Hey Erik,
When I read your post this morning, I just had to come respond. Fear can be the most debilitating obstacle to overcome in life and in business.
I deal with an anxiety disorder and when that baby gets up a head of steam, I am done for. It’s really rough, like you say, missing deadlines, phone calls, etc. when you’re paralyzed out of the action by fear.
I’ve been lucky for the most part, with the majority of my clients proving to be very understanding and loyal.
The biggest favor you can do yourself, your business, your clients and your family is to own up to having a problem that is stalling you and then just keep doing a little bit everyday. I’m a freelance writer and at times, if I have gotten one article done in a day, that is a major accomplishment. The point is- do what Nike says- “JUST DO IT” Waiting until you feel better isn’t always the best option. Sometimes you need to just do it afraid!
Thanks for the thought provoking post, Erik!
about 1 year ago
Now I know why I admire you so Much! A guy who knows what he’s doing in Internet Marketing, someone so skilled – who at the same time has a Big Heart.
What an awesome reminder of how we need to control fear instead of chosing to let fear control our life.
We’ll be praying for the little guy.
(ByTheWay-Your post got me so motivated that I was inspired to write this, my first blog comment ever! Of course I had to go yell, “Eugene,how do I post a blog comment up there. The thing won’t work! Eugene says, wait, wait…I didn’t know I have to look under the title of your post by “make a comment” and Not scroll to the bottom of the post or main page looking for somewhere to post. It was just tooo easy! Always fun in this house
about 1 year ago
Hi Erik,
There is nothing irrational or insane about worrying yourself silly about your son. Even if you know he will be okay. It just makes you like the rest of us parents out here; human.
And it gives me a new respect for you. Love, whether it is for a life partner or for a child is often irrational and some might even call it insane.
about 1 year ago
Dear Mr. Erik Stafford;
I am really sorry to hear about the problems your son is having and wish him a speedy recovery.
Please don’t be too hard on yourself for being a worried parent. When you love your children more than life itself it is easy to find yourself in the spot your in right now. Take your time you’ll be back up to speed before you know it.
I my fear is right now is that my gambling addition has taken full control again. Two of my three credit cards or maxed out right now and the third is not far behind. I tried several programs but there seems to be just too many details I have to sort through to make it work and I keep doing something wrong.
My dissatisfaction with online marketing was so high I became frustrated and went back to my gambling addition of wagering on horse racing. My distorted thinking was at least I got paid about once out of every 7 races. That makes it better than online marketing to me.
I don’t expect you to put this up on your blog. I know it’s not acceptable to the general public. I just don’t know how else to reach anybody personally that knows that they are doing.
Brian
(Edited for clarity)
about 1 year ago
Hey Erik,
My heart goes out to you. It sounds like the worst has passed for both you and your son and you’re finding some solid ground to stand on again.
Any fears I have about my business pale in comparison to the fears I have about my kids. Now that they’re teenagers I pace the floor through the long hours waiting for them to come home safely at night.
Peace,
Peggy
about 1 year ago
Erik,
It’s true I don’t know your personal business but it is hard not to worry if you don’t know Christ in a personal way. If you have never allowed Jesus to become Lord of your life then read Romans chapter 3 verse 10, then Romans chapter 6 verse 23, then Romans chapter 5 verse 8 and Romans chapter 10 verse 13. This is the only way to have true peace in your life. This is not meant to offend you but is only because I care about people.
about 1 year ago
Hi Eric,
I use this now for my fears. Dr. Joe Vitale tuned me in to it.
Ho Oponopono
http://www.chantforworldpeace.org/
You would not believe the bliss I am experiencing from just this chant.
Love,
John
about 1 year ago
Very understandable about your fear Erik, Hope your boy will recover properly, spiders bites especially brn recluse and blk widows can be devastating.
You know the ropes, and you have done your homework, and your absolutely right about the push a button and make lots of money overnite…(after a year of butt busting effort)
What I cant figure out, is with all this work and effort, I have yet to see a training book, I mean a real one, that gives newbies a guide from start up to actually having landing pages and product sales pages up and running within their first month in business.
Yes there are hundreds of people claiming to have the complete toolbox out there, or video sets or this piece and that piece of the puzzle, but I have yet to find the total package…
After breaking my back for about 4 months now, I have assembled many more of the pieces of the puzzle but have still not jumped into the position I need to be in.
All the webinars and guest speakers with all their success stories don’t give a new marketer what is necessary to join in with the game.
Rambling a bit, but I feel like you might just be the guy that can make a difference…let me give an example
If you send a young teenager into a new job, lets say he is supposed to mop the floor of a very high traffic location…He is given a bucket and a mop and told to go to work…after mopping his floor, there are streaks and muddy areas and its worse now than when he started mopping….
No one even bothered to ask if he knew how to mop a floor.
Make any sense? Advice from gurus just isn’t going to cut it if there is no notion of what the heck your supposed to do (basics) to start with.
I wish at this point I could find a seasoned JV partner to pick my brain (because all the newbie stuff is still there) and create a product that I feel would be in high demand…A to Z, 4 weeks to presence. Maybe even an affiliate membership site.
Ahhhh i’m dreaming…. Or am I?
Ken
about 1 year ago
Thanks so much everyone for the well wishes.
I really REALLY appreciate it.
Erik
about 1 year ago
John:
Thanks so much for the chant… I will check it out for sure!
Erik
about 1 year ago
Brian:
I appreciate you posting and being so honest about your fears and your situation.
Building a sustainable business is NOT a gamble, my friend. If you take the time to do the research, test the waters, and then build with clarity and focused goals in mind it’s not a gamble at all.
It sounds like you have been chasing money, and chasing tactics, rather than building a business.
Stay away from the track, and write out a plan of action.
Thanks again for your post.
Erik
about 1 year ago
Ken:
It seems to me that there are so many effective “pieces” of an online business that a one single training product could never cover all of them.
Which leads people to thinking something is being hidden, or left out.
Make sense?
Erik
about 1 year ago
Hi Erik, Fear, without it we would all be nomadic. (www.brown-recluse.com/spider-bite-photo/) There is a first-aid kit here for under $30.00. I found it through (www.ask.com). Keep the faith.
guyte
about 1 year ago
Kids…they’ll wear a parent out I tell ya’!
I’m glad he’s doing OK. You too!!
Take a deep breath and get ready for more E, they are young! They keep you young too.
PS Move back to Ohio…
We only have brown recluse spiders here!
about 1 year ago
Hi Erik:
My thoughts go out to you and your son. I know what it is like to get disrupted from you daily activities and how you focus primarily on the health of your son. My wife was bitten by a spider and she was hospitalized for 3 days. Her finger got black and swollen but she was put on antibiotics which most likely saved her finger. My thoughts were that her health came first. Everything else can wait.
My best to you,
Mel
about 1 year ago
Hi Erik,
I’m glad your son will be alright. Nothing more scary than a poisonous spider if you ask me!
By the way, that interview you did with Kevin Thompson was just awesome! Great Job! I slapped a post on my blog about it!
-Casey
about 1 year ago
Hi Erik,
Wow, I totally understand – it’s sheer panic when something is wrong with one of our babies, it doesn’t matter if they’re grown up and have babies of their own, either!
Glad the little guy is getting better every day, and you are getting a handle on things.
I understand fear, too… have plenty of them and use EFT (emotional freedom technique) to handle most of them effectively.
I wish you only the best… and I care.
Friends always,
Donna
about 1 year ago
Hi Erik I am so glad your son is recovering.You make perfect sence Erik,Fear can parlyse the best of us.But it seem that these things happen to us to test us. Life’s is full of lesson,when we deal with it.And we all have different ways to deal with arrational fear.logic can overcome fear but you have to relise the fear first is stage of recovery. You are very wise Erik. thanks
about 1 year ago
Hi Erik,
Good to hear your son will be fine.
I hear what you are saying about fear…however, your response seems perfectly natural for the caring parent you are.
Warmly,
Kris Chrisman
about 1 year ago
Hi Erik,
As we live in Australia, we have an area in our back yard that is CHILD SAFE for our Grand Children.
We spay the Ground Only, with insecticide for spiders and scorpians, that way bees and butterflies can still visit as they are inportant for children to learn about, and we have snake proof fencing.
Please note this is not a large area just enough room for them to kick a ball and grow some flowers.And most inportantly we know they are safe in Their Enclosure/Play Area.
Regards
Heather
about 1 year ago
Erik could you give us an update each day about your son. Our group will all be praying for him. A friend was bitten by a brown recluse. He was very ill for quiet a while but he recovered with no problems. We will hold the image of your son perfectly healthy and joyous just like five year olds are.
God Bless you.
about 1 year ago
Hi Erik,
First, I can really feel your fear and fear will cause your stomach to create a feeling of rejecting food and without eating you feel weak and other feelings that comes with it, you probably tried to put some food into your stomach just to hold you to-gether so you can face your son’s progress but your stomach will say no, no I do not want any food until I know the condition of your son, besides the food at this stage look unappetising anyway,
and for you to send us this email I strongly praise God to be with you in your time of needs, we don’t realised how much God care for His earthly children and He hear every spoken and unspoken words. I will leave you with His words of encouragement to you and me. Come to me, you who are tired and worried, and I will give you rest. Work with me and learn from me, for I am gentle and kind, and you will discover an abiding peace in your soul. My requirement are easy and the load you carry will be light. Matt.11: 28-30
If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 14:14
May God Bless Your Son, You And Family.
Grace Kavon.
about 1 year ago
Eric, I think you are a worrier, like I am, and it doesn’t matter what you’ve told yourself about your kids, youself, etc. you are going to worry. I’m so sorry he was bitten by a spider, but apparently not a black widow or a brown recluse since they can really be dangerous as I’m sure you know. You done all you can for him and he is in good hands; you know that so try not to worry about him so much as tiy are (altho it really does hurt to see our child in pain) and keep him occuppied and not so uncomfortable from the bite. That’s all you can do, you know, and I really believe he will soon recover
about 1 year ago
Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers.
Evan is on the mend: No fevers, nausea, or dizziness… Just a big ole’ infected bite that’s slowly healing.
No word yet from the lab on what caused it, but it’s been cleaned several times and looks much, much better.
So he is pretty much back to normal:)
And so am I!
Thanks again. Your words mean the world to me!
Erik
about 1 year ago
Hey Erik,
I am so sorry to hear about your son, I’m very happy to hear that he’s going to be okay. I actually think I knew he was going to be fine Wednesday. (I don’t know if you believe or know anything about Reiki, but I have a Reiki Master that has really helped me a lot. She is very powerful, it’s kind of scary at times that she knows when I need help and just sends it to me. All I know is the pain is gone. She also knows when people I know need help they come to her in a vision, she sees them in her mind & since they appear to her she sends them Reiki.) She called me Wednesday night and asked me if I knew a little boy about 5 or 6, blonde with short hair, with an older sister also blonde with long blonde hair.
The only person I could think of was you and your children. I remembered the Christmas Video you did and sent her the link so she could watch it. She did and immediately called me back telling me that was him. She asked me to let you know that he’s going to perfectly fine. (Smile)
But, she did mention that she was concerned about you and some problems you’re having. She’d like to help you, (No Charge) but she needs you to give her permission. (She could help your son because he came to her. Don’t ask me to explain how this works, I don’t know, I just know it does work. LOL) If you would like her to help you, once again at no charge, she will gladly do so. She does a lot of distance healing with a picture of the person, she can do it with just your permission, but for reasons I can’t explain, it’s easier with a picture. (I think with the picture, she can visualize exactly what area she needs to focus on.)
If you would like to give her permission, please let me know and if possible email me a picture of you, I can give to her. You never have to meet her, just give her permission and keep an open mind. Personally, regardless if you are a believer or not, I would allow her permission, it can’t hurt you, but it may really help. (If you’re a non-believe try to keep an open mind that this will help you.) All that is required of you is that you thank God for the help he has sent you.
I was a non-believer, but once I opened my mind and was willing to accept the help she wanted to give me, I started to notice a vast difference in my health. Things the doctors told me would happen didn’t, I’m now at the point I can feel her working on my picture.
I’ll give you am example, yesterday I had to go to a dental surgeon and have a wisdom tooth removed. (I never mentioned to her that I was having this done.) I was told that it would bleed for a few days & I’d have to replace the packing gauze every few hours, my face would swell (Was looking forward to that one, it would make me look bigger! LOL) bruise, etc.) When I got home my mouth was still frozen, so I change the gauze and had a little catnap. When I woke up (1/2 an hour later) I went to change the gauze again and there was no bleeding, not one spot of blood on the gauze and absolutely no pain. When I got up this morning, no swelling, no bruising, no pain!!! I looked in my mouth with one of those little dental mirrors you can get all I saw was the stitches, the hole has healed completely. I rubbed my tongue on the stitches and they fell out. (They were supposed to stay in for 5 days.) I was amazed that it had healed so quickly. (I’m not normally a fast healer.) I had to call her and tell her what happened and she told me I came to her in a vision in a dental chair. She immediately got my picture and started to work on my mouth. As they say “The Proof Is In The Pudding” I’m the pudding and I have proof that it does work. If it didn’t I’d be in severe pain, my mouth would be bleeding and I wouldn’t be able to eat anything but liquids. (Not the best position to be in when your trying to gain weight not lose it.) I had bacon, eggs and toast for breakfast. (Oops, did I say bacon, as a good Jewish person, I don’t eat bacon. ROFL)
I just wanted to let you know about this, I’ll post what my fears are later!
Kary aka Cilantro
about 1 year ago
Hey Erik,
I can relate extremely well to the Fear Factor, I’ve experienced it with my own health issues and Tarragon, granted he is a cat, but he’s my baby. I was devastated when he almost died at Christmas, for 2 weeks I could do nothing, I was immobilized by fear. (Maybe it had a lot to do with my being a Vet previously; I knew how slim his chances of survival were.) But, it was something I had no control over, yet I was panic stricken to the point of not being able to think of anything but Tarragon. For 2 weeks I did nothing but cry, forced myself to eat, didn’t sleep, didn’t touch the computer, didn’t answer the phone unless it was my Vet. I expected the worse and there was no way I could convince myself I was over reacting. I knew logically I was, but I still couldn’t prevent it.
When I was diagnosed with MS, not a problem, until I lost my driver’s license, even then I wasn’t bothered that I had MS, I was upset that I couldn’t drive any longer. LOL
Then when I was diagnosed with an inoperatable brain tumour, my only concern was if it was controllable. It is, but I had no idea how it would affect me; I just put mind over matter and continued on my merry little way. (If I Didn’t Mind, Why Should It Matter? LOL) I kept a positive attitude, completed the 8 months left of the contract I was in, while undergoing radiation every night. The company I was troubleshooting for couldn’t believe I could still function normally. (I was spending 12 hours in the hospital with my head stuck in a bucket tossing my cookies, going home to shower, change and off to work.) They had the pleasure of watching all my hair fall out, drastic weight loss and me making jokes about it.
The reality of my situation hit when I couldn’t get another contract; no one was willing to take a chance on hiring me. (Frankly, I wouldn’t have hired me looking the way I did.) LOL I kept a positive attitude and started to look into other opportunities that were available, hence my getting involved with a work from home Internet business. The perfect solution to my problem I thought.
I started off taking an e-commerce course, that didn’t work out. Next I got involved with a Work From Home Program, that didn’t work out either. Then Joshua sent me an invitation to take part in your 12 Days Of Christmas. Now, that was exceedingly beneficial to me. (Smile)
Unfortunately, things we’re not going very well with my tumour, the radiation wasn’t shrinking it, it was affecting my vision and my emotions. I’m on an emotional rollercoaster ride of my life, one minute laughing – the next bawling my eyes out. I was beginning to think I was losing my sanity, how could I be happy one minute and suicidal the next? Once my doctors told me what the problem was, all I wanted was to finish my treatments and get my life back on track. (Easy to say, harder to do, when you don’t have control over it.) Of course, I believed I could control it, but that was just an illusion, one I wasn’t ready to give up on yet. (I have an amazing ability to block what I can’t deal with, so I opened the little door in my mind where I stash what I don’t want or am unable to handle.) Guess I filled up my little room and there wasn’t enough space left. The next thing I knew the door came tumbling down and everything I’d ever blocked came out. Wasn’t prepared for that one, instead of having one thing to deal with, I was hit by an avalanche. When I did manage to get any sleep, I’d wake up having heart palpitations. I was having one panic attack after another over something I had limited or no control of. I’d go for days not able to do anything and then I’d be back to normal. (I should say, as normal as I’ve ever been. LOL)
After being on radiation and chemotherapy for 16 months, the tumour went into remission, finally. Regrettably, that wasn’t the end of my health issues; I had a new one to takes its place. (Always nice to have a spare on hand, you never know when you’re going to need it. LOL) My weight dropped to 72 pounds, that sounds a lot worse then it actually is, I’ve weighed 97 pounds and been 5’8” since I was 12.
The problem was no matter how many calories I was taking in (9,000 a day) I wasn’t gaining weight. I started having a number of problems, fainting, loss of balance, constant joint pain, vision problems and I was exceptionally weak. (I couldn’t walk from one room to the other without taking a break.)
I knew I looked bad, but I didn’t think I looked that bad, until I went out to pick up some groceries. (The store is half a block from where I live!) I no sooner got outside and I was ready to pass out. I leaned against a wall and slowly slid down, once I was down, I put my head between my legs waiting for the dizziness to stop. Since I had a fresh fruit salad in my shopping bag, I was stuffing pieces of fruit in my mouth, hoping it would give me the energy to get home. That’s when I encountered the most embarrassing moment in my life. A woman stopped and asked me if she could buy me some groceries. I had two bags of groceries at my feet, one I was eating from, why would someone want to buy me groceries when I already had two bags full? That’s when it kicked in, she didn’t know my bags had groceries in them, she thought I was homeless. I was mortified that someone would mistake me for a homeless person; all I wanted to do was go home, hide and not come out until I looked human again. LOL
It was really a blessing in disguise; I had to face the fact that there was no way I was going to gain the weight I needed without help. Now, I spend 12 hours in the hospital every day or night connected to a Dialysis Machine, to remove all the toxins from my system that the radiation and chemotherapy put in. I’ve managed to gain 3 pounds, but still have another 22 to go. (Only took me 3 weeks to gain 3 pounds. LOL) I know this is something I have no control over, which depresses me more than the time it’s taking me to gain weight. (I admit, I’m a control freak and don’t deal well in situations I can’t control, but nevertheless I still try. *I like banging my head against a brick wall* LOL) This was only hindering my progress, but no matter how hard I tried, my mind refuses to accept that I can’t, which only makes things harder for me. Right now, I have a few good days, but mostly I’m incapable of doing anything, except think. I recognize that I’m my own worst enemy, but I can’t seem to do anything to change that. Knowing and doing just doesn’t seem to compute in my mind. In between panic attacks, I do what I can and pray everything will work out in the end.
The only problem with that, I don’t see any end in sight and I’m terrified that before I do, the tumour is going to grow back and I’m at square one again or I’ll be dead. Yeah, I’m living my life in a constant state of fear right now, but I’m a fighter and while I’ll never have the life I used to live back, I am determined to have a life. It may take awhile, but I know in the long run, everything is going to work out – the Power of Positive Thinking is a wonderful blessing to have. If I wasn’t a Positive Thinker, I would have given up a long time ago. It’s helped me in so many different areas of my life, my life hasn’t always been easy, I’ve had a lot of problems to deal with that I had no control over, beginning when I was 12. But, by keeping a positive attitude, it’s allowed me to deal with the different trauma’s I’ve experienced and made it easier on my friends.
Some of the things I’ve been though, at a very young age, have been difficult on my friends (Example: Widowed at 16, 23 & 36 not by natural causes, was very difficult for my friends to handle, they never knew what to do or say to me.) Showing them that I could laugh and make jokes about it, they no longer walked on eggshells when I was around and I was treated the same way they treated others. (Smile)
Humor has alway been my way of handling things, no matter how bad it was and I’ve been though some really bad times, that was just a small example, humor and positive thinking have been extremely beneficial to me. (I discovered, if you can laugh at your situation, others will laugh with you. If you want people’s pity and are constantly “Oh Poor Me, I’ve had this happen and this happen and so on” people don’t want to be around you, your depressing them. Everyone has their own problems and frankly it gets to you, when all you get out of the friendship is sob stories.) The people in my life that all I get out of them is sob stories, I’m cut out. I have enough sob stories of my own I don’t need to listen to theirs if their not going to make any attempt to change. (When or if they can start to view the glass as half full instead of half empty, I’m more than willing to give them a second chance. But, I refuse to put myself in a position that may change my postive outlook.)
Things are rough right now, but I know their going to get better, I will gain control of my life back, it’s just going to take a little time and 22 pounds. LOL In fact now, I believe I’m going to have a better life than I did before!!! (Anyone reading this, if you’re into stock market investments, put your money into Scotties Tissues – their business is thriving thanks to me. LOL)
Kary aka Cilantro
about 1 year ago
Erik–
Glad to hear Evan is doing better (and that you are too!)
I was just reading a chapter in book by Cheryl Richardson about fear…and what are we not doing out of fear…and steps we can take to overcome it…like get help, research a topic so we get educated on it…
Interesting our we are on the same page…and pushing through irrational fears can be both a simple and profound lesson that we have to face more than once in our lives!
about 1 year ago
Hi Erik,
So sorry about the scare with your son’s spider bite, and I’m so glad that he will be ok.
I’m perhaps making an assumption that because you work out of the house you were able to get your son help maybe faster than might have otherwise happened if you’d been stuck in a 9 to 5 job and not so close by. At least you’ve been with him a lot more than most dads would to help him recover.
When he grows up and remembers this incident, I suspect he’ll have a stonger memory of his dad being there to help him and comfort him than he will of the trauma of being bitten.
You are so right at how easily one can get paralyzed by things that aren’t in your control. I keep that in mind constantly as we work through our bankruptcy. I can’t control what happens, and it stops me from moving forward in some ways until it is all settled, but it has given me the time to reflect, plan and get ready to push the trigger on things that will get us out of this mess just as soon as I know the bankruptcy is clear.
Ironically, the bankruptcy has caused me to put the breaks on updating and relaunching the info product you helped me with because if it is more successful it will be more attractive to the court to actually take it away from me. But I’m close enough to the bankruptcy discharge to work on the new and improved edition, and I know what I need to do to make the relaunch a big success.
Thank you for your help in getting the product on the market in the first place. Between your help and ideas from Product Launch Formula I’ll be off and running again soon. No time to look back, just forward.
See you around, my friend!
about 1 year ago
Erik and Wendy,
I’m very relieved to hear that Evan is recovering quickly and will be back to normal very soon. I’m glad my kids are all grown up now, as your story reminds me so much of the sometimes daily challenges and frightening things that can happen, just trying to get them “raised up.” Of course, now I worry about the grandkids (one daughter lives near Phoenix and they have scorpions there!), but I know they’ll be fine. The hardest part is feeling helpless when there is nothing you can do. Sometimes, all that is left is faith. But I see here that you also have a strong support network. That’s important, too.
about 1 year ago
Erik,
I have to thank you for starting this topic. It really made me sit back and think about living with fear and made me question why. Instead of analyzing my fears, I focused on why I was allowing myself to be controlled by fear. It was quite an awakening for me. I know I have a very positive attitude, the ability to put mind over matter, and a powerful mind, so why wasn’t I using it?
I decide I would, it was amazing how different I felt when I looked at it from a positive standpoint. Now, I’m not afraid of my fears, I’m using positive thinking & humour to deal with them. It’s working out extremely well, I’m facing them head on and putting them in their place – out of my life! LOL
Actually FEAR has become my little buddy. ROFL We have some really lethal fights, but my positive attitude is on overdrive and so far we’ve won everyone. (I think my little buddy FEAR is getting SCARED of me. ROFLMAO) My poor little FEAR is getting weak and I’m getting stronger. (Smile) I haven’t completely conquered it yet, but I will. (POSITIVE THINKING is more powerful than FEAR – I’m sticking with POSTIVE THINKING, I don’t like or want to live with FEAR.)
Oh, maybe I already have. Last night I told my FEAR that I way ready to fight him and he left me. I thought he’d gone to get his friends, SCARE, EVIL, AFRAID, and DANGER so I gave him a little time to get back. (I guess My FEAR got a little case of FEAR himself. LOL) I waited for him to come back, but he didn’t. He hasn’t come back today yet either. (Big Smile)
If or when he comes back, I’m ready for him. The longer he stays away the more powerful I get with my POSITIVE THINKING. I’ve accomplished more in the last two days then I have in the last 3 months. LOL
(Come and get me if you can FEAR, you’re on the losing team and I’m on the winning one. What’s wrong FEAR, are you SCARED of me? You can bring your buddies with you! *Laughs* Oh, come on FEAR you can’t really be that AFRAID of me!!! Don’t tell me “THE ALL MIGHTY FEAR” is really a chicken at heart. *Cat Got Your Tongue FEAR?* FEAR I challenge you to confront me! *Oh Where, Oh, Where Can My Little FEAR Be, I Know Your Not Here With Me.* ROFL I’m waiting FEAR…Hmm, I guess you are AFRAID of me, your SCARED to confront me. LOL I didn’t think my little FEAR wouldn’t rear his ugly head at a direct challenge. You’re not as mighty as you’d like people to believe you are. Sorry, FEAR, but I can no long put your name in cap’s you don’t deserve cap’s!!! I must admit, I’m a little disappointed with you fear, but I’ll get over it. ROFLMAO If you ever want to come back, I’ll be here to put you back in you place – out of my life forever! You can try, but it won’t work, I know how to conquer you now! But I’ll always be prepared for a good fight with you, fear! It’s much more fun to fight you than being afraid of you. LOL *Yeah, you little buddies don’t deserve cap’s either* But, don’t hesitate to stop by anytime, my positive attitude and powerful mind aren’t going anywhere. *Tosses fear in toilet, flushes, watches as fear goes down the toilet and into the sewage pipe.* Bye for now or forever fear, I’d like to say it was nice knowing you, but it wasn’t! *Cracks up laughing*)
about 1 year ago
Erik and Wendy,
Maybe I’m a little late on the message, but I concur with everyone who extended their heart-warming prayers to GOD (Yah) to heal your son during this period of life. He will healed. Trust and know that. My fear is losing my job and losing income during this recession period. But, what keeps me focused is beliving in GOD. I only wish I could actually learn how to build an online business in internet marketing that will finally allow me and my family the lifestyle they deserve, that’s all. NO MONEY WORRIES!!!
God Bless you and everyone here!
about 1 year ago
Erik and Wendy….. Praise God he is fine. He’s so precious!!
( If anyone gets bitten by a bad spider go to the health food store and get so Eassic Tea, pour some on a cloth every day or night and apply to the bite, it will kill the poison and heal the wound, also take a teaspoon a day in water – takes about a week total and no scars.)
Yes you are right absolutely Erik! and What I do also is Pray, give it to God and he takes care of everything for us. Its always best to pray in agreement with another, though God still hears and answers always.
You see Worry is a sin because it shows we don’t trust God. So no more worry peoples, just pray give it to God, have faith and continue forward.
Know that you’ll succeed, think and speak nothing but positive in every aspect, meaning thoughts too and onward we go.
These trials are minimal to the awesome Success we have and will have continually.
Great blog Erik! and High five to the little guy!
about 1 year ago
Thank you again everyone for all your thoughts and well-wishes.
I really appreciate it.
The little guy sure has gotten off to a rocky start to the summer: First the spider bite, and now he had to go in to the dentist yesterday to get three cavities filled.
Unbelievable.
You know what though? If this is the worse it gets this year, then I am going to consider it a damn good year:)
Erik