Just Do It - (Its Easy)

I have a secret to share...

Well, actually I've never been very good at secrets, and if you've ever seen my profile, you already know I have a couple other blogs at the moment – (there will be more.... lots more!)

The Surviving Christmas blog is a resurrection, rather than a new idea. That's the secret.

I used to own a website by the same name, and a lot of the material I had on there I have been putting on the blog. That is why, if you've been there, it doesn't really “read” the way a blog does.

(Of course, NONE of my blogs “read” like a blog – mainly because I write a lot off the top of my head. I talk to people, I don't structure things the way other business people do.)

Anyway – the secret behind the secret...

The Ultimate Failure

About five years ago, my husband was laid-off from work. He hasn't found anything regular to this day. He works temp jobs at the moment, and for less pay than I used to make sitting at a desk.

Well, as a consequence of that, we filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Lost it all. House, business(es!), credit, everything. We were living with my father.

Due to family issues, even after I lost the business I still was not working. I was caring full time for my two grand-daughters, and basically took over everything but paying the bills at my father's house after my Mom died.

Little to no income between 2008 and 2013. OUCH...

Finally, this past May, we moved. But – it wasn't a regular move, either. (Nothing in my life has ever been “regular!”) My husband was offered the job of his dreams, rehabbing and repairing historic buildings, in Tennessee.

Because I can't live without my fur-babies, I wound up house-sitting for a friend in southern Illinois, and Rich wound up in Tennessee – the state we've always dreamed of moving to.

We left Chicago with $700 between us - and no plans. NOT smart under normal circumstances, and really, REALLY interesting, but we had to take the chance.

The job offer was a fake, and he wound up back with temp services. So – we literally have started over from nothing... as well as living in two different states. And, we still had bills from before.

A Good Thing?

I tell you these things not to make you feel sorry for me – please don't! Despite everything that's been going on these last six months, this was actually one of the best things that could have happened!!

(BTW – don't tell anyone looking in from the outside, though, they might send the guys in white coats after you and me both!!)

So.... Why??

Several reasons, but the main one is that it reminded both of us that we are resourceful, we have talent, and – it ain't over till its over.

It ain't over by a loooong shot!

In fact, the experience has caused me to do things I haven't done since I was a fearless wonder over 25 years ago! (Yeah, if you didn't catch it earlier, I'm a grandma (hence, “GrannySue!”)

Nowadays, I can chalk up my fizzles to having “senior moments” rather than “reckless abandon” but it amounts to the same thing, lol..... Although I have to admit, I still get rather insulted when some of the people in my life dismiss the semantics!

Looking Back to Move Forward

So... What to do??

Go back into business!!!

I've had a couple titles sitting around on blogger for a couple years now. Why not just start using them, and maybe build more? Sounded reasonable to me. Especially when we went another couple months with NO money!

Surviving Christmas was my baby. Now it is a blog, but it will have its own site again shortly. It was earning its own keep before, and in the time between November and today, it has done so again!

That is also the main reason for THIS blog.... since I had to find a way to bring in cash fast, with what we had. I want to share what I've done and what I am doing so that others in my situation understand that there are options.

So, yes, many (certainly NOT all!) of my links are to affiliate programs, or points programs.

What is different about this is that I am not embarrassed to tell you that you'll be helping me out – and I make it real plain. I don't hide behind disclaimers – I announce them.

Like I said... I'm not into secrets!

I realize that most business owners would call me uncouth, admonish me NOT to plainly ask for people to click on what I announce are affiliate links, etc etc etc. Ad nauseum.

Blah.

If the goobermint wants me to inform you of a profit motive, I might as well inform you – and show you the what and why behind it, too! They only did that because some people decided they'd try to hide the fact that they were making money off of clicks, sign-ups and purchases.

Not quite sure why the people who clicked didn't consider that – but when the Powers That Be tell you you have to put in writing that coffee is hot, or not to let your kid put a plastic bag over his head... well....

(More on this sort of thing when I start posting to the “Think” blog!! Beware – I get a little nasty over there... ok... I can get downright mean. Which, incidentally, is why I've had the blog since 2010 and have yet to post to it!)

And yes, I could be a bit more professional about it, I guess. However, I'm talking to a friend here, not trying to make a killing off of nameless, faceless strangers!

Moving On

There you have it. You know the background, and the method. I have to say, if I were a little less “forceful” about some things, and maybe a little bit more sophisticated in my presentation, things might move a little faster.

That is not the goal.

The goal is to let all of you out there, who have been hearing how easy it is, how much you can make, all the benefits – again ad infinitum, ad nauseum and so on...

YOU CAN DO IT.

I don't care if you aren't making your bills. Been there, done that – and a couple times, too! You can do this. I don't care if you can't write a lick. I'm not that great at it, either!

If you really look at it, I'm not telling you anything that thousands of others haven't already told you. I'm not coming up with new concepts, new strategies or new products (yet!). This should tell you that you don't have to be completely novel, you just have to write what you know.

Never underestimate yourself, your ability, your value or your knowledge. Something that is so easy for you that you think everyone and their brother knows all about it already is EXACTLY what you should start a business with!!!

I don't care if your ultimate passion – the thing that keeps you up all night dancing around the living room – is mucking out horse stalls!! Write about it, find a site that sells pitch forks or stall bedding (with an affiliate program, of course!) and get it on the web!!

I know it ain't hard. It does take a while, but not that long. And, it can be done in spare time -

You aren't going to get rich overnight, and you're going to be doing other things while you get it off the ground, but do it... Its free, it'll let you display your passion, and it just might become “the next big thing!”

You are literally walking through this right along with me. Its going to take a while, but you and I can grow together.

I'm not going to pull any punches. I'm not going to hide behind flashy graphics and professional sales letters. We can do this together.

As Nike says:

JUST DO IT!

Many Blessings,

GrannySue