Have you ever watched ABCs hit TV show Lost? My favorite episode was titled Walkabout. In it, we learn that the mysterious outdoorsman Locke was actually paralyzed from the waist down before getting on the doomed 815 flight which crashed and, somehow, gave him the use of his legs back. Locke was actually planning to go on a Walkabout, which is an outdoor adventure. But the leader, seeing Lockes limitation, forbade him to go. Angrily Locke shouted Dont tell me what I cant do! We then flash forward to the plane crash, and see Locke on the ground, slowly moving his legs. Then stand up. And walk. You can probably guess where Im going with this, but before you write this off as another motivational article, stay with me for a minute. Ive had many Locke Moments in my life. Although Ive never said his line to anyone before, Ive sure thought it. When youre born with the umbilical cord wrapped around your neck and barely live, you get used to people telling you what you cant do. First, doctors told my parents that if I did live I wouldnt be active at all. Id basically be a vegetable. They told my parents to put me in a home. They didnt listen. Dont tell us what he cant do! So, they took me home and it turned out that mentally, I was fine. I had Cerebral Palsy and doctors said Id never walk. Well, they were right for the first 7 years of my life I crawled around on my knees. I went through physical therapy multiple times a week and was quite determined for a kid. At 7 years old, at my grandparents house, I took my first steps, to everyones amazement, including myself. Dont tell me what I cant do! As I got older, people urged me to get into technical side of computers and get a good job. I hated that stuff. I wanted to be an entrepreneur. People warned me about this. Its too risky. But I pursued ventures both online and offline, and Ive made money in both. In fact, next month Ill be selling a 4-acre piece of land. Ill net $144,000 on the deal. Glad I took that risk. Dont tell me what I cant do! What about you? Do you get ridiculed by your friends and family when you tell them about your Internet dreams? Its very common. The simple fact is that loved ones who do this to you have good intentions. They dont want to see you get hurt, ripped off, or scammed. They just, quite honestly, have no idea what theyre talking about. Ive long since giving up on trying to explain what I do online to friends and extended family. Even trying to explain simple concepts such as email marketing can lead to comments such as Oh, so you spam people? Its frustrating, to say the least. It hurts because these are the people who youd expect to be on your side. Dont let these people get you down. Ask yourself one question: Do I believe that what Im doing will eventually lead to financial success? Whether its creating e-books, doing affiliate marketing, making content sites, writing articles, or whatever it may be. If you can honestly say yes, then keep plugging away and never give up. The next time a loved one says youre crazy for trying to make money online, dont get mad. Dont get defensive. You dont have to defend anything. You know what youre doing. They have no clue. Just think about Locke, getting up from that crash site and walking, and simply say Dont tell me what I cant do. Copyright 2005 Michael Murray |
