Why Falling Asleep Was Not An Option
In most conferences I’ve often stuggled to stay awake and concentrate let alone really learn anything. The reason is because most conferences are boring and you’re only there to booze on afterwards, the conference is merely a formality.
BUT NOT THIS ONE,
In this conference I had the opposite problem. I tried to take in so much information that my little brain simply struggled to handle it. It’s like trying to drink from a fire hose. It’s going to take more than a few weeks and many revisions of my notes for any of it to really sink in!
So, I thought I’d share my 5 biggest “take aways” from the conference:
Shock
I was completely shocked in a number of areas from this conference, most noticeably by how people use their computers. I mean, I’ve used a computer since I could reach a keyboard, but I’ve actually realised I don’t use a computer I use 3 applications, oh dear. I was blown away by this. As if that wasn’t bad enough, just to rub salt into the wounds I was sitting behind someone in the crowd that was like a MAC Ninja. Basically I need to reassess the way I use a computer. I was literally reduced to primary school computing abilities.
Another shocking thing was the use of virtual assistances. Wow. I HAD NO IDEA this type of help was available on the scale I saw, I’ll be following up this for sure!
Awe
While some of the presenters gave what I thought was sound business advice (I’m a Program Manager in real life so hopefully I know this) some of the speakers where just short of inspirational.
I don’t usually buy into the whole ra ra style seminars and run out the door fully pumped. But, this time I actually got inspired, I was actually in awe of some of the accomplishments. And I did run out the door pumped like a 10 year school boy with his first computer game!
Panic
But then panic set in.
Many times throughout the conference major panic set in as I realized just how much I wasn’t doing in my little, let’s call it “sand pit” of an on line business. I also had a major panic attack over the sheer amount of what I don’t know. The fact is, the days of Ma and Pa setting up online are gone and the road is simply going to be LONG and difficult.
Hope
Basically those who follow this blog know I don’t want a really big global empire of 200 employees and a follow the sun business. I simply want income replacement, I simply want to escape the cubicle and just earn enough to get by and grow my business interests slowly over time.
I was beginning to think the only way to do this was to create a large off line consulting company (the very corporations I used to work for) and make the small business online experience better. However, I saw there was hope! I saw I might actually be able to achieve what I want after all. If I work on some of the key basics discussed.
Soul Searching
Like a dog told off for stealing a shoe (yes mine still do that) I went home with my tail between my legs and did some serious soul searching. As the conference theme was “going pro”, and the question was asked, are you an amateur or are you going pro? I have to be honest to my self and clearly answer:
I’m simply an amateur…
So, Another New New Beginning Then
Amateurs can’t expect a million dollar revenue from their hobbies, amateurs can’t match the pros in skill, value, power and wealth.
But I’m sure every pro, started off as an amateur at some stage. I need to narrow down my online activities, concentrate on one thing at a time, learn only one craft at once and maybe, just maybe, I can reach income replacement, why not at least 50% of the conference attendees have done it.
Hey, it’s tough it out there,
Cheers,
Justin.
