Hello and welcome back!
I hope everyone has had a great week.
I’d like to share some insights today from a recent eye-opening Zoom call I had the other day with my mentor, Dean. The discussion was incredibly impactful for many of us in our community, shedding light on crucial aspects that can significantly influence our journey.
Dean tackled a topic that everyone in business can relate to, dealing with discouragement. It’s something we all face, and understanding how to handle it can truly impact our progress and success
Discouragement
Dean explained that there will be times in your business when, despite all the effort you’re putting in, the results just don’t show up right away. You might feel like you’re working tirelessly, but it seems as though nothing is changing and no progress is being made. Dean also pointed out that it could be that you’re not doing everything necessary to become the person capable of achieving success.
This is a tough pill to swallow, especially when you’re so invested in making things work. It can feel disheartening when you’re not seeing the fruits of your labor, and it’s so easy to let that frustration snowball into full-on discouragement. Dean spoke candidly about how dangerous that mindset can be. If left unchecked, discouragement can spiral into self-doubt, fear, and even the desire to quit.
Dean’s message was clear: You can’t allow those fears to cloud your vision. This is something that happens to everyone at some point, but the difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is the ability to push through those tough moments. We can’t control the timeline of success, but we can control how we respond to the challenges that arise along the way.
The Impact of Discouragement
When things don’t go as planned, our minds start to flood with negative thoughts. Am I good enough for this? Is this the right path for me? Why am I not seeing results yet? These questions can easily derail your motivation if you let them, but instead of focusing on what isn’t happening, it’s crucial to remind yourself of why you started this journey in the first place. That’s why identifying your core “why” is so important, keeping it front and center as a constant reminder of why you’re on this journey.
Dean urged us to take a deep breath, re-center, and focus on the bigger picture. You can’t let temporary setbacks or the fear of failure take over. Instead, you need to redirect that energy into evaluating what you’ve done so far. This was such a great reminder because it’s all too easy to lose sight of your goals when things aren’t going as fast as you’d like.
Steps to Evaluate and Improve
This is where Dean’s advice truly made an impact on me. when you feel discouraged, it’s time to assess what you’re doing. It’s not about whether you’re “doing enough,” it’s about whether you’re doing the “right” things. This means taking a step back and analyzing the core areas of your business. Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Am I Consistent?
Are you consistently showing up? Posting regularly? Engaging with your audience daily? In any business, but especially in affiliate marketing, consistency is key. You need to be present and active for your audience to trust you.
2. Is My Content Valuable?
What kind of content are you putting out there? Are you genuinely helping your audience with valuable insights and solutions, or are you just pushing products? Content that educates, entertains, or solves problems is what drives engagement and builds trust over time.
3. Am I Engaging with My Audience?
Simply posting content isn’t enough. You have to engage. Are you responding to comments, answering questions, and building relationships? People do business with people they know, like, and trust. The stronger your connection with your audience, the more likely they are to follow your recommendations.
4. Am I Tracking the Right Metrics?
Are you paying attention to the right data? It’s not just about likes or views, it’s about conversions, click-through rates, and engagement. Numbers don’t lie, and tracking the right analytics can show you exactly where to tweak your efforts for better results.
5. Am I Being Patient?
Success doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, many successful affiliate marketers spend months or even years building their businesses before they see significant returns. Patience is critical in this game. You have to give yourself time to grow, learn, and improve.
A Reminder to Refocus
This Zoom call with Dean was more than just a conversation, it was a wake-up call. We often think that success is just around the corner, and when it doesn’t come as quickly as we’d hoped, we feel like giving up. That’s exactly when you need to remind yourself of your “why.” Why did you start this journey to begin with?
For me, it’s about securing a better future for my family, creating financial freedom, and living life on my own terms. For others, it might be about leaving a 9-to-5 job, achieving time freedom, or pursuing a passion. Whatever your reason, that’s what you need to hold onto when discouragement starts creeping in.
Dean’s words really connected with many of us on that call. It wasn’t just a pep talk, it was a powerful reminder that quitting isn’t an option. Letting yourself get discouraged only leads to one outcome, giving up! That’s not what any of us want…. We’re in this business for a reason, and that reason is far too important to let fear and doubt take over.
Stay Focused and Keep Moving Forward
At the end of the call, I felt a renewed sense of determination, not just for myself, but for everyone on that Zoom call who might have been feeling the same way. Discouragement doesn’t get us anywhere. It’s just an obstacle standing in the way of our goals. The only way to overcome it is by staying focused, staying patient, and continuing to push forward.
If you’re feeling discouraged, take a moment to step back and remember why you started. Make sure you’re putting in the right work, and trust that the results will follow in time. There’s no shortcut to success, but the journey is absolutely worth it. Keep going, stay focused, and never forget the reason you set out on this path in the first place.
This Zoom call was a great reminder for me, and I hope it serves as one for you, too. Let’s keep moving forward, no matter how long it takes. Success is waiting, and we’re all capable of reaching it.
Key Takeaways
- Embrace Your “Why”: Keep your core reason for starting your journey in sight to maintain motivation and focus, even during tough times.
- Evaluate Your Efforts: Consistently assess if you’re doing the right things—whether you’re consistent, providing valuable content, engaging with your audience, tracking the right metrics, and exercising patience.
- Stay Focused: Discouragement is a temporary obstacle. Refocus on your goals, trust the process, and keep pushing forward.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! How do you handle discouragement in your journey? Have you found certain strategies that work for you? Drop your answers in the comments below.
Also, make sure to follow me on all my platforms here for more updates and tips. And don’t forget to grab your FREE book for beginners on how to start an affiliate marketing business here. Let’s keep moving forward together, success is on the horizon! 🌟
Until next time!
To Our Success,
Hi Meredith,
This is a great reminder about a very common problem. As you mentioned, discouragement can spiral into self-doubt, fear, and even the desire to quit. I find for myself it’s not going to get me to quit, but if left unchecked it can certainly lead me to self-doubt and fear, which can set me back many days and even weeks to get back on track. My WHY has certainly kept me from quitting though. I think I need to work more on evaluating. Thanks for sharing this Meredith, all the best!
Hi Denny,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experience! It’s so true that discouragement can be such a slippery slope, and it’s great that your WHY has kept you grounded and moving forward. Self reflection and evaluation are powerful tools to help you recognize when those feelings of self doubt start creeping in. It sounds like you’re already on the right path by being aware of how those moments affect you. Keep pushing forward, and remember, setbacks are just part of the journey. Wishing you continued strength and success! All the best!
Meredith
Hi Meredith – This is truly a very important post as I believe that if we are honest with ourselves, we all get discouraged and have to find a way to dig ourselves out of that pit in order to become successful. Your practical list of steps to evaluate and improve is not only valuable but convicting. Oftentimes, I need to put a check mark next to each one as I am guilty if I am being totally honest. Discouragement is real but so is success. Thank you for your valuable advice and great post! Have a great week!
Hi Ernie,
You’re absolutely right, discouragement is something we all face at times, and it’s so important to recognize it and take action to move forward. I’m glad you found the list of steps helpful. It’s definitely a journey of being honest with ourselves and making those small, intentional changes. Success may take time, but it’s definitely achievable, and I’m happy you could relate to my post. Wishing you an amazing week ahead!Thanks Ernie! 😊
Meredith
Meredith,
I can relate to feeling discouraged at times. It can be discouraging to now see growth. Then I remember my why and keep going. As you mentioned I have to stay focused and keep moving.
Sherri
Hi Sherri,
I completely understand where you’re coming from. It’s so easy to feel discouraged when the growth isn’t visible yet, but staying connected to your “why” makes all the difference. Keep that focus and momentum going, you’ve got this! 😊
Meredith
Hi Meredith,
I have to say, reading your blog definitely helps me resonate with what I NEED to do instead of what I THINK I should do!
Dean is so right: when it comes to being discouraged, you need to center yourself and, as you so well said, rediscover your WHY!
That being said, surrounding yourself with like-minded people definitely fits the bill for me!
Thanks for your reminder and support – that journey, which can seem so dark at times, just grew a beautiful flower 🙂
Hi Marc,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful message! It really means a lot to hear that my blog is helping you focus on what you truly need to do rather than what you might feel you should do. Rediscovering our “why” is such a crucial step, and I’m glad that was helpful for you.
It’s amazing how surrounding ourselves with like-minded people can make a big difference. I’m so happy to hear that, despite the darker moments, your journey is blooming into something beautiful. 🌸
Thank you again for your support and for sharing your experience. Here’s to our journey and finding even more inspiration along the way!
Meredith
Dealing with discouragement is something Dean knows well, him that has been stuck for near 5 years when he started. This zoom call with him was indeed packed with a lot of wisdom that you did really well depaint here. The way I deal with discouragement is exactly that: listening to Dean’s video while going to work. This boost me with a positive energy for the rest of the day😀 And I don’t worry getting stuck in traffic because I get more of Dean’s time!😄
Thank you Meredith for sharing such insightful post!
Martin
Hi Martin,
Thank you for your kind words! I’m glad you found the Zoom call with Dean to be packed with valuable insights. It’s inspiring to hear how Dean’s journey has helped you navigate your own challenges.
Listening to Dean’s videos on your way to work is such a great idea! It’s wonderful how you can turn those moments into a boost of positive energy, even during traffic.
I appreciate you sharing your experience and feedback. Here’s to more positive days and continued growth!😊
Meredith
Hi, Meredith!
My discouragement tends to take the form of anxiety pretty quickly. I learned a neat trick. Anxiety has so many of the same symptoms as excitement: increased heart rate, shallow breathing, etc. You can pretty quickly turn anxiety into excitement about what you are doing – just reframe it a bit. I wonder if that would work also with discouragement. They are both strong emotions, so maybe.
I love your pic: You didn’t come this far to only come this far.
That’s motivating!
Have a great week!
Nakina
Hi Nakina,
Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m really sorry to hear that your discouragement often turns into anxiety for you. It’s tough to manage those feelings, but your trick of reframing anxiety as excitement sounds like a wonderful approach. It’s amazing how changing our perspective can help us channel those intense emotions into something positive.
I’m so glad you liked my picture! It’s a reminder that progress is being made, even when things feel challenging. 😊
Wishing you a calm and uplifting week ahead. Thank you again for your comment.
Meredith
Discouarement can be atough one. We all reach that point in wondering if what we have written really matters. Dean with his worldly wisdon always seem to key in on what we are thinking. He revs us up and gets us going.
Hi Scott,
Absolutely, discouragement can be incredibly challenging. It’s natural to question whether what we’re creating truly matters. Dean has a remarkable way of addressing those doubts and offering the guidance we need to push through. His insights always seem to align perfectly with what we’re feeling and thinking, helping us regain our momentum and confidence. It’s great to have that kind of support to keep us moving forward.
Meredith
Hi Meredith!
Thank you for sharing these valuable insights from your call with Dean. I completely resonate with the struggle of dealing with discouragement in this journey. It’s both comforting and motivating to know that we all experience these feelings at times.
I appreciate your emphasis on identifying our “why.” It serves as a powerful anchor during tough moments when it feels like success is just out of reach. Reflecting on why I started this journey helps me push through the challenging days.
Dean’s tips on evaluating our efforts struck a chord with me as well. Consistency, value, and engagement are indeed critical for building a strong connection with our audience. I’ll definitely take some time to assess my own strategies based on these questions!
Your call to push forward despite setbacks is a much-needed reminder for all of us. We have to trust the process and be patient with ourselves—success is a journey, not a sprint.
Thanks again for sharing this! I’m looking forward to applying these lessons and continuing to grow alongside you in our community.
All the Best,
To our success!
Ezequiel Wells
Hi Ezequiel,
Thank you for your thoughtful response and for sharing your insights from Dean’s call. It’s reassuring to know we’re all facing similar challenges, and I’m glad we’re walking this path together.
Reconnecting with your “why” is such a powerful way to stay grounded when things get tough. I’m also glad you’re reflecting on Dean’s advice about consistency and providing value, it really does make a difference when we take the time to assess what’s working.
I truly appreciate your support, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we continue to grow in this incredible community. Let’s keep trusting the process and enjoying the journey!
Meredith
Meredith, It seems I have spent the past week dealing with discouragement. And it all stemmed from a repeated comment from my financial advisor, “Why don’t you ditch the online business and become a volunteer somewhere to bide your time?”. My answer was as always, a steadfast “NO!”.
If I was my old self – this would be the time I turned to yet another shiny object. But the advice from Dean has rang thru.
I knew I had to take some time to refocus and I essentially took the week off to get my personal belongings in order – because as it stands – I have way too much stuff, still.
My take-away from the Zoom call with Dean was to get both my personal and business assets in order. The absence of clutter will surely help get me refocussed.
Hi Robert,
It sounds like you’ve had quite the week, and I can totally understand how those comments from your financial advisor would weigh on you. It’s amazing how strong your “NO” is, though that determination speaks volumes about how much this business means to you.
I love that Dean’s advice stuck with you, helping you stay grounded and focused on what really matters. He has the same affect on me too! Taking time to step back and declutter, both personally and in business, is such a smart move. It’s hard to stay focused when there’s too much “stuff” around, whether it’s physical or mental clutter. You’re so right, getting organized will absolutely bring more clarity.
I admire your resilience. It’s not easy to resist the temptation of shiny objects, but you’re proving just how committed you are to this journey. You’re on the right path, and I’m excited to see where it leads. Keep pushing forward!
Meredith
This post was a very powerful reminder of how important our attitude is to anything we attempt. I know keeping my attitude in the right place in my life has affected every outcome I have ever had. Thank you for reminding me of that!
Hi Judith,
It’s amazing how much our attitude can shape our experiences and results. I completely agree, maintaining a positive mindset can make all the difference in overcoming challenges and achieving our goals. I’m glad my post was a good reminder for you. Staying intentional with your attitude, it truly impacts everything!
Meredith