This last week my wife and I got a call that there was a family situation that required us to leave town ASAP. We all hate to get those calls but unfortunately, they are part of life. All is fine now, but life has a way of reminding us that we are fragile, huh? In 2 days, I was forced to be on 7, yes 7, planes to get to where I needed to be and back. As many who travel know, 
when one makes a last-minute plane reservations, one gets stuck with what seat is available at the time. Well, for me that meant a lot of middle seats between people who had the luxury of booking their flights earlier. I’m the type of traveler that likes an aisle seat for many reasons, but middles are tough as fitting comfortably in them is quite…the challenge 😊. Anyway, it was uncomfortable on my many flights. However, I am not complaining! I was happy to have the travel option because it meant that I was going to make it to my destination. In other words, my short-term discomfort meant I could be with family. The middle seats were worth it in the end.
Just like this affiliate marketing business. I am doing a lot of uncomfortable things with a bigger goal in mind – the goal of FREEDOM as I explained in my original blog post. In fact, that is why I call this blog “Ernie’s Online Journey.” I have accomplished a lot of things out of my comfort zone in this process to create an online business as I have detailed in other posts. Chances are, I will be doing many more things that are uncomfortable to reach my destination in my journey. My next uncomfortable experience will be to place my journey on video and post it to social media. Being in front of an audience, small or large, is not a problem for me. My corporate job often required it and I embraced the opportunity to be in front of people. But video…that’s another story. I’ve had to record videos before and I would go through many, many, many takes before it looked and sounded natural and was usable footage. So off I go to do something uncomfortable. I have no idea how to get started or what to do. But I have a great resource in my mentor Dean Holland, as he has created instructions in his training to help me create videos. I also have the help of my community of fellow Dean Holland mentees. Some of these people are so far ahead of me and are wonderful resources and ready to help. Making videos is not really a fear, but I still must face the challenge, be willing to make mistakes, understand I will be raw at first but have a confident expectation of becoming better and better. So, when you see me on recorded video in the future, have a laugh if warranted as I am sure I will. But please know my goal is to create value.
What is your “middle seat?” What uncomfortable thing you are trying to do now? What are you doing to face your fears and or challenges and what are you doing to make your uncomfortable moments easier to bear.
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”
― Marie Curie
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
And, yes, a few dad jokes:
What did the football player say to the flight attendant?
“Put me in coach.”
I don’t find airplane jokes funny.
To me, they’re just really Boeing
Here’s to you overcoming uncomfortable challenges! STAY FRESH, friends!
Ernie
They say if you truly want to learn who you are you should start a business. It takes so much will power to ride through your uncomfort to reach greener pastures. But you’re doing it and that’s amazing! Keep up the great work! You got this!!
Thanks, Scott! I completely agree and I am learning a lot about myself in the process. Thanks for the visit!
I really love the “middle seat” analogy. I also appreciate what you say about having to do a lot of uncomfortable things. A lot of people jumped into affiliate marketing with the wrong expectation because of all the hype out there. This is a message that people need to hear before they even get started with affiliate marketing.
Anyway, congratulations for your accomplishment so far. Looking forward to see your first video 🙂
Thanks, Alan! I must admit I am still a little nervous about the video and deciding on which social media platform to use. So, I will not overthink and just jump in the pool! 🙂 I appreciate your visit!
Ernie, I hope your family is recovering and doing well. It is admirable that you are on this new venture. I can really appreciate your thoughts in your ABOUT ME page. People are so important and our relationships should always be expanding.
I feel I too, am in a middle seat and this online world is amazing and draws me into a major learning curve. Don’t stop and never giveup.. You will succeed in your persistence and dedication.
More in ’24
Blessings,
John
Thank you – We are recovering, but life can be painful and rough. Thak you for your words of encouragement and blessing right back at you!!!
Ha, ha. You and me both! This means we are not alone in rising to the challenge of making videos and being in front of a camera.
I love the idea of the middle seat as like you I prefer the aisle seat so that I can get up and walk whenever I feel to.
But willing to put up with short discomfort to get what you really, really want.
Good Luck, I know we’re going to get through this.
I totally agree. We will get through this and have Dean and this community for support. What social media platform did you choose? Thanks for the visit!
I choose all the platforms. Only takes a few minutes. I assume someone died in your family. My sincere condolences 💐❤️🔥
Thank you, Kate!
Ernie, I’ve only had to travel unexpectedly once and it was such a long time ago, I really don’t recall which seats I got – but yeah – my pref is either a window or aisle seat.
I totally relate to the many, many takes for video. I usually ended up going one sentence at a time.
I am most unhappy to report that I am lining myself up for bankruptcy. Talk about uncomfortable, eh. I was probably headed for this before I even began this online marketing journey – but my accountant makes a good case for it. He is also my biggest naysayer and tells me to stop now and do something that doesn’t require money. This is where I dig my heals in…as I know I am in a good place with Internet Profits – so to make this upcoming uncomfortableness easier to bear I’m trying to top up my adversting account and make sure everything I need going forward for the next year or so is paid for in advance.
You should see my face while reading your dad jokes. Maybe I’ll say the same when I see a video, lol. I’m sure you’ll do fine.
Hello Robert! I am sorry to hear about your upcoming filing but an equally excited for your future opportunities! The naysayers can be rough, but we NEED to stay the course for success! I wish you (and me 🙂 ) the best as we try our hand at videos!
Having just flown home on a plane where I had the whole row to myself I have to say I am grateful for avoiding the middle seat squash!
I think the middle seat analogy is so powerful, it sums up so much about the discomfort of having to do things you are not used to in affiliate marketing.
The first thing is “looking and hoping that the person coming down the aisle is not going to sit in the empty seat next to you.” for me is like posting content and hoping no one will come along and criticise it. I have had a few of those!
Then there is the jostling to find the least uncomfortable way to accommodate three bodies in a space made for 2 and three quarters! A bit like trying to work out how you are going to explain to your partner that you have just started another crazy business idea!
And of course the relief when finally you touch down, and they get out of your way so you can enjoy the destination. I am not quite there yet, there is still a long bit of the journey ahead of me, it may not be comfortable, but I am on board and I am looking forward to arriving!
Am entire row to yourself – what a gift!!! You perfectly summed up the middle seat situation and how it related to our business. Best wished and thanks for the visit!
Hi, Ernie! The middle seats are a great comparison! I’m uncomfortable posting online. I need to build an online presence to share my blog across platforms. I’m going to work on that this week. I don’t know how to begin other than to ask many questions. Lol! Truth be told, I’m even uncomfortable posting on people’s blogs. I expect I will get more comfortable with time. I try to turn on the music, have a coffee, and get comfortable. But I worry that I’ll say the wrong thing.
Silly, right? I know I just want to hear people’s responses to my blog. I’m not judging them. And, yet, I feel like this shy little kid on the playground.
Well, here’s to reaching our destinations! Onward and upward!
We think alike! My problem is I tend to overthink and get caught up in that activity vs real value-added behavior. Practice may not make perfect, or maybe it will, but I am hoping to be more comfortable in the process.
Great analogy! It is funny, but so true, that there is no growth without being uncomfortable and having to overcome the “resistance. ” Lately, I find myself thinking when I am getting uncomfortable and feeling overwhelmed that I am probably on the right path.
Excellent point! If everything were comfortable, everyone would be successful. As they say, one needs to prune the tree to see it grow. Thanks for the visit!
Hi Ernie, sorry to hear about your family emergency. I hope everyone is OK. I share your trepidation about doing a video. I had the same thoughts a week ago when I was deciding which platform to appear on. 7 days later and I have 3 tiktok videos under my belt. It’s not so bad once you get used to seeing yourself. Good luck!
Andy
Thank you! It was a long and sad week. But we will push forward. Congratulations on 3 videos! I’ll go check them out :). Best wishes and thanks for the visit.
Ernie, I think the middle seat in my life is me. What I mean by that is I’m the one who makes things difficult for myself and I’m the one who puts barriers up when I don’t need to. So rather than blame anyone else or anything is better, I look at what I can change and change that, I hope that makes sense. Thanks, Atif
You and me both! I get in my own way, I overthink, I sometimes do not act on intuition, etc. Thanks for your visit, my friend, and best wishes to a productive week!
Hey Ernie,
My Middle Seat is definitely Social Media in general! Back in the 2000’s and 2010’s I would use Social Media often to Promote my music, shows, events, etc. As time went on after my Music Hustling Days I have really grown to dislike all Social Media platforms, mainly because the Majority of things on them are non beneficial to anyone as well as the obvious damage it is having on our Youth. I just diodnt see a purpose in using it other than connecting with someone you dont have a phone Number for.
So Now, having to Learn the Ins and Outs of a PLatform (or Two) and study them In Depth is such an Uncomfortable Reality for me, but I know it is necessary. I am going to have to find a way to “Middle Seat” my way to Success with Social Media lol!
I, too, have seen the destructive issues with Social Media. Young and old have the ability to be compromised in negative ways. It is here to stay so we must make the best of it and use it for good. That I what I am trying to do. I may venture to TikTok – scary! What are you going to try? FB, TikTok, Instagram, etc.?
Hi Ernie!
Sorry to hear about your family issue. I wish you comfort (more than a middle seat!) during this time.
Affiliate marketing definitely has its uncomfortable moments on the path to growing our businesses. We need to just start and hope for kindness in the comments I guess.
All the best!
Milissa Neirotti
Thank you so much for your kind post! Yes, life is filled with uncomfortable moments. the key is to get past them and move forward. Thanks for the visit!
Ernie,
Sorry to hear you had an emergency, Glad all is well now. I have to say I love corny jokes and they are a staple in our family. Ill have to share both of yours with the family.
I am also glad to see you pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. for it is in this space that true personal and business growth occurs. Over the years I have learned to love being out of my comfort zone. Then recently, i’ve learned to push through my fears instead of allowing them to control me.
I can attest that the rewards are well worth overcoming the uncomfortableness.
May you keep pushing past the outer limits of your comfort zone.
CJ
Thank you for your kind comments and well wishes. Yes, humor often gets us through “interesting” times. Pushing myself is key – Hey, I’m up very early on a Saturday morning as I want to make a go at this business. The time I spend now will pay dividends later. Thanks for your visit!