The Apprentice Marketer Gazette » work

Year 2011 New Direction: Where Do I Go From Here?

Fran Civile — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 09:45:33 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

Happy New Year to all my visitors and to the whole world!

I’ve spent most of December involved with family and holiday events. I have also given a lot of thought to a blog post I wrote after going through Melissa Ingold’s end of the year course that I shared with you on this blog, consisting of a set of six free lessons.

The first lesson was about taking your business inventory for clarity… So I did and as a result wrote a blog is not a business!

Then Jackie Lee published a related article titled: What is Your Business on her blog Internet Marketing For Mommies

Here are some of the questions she asks:

What is it that you do online to make money AKA ~ your online business model?

Are you creating a website that you love that will sell things ~
be it goods or services?

Do you know what you’re doing?

You have to be clear about what you’re doing, what your business model is.

If you aren’t clear you’re going to end up spinning your wheels.

Creating a profitable business comes down to, first and foremost, clarity.

And there is that reference to clarity again!

When I had a gift basket home business from 1998 through 2006 I knew exactly what my goals were: sell gift baskets and in order to do that I maintained an attractive website with good photos of baskets in different gift categories …

I won’t bore you with all the details that involved but I can tell you that it was a lot of work! Nevertheless there were clear goals and outcomes – when I got an order I got paid for the gift basket and delivery charges.

That answers Jackie Lee’s question: Are you creating a website that you love that will sell things be it goods or services? Yes, I loved creating beautiful arrangements that gave pleasure to the buyer and the person receiving the gift, and in that sense I had a good business … but it needed to be taken to
another level to be really successful.

I was making an income BUT not in a range that would allow for adding workers so it was a whole lot of work for one person … the only part I was able to outsource was the deliveries because I had the clients paying for them.

As I have related in my About page, I couldn’t help reading a lot about affiliate marketing and I transitioned to an online business and created Apprentice Marketer Gazette because I hoped to share the information I was
getting with other beginner marketers … that was one clear goal I had.

Can Reading a Story Inspire Almost Immediate Good Fortune? part 9

Fran Civile — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:17:35 +0000

Yesterday’s last words: he levels mountains, fills in vales, and travels on an even plane where stumbling is unknown.”

Thereafter, I slept again, and, when I awoke, I seemed to be in a different world. The sun was shining and I was conscious that birds twittered above my head. My body, yesterday trembling and uncertain, had become vigorous and filled with energy.

I gazed upon the pyramid of casks in amazement that I had so long made use of it for an abiding place, and I was wonderingly conscious that I had passed my last night beneath its shelter.

The events of the night recurred to me, and I looked about me for the Presence. It was not visible, but anon I discovered, cowering in a far corner of my resting place, a puny abject shuddering figure, distorted of visage, deformed of shape, disheveled and unkept of appearance. It tottered as it walked, for it approached me piteously; but I laughed aloud, mercilessly.

Perchance I knew then that it was the minus-entity, and that the plus-entity was within me; albeit I did not then realize it. Moreover, I was in haste to get away; I had no time for philosophy. There was much for me to do, – much; strange it was that I had not thought of that yesterday. But yesterday was gone, – today was with me, – it had just begun.

As had once been my daily habit, I turned my steps in the direction of the tavern, where formerly I had partaken of my meals. I nodded cheerily as I entered, and smiled in recognition of returned salutations. Men who had ignored me for months bowed graciously when I passed them on the thoroughfare.

I went to the washroom, and from there to the breakfast table; afterwards, when I passed the taproom, I paused a moment and said to the landlord:

“I will occupy the same room that I formerly used, if perchance, you have it at disposal. If not, another will do as well, until I can obtain it.”

Then I went out and hurried with all haste to the cooperage. There was a huge wain in the yard, and men were loading it with casks for shipment. I asked no questions, but, seizing barrels, began hurling them to the men who worked atop of the load.

When this was finished, I entered the shop. There was a vacant bench; I recognized its disuse by the litter on its top. It was the same at which I had once worked. Stripping off my coat, I soon cleared it of impedimenta. In a moment more I was seated, with my foot on the vice-lever, shaving staves.

It was an hour later when the master workman entered the room, and he paused in surprise at sight of me; already there was a goodly pile of neatly shaven staves beside me, for in those days I was an excellent workman; there was none better, but, alas! now, age hath deprived me of my skill.

I replied to his unasked question with the brief, but comprehensive sentence: “I have returned to work, sir.” He nodded his head and passed on, viewing the work of other men, albeit anon he glanced askance in my direction.

Here endeth the sixth and last lesson to be acquired, although there is more to be said, since from that moment I was a successful man, and ere long possessed another shipyard, and had acquired a full competence of worldly goods.

I pray you who read, heed well the following admonitions, since upon them depend the word “success” and all that it implies:

Whatsoever you desire of good is yours. You have but to stretch forth your hand and take it. Learn that the consciousness of dominant power within you is the possession of all things attainable.

Have no fear of any sort or shape, for fear is an adjunct of the minus-entity.

If you have skill, apply it; the world must profit by it, and therefore, you. Make a daily and nightly companion of your plus-entity; if you heed its advice, you cannot go wrong.

Remember, philosophy is an argument; the world, which is your property, is an accumulation of facts.

Go therefore, and do that which is within you to do; take no heed of gestures which would beckon you aside; ask of no man permission to perform.

The minus-entity requests favors; the plus-entity grants them. Fortune waits upon every footstep you take; seize her, bind her, hold her, for she is yours; she belongs to you.

Start out now, with these admonitions in your mind.

Stretch out your hand, and grasp the plus, which, maybe, you have never made use of, save in great emergencies. Life is an emergency most grave.

Your plus-entity is beside you now; cleanse your brain, and strengthen your will. It will take possession. It waits upon you.

Start tonight; start now upon this new journey.

Be always on your guard. Whichever entity controls you, the other hovers at your side; beware lest the evil enter, even for a moment.

My task is done.

I have written the recipe for “success.” If followed, it cannot fail.

Wherein I may not be entirely comprehended, the plus-entity of whosoever reads will supply the deficiency; and upon that Better Self of mine, I place the burden of
imparting to generations that are to come, the secret of this all-pervading good,
the secret of being what you have it within you to be.

I posted this 25-page ebook it in serial form … I hope you enjoyed the quaint old story as much as I did and remember to Be what you have it within you to be

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the opening words of all of our eBooks apply: “This eBook
is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,
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Can Reading a Story Inspire Almost Immediate Good Fortune? part 8

Fran Civile — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:21:16 +0000

Yesterday’s last words: there was a presence with me
intangible to others, I discovered later, but real to me.

The Presence was in my likeness, yet it was strikingly unlike. The brow, not more lofty than my own, yet seemed more round and full; the eyes, clear, direct, and filled with purpose, glowed with enthusiasm and resolution; the lips, chin, – ay, the whole contour of face and figure was dominant and determined.

He was calm, steadfast, and self-reliant; I was cowering, filled with nervous trembling, and fearsome of intangible shadows.

When the Presence turned away, I followed, and throughout the day I never lost sight of it, save when it disappeared for a time beyond some doorway where I dared not enter; at such places, I awaited its return with trepidation and awe, for I could not help wondering at the temerity of the Presence (so like myself, and yet so unlike), in daring to enter where my own feet feared to tread.

It seemed also as if purposely, I was led to the place and to the men where, and before whom I most dreaded to appear; to offices where once I had transacted business; to men with whom I had financial dealings.

Throughout the day I pursued the Presence, and at evening saw it disappear beyond the portals of a hostelry famous for its cheer and good living. I sought the pyramid of casks and shavings.

Not again in my dreams that night did I encounter the Better Self (for that is what I have named it), albeit, when, perchance, I awakened from slumber, it was near to me, ever wearing that calm smile of kindly derision which could not be mistaken for pity, nor for condolence in any form.

The contempt of it stung me sorely.

The second day was not unlike the first, being a repetition of its forerunner, and I was again doomed to wait outside during the visits which the Presence paid to places where I fain would have gone had I possessed the requisite courage.

It is fear which deporteth a man’s soul from his body and rendereth it a thing to be despised. Many a time I essayed to address it but enunciation rattled in my throat, unintelligible; and the day closed like its predecessor.

This happened many days, one following another, until I ceased to count them; albeit, I discovered that constant association with the Presence was producing an effect on me; and one night when I awoke among the casks and discerned that he was present, I made bold to speak, albeit with marked timidity.

“Who are you?” I ventured to ask; and I was startled into an upright posture by the sound of my own voice; and the question seemed to give pleasure to my companion, so that I fancied there was less of derision in his smile when he responded.

“I am that I am,” was the reply. “I am he who you have been; I am he who you may be again; wherefore do you hesitate? I am he who you were, and whom you have cast out for other company. I am the man made in the image of God, who once possessed your body. Once we dwelt within it together, not in harmony, for that can never be, nor yet in unity, for that is impossible, but as tenants in common who rarely fought for full possession.

Then, you were a puny thing, but you became selfish and exacting until I could no longer abide with you, therefore I stepped out.

There is a plus-entity and minus-entity in every human body that is born into the world. Whichever one of these is favored by the flesh becomes dominant; then is the other inclined to abandon its habitation, temporarily or for all time.

I am the plus-entity of yourself; you are the minus-entity. I own all things; you possess naught. That body which we both inhabited is mine, but it is unclean, and I will not dwell within it. Cleanse it, and I will take possession.”

“Why do you pursue me?” I next asked of the Presence.

“You have pursued me, not I you. You can exist without me for a time, but your path leads downward, and the end is death. Now that you approach the end, you debate if it be not politic that you should cleanse your house and invite me to enter.

Step aside, from the brain and the will; cleanse them of your presence; only on that condition will I ever occupy them again.”

“The brain has lost its power,” I faltered. “The will is a weak thing, now; can you repair them?”

“Listen!” said the Presence, and he towered over me while I cowered abjectly at his feet. “To the plus-entity of a man, all things are possible. The world belongs to him, – is his estate. He fears naught, dreads naught, stops at naught; he asks no privileges, but demands them; he dominates, and cannot cringe; his requests are orders; opposition flees at his approach; he levels mountains, fills in vales, and travels on an even plane where stumbling is unknown.”

Read last installment to-morrow >>>> part 9

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Can Reading a Story Inspire Almost Immediate Good Fortune? part 7

Fran Civile — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 02:07:32 +0000

Yesterday’s last words: here might be included the fourth lesson:

Seek comrades among the industrious, for those who are idle will sap your energies from you.

It was my pleasure at that time to relate, upon slight provocation, the tale of my disasters, and to rail against the men whom I deemed to have wronged me, because they had seen fit not to come to my aid. Moreover, I found childish delight in filching from my employer, each day, a few moments of the time for which he paid me.

Such a thing is less honest than downright theft.

This habit continued and grew upon me until the day dawned which found me not only without employment, but also without character, which meant that I could not hope to find work with any other employer in Boston town.

It was then that I regarded myself a failure. I can liken my condition at that time for naught more similar than that of a man who, descending the steep side of a mountain, loses his foothold. The farther he slides, the faster he goes. I have also heard this condition described by the word Ishmaelite, which I understand to be a man whose hand is against everybody, and who thinks that the hands of every other man are against him.

And here beginneth the fifth lesson:

The Ishmaelite and the leper are the same, since both are abominations in the sight of man, – albeit they differ much, in that the former may be restored to perfect health. The former is entirely the result of imagination; the latter has poison in his blood.

I will not discourse at length upon the gradual degeneration of my energies. It is not meet ever to dwell much upon misfortunes (which saying is also worthy of remembrance). It is enough if I add that the day came where I possessed naught wherewith to purchase food and raiment, and I found myself like unto a pauper, save at infrequent times when I could earn a few pence, or mayhap, a shilling.

Steady employment I could not secure, so I became emaciated in body, and naught but skeleton in spirit.

My condition, then, was deplorable; not so much for the body, be it said, as for the
mental part of me, which was sick unto death. In my imagination I deemed myself ostracized by the whole world, for I had sunk very low indeed;

and here beginneth the sixth and final lesson to be acquired, (which cannot be told in one sentence, nor in one paragraph, but must needs be adopted from the remainder of this tale).

* * *

Well do I remember my awakening, for it came in the night, when, in truth, I did awake from sleep. My bed was a pile of shavings in the rear of the cooper shop where once I had worked for hire; my roof was the pyramid of casks, underneath which I had established myself.

The night was cold, and I was chilled, albeit, paradoxically, I had been dreaming of light and warmth and of the depletion of good things. You will say, when I relate the effect the vision had on me, that my mind was affected.

So be it, for it is the hope that the minds of others might be likewise influenced which disposes me to undertake the labor of this writing. It was the dream which converted me to the belief – nay, to the knowledge – that I was possessed of two entities: and it was my own better self that afforded me the assistance for which I had pleaded in vain from my acquaintances. I have heard this condition described by the word “double.”

Nevertheless, that word does not comprehend my meaning. A double, can be naught more than a double, neither half being possessed of individuality. But I will not philosophize, since philosophy is naught but a suit of garments for the decoration of a dummy figure.

Moreover, it was not the dream itself which affected me; it was the impression made by it, and the influence that it exerted over me, which accomplished my enfranchisement.

In a word, then, I encouraged my other identity. After toiling through a tempest of snow and wind, I peered into a window and saw that other being. He was rosy with health; before him, on the hearth, blazed a fire of logs; there was a conscious power and force in his demeanor; he was physically and mentally muscular.

I rapped timidly upon the door, and he bade me enter. There was a not unkindly smile of derision in his eyes as he motioned me to a chair by the fire; but he uttered no word of welcome; and, when I had warmed myself, I went forth again into the tempest, burdened with the shame which the contrast between us had forced upon me.

It was then that I awoke; and here cometh the strange part of my tale, for, when I
did awake, I was not alone.

There was a Presence with me;

Read more to-morrow >>>> part 7
I’m publishing this ebook in serial form, I hope you enjoy the quaint old story as much as I do!

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Can Reading a Story Inspire Almost Immediate Good Fortune? part 3

Fran Civile — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 06:56:07 +0000

yesterday ending words: yes,I replied, bitterly,

continued today >>>> “Yes,” I replied, bitterly,”with prospects of being on the town, shortly. But you look as if things were coming your way. Tell me all about it.”

“Things have been coming my way, for a fact, and it is all remarkable, when all is said. You know Sturtevant, don’t you? It’s all due to him. I was plumb down on my luck, – thinking of the morgue and all that, – looking for you, in fact, with the idea you would lend me enough to pay my room rent, when I met Sturtevant. He told me a story, and, really, old man, it is the most remarkable story you ever heard; it made a new man out of me. Within twenty-four hours I was on my feet and I’ve hardly known a care or a trouble since.”

Avery’s statement, uttered calmly, and with the air of one who had merely pronounced an axiom, recalled to my mind the conversation with Sturtevant in the cafe that stormy night, nearly a month before.

“It must be a remarkable story,” I said, incredulously. “Sturtevant mentioned it to me once. I have not seen him since. Where is he now?” “He has been making war sketches in Cuba, at two hundred a week; he’s just returned. It is a fact that everybody who has heard the story has done well since. There are Cosgrove and Phillips, – friends of mine, – you don’t know them. One’s a real estate agent; the other’s a broker’s clerk, Sturtevant told them the story, and they have experienced the same results that I have; and they are not the only ones.

“Do you know the story?” I asked. “Will you try its effect on me?”

“Certainly, with the greatest pleasure in the world. I would like to have it printed in big black type, and posted on the elevated stations throughout New York. It certainly would do a lot of good, and it’s as simple as A, B, C: like living on a farm. Excuse me a minute, will you? I see Danforth over there. Back in a minute, old chap.

” If the truth be told, I was hungry. My pocket at that moment contained exactly five cents; just enough to pay my fare up-town, but insufficient also to stand the expense of filling my stomach.

There was a “night owl” wagon in the neighborhood, where I had frequently “stood up” the purveyor of midnight dainties, and to him I applied. He was leaving the wagon as I was on the point of entering it, and I accosted him. “I’m broke again,” I said, with extreme cordiality. “You’ll have to trust me once more. Some ham and eggs, I think,
will do for the present.”

He coughed, hesitated a moment, and then re-entered the wagon with me. “Mr. Currier is good for anything he orders” he said to the man in charge; “one of my old customers. This is Mr. Bryan, Mr. Currier. He will take good care of you, and ‘stand for’ you, just the same as I would. The fact is, I have sold out. I’ve just turned over the outfit to Bryan.

By the way, isn’t Mr. Sturtevant a friend of yours?”

I nodded.

I couldn’t have spoken if I had tried. “Well,” continued the ex-”night owl” man, “he came in here one night, about a month ago, and told me the most wonderful story I ever heard. I’ve just bought a place in Eighth Avenue, where I am going to run a regular restaurant – near Twenty third Street. Come and see me.” He was out of the wagon and the sliding door had been banged shut before I could stop him; so I ate my ham and eggs in silence, and resolved that I would hear that story before I slept.

In fact, I began to regard it with superstition.

Working for Yourself … Could you Truly Cut it? part 2

Fran Civile — Sat, 08 May 2010 21:09:43 +0000

This is part 2 of a 3-part series about Kevin Riley’s
Working for Yourself.pdf
a 14 page pdf report listing 19 questions you might ask yourself if you’re considering working at home.

Here are questions 7 through 12 - for you to check off to what degree they might apply to you:

Y = “Yes, this is what I’m like.”
S = “Somewhat, and I feel I could develop this trait.”
N = “No, I’m not like this at all.”

Download the free 14-page report by clicking here: Working for Yourself.pdf

7. You are organized
You can manage your time and resources. Running your own business,
you often have to wear a number of hats and some days may see you
tackling a bunch of tasks. If you’re not organized, you can end up
wasting a lot of valuable time, and being distracted by non-productive
activities.

8. You are independent
As a home-based business person, you usually have few people to rely
on. Sure, you can become part of business networks and get support at
forums, but in the end it is you who must do all the work to build your
business. A successful entrepreneur is independent, and relies on
themselves.

9. You are a problem solver
You can’t let a problem interfere with your purpose. To succeed, you must face problems
head on and figure out a way to go through, over, or around the
problem.
In fact, successful entrepreneurs see opportunities in problems. Solving
other people’s problems is how your business can make a lot of money.

10. You take action
Planning is an important part of your success, but without action your
plans will never be achieved. Over analyzing a plan can lead to
“analysis paralysis”, where you never put the plan into action and
nothing is achieved.
Successful entrepreneurs consider their path of action, and then they
soon take action. They never wait for things to happen – they make
them happen.

11. You have imagination
Being successful often involves using your imagination to be that little
bit different – to stand out from the crowd. Sometimes, you’ll have to
think outside the box to put you above your competition.

12. You are observant
You watch what others are doing, and you learn from it. Successful
entrepreneurs know what is happening in their niche. They see what
their competition is doing right, and what they’re doing wrong.
While it’s wise to learn from your mistakes, it’s safer & cheaper to learn
from your competition’s mistakes.

Y = “Yes, this is what I’m like.”
S = “Somewhat, and I feel I could develop this trait.”
N = “No, I’m not like this at all.”

part 3 to-morrow…

Working for Yourself… Could you Truly Cut it? part 1

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Working from Home… can it be Hazardous to Your Health?

Fran Civile — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:57:47 +0000

When you first start your home business, it’s expected that you’ll
be putting in longer hours than the regular 9-5. There’s no fellow
employee or boss to take up the slack. You are the one who has to
put in the extra hours… so it’s natural to forget about regular meal
times and recreation… letting work take over your life… well,
natural to forget for a period of time… but not as a way of life!

Actually it seems like it would be hard to believe that we would
neglect proper nutrition and getting enough physical exercise when
we finally are able to control our time… and our life, especially if we’re working at home, but it happens a lot.

How can it be that someone who is finally freed from putting in a full day’s work plus traveling time to and from the job would neglect eating proper meals and getting physical exercise when finally being in charge of their own schedule?

I find it hard to believe but I do it myself sometimes!

A long time ago when I was a mother at home with my young children, I read something about expanding household chores to fill the time available and I had to admit to myself that I was doing that a lot of the time… the only time I got cleanup jobs done fast was when we had made plans for a trip to the park, swimming lessons or whatever…

Those were the times when I got the kitchen cleaned up, beds made
etc. in a jiffy and even got my kids to help out… so what’s with that?

That maybe how women figured that they could get an outside
paying job and still have a fairly well organized home… of course that
led to expecting more help from the other job holder… the husband,
with mixed results… but that’s another subject.

Now that I’m working from home and living by myself, I do eat at
irregular times but what I eat is what I shop for and I’m really
serious about good nutrition. I think I get enough exercise but I
miss spending time with other people and being able to have live
discussions with a co-worker… sometimes.

Kevin Riley, the infopreneur who writes reports and ebooks about
Internet and Affiliate Marketing has written an ebook titled
Working for Yourself.pdf Could you Truly Cut it ? a 14 page
personal assessment so the reader can ask himself: is this for me?
It’s well layed out, with multiple choice questions:

Y= “Yes, this is what I’m like.”S= “Somewhat, and I feel I could develop this trait.”N=”No, I’m not like this at all.”

If you’ve been thinking of starting a home business click the link and download it… it’s free.

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Going from Success to Significance in Work and Life

Fran Civile — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:25:54 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Last Saturday afternoon I watched a special on one of my local PBS stations: KBTC, titled:
With Purpose: Going from Success to Significance in Work and Life

As a psychologist, gerontologist, documentary filmmaker, entrepreneur and best-selling author of fifteen books on aging-related issues,
Dr. Dychtwald has been exploring the implications of the longer age expectations for this boomer generation.

He spoke at length about the prospect of rethinking the meaning of success, work, relationships, adulthood and retirement.

He has explored at length various aspects of this longer living generation of boomers… how will be they handling matters of lifestyle, marketing, healthcare and workforce?

How will the expectation of probably living longer, maybe much longer than previous generations,change our thinking about goals? What is success for this new stage of our lives?

What happens to retirement?

With new aspirations regarding the potentials of a longer life and also today’s economic instability will we head off to the playing fields or perhaps try a satisfying encore career?

Dr. Dychtwald introduced some incredible men and women,the new
role models for this age-wave investment,who are providing
inspirational glimpses into the future.

How could new purpose be added to this next stage of life?

Could having new purpose contribute to continuing vigor and good health… after all how old would you be if you didn’t know how old
you are?

I thought it was a very thought provoking and inspiring show…
invigorating even!

With Purpose: Going From Success to Significance in Work and Life (3/09) is Dr. Ken Dychtwald’s newest book. In 2007, he had his debut as a documentary filmmaker and host with the highly rated PBS special “The Boomer Century. (he recently turned 60)

The Nuclear Family Goes Boom! (time.com)
Ken Dychtwald Ph.D.: Long Term Care: The Solutions You Should Be Talking About Now (huffingtonpost.com)

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The Apprentice Marketer Gazette » work

Year 2011 New Direction: Where Do I Go From Here?

Can Reading a Story Inspire Almost Immediate Good Fortune? part 9

Can Reading a Story Inspire Almost Immediate Good Fortune? part 8

Can Reading a Story Inspire Almost Immediate Good Fortune? part 7

Can Reading a Story Inspire Almost Immediate Good Fortune? part 3

Working for Yourself … Could you Truly Cut it? part 2

Working from Home… can it be Hazardous to Your Health?

Going from Success to Significance in Work and Life

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