I always wondered when I would burn out.  After eight plus years, I finally found out.  It happened to me in the middle of a call with an advertiser at approximately 4pm EST on Oct. 23rd 2009.  While I was closing the advertiser on that call, I was also on AIM with 7 or 8 people trying to pull together one more thing before closing up shop and going home for the weekend.  I had already let all my employees go home because we had been on a 18 hour/day work week so that we could finish a few projects by the end of the month.  After sealing the deal on the phone, I leaned back in my chair while the advertiser babbled about how great this project was going to be.  I picked up my green pen (that’s what I use when the task is making money) to mark this deal off of my to-do list …

BAM!  I was blinded sided.  I didn’t see it coming.  Looking back now I think what got me was that, although I had accomplished more this week than I thought anyone could, my to-do list was stretched out so far I didn’t see the end.  My mind went blank.  It seemed like all the energy and excitement I typically have day in and day out left my body at once.  I felt tired.  So I politely ended my call.  Shut down my desktop and packed my laptops.  I left within two minutes of hitting the affiliate marketing wall.

What I didn’t know was how long this was going to last.  I have had moments where I didn’t want to think about any of this ever again but not the sensation I got that day.  The next day I new it was time for me to step away for a few days.  So without much thought I just decided not to work or think about work or get online even (because that leads to work some how).  It had been over 8 years since I started this online marketing journey and to be honest I was really afraid it had come to an abrupt end.

How could it end like this?  I felt like I was on top of the world just days before.  Beyond the affiliate marketing success, we were in the middle of two huge projects that were about to launch and bring new revenue streams.  We began dabbling in the local market a few months earlier and it has been a huge surprise (and success).  What changed on that call?

I don’t have the answer.  I do know that just like most of you, I work crazy hours.  And not because I have to either.  I catch myself exploring too many opportunities.  As entrepreneurs we need to remain focused on the task at hand sometimes.  When I am not in the office I still think about working.  In every social situation I am usually in atleast one thought will cross my mind on how I could monetize this or that whether it be drinking a beer with the boys or playing at  the Fun Zone with my child.  Marketing is never too far out of my thoughts.  Every time I get online, even when it is has nothing to do with work, it leads to thinking about work.  I am in constant contact with my campaigns on all platforms.  Blackberry in one pocket.  iPhone in the other pocket.

So what happened?  When I got home I got the same greeting I always do.  My daughter came running and jumped in my arms.  For the next 11 days I didn’t do anything work related.  I had the guys that I hired to handle things actually handle them.  I put the new projects on hold until I returned.  I just decompressed and came up with a plan to keep me fresh.  The plan includes very set working time zones which I am still easing into now.  It also includes very set personal time zones that I have already started to really enjoy.  I will not be accessible 24/7 like I have been for almost a decade.

So here is the lesson for all you hungry, upstarts out there.  Make sure you keep a firm grip on the balance of your work/life.  Especially when working for yourself, the boundaries of the two often become blurred.  As you grow, make sure you continue to dedicate time to other activities/interest and take care of yourself – health wise.  That includes sleep (which is my biggest culprit).

I’mmmmmmmmmmmmmm back!

J.Cash.

** and to the people that I just left hanging.  Get at me and lets make that cash.

Comments on Confessions of an Affiliate Marketing Addict

Jump down to add your comment

Name

Mail

Website

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail