Morning Folks!!
Tia Wood made an interestingblog post about me and how I operate the other day. She articulated things I never could and then I did my best to follow up with the following comment. I am sure the folks the post is intended for won't give it a second thought. They do, one at a time. Not in mass. But for the umpteenth time over too many years to count I will try and explain how I see things.
'If I drive a Ferrari and a guy has a 15 year old junker, I will
share my story of how I got the Ferrari and what I believe and how I see things
but don’t expect me to get into the junker if I am not stranded. I already had
my share of junkers. I was already where others were. All I can do is share
what I personally learned and believe. I can’t force anyone, nor do I want to.
I can lend a helping hand when I have time and willing to pull others up. But I
do get annoyed when I lower my hand and others try and pull me down. THOSE are
the people I have no time for. The time wasters with bad attitudes that are mad
at everyone else for THEIR shortcomings. THOSE are the people I avoid in the
domain business and in life in general. Pretty simple. The only ones that get
offended are those very people. So they stick out and it makes it easy to
exclude them. When they figure it out, they are included. I say it out loud and
in writing because that is the foundation of my belief system. Surround
yourself with people that pull you up not the ones that try and pull you down.
SIMPLE! People that pull you up NEVER get offended by that or have to make
snide comments. It only reflects badly on them. So what we see, they don’t.
That’s the magic of life.'
If I started in domaining today I would do it differently. I would have to do it differently even if I got into domains 6 months later than I did. The equation changes every day of our lives. Business does not stay still. It evolves and you have to evolve with it. But evolving does not change standard business principles and approach and attitude and behavior and many other things. That is the common thread and if that is flawed, everything you do is flawed because the foundation is not solid. Folks that are not making a lot of money in domaining can't blame anyone but themselves. I can see some getting red in the face just for saying something that is simple fact. Ok fine, blame me. Blame your mother. Blame the man on the moon. I am the one on the planet that has held you back. I am the bad guy. If not for me you would be a wildly successful. Just know that YOU are the only one that believes it and silly is the only word that comes to mind. YOU are in control of your destiny and you own it because you created it! A dose of reality is the way I give a helping hand and I can't help those that blame others for their failures or shortcomings. Until you get past that, you will never understand a word of what I am saying. Raise your game by stopping and thinking and accomplishing things and being deliberate. When you lash out, use that energy to pull yourself up because there is only one person on the entire planet that can hold you back and if you are looking my way, then you are foolish and it is time to adjust your attitude or suffer another year of anger and frustration. Want to be a winner? Then be a winner. It is your decision and I have no power to stop you nor desire. I do have a desire to lend that hand by posting in your face stuff that exposes the basic things that may be holding you back. Extend your hand and I will shake it. Bite my hand it and I will bite back. Attitude is everything and will determine your success or failure before you even begin your project.
Have a GREAT Day!
Rick Schwartz
Viqi
I have seen these kind of people.. the ones you are talking about. I just can not figure it out that why would someone blame others for their mistakes. It just escapes me.
Shane
Everyone wants what I have but nobody wants to work the hours I do to get it.
Steve C
On a similar subject… I learned a long time ago from an entrepuer I was learning from that there are 2 groups in business.
“The quick and the dead.”
My Golden Retriever confirms it. His version is” There is the dog with the ball, then there are all the other dogs.”
I never got to apply it in real time until the Internet came up. Now I use it daily.
2 cents worth,
steve
ANDY
Business is business So why do SOME folks get so upset that they’re not invited to the party as they’re not (yet)a player.
Some people secretly wish to stay at the bottom of the heap as it gives them comfort, and some folks can’t be helped. And many more resent others success.Positivity and hard work are essential. I agree Rick, surround yourself with +ve folks, -ve folks can be helped but only if they are prepared to change and work hard.
When I’m trying to broker a premium domain I target high rollers with deep pockets. No use wasting your time casting pearls before lowballers.
Sentiment is a luxury i can’t afford so why shouldn’t the same apply to those at the top of the domain tree.
Afterall any one of us can hit the heights, anytime. Sometimes all it takes is luck but
Like the old Jewish proverb goes (and I’m Irish)
“The harder I work the luckier I get.”
Dave Pelligrinelli
For those of us that don’t suffer fools very well, it often becomes a frustration which distracts from productive thinking.
We have all been there; a negative, time-wasting, whiner type comes across our path, and we become angry with the person and even bitter. In some ways, we have become like them.
As much as we try to avoid that type of person, if you are exposed to society at all they will find you.
To keep these encounters from draining your energy, it is helpful for me that I remember that it is not personal. The spiteful person does not resent you personally, but are simply angry with their own inability to achieve results, and lash out accordingly.
While looking at it this way doesn’t get back the time you wasted steering clear of them, it does sometimes make it less distracting.
Does this comment sound too condescending?
Jim Holleran
Here is my story:
When I got into the domain business in 1998, my friends, family, and neighbors were very critical of me. In fact, my wife and I seperated for 6 months during that time. In fact, I lived in a”motel” and went to the library to use the computer to buy domains.
What keep me going was the support of people who I never met on the old Afternic.com discussion board. They were my only support network, complete strangers.
I was called a”loser” by so many relatives because I had an MBA and not taking the big”corporate job” that I was suppose to do, but here I was maxing out credit cards on buying domain domains.
I remember my in-laws calling me and telling me that there daughter deserves somebody much better than me and that they wish there daughter would divorce me. I remember my wife telling me that I will never be able to buy a house, support a family, and how can I be so”gullible”
I decided to tell everybody to”fu#k off” and either I sink or swim and than went to my mentors on the afternic discussion board to positive feedback.
Those were tough days, but here I am now in my 13th year in the industry, making well over $XXX,XXX a year, own 3 homes, and most importantly, I get to stay at home and hang out with my”twin 2 year old daughters” everyday. This is not to brag but to let others relate to what they may be going through in there lives and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Bottom line is this, don’t listen to friends, family, neighbors, and find a positive role model, it could be somebody you never met, an author from a book, etc, and tell all the negative people to go”f#ck themselves”. Just thought I would share my story with everybody.
Thanks, Jim
owen frager
“I’m not sure if you are aware but my fellow bloggers are often on the receiving end of comments like this one and sometimes they are even a lot worse.”
I understand. Michael understands too.
http://whizzbangsblog.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=582:proud-to-be-a-domainer&catid=55:saturday-musings&Itemid=165
Tatjana
Your blog is hard to read my dear friend. Just friendly suggestions. Good luck
Tom Bullock
There is a great lesson here Rick that appplies to everyone…whether in business or in life. Thanks for reminding me of a few things to reapply in 2010.
owen frager
“To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing!” ~Elbert Hubbard
Ronald Regging
It’s not only a matter of having the right attitude and surrounding yourself with positive thinking people, it’s also a matter of making sure that those people you do surround yourself with are serious about business.
I’ll admit that I used to be one of the people that you described. When I got into domaining, I got drawn into the community. I spent more time socializing with other domainers than really focusing on business. And while these people were some of the greatest people I’ve met in domaining, we all tended to treat domaining more as a social hobby than as a real business.
I’m trying to change the way that I do business by actually doing business this time around. ;)
Michael Bilde
I am a small-time domainer and late to the game like so many others. But I totally agree with your philosophy, and you are a great inspiration and driving factor.
Please withold name
I am one of the ones that got into domaining and seo and have failed.
There’s not going to be a happy ending here. I wasted years and have burned out. I admit it.
But I will be damned before I blame another man for my shortcomings.
Rick, you are being very gracious to people who do not deserve it.
Danny Pryor
What I most appreciate in all the discussions I’ve had, and continue to have, with Rick is that he is, in fact, willing to discuss domaining, development, parking, and all of the other factors of online. The only caveat is an intelligent argument. With this in mind, thanks for all of the exchanges over the years, and thanks for being bold enough to tell it like it is!
Many find the direct approach difficult, for this world is filled with so many souls demanding a soothing touch, a silver tongue, a coddling thought.
What my discussions with Rick have taught me, what they have helped to define clearly, is what I am and what I am not. I take that knowledge and use it as best I can to enhance my strengths, fill in the gaps of weakness, and come back for more knowledge and insight.
Do I get offended or upset? Of course. I can be just as sensitive as the next moron, but overcoming that is something I’ve learned – albeit slowly learned – over the past few years. There’s nothing more gratifying than a pause for self-discovery, and Rick – and many other very top men (sounds cryptic, yes?) in the domain industry help those of us with real ambition to find ourselves, and how we fit into this online puzzle.
From my perspective, there are those who are pure domainers, there are the aficionados, there are”hobbyists”, the developers with no clue, the developers with an inkling, the developers with a large clue but no great desire to be domainers, and then there are developer-domainer hybrids.
Remember, the one thing that resonates with greater verity than all the advice anyone can give you is,”Do what you love!”
If you don’t really love domaining, you’re in the wrong game. Go to Wall Street with the other sad throngs who will squander hours and days and weeks in the shark tank. Your chasing a fast buck, and you’ll never make it.
If you love developing, then being closely associated with the domain world is the smartest thing you can do. If you love domaining, it doesn’t necessarily serve you to have developers around, because development in the world of domaining is tricky business.
The domain industry is still defining itself, obviously. 2009 witnessed the culmination of many changes that began in 2007. There’s not enough room to get into the analysis, as this post is well beyond a reasonable limit.
Suffice to say the domain industry has discovered its resilience and adaptability during this”Great Recession”, and for some, it has proved to be the greatest opportunity ever.
The opportunities continue to abound, if you are intelligent and reasonable enough to spot them. As Rick said in May ’08, at TRAFFIC Orlando,”When times are good, any fool can make money …”
Success is defined now. And, for those looking for that fast buck, this really is hard work; but if you LOVE it, you don’t really notice.
ScottM
Rick, right on the money. Another variation of the 80-20 Rule is 20% of the people you encounter in business will end up wasting 80% of your time. Instead spend 80% of your time on the 20% of projects and people that will benefit you in the long run. Or as Rick I think is saying, those that pull you up, not pull you down!
doug madison
Rick
I doubt you would change lol
But this is what makes you the King or one of the top 5 in the world.
dont change nothing, Its work good for you
Altaf
Many encouraging posts here. But without time favoring you it is not easy to make money from domains or online. A lot of efforts required- read, read, read from experts & test, test, test.Internet made that part very easy,earlier days we could not even think of. Do not give up!
Tia Wood
“But without time favoring you it is not easy to make money from domains or online. A lot of efforts required- read, read, read from experts & test, test, test.”
Don’t let”time” fool you. Every day adds up.
Ze
@Jim
the light at the end of the tunnel shines bright and if it wasn’t for examples like yours, Rick’s and other successful domainers, newbies like me would be easily discouraged by those close to us that not only don’t understand domaining, don’t understand how in the world it is wise to spend so much money in a time when money is so hard to come by. You guys lead, I’ll follow. One day I’ll catch up. Believe me.
chandan
this is some what funny to blame :D
Altaf
“Don’t let”time” fool you”
-TIA, could you please give a few points, appreciate it. cheer!
Buy Dildos
Yeah Business is business So why do SOME folks get so upset that they’re not invited to the party as they’re not a player.
dental practices for sale
great post by jim holleran above
thanks bud. very inspirational
Altaf
Hi Rick,
The site and the relevant links work fine now. Thanks for kind attention.Otherwise, I thought my system was not working as no one gave feedback- I found.
Regards,