I’ve got competition!
I haven’t posted for a week because I have been busy doing other things (like Tax Returns – due in the UK by 31st Jan or we get a £100 fine!)
But I’m going to have to up my work rate because I have competition!
Now I know that so many of the other F500 students are so much further ahead than I am, but I don’t really think that I am in competition with them.
In fact I have been quite clear in my comments here and on other blogs that it is important that we are ourselves and work at our own pace as long as we keep moving forward.
So why the concern now?
I know I have contributed to this because I have spent the past two evenings helping my daughter to get her WordPress blog set up.
One of the best ways of cementing your own learning is to help someone else to do what you have learnt yourself.
I still used Dean Holland’s excellent eBook on how to set up your blog, but this time I was able to take several shortcuts through adding plugins, setting up a blogroll and editing posts because I have been doing them myself for the past seven weeks.
Yes there were things I couldn’t remember how to do and initially we set up the WordPress blog and exported it to her own domain where we had to edit some of the things – like finding a new theme.
We also copied over a couple of posts and responses from a blog she had set up by herself on a free website. Some of those comments reflected the issues she had with her blog because she couldn’t do what she saw me doing, but she was delighted that the Gazz-Man (Gary Simpson) had come over and left her a message – she’s even added him to her list of Cool People (along with me of course!). A link to her blog is under blog links if you’d like to see what she is up to and leave her a comment.
But this has made me particularly aware of a couple of things.
I’ve just been over to Ian and Becky Carter’s blog and had a look at their video for the competition which I think really sets out what is important to them. Like so many people this is their first attempt (mine is still to come). But importantly, their motivation for taking this journey and following what Alex Jeffreys is teaching us so brilliantly, comes in the shape of Becky’s two sons (and they are cute!).
My children are a little older, but I see how important it is that we not only do our best in what we say to them, but also in letting them see what we do.
If they can see us working hard, learning, interacting with others and hopefully also benefitting financially, what better model is there for them to walk down the same path, hopefully to their own financial independence?
What do I want for my children (and I’m sure so many of you do for yours)?
For them to have a good, healthy and happy life. But also not to have to struggle financially as I saw my parents doing (though that gave me a good grounding in looking after my money) and as we have had to do for so long.
Our children are our future and I want to help them to be winners too. Yes, I’ve shown my daughter Gary’s latest post on 20 Big Differences between Winners and Losers. (I also showed her the responses to my comment there – thanks Gary!)
My professional life is spent working mainly with young people and I do get a buzz out of helping them to learn something they have not previously understood. Why should it be any different with my own children?
So the competition?
My daughter wants us to see who can make the most money from what we are doing. If I’m not careful she will quickly overtake me as young people are so quick to learn new things.
But in the same way that Ian and Becky are sharing their journey, I now have a companion on mine in my own home. I know that I have lots of companions in the F500, but it’s good to share face to face.
She’s asked me if she can do Alex’s course because she’s heard so much about it.
I’m sure that Alex will not mind if I let her see the videos. I will ask him, but I am certain that he is the sort of person who will be only too pleased to know that his teaching is already filtering down to the younger generation and hopefully setting her off on a path of financial independence she can eventually bring to her own family. After all he is a father too.
So my plan now?
To get off my backside so to speak and really plan out what I and we are going to do. My daughter has already said that she wants to help me with the video and I have some ideas that I want to get going on. So if I can get some peace and quiet for a little while tomorrow, I hope to work on it then.
Once I have made some plans I will share them here as I really think that it is helping me to be accountable to others.
And my next move?
To get the men in the household involved in what we are doing – four of us will be stronger than one or two.
Watch out! We may become a force to be reckoned with (if I have my way!)
Hey Hilary,
Your funny and smart. I’d go after those men too. There’s nothing like having a support team.
My sister and my Mom are my biggest supporters. My Mom even had the nerve to comment about doing my laundry on my blog.
I don’t mind because I am very fortunate to have a Mom to write about. Your daughter’s relationship is probably very similar to my relationship with my Mom. You’ll get a lot more done as a team than going it alone.
I wrote back to your comment on my blog regarding your video. I had suggested not waiting for that quiet moment in the house and to just make your video.
Use it like “Social Proof” that you can still get a message out there in spite of the interruptions. But, I see you have already got some ideas.
So I sit on the edge of my seat, waiting. I just know your’s going to be outstanding. The anticipation is killing me.
Now I have to see the video the Ian and Becky made.
OH…Yes,
You are on my blogroll. Thankyou for noticing.
We’ll talk soon.
Renee
Mrs Renee Olson’s last blog post..My Video for the Alex Jeffreys Contest!
Hi Hilary,
Wow thanks for the lovely things you said about our video. I was happily reading your post and then I noticed our names- I’m glad that it rang true with you. I think that it’s great that your daughter has shown interest in this mentoring.
I feel honored that I can do this with my Dad, and he is happy that I am getting this opportunity now whilst my kids are young so hopefully be able to give them a secure future.
There was no problem at all from Alex with me and dad doing this as a team, we emailed him at the beginning and checked things like viewing the webinars and I can even do this from a seperate computer now with my own link. So there really won’t be a problem with sharing this with your daughter I’m sure. Thats the kind of person Alex is, he really want’s to help us all.
Well good luck with your video, you’ll have great fun I’m sure-we did.
Bcky
Renee
Thanks for your comment – as you can see my family are very important to me and I want to do the best for us all.
I have just finished preparing the PowerPoint for my video and have made that comment in it. I’ve also included the social proof, so thanks for that too.
I just need to record the video now and have done as Ian and Becky did and downloaded Camtasia free trial. We don’t have a video camera at the moment (and can’t afford one just yet) and our webcam is pretty lousy quality for doing this – OK for the children on MSN!
I was going through the video tutorials when my sister rang, so it looks like I won’t get the video done tonight as it’s bedtime now.
I’ll try again tomorrow after work. But I know that as I have got this far with it I won’t be giving up.
I’ve seen the comments about who has got to the no.1 Google slot and the fact that they are showing up differently in different parts of the world.
I knew that I stood no chance in that competition, but the good thing is that the comp has ‘got me going’!
Becky
I had to mention your video because it spoke to me so clearly.
I believe that because Internet Marketing is dominated by men, there is a lot on websites that appeals to them (all the flashy stuff!)
However I think that a lot of women in particular, but probably also some men prefer something that is less showy. Personally I hate all those flashy things when I click on a website. I’m more likely to turn off than to read it.
I am sure that there are lots of people like me and I am determined to keep my blog ‘more refined’ and also attract people who can otherwise be put off by what is often out there at the moment.
Anyway I like to tell it as I see it and I liked your video. So well done!
Thanks for the info from Alex about sharing the coaching. I’m sure he will be OK about it but I just think that it is polite to ask. That’s how I was brought up and how I teach my children to be (though it doesn’t always work!).
Here’s to a good week.
Hilary
Hi Hilary, This is actually my first visit to your site but I believe we have had contact before. I like your story about your Daughter getting in on the act, good for her. Nothing like an interest to keep the young ones on the straight and narrow! Too many of them would see no value in doing what you are doing. Good for you both. You should just go ahead with your video, sometimes you can think too much, what you need to do is just get on with it and keep it spontaneous. I wonder, if you haven’t already done so, would you look at my competition video and give me your opinion, it would be much appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.
Paull
Paull Hamilton’s last blog post..How dare anyone diss our Alex Jeffreys !
Hilary,
Thank you for your visit today. I love that you and your daughter will be working together and possibly getting the men of the house in on the business, too.
I’m still working on my husband, trying to get him interested. Maybe when I start making some money, he’ll take more notice. He’s very supportive of all of my endeavors, though. So no complaints.
I have to agree with Renee, don’t wait for a good time, just get going. Even having noise or activity in the background of your video will let other people know that you’re normal and they’ll be encouraged to give it a go.
My daughter just started a blog, but it’s just for documenting her travels for now. Maybe she’ll jump on the bandwagon some day.
I’m off to see what Becky and Ian are up to since you mentioned them.
All the best,
Theresa
Theresa Mayhew’s last blog post..Schedule for the Week of Jan. 19-24
Paull
Thanks for your visit. I have left a comment at your blog and enjoy your trip to France!
I’m a great believer in getting my family involved, though it doesn’t always work as I would like it to.
My slides are prepared for my video and I know what I want to say – it’s just the issue of getting onto the main computer to do the recording. I was playing Cluedo with my daughter this evening. Sometimes those things have to come first.
Theresa
Thanks for your visit. I have neglected a lot of oil rig hopping in the past few days – there is just so much else to do both on and off line, but after reading your post and some others about planning I really need to be more disciplined with myself.
I hope that your daughter enjoys her travels. Mine is a little young for that yet, but I don’t think it will feel like very long until she spreads her wings.
Hilary
Hi Hilary–I have been attending Dean’s Starting with Marketing Academy and just wanted to let you know he has released his updated Blog Setup Guide 2.8 which you are more than welcome to download from my website if you’d like. Take care,
Ralph