Online Business Is Booming
I have to say I’m embarrassed at the length of time that has transpired since my last post here. So much has happened since I last posted, too much to relay here, so I’ll stick to the highlights 
My online presence, and subsequently my business, has taken on a life of its own since our return from Costa Rica last summer. My business partner, Stephanie Remers, and I were selected to become the newest instructors at GVO Academy last fall, after a series of online interviews where we shared our story. In the fall, we attended a “No Gurus” Seminar in San Antonio Texas, where we got to know our fellow GVO members and learned a great deal about where Internet Marketing is heading; so much so we have completely re-evaluated our direction for future growth! Our emphasis is no longer solely on affiliate sales, but expanding to include web hosting, web design and web conferencing services worldwide, concentrating on small business. I recently learned that 51% of small business in the US (who knows about worldwide) do NOT have their own web site, and of those that do, 80% are not happy with what they have. The truth is, unless you need something incredibly complex, having a web site is not only truly affordable, it is the wave of the future. An element of online marketing that, up until recently cost prohibitive for most, has exploded on the scene is Web Conferencing. If you’ve ever been to a webcast or webinar, likely you’ve used applications like GoToMeeting or Webex. Not only are these expensive ($100 for a 25 seat room in some cases), but your audience has to download the software. A twelve year old company has not only revised it’s original product, Hot Conference, but has made it available in five languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and German), no software to download (you need Adobe Flash), works on the newer flash enabled smart phones, and a 50 seat room with all the bells and whistles, is less than USD $10 a month with NO contract to sign. We are very excited about this technology now available to the masses worldwide. Please contact me if you’d like a personal demo or would like to sign up for a FREE demo account.
Another recent development that I’m extremely proud of is that I’ve been asked to become an Expert Author at a website that has over 40,000 unique visitors per month! I will post links to the articles here as they are published.
As for Costa Rica? We still hope to make our move there in the future. As it turns out, one of my business associates in Canada is moving to Grecia, literally 5 minutes from where we stayed! I do hope to make Atenas our home base for our next visit. That reminds me, please support the Lighthouse Shelter in Atenas by visiting her blog (see CR links on the right) and voting for her shelter at The Animal Rescue Site’s Shelter Challenge. Kitten does a great job with her animals, and the money earned from these grants is crucial. Read the story about Paco… if you are a dog lover, you will fall head over heels in love!
That’s it for now, till next time!
Deb
Independence Day – What does it mean for you?
Today is the day after my country’s celebration of Independence Day.
So, what does Merriam Webster say about Independence
?
Main Entry: in·de·pen·dence
Pronunciation: \?in-d?-?pen-d?n(t)s\
Function: noun
Date: 1640
1 : the quality or state of being independent
Main Entry: 1in·de·pen·dentPronunciation: \?in-d?-?pen-d?nt\
Function: adjective
Date: 1611
1 : not dependent: as a (1) : not subject to control by others : self-governing (2) : not affiliated with a larger controlling unit <an independent bookstore> b (1) : not requiring or relying on something else : not contingent <an independent conclusion> (2) : not looking to others for one’s opinions or for guidance in conduct (3) : not bound by or committed to a political party c (1) : not requiring or relying on others (as for care or livelihood) <independent of her parents> (2) : being enough to free one from the necessity of working for a living <a person of independent means> d : showing a desire for freedom <an independent manner>
Independence means that you are the master and creator of your own destiny, that you are self sufficient and self motivated. How many of us yearn for true independence? How many of us take action to become independent? How many of us can say we are truly independent?
If you really think about those questions in the order asked, the number gets smaller and smaller, doesn’t it? So what is it that the few know, that can say they are truly independent, that the rest of us don’t?
It starts with identifying your dreams. Once we figure out our dreams, we can then take action to make them a reality. Once our dreams come true, my guess is that we become independent, because we are free to do whatever we want because we have manifested our own destiny.
So this weekend, no matter where you are in the world, do yourself a favor, stop for a few minutes and dream.
Here’s an exercise my business partner, Stephanie Remers, and I did a few months back. I was just reminded of it in a training video I just watched. Grab a pen/pencil and a piece of paper, or open up notepad on your computer and write down (or copy and paste) the following questions, giving yourself enough space to answer later.
1. What would I love to have that I don’t have now?
2. If I could eliminate one thing in my life, what would it be?
3. If money and time were not issues, what would I like to be doing right now?
4. What does my family need or want that they don’t have now?
5. What’s your dream/passion?
6. What’s your vision for the future?
Be specific! Think BIG! Think towards the future, 5, 10, 15 years down the road….
Take your time, go for a walk, sleep on it, then come back to your paper/computer screen and write down your answers. When you write your answers, write them in sentences that begin with “I see myself in…”, “I see myself with…”, “I see myself doing…”, “I see myself as….”
Write from your heart, not your mind. Go with your gut instincts, as they are usually right!
Once you have done this exercise, print it out, hang it up where you can see it. READ it every day!
There is something very powerful about putting thoughts on paper and seeing it day after day. Think about what action, no matter how small, you can take to realize your dreams, write it down and then just DO it. Progression takes place by mastering baby steps… we learn to crawl before we walk, walk before we run. It’s the same thing when laying out your map to independence. YOU have the power, you always did. Now it’s time for you to seize your power, create your own future and become independent!
Deb Lane
Obstacles are Opportunities
This has been a challenging week for me. Several days ago, someone on Skype that I’ve known for years sent me a link. I questioned it, and even messaged him asking if this link was real. He assured me it was, and since this came from someone I have known a long time, I clicked… BIG mistake! Turned out my friend’s Skype info had been hijacked, and I had communicated with the hijacker, not my friend. A nasty virus quickly made it’s way through my computer, forcing me to shut it down to avoid any further damage. Since I’m still on our extended visit to Costa Rica, I’m operating at less than optimum conditions, (using my husband’s laptop) and though it has impacted my work routine for the remainder of my trip, it has not stopped me from doing what I can until my computer is restored to its pristine condition.
Add to this the onset of rainy season here in Grecia in full force. While the mornings are glorious, the sunshine gives way to the buildup of clouds which result in hurricane type microbursts (without the heavy wind) on and off throughout the afternoon and well into the evening. Since the electrical system in our rental home does not have any surge protection available, my time has been even more limited than usual online.
This is NOT the way it was supposed to go! I was supposed to be basking in the beauty of this country, happily blogging in my hammock overlooking the coffee fields. I confess I spent a while being angry at myself for not trusting my gut instinct about that link, but soon realized that was not only not going to change my current situation, it was counterproductive to buy into that negativity.
I realized that I was grateful for having a backup computer available, so I could quickly and effectively protect my online data, notify our contacts and start putting together a plan of action for my return to the States next week.
I also remembered why we came to Costa Rica, and that is to determine whether or not we could live here. Having experienced the electrical issues was a blessing, since when we do return here (and we will, at least for another extended stay) one thing I will be sure of is that the electrical system is sufficient. We now know we CAN get true high speed here, an imperative for me to be able to work online. Since my time is somewhat limited online until I get home, I can spend some of it exploring other nearby towns where we want to consider living. We’ll be spending at least one day with a realtor looking at rentals and homes for sale, so we can make an informed decision about returning. I suspect had my laptop not had a meltdown and the wea
ther and lack of electrical surge protection had not made itself known, a big part of the purpose of this visit would never have been addressed.
So I am thankful for the obstacles that come my way, for in them, I find the answers I was really seeking. Remember that the obstacles you face in your own life, whether personal or professional, are likely put there for you to see the real opportunity that lies just on the other side of the barrier. If you see an obstacle as something to get out of your way or overcome, instead of something that is blocking you, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the results you can achieve!
