Did I Really Buy All This????
Recently it became clear that a bit of housekeeping was in order. My “library” was overflowing with books, videos, DVDs and all kinds of infoproducts related to marketing.
I knew I had amassed quite a collection over the years, but I didn’t realize how much until it was time to clean some of it up to make room for the new stuff.
I enlisted my son to help me lay it out on the driveway so I could take a picture and remember it fondly.
(If you are wondering, I had to climb up on my roof to get an angle where I could fit it all in the pic.)
Looking at all of this made me realize how much time and money I have invested in my internet marketing education.
I never added it all up, but if I combined the cost of these products with all the travel and seminars and masterminds I’ve attended, it would easily be in the six figures.
What you don’t see here is the gigabytes of eBooks and downloaded audios and videos I’ve also bought.
Yipes!!
Of course the question I have to ask is: Was it worth it?
Well, there are a few products I should have sent back. But for the vast majority, I easily got my investment back in skills and knowledge that helped me improve my online business.
As for the seminars and masterminds, every one of them was easily worth it.
Some people say, “It’s easy for you to buy all that stuff because you are making money online.”
True – but I wasn’t always making money online. I had to start somewhere. Just like everybody else, I wasn’t born knowing any of this stuff.
You start with something, implement, build on it, and then invest part of the profits to improve your skills.
It’s a circle of success.
Invest
Learn
Implement
Reap
…and repeat.
If you leave out any one part of it, you can’t progress.
And while I’m on the subject, one more thing.
None of the products you see above were “Opportunities”.
Investing in your education is not the same as buying a “system that makes $10,000 per week on autopilot!!!”
Don’t confuse opportunities or programs with education.
One builds a skill. The other may or may not earn some money (but usually not if you don’t have the education.)
Education is never wasted. The best investment you can ever make is investing in your own brain.
Have you invested a lot in your success?
Are you implementing?
Comment and let me know!
Anyone else have feelings about this?
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Hey Jeff,
If you could let me know what dumpster you are planning on dumping that in, I would be much obliged….lol. That is alot of knowledge there…
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Jeff -
Great post! I know a lot of people struggle with this, especially the many people constantly looking for the “next big thing” or what one product will solve all the problems… (And I used to be in that group).
But it just goes to show that education is very important, and that we all have a ton to learn as we build our businesses and develop personally.
Thanks!
Rory
September 24th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
I really enjoy your emails and blogs Jeff. Although I have not joined CBMall, I often feel you are one of the more reputable in the online marketing ‘rush.’ I have learned a few of marketing lessons by ‘hard-knocks,’ so mostly refrain from doing anymore ‘boot-strapping!’ LOL
) From this, we can see you definately paid dues ! God Bless 
September 25th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
If you want an excellent education in marketing strategies, all for free, Jeff Mulligan can show you how. He showed me, an old cat, how to turn that meow(endless search of making money online) into a quiet purr(fully-automated online business).How does he do it? By sharing and educating people on the ‘how-tos’ at no cost to them. The more you give, the more you get back in return. If you are interested in a free fully automated storefront,with free marketing coaching, which earns commissions averaging 50% on 1000s of products…click here http://tinyurl.com/kqtpxf
September 28th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Jeff, You are quite a guy!!!Some men drink their way to success. I know one! You read your way to success, that is why I admire you and thank you for all you have said in those looked for emails that I read all this year that have incouraged me to stick in there and read and learn. I haven’t done much yet, but what I am about to do, that you taught me, is launch my first Blog. I know there is alot more to read and I am willing. I am getting up there in years but that will not stop me! Thanks again. Bonita
September 30th, 2009 at 3:22 am
Hello Jeff
Education is the key to success in internet marketing. Keep learning stuff and gradually one will succeed.
September 30th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Jeff,
If you had to rank JUST one as your all time favorite course, which one would it be?
Regards,
Jeffrey
September 30th, 2009 at 7:34 am
My all-time favorite that I got the most out of was Terry Dean’s Internet Marketing Protege course. Unfortunately, it is no longer available as it has become too dated. Although the concepts are sound, the resources used, links, etc became obsolete in many cases.
It was a course that took you from research, through product creation and then marketing.
I followed that course to launch my speeding ticket book, and through that learned the process of creating and marketing an infoproduct.
Jeff
October 5th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Hi Jeff
Awesome pile of stuff! I am quickly catching up with you. But really, which is your favorite?
Chrys
October 14th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Jeff,
All of the items in the photo remind me of what I have done in the past, now I don’t feel so bad. Really enjoy and learn a tremendous amout from you. I am following your advice,
Thanks so much fro the great CBMALL
November 4th, 2009 at 4:28 am
Yes Jeff, I can relate in that I’m getting my education as we speak,I find myself all over the place,picking up knowledge.My story is a very different one from most-I just spent 33 1/2 yrs. locked away from society and the emergence of this Amazing World of Cyberspace.I’ll just say here that I got caught up in the start of the major war on Drugs & Crime back at the beginning-I was an example to others.Well,you can LEARN from anything life throws at you,so I spent my time Reading,literally thousands of books,and these past 10yrs. books on the Internet,so I’m well versed in whats going on,just NO hands on application til just recently ! I appreciate all your help!
November 5th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Wow man, that’s quite a stack. It’s funny to peek at the pile and try to pick out the products.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
It is good advice that any serious online entrepreneur should heed and apply.
November 16th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Amazing man. Wonder how much time you spended on them. Any how, worth the knowledge. i think its obvious that success comes with its price. in your case your stacks are proof. by the way which one is your all time favorite.
November 20th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Wow. That is a lot of information, and money spent. I am sure that by the time I end my career I will have accumulated just as much. You do not realize how much time and money you spend on educating yourself until you lay it all out like that! But, as you mentioned, it was worth it.
Great post!
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:07 am
Now im scared im just starting off . Have a great Thanksgiving
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:36 am
“Its profoundly an inspiration to anyone starting out as a newbie or fanclub. Frankly, you must have been absorbed in the moment on how much one has to go thru just to reap the rewards of invalueable knowledge. Its truly remarkable but awe inspiring let alone time and space needed in investments you carefully planned or not. Going the extra-mile is extremely yet is of utmost importance. Thanks for the invitation…”
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Wow, that is quite a collection. However, it is nice to see someone educating themselves to move forward in life. I have wanted to get a few books on internet marketing but haven’t found one yet. I am going to have more time on my hand starting in a few weeks so I will have to hit a book store.
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:19 pm
I guess I don’t feel so bad. I have only half as much and a couple of desktop files full of cyber junk.
I was thinking wouldn’t it be kuhl to start a recycle program for internet users where they could check out the product before they had to buy it? A lending library/repository/used product site for people who are researching hoping to find the right sources for an internet presence. Let me know if your interested maybe we could JV and come up with something! I bet the Guru’s have things they would donate.
December 11th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Hi Jeff, I am a newbie at Internet Marketing and only doing
this part-time (I think) and I believe I may have as much as you have laid out there in My Documents file already! :}
(Doesn’t take up as much space though)
All the best,
Helen
December 13th, 2009 at 2:08 am
I am from Guangzhou,China How is your business going? I am looking for people that would be interested in trading,law or business in China! Min mobile:0086-13926031779 c8jm@yahoo.com.cn
December 13th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Hey, YOU know, how it goes. When you want something bad enough; you will do or get whatever it takes to get it!!!
December 14th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Wow! That’s quite a collection you have there.I just started in Nov.2009 with the internet marketing/promoting. I did just get a clickbank mall site a few days ago.I’m already promoting it to see how it goes.I also promote alot of other great products as well.I sure can’t wait to get my break through. be it big or small I will sure be ecstatic when that happens for me.
December 14th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Hi Jeff,
That looks like my office only it’s all on shelves and consists of 15 years starting in Mail Order and all the research for this period of time! I’m 83 now but still looking for that internet BUCK! Of course Social Security doesn’t provide extra goodies to work with but all I can say to all your members is: Don’t give up! Keep trying! Thanks for your continued help. Al
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:50 am
i am beginner,and please i would plead with to teach basic skills on to make cash d internet tru decent means
January 7th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Hi,
i am beginner too and thank you very much for education.
January 10th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Hi,
I hope I have as good a collection some day. I have several books etc but there aren’t as many as I would like that are really worth studying. Nancy
January 26th, 2010 at 7:16 am
Wow,a lot of stuff.Nice post, I want more.
Kat
January 30th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Hi Jeff,
Thanks so much for that post. I totally agree and it is a fact that you won’t fail with buying an education, whether it’s for a medical degree or for internet/affiliate marketing knowledge. Just ask me, I started trying to learn how to make a living online about 3 years ago and didn’t have a dime to spend. But worse than that, I didn’t trust anyone at all. Consiquently, it’s taken me forever to learn,(but I am) and I’ve had to spend some money to do it and to learn how not to get ripped off. It’s very hard at first though to know who you can and can not trust. I’m also a CBMall owner, thanks to you.
Keep up the good work!
Liz Nelson
February 13th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
I feel the same way. I guess it was all worth it though.
February 14th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Hi Jeff,
Nice article. 15 years ago I started as a Microsoft Technology Consultant, and sure I had to keep my knowledge up to date. Nowadays, recently I made a career change, I am building my online business. And yes, I am again reading a lot, attend to webinars and watch a lot video’s. Because I am eager to learn more about this new area (for me that is). Indeed, education is never wasted. Even now my knowledge of Microsoft technology comes in handy.
Kind Regards,
Gregory
March 4th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Sound advice Jeff, and this coming from a 62 year young man that loves and continues to learn each and every day! Just took you up on the CB Mall and digesting the two reports you provide.
Thanks,
Michael
March 4th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Great post thanks for sharing it!!!
March 14th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Jeff,
You really make a lot more down to earth sense about marketing than anyone I have listened to so far. I look forward to all that you have to share.
March 17th, 2010 at 1:16 am
I have all my data on my DVD-data and Harddrive. Everything hard copy or originals end up in the garage and after a year or two gets recycled (thrown out).
Cheers!
March 27th, 2010 at 9:03 am
Hello Jeff
You are absolutely right and I completely agree. Invesment of education or learning something is very important. If you invest education, you earn lots of thing and whatever do you wany
March 28th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Jeff,
I have thought about what you wrote and find many common areas. Over the years I know I have done some similar purchases. Most of mine are focused on learning and playing the game of golf.
I have learned though, if I am going to purchase a book I am going to read it cover to cover and then put it into use. It is then I can determine if it something to add to my “real” library. I have one golf book that I keep going back to over and over when I am trying work out a bug-a-boo.
I have found the same on my online efforts. I try to focus on what works and discard the rest. I have limited time so I want to pick what I feel is the best of the best.
Thank you.
Larry J.
weekend-golfer.com
May 2nd, 2010 at 3:44 am
Hi Jeff Thanks for that. I’m in the process of getting my house ready for a tenant while I have a spell at house-sitting. When I look at the amount of information packs, and Course notes we have invested in, it amazes me. However, I like your comment “As for the seminars and masterminds, every one of them was easily worth it.” – I feel the same. I may not yet me an internet Guru, but I know I’m on the right track, and as long as I actually DO SOMETHING instead of just reading what to do, I will BE an internet Guru. Cheers Janice.
July 12th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Jeff, when I started delving into the realms of Internet Marketing I wanted to learn so much that would teach me, how to write and compose my own web pages. My primary objective was to write articles not for money nor gratification, but in a manner which might help reduce poverty. That was about nine years ago and today, I believe my voice (in words) has been answered. From here on in, whatever challenges appear before me, I have a lifetime chance to improve my own situation through diligence and effort, whilst pages I have created, work in the background for good. Once I had realized what Niche I would eventually follow, I also discovered how I could combine both my passion (Goals) into the one theme and allow it to become viral on its own. The support I have had from the online GURU’s has been exemplary and it would surprise a lot of people to understand that these people, really do care about current trends and world events. For ordinary people like myself, we have an opportunity to learn and excel ourselves by adopting good manners, a sense of purpose through learning and an open window where we can exercise the rule of thumb. Thank You for being alongside all of us.
July 16th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Thanks Jeff For your help, Just got a CBmall lot of info there. I’m with the other guy and wanting to know where
your dumping all your infoproducts related to marketing.
Thank Again Bob June
July 28th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Hi Jeff – I agree with everything you said about getting an education. After an adenoid operation in 1942, I came down with a severe case of ragweed hayfever in 1943 lasting 4 months out of the year, beginning August 15th to December 15th, suffering like a dog, for the next 40 years. My mentor, Mr. V.E. Irons was tossed in jail about that time for practicing medicine without a license; and for some outlandish remarks about the possibilty of curing ailments his way. It took me 40 years of suffering on a very strong Pyrybenzemine Medication and NTZ Nose Spray (bombed out of my mind), before I learned about Mr. Irons, and his remarkable lifetime experiences. He was also a graduate of Yale University, as well as being a jailbird. He began curing the prisoners of their ailments while he was serving his time, so the judge had to revoke his sentence, and release him from prison, six months later. In 1980 about 40 years later, I bought a book written by Dr. Herbet Shelton, who had a clinic in San Antonio, Texas. In the middle of 500 pages, he said that hayfever could be cured. I thought he should be jailed for writing such nonsense. Wouldnt my medical doctors have told me if there was a cure. The answer was NO they wouldnt and didnt – not even to this day, they wont mention it; and they are protected by our foolish lawmakers, like Ted Kennedy, and cohorts. Unfortunately, what goes around comes around, as the expression goes, Ted Kennedy screwed himself right into his own grave by depriving the public (and himself) of any knowledge about cures, and preventive alternatives. In July 1980, a month before my hayfever was to begin, I looked up in the Boston Yellow Pages a Norman Creswell, New Life Resources, in Copley Square, Boston, who provided colonics, and the V.E. Irons 7 day cleansing program. I had three colonics that week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with enemas at home by myself in between, a month before my hayfever was to begin that year on August 15th. This is a very thorough cleansing routine, and you have to flush out the poisons in your system daily, or reabsorb it all again. The result on my first 7 day cleansing, was a reduced hayfever condition from 4 months to 3 weeks, thereafter. In 1985, I did Robert Grays 3 month herbal cleansing routine entirely by mail order (believe it or not) and reduced my condition from 3 weeks down to a mild 10 days. Even Contact Capsules (with antihistamine in it) was good enough to provide relief. I got exactly the results called for in the pamphlet, probably because of my 7 days cleansings in the past, 1980 and 1981. I will never cure myself totally since I believe it was the adenoid operation that caused it. But, a 90% cure is pretty dam good, especially since my medical doctors couldnt cure the simple cold, much less anything else. They specialize in operations, medications and gadgets, like hearing aids and the like; thats it. I dont mean to minimize the importance of all that, but I do recommend a good effort to cure what ails you first, before going that medical route, if you can find a professional to guide you in the real, health business. I now have a PhD in Nutrition; ND Degree in Naturopathy; and a MH Degree in Herbology, simply to explain something about my experiences in life. I also dabbled a bit in mail order programs at the same time since the 1940s,in my sparetime and then the internet, when it was all transferred to computers in the 1950s. I retired from MIT (mechanic/groundsman) after 30 years full time experience. Unfortunately, I never did achieve much success in that sparetime, mail order, line of work. I am still looking for reliable people to follow in the marketing business. I believe I have found it through your CBmall Program. I will do my best to follow in your footsteps now, Jeff. By the way, Norman Creswell was put out of business in 1982 for not having any connections with a medical doctor. Most health practitioners dont, you know. The deception and needless suffering goes on, thanks to the corruption within our lawmaking community. There should be a better way to go in that profession. I might have solved my diet problems over the years with Norman Creswells help, but he vanished from my life. In the past 4 years I have had two very successful operations by some very competent medical doctors in my area; Medford and Burlington, MA. Prevention would have been my first choice; but I have no complaints with my medical treatments. I am 81 years of age, still employed 20 hours a week; and still going strong. I hope for as much success in the near future with my internet marketing goals, with your help, of course, Jeff. Much appreciated. Regards,
John Finlayson
August 10th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Hi jeff, I am exactly at the end of the line with all of the info and reading to become a good affiliate marketer, So far I am feeling like there’s too much to be learned.
What is your advise to keep in mind only the good info ?
Thanks for your post
August 11th, 2010 at 8:27 am
Hi Armando,
There is a tremendous amount to learn, and it’s hard to say exactly what you need because that’s different for everybody.
I think the first thing is to figure out what kind of affiliate marketing you want to do and how you want to drive traffic. Then focus your educational efforts on that traffic method.
Jeff
August 27th, 2010 at 7:54 am
That’s about right…
September 3rd, 2010 at 6:48 am
As a newbie this is an inspiring post, to learn more is to read more and to be an expert like you .More power !
September 3rd, 2010 at 6:49 am
As a newbie this is an inspiring post, to learn more is to read more and to be an expert like you .More power !