There was a time...

when people said that Singapore won't make it, but we did...~
There was a time, when troubles seemed too much for us to take, but we did...~

Okay this is not a tribute to our nation but I just felt like singing that song for a bit.

The title of this entry really is to talk about how it was all like not too long ago...

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It's been around 15 months since I started venturing out into the unknown world of internet marketing, and 15 months later, I have not regretted that decision one bit.

During this time, I've had mini-spurts of success sporadically, and I would actually go as far as to say that if not for the gratification that I've obtained from these spurts, I might have given up already.

And when you are the only one who knows what you are doing and fighting the battle alone, sometimes it does get you down.

Call it luck, call it Fate, or call it perseverance, but it does seem that every time I get disillusioned with my lack of results, a break happens and I get rejuvenated once more.

Like what one of my working partners in the States tells me, "You're a warrior."
Maybe that's just his attempt to get me to continue spending money with them, but I'd like to think that is purely a compliment. =)

To be honest, I've failed a lot more times than I've succeeded, but I guess what keeps me going is because there is really no shame in trying and failing. I can fall down 1001 times, but as long as I get up and stand back on my feet for a 1002th time, I am in with every chance of making it a success.

So... what was there a time for?

There was a time...

...when I dreaded going to work everyday and I wished I would strike the lottery so I could buy out my one-hell-of-a-scam-contract.

...when I would think twice about what I could afford for meals, and ration for the occasional indulgence.

...when I felt I was letting my family down because they have been ever so supportive but I've done nothing worthy of note.

...when I would go to the airport at night to do work, get a cuppa, pay for few hours of parking, and leave feeling like shit because I just spent so much and didn't make a single cent.

...when I felt I was a liability for squandering the money that I've borrowed from my family and still not see any results in my work.

You might not be able to relate to those times, but I can assure you that it sure felt bad. I started out with a $10,000 loan from my family (my parents, and my 2 brothers). It didn't take too long before I managed to spend lose most of that.

I don't mind losing my own money, but to take money from others and to lose it away, that feeling simply sucks.

So this poor warrior plugged away, trying to keep himself afloat amidst all the negativity. By this time, his coffers were almost running dry. He had almost lost all his personal savings and was only left with half of what he had borrowed from his family.

But plug away he did. And when his break came, it came in the form of a tsunami. It brought a huge wave, and it sure was sweet while it lasted.

Till now, he's still plugging away. While things are a lot rosier compared to when he just started out, he is not resting on his laurels. He has a dream, and he intends to fulfil that dream.

*Goal 2010, here we come!


*Note: The author would like to deeply emphasize that Goal 2010 mentioned in this entry is not to be confused with Singapore's goal of qualifying for the World Cup in Year 2010.