By this point in our relationship, dear reader, I believe you know I’m going to be very real with you. I share with you exactly what I would want shared with me, if I were in your shoes, particularly if you’re relatively new to this Affiliate Marketing/online business journey.
It’s my goal to always share with you the good, the bad, and sometimes downright ugly side to this business, as best as I know and understand it.
I recently had a discussion with a dear friend, someone who’s known me for many years, and knew me in my former life.
We were discussing my new online journey and I was sharing with her my experience up to this point. Similar to what I’m doing with my blog posts, I began sharing with her some of what I have learned up to this point.
We chatted about the new skills I have acquired, skills that I will be able to nurture and perfect for years to come, resulting in endless revenue streams in the future. I was sharing that I’m building a foundation for making money online, regardless of the outlet I choose to pursue.
She then asked me something that gave me pause, something I hadn’t thought about yet.
She asked me, “what has been the worst part of the journey thus far?”
I sat for a moment because I had to really think about that answer.
And then it hit me. Hands down, without a doubt, I had the perfect, undeniable answer:
“Sometimes working online can be lonely.”
I guess I had never really thought about it like this before, or at least in this context, but how she worded the question allowed me to come to this realization. I realized that the solitude of working online may be one of the least desirable aspects to this industry.
I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I was a practicing doctor in my former life, and I owned and operated my private practice for over a decade. Prior to operating my own practice, I worked and trained with many other doctors in other practices for many years. I worked around a lot of people, all the time. It’s quite obvious to say that being in the presence of people, many people, comes with the territory when you’re providing physical, hands-on patient care. There were days I really enjoyed being around a lot of people. On some level, dealing with dozens of people on a daily basis was one of the best aspects of my job. Of course there were days I was less excited to be around people but my default state usually preferred the presence of others.
The shift from dealing with dozens of people on a daily basis to now, with my online business, is a complete 180- degree shift. When I retired from practice, I was heavily attracted to pursuing something online and I was at peace with this drastic decrease in human interaction. In fact, I’d had enough human interaction by that point to last a lifetime.
When I started towards building my online business, it was just me and my computer, and my training. When I dove further into my training, I was invited to join a Facebook community of other like-minded affiliate marketers who were working through their training as well. Eventually the training included weekly live Zoom calls with the head coach (and my mentor), Dean Holland, along with dozens of other colleagues.
Over time, I grew to know several of those other colleagues quite well, to the point where we created our own private “Mastermind” group, supporting and helping each other along this process.
As I sit back and assess my current online business situation, I recognize what started out to be quite a solitary journey has grown into quite an interactive experience with my colleagues-turned-friends.
I can absolutely see that God knew what I needed long before I realized I needed it: had it not been for the interaction that I had with my colleagues, I don’t know how long I would have lasted in this journey.
So that conversation with my friend ended with a surprise realization: the online journey is typically a lonely, solitary one… but it doesn’t have to be. By its very nature, working online simply requires just you and your computer. You don’t need a physical brick-and-mortar building nor do you need to deal with customers face-to-face. You can be as secluded as you wish to be.
For some, maybe that sounds like heaven. For others like myself, I thought I would enjoy it, and I did for a short period, but after a while, I recognize that posed a long-term problem.
HOWEVER, I believe it is critical that we as human beings experience human interaction on a regular basis, regardless whether or not you’re in introvert or an extrovert.
For me, I found the solution within a phenomenal Mastermind group, a very active private Facebook group with other colleagues, as well as the weekly live coaching calls. Not all online training includes these factors, and for me, these have made all the difference in the world for me.
There is a larger benefit to be had in joining a mentorship group than just learning the skills needed to run your business. Yes, the obvious benefit to hiring a mentor or coach is the training needed for your business, but the less obvious, and just as important, benefit is the camaraderie and relationships you gain in an industry that is primarily secluded.
I believe the secondary benefit of building relationships around you, with like-minded colleagues, perhaps is just as beneficial, maybe even more, than the training itself.
When you’re looking to hire a mentor, I would keep this in mind. Ask yourself: do they offer a support community? Within that support community, are you able to build even deeper relationships with others that will further encourage and support you, such as a Mastermind group?
Perhaps you’ve been turned off by the idea of working online because it seemed too secluded for you, or too lonely. I can absolutely understand why that is a real problem for some, especially if you’re accustomed to, or prefer, the presence of others. From my vantage point, it doesn’t have to be a lonely journey. You indeed can build relationships, and close relationships, with an online community while you grow and support each other.
With the right mentorship and support group, that doesn’t have to be a deterrent from you pursuing this journey.
Hi there,
Thank you for sharing such a candid and insightful post. It’s refreshing to hear the real, unvarnished truth about the journey of building an online business. The transition from a bustling, people-centric career to the solitude of online work is indeed a significant shift, and I appreciate your honesty in discussing the challenges of that change.
Your realization about the potential loneliness of working online is something many of us can relate to. It’s easy to overlook how isolating it can be when it’s just you and your computer. The way you’ve found a solution through a supportive mastermind group and active communities is truly inspiring. It highlights the importance of human connection, even in a digital world.
The benefits of mentorship and community in this journey can’t be overstated. Not only do they provide essential training and guidance, but they also offer the camaraderie and support that make the experience far less isolating. Your advice on seeking out mentors and support communities when starting an online business is spot on.
I also loved your point about the secondary benefits of building relationships being just as crucial as the business skills you learn. This aspect often gets overlooked, but it can make a huge difference in one’s persistence and success in the industry.
Thank you for this thoughtful reflection. It’s a great reminder that while the journey can start out lonely, it doesn’t have to stay that way. With the right support and community, it can be a much richer and more fulfilling experience.
Best regards,
Steve
Steve Moore recently posted…Understanding Your Customer. The Keystone of Effective Email Marketing
Hi Lauren – Yes, I am a people person as well and I have always been around a group of people and a team. When I first started this venture, I didn’t realize how much I needed to be around people for a number of reasons. Anyway, I found the being alone part of the business difficult. But, like you, I found a great group of people who truly care about each other and about being successful. The other difficult part for me is patience. I want it all and I want it now! I’ve always found it hard to wait but it’s something I want especially starting something new and especially in this business. Thanks for addressing this topic as it really at home for me! Have a great day and a great week!
What an interesting point you have uncovered. It had never occurred to me before. I have always been a bit of an introvert so working on my own in front of a computer was not alien to me. In this business though, I have found I am coming out of my shell somewhat and interacting with others way more than I used to. It’s definitely made a huge difference being part of a group of like minded individuals who genuinely care how their contemporaries are doing. The support I feel is brilliant.
Lauren, what a great post! I am glad your friend was supportive of your journey. Most of my friends think I am wasting my time, and this is all a scam. And it can be a very lonely road, you and your computer, hiding it from friends and family who just don’t understand. Like you, I am so grateful for the networking activity Dean has provided us, not only the Facebook group but also the new networking hours and the break-out sessions during events. These have allowed me to meet incredible people like yourself who inspire me to keep going no matter what life throws my way.
Yes the lonely part is a reality but I have 2 companionable canines who make me laugh all day long. Every day! I have friends I talk to on a regular basis. I enjoy our mastermind group. But when I hit Play on my daily you tube video, I feel like I am speaking to an unknown friend. They are out there, waiting for me.
Kate Loving Shenk recently posted…The River Rafting Adventure That Ended in Tragedy
Hi Lauren, spot on! The support, friendship, community, and mentoring from this group is amazing. Without it, I’m sure my drive and determination would have been exhausted long ago. Every Zoom meeting, class, email, and tool re-energizes me and propels me forward. Many thanks for your post!
Michael recently posted…Simplify to Amplify
Part of the reason I’m pursuing affiliate marketing is because I get to be alone while I work. My day job requires a lot of customer interaction, and even when I like the people I’m working with it wears me out.
But I agree, I don’t want total isolation.
Many years ago I found an online community that helped me with my faith journey – because there weren’t and still aren’t a lot of people near me that I connect with – it was lonely with most (not all) the people I had around me. Through that, my wife and I learned to appreciate the genuine community that can be built online. I see that same thing happening with the community that can be built with people online pursuing affiliate marketing, especially since it could be very difficult to find people in our offline lives who understand what we’re trying to do.
Lauren,
Yes an online business ,can be lonely. I have been working from home for about 10 years so I guess I am used to that. However I have to say that the Certified Partners FB group has been tremendous in being a source of support, which is imperative in an online business.
Sherri
You had me at “Dear reader” as I’m a HUGE Bridgerton fan so thank you for that, but in all honestly, I find myself looking out for your weekly e-mail so I can read the delights you offer.
Your views about working from home are so down-to-earth and your honesty about the ups and downs of diving into online business is really refreshing. It’s clear you’re not sugarcoating things, which makes your insights all the more valuable to me. Loneliness about being at home is not often talked about but it’s a real thing. It’s great to hear how you found your tribe. The support for me has made a world of difference, turning what could’ve been a solo journey into something much more fulfilling and connected. Thanks for sharing your story and reminding us all of the importance of finding our people, even in the digital world.
Hi Lauren. I find that my life-work balance mantra allows me to get as much human interaction as I may need any given day. You make a real good point on searching for a mentor that has a good support community online. I’m all about community – on and offline.
Robert Klein recently posted…Changing Majors
Hi Lauren,
I never thought about it like that, either. This is the first time I’ve heard someone say that about an online business. But now that you mention it, it’s very true.
I guess it might affect different people in different ways based on their personalities. I lean on the introverted side, so maybe that’s why I never considered it lonely.
At the same time, I want to become successful at affiliate marketing because I want to have time to spend with the people I love. It’s funny how things work.
Alberto
Thank you for sharing your journey so openly, Lauren. I really connected with your point about the loneliness of working online. It’s a huge shift from interacting with many people daily to working alone. Your story about finding support through a Facebook group and a Mastermind group is inspiring and you are an inspiration to me. It shows how important it is to seek out community and mentorship to combat isolation and stay motivated. Thanks for all that you do, Atif
Hi Lauren,
Definitely an eye and mind opening blog!
You made me think of when I retired from the Army; being surrounded by people all the time and now finding myself alone and working on my business was a bit too much at one point.
My wife told me that maybe I needed to go back & work with others – it did help a lot but it also confirmed one thing: I need to have that extra income to do the things my wife & I want to do: travel.
So, back to the drawing board and working with others like you here is a great added bonus of being part of Internet Profits.
All the best!
Lauren, great post and it made me think about the same question. As for me, I have always been surrounded by people, and use my “Alone Time” as a way to settle down from the running I’m used to. We do have a great group of people in Affiliate System and I always value the content that the group shares. Thank you for being a part and actively sharing!!!