A Case of the Cyber Blues

Jay Abraham is a legendary businessman, consultant and joint venture specialist.  He had been doing his thing for decades and has sold hundreds of millions of dollars of audio/visual products, seminars and consulting services before the Internet went mainstream. His seminars are astronomically expensive, but his legion of successful, faithful venture partners swear by him. New or business-expansion-bound entrepreneurs and businesspeople alike, looking to grab every dollar on the table, line up like groupies for his next “big” event or product release. He has a huge reputation to uphold.

So when I just received an email from him stating that he had surrendered to the forces of the Internet and had abandoned his newest affiliate venture, I wanted to know why he had thrown in the towel.

The most telling statement in his letter was as follows:

“Online marketing is not my prime skill set. It’s helping business owners of every kind maximize everything they are doing.”

The messages we should hear from Jay are that even the richest and most successful entrepreneurs have no guarantee of marketing success. We can also learn that once you discover your strengths and apply them with heart and intelligence, others will see benefit in you. Other people’s ideas can help you fortify your business, but the selling point and sustenance for your enterprise must be centered on your unique brush stroke.

Hot air is everywhere these days and I am pretty disgusted with the income-claiming crowd trying to reel in uninformed newbies. Quick-buck artists are searching for suckers and there are millions burning with desire to be rich, rich, rich! All you need is a guru and a system.

I notice that other phenomenally successful entrepreneurs from a bygone era such as Jim Rohn, Tony Robbins, and Brian Tracy seem to be steering clear of this hype crowd of mostly young and brash marketing wizards. Each of these veterans has a fairly strong presence online, but they don’t want to get caught up in the wind of the blow hards. I believe they are staying away from forming JVs with these go-getters because they can sense – being well grounded – just how shallow and ugly some of these vultures are.

For the time being, I won’t name names. Rest assured that my business and my site will be premised on the idea that we live in a world of bounteous opportunity and that there is no need to fudge for a sale or a mailing list.

Little by little, day by day, learn how to be independent and effective. Do not look for messianic rebirth from some self-proclaimed guru who wants to sell you the cyber version of the Brooklyn Bridge. Do listen to others, but first ground yourself.

Discover who you are and what you need for health, happiness and prosperity from your vantage point. Once that is accomplished, it is easier to be more discriminating and put your money and time to good use.

I leave you with the words of the legendary William Faulkner: “Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.”

Remember: Only you can prevent cyber crybabies.