Sometimes You're the Windshield
Time for a Pep Talk
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I’m not looking for a pity party, but this is a pep talk to anyone who ever made a decision you wish you hadn’t. After going to the Podcast Show in London (on Libsyn’s dime) I didn’t go back after leaving (and wished I had).
I made a plan and put money away for the trip. Things were looking good. Then I went downstairs and heard what sounded like someone peeing in my basement (which is weird when you live alone). What I found was this:
So as I saw water spewing into my basement I thought, “Well that looks expensive” (and seriously unhealthy). It turns out it was…
As I had just gotten out of debt for this first time in probably 40 years, I really didn’t want to go back in debt. So I thought I would empty my savings (including my Podcast show money) to pay for five guys with jack hammers digging to China from my basement.
So Where Did I Land?
Fast forward, I’m not going to the Podcast Show in London again, half my savings is gone, and I’m back in debt. It was very expensive (so thanks to all of you who support this newsletter financially I DEEPLY appreciate it). The fun part is I’m not done. Everything I get into needs replaced (windows, electric and more…).
It dawned on me today, that had a just put the trip on a card (as I’m back in debt anyway) I would be at one of the largest (if not THE largest) podcast shows making connections, planting seeds, that might eventually lead to opportunities to make money. I mean when you’re going back five figures in debt what’s another $3k?
You Do What You Can With What You Got
Life throws you curve balls. To quote the great philosopher Myley Cryus
There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb
Yes, you get tired of climbing. But if you can’t enjoy the climb, you’re never going to make it.
Get a New Perspective
Another thing dawned on me. I got out of debt after divorce one. I got out of debt after divorce two. I know how to save money. As a child my family was once on welfare, so I know how to get by on what you need not what you want.
I’ve done this before, and I’ll do it again.
So if you made a decision about your podcast and looking back you think, “I should’ve zigged when I zagged” don’t look at it as a failure, but as a lesson. Got to college in the USA is ridiculously expensive (and I’ve got two degrees so I know of what I speak).
My second divorce was just about as expensive as my teaching degree from Akron University. I learned more from the divorce than I did in the classroom. Life is a classroom. Try to learn something every day.
They aren’t failures, if you lean from them, they are lessons to prepare you better for your future.
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