I’ll never forget the first time I got fired from a job. I sent a rogue Fax – it’s a pretty funny story that I tell at seminars – but at the time it was a DEEPLY disturbing experience.
All the sudden, the world of people and productivity spit me out of its mouth. I was no longer useful, no longer getting a paycheck, no longer doing something “respectable.” Every day I would roll out of bed and go buy a newspaper and hope there are some new job openings in town.
This drove me into a spiral of self-doubt. I was taking a summer school class and suddenly I couldn’t concentrate and started failing all my tests. I had to drop the class and forfeit my tuition and take the class over later.
Up until that point, I had defined success as “Never fail a class and never get fired from a job.”
I had now failed on both points. I was really shaken by this.
I was suddenly open to the idea of taking the entrepreneurial path in life. As a result of all this, I was a lot more ready to listen when my friend Bill showed me a direct sales opportunity.
I got fired multiple times in the coming years. Just yesterday my 9 year old boy Caden was riding with me in the van with his friend CJ and he said, “Dad, tell CJ the story of how you got fired!”
Ain’t it great? You walk in the door at 9:30am and your wife looks up at you in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
Then she says, “Oh, never mind. I know the answer to that question. What was it this time?”
There are just certain people in the world who are chronically unemployable. (Ya think?)
And there are certain kinds of people who will never feel OK about their lives until nobody can fire them anymore.
If you’re one of those people, then get on with building your biz, ‘cuz I’ll tell you right now – you’re never gonna be satisfied until you do.
There’s also an Entrepreneur’s version of getting fired. It comes in the form of:
BEING EXCESSIVELY DEPENDENT ON ONE VENDOR, ONE CUSTOMER, ONE CLIENT, ONE ADVERTISING MEDIUM, ONE DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL, ONE SEARCH ENGINE, ONE SKILL, ONE EMPLOYEE, ONE MERCHANT ACCOUNT, OR RIDING ONE WAVE.
People who own businesses quickly learn that hanging out your shingle isn’t necessarily any guarantee that you won’t get fired.
YOU ARE SELF EMPLOYED TO WHATEVER EXTENT THAT YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER VITAL ASPECTS OF YOUR BUSINESS.
If you have a choice of vendors, customers, clients, advertising media, distributors, search engines, talents, staff, income sources and trends, then you are a free man. You are a free woman.
In the real world, you’re exactly as good as your bag of tricks, your network and your willingness to be flexible. You’re as good as your ability to identify the opportunities that come hidden in every crisis that presents itself.
Today is Christmas Eve. Tomorrow we celebrate gifts and giving and I hope you’ll also celebrate your own giftedness and the opportunities you’ve been given.
As you finish out 2009, and consider where you’re going in 2010, I hope you’ll resolve to do *whatever it takes* to build your bag of tricks, your network and your opportunities. Build those things so deep that NOBODY can take you out.
On that day, nobody will run your life but YOU. And that will be cause for a mighty celebration.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Perry Marshall
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About the Author
Perry Marshall has launched two revolutions in sales and marketing. In Pay-Per-Click advertising, he pioneered best practices and wrote the world's best selling book on Google advertising. And he's driven the 80/20 Principle deeper than any other author, creating a new movement in business.
He is referenced across the Internet and by Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, INC and Forbes Magazine.
48 Comments on “"Somebody runs your life"”
Perry is offering timeless advice and I’m working on it right now: “Build those things so deep that NOBODY can take you out.”
I’ve made the mistake of relying on one client before – it’s particularly ugly when it’s a government client, because austerity cutbacks can take you out even if you’ve done everything “right”.
I save everything you send to me and that’s quite a collection of thought and wisdom. May your energy and tanacity rub off on me.
Thank You.
I second that! It’s rubbing off on you RIGHT NOW.
Life is very Beautiful all u need is Inspiration and the right path to show your true colors to people you challenge in life.
Thanks Perry — I love the way you put things. Here’s to 2010 being a big year for you and all your readers! I’m making my list of *whatever it takes* right now.
Perry,
Your words go directly to my heart and soul. When I read your e-mails it’s as if you wrote them just for me because every word strikes a cord deep inside me.
I have just been fired from a well paying “union” job and although I expect to be reinstated I know now where my life must take me. It sucks having someone else run your life as this topic is so appropriately titled, but it doesn’t mean I can’t change the situation I’m in and turn my life around. The lawyers will get my job back, but after my name is cleared I intend to break off my employment and enter “Perry’s World” and never be in a position to be fired again. Your words are enough motivation for me to get this done.
I would rather be eating beans from a can and be proud of what I’m doing vs. eating steak and having someone else tell me what to do all the time. Jobs suck and if any person on this planet understands this it’s you Perry.
Although I can’t afford some of your higher priced courses and clubs you have already taught me enough that I know I can make a big difference in the business I already have. Having someone else in control of your life (and money) is no fun and I have fought this day to day grind long enough. It’s time to break the death grip my “job” has on me and take the road that you have already paved for me, I just need to follow your instructions.
If there is one person who appreciates and understands gratitude it’s you Perry. Your devotion to helping small time Entrepreneur’s make it big is without a doubt the most noble profession any human being could take on and you should be praised for you commitment to helping your fellow man.
Keep sending e-mails my way, it’s the only thing keeping me going and again thanks for your powerful words of wisdom.
Steve,
Your note totally makes my day. Generally the bizop world is a sleazy, predatory place. But yes, helping small entrepreneurs spread their wings and fly IS a most honorable endeavor. Those who take that task seriously give a great service to the world.
Thank you for following your heart. Stay on track to your destination and keep the hammer down.
Perry
And If you need someone that shows you all your excuses not to follow your heart, do yourself a favour and read the book:
Excuses BeGone – Wayne Dyer
Thank you Perry for beeing brutal heartful honest
Frank from Germany
Thanks a lot perry for the great message i really need to start focusing on multiple string of income .
Thanks for the Christmas wishes!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too.
What do you do when you’re an artist, can I switch to selling Viagra and send out thousands of emails, my heart wont let me, nor do I think will I be able to mail out a good newsletter and get paid for it. Still like your advise, but somehow never seem to fit my problem.
Sigi
Hi Perry,
You’ll never know how timeless your words are. Thanks for being an inspiration to entrepreneurs no matter what corner of the marketplace we call home.
Thanks for your stories, humor, and insight.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Thanks for the words of wisdom Perry. I love being ‘unemployable’ it means I still have the desire and drive to be in control of my own desiny regardless of the economy or opinion of others.Long may it continue. Merry Christmas and all good things in 2010
Dear Perry Marsall!
Your have been stormy tirade to occasion past unsuccssful your is a career to make your yet more considerable.
You are having true a talent of publicist. Your were sharp- as a blade razor the articles,prospects to be killing
“kill outright” any opponents and the same degree You are the stories about musicians breathe by unusual charm. Sometimes
to me seems that is a hero your the stories to have something a character be similar to your imagine. I donot know-
have the right I give an advice – at any case- I very often an experience of information hunger, when become umpossibly
to connected even two phrase. On this a moment I would hurl all different of sides and was begining trawel in search interesting histories among of people. Just, We could avail by Christmas holidays for ours a creative an imagination.
Yuriy Dyskyy.
Dear Perry,
thank you for sincere and encouraging words. I also had my own experience with “being fired” five years ago. And it was the reason I started my own business, because I decided never to repeat this situation. Now I do what I really like and it is one of the best feelings I know.
Thank you for many inspirational mails in 2009 and all the best wishes for the New Year.
Kind Regards,
Jana,
Bratislava, Slovak Republic
Hi Perry,
Thank you for your great advises and real life stories. You do make a huge difference in peoples lives by being down to earth. We connect with you and we are delighted to work with you. Although following you for a long time I haven’t been a student of yours yet. This will change…
Happy New Year…
Mats
This is so true ,I just have gone through this
adventure on my current job, I now know that I
must take the road that you describe. I thank you
for your direct and to the point Information. I
hope to soon qualify to attend an event that you
hold. Until then I will bust butt learning and
taking focused action. Thank You again.
Man oh man Perry we are so much alike.
I am the guy 10 years older than you from the old Amway concept.
I was always a very good worker but a crappy employee.I hated their control over me…and I made so called good money with a so called good job.
At least that’s what main stream told me.
Then I met folks who made in 1 week what I made in 6 months and my mind went on tilt.
“And there are certain kinds of people who will never feel OK about their lives until nobody can fire them anymore.”
That’s what drives me now even though I am home full time but my goals are growing because of who I have met and am still meeting…people like you and many others.
Just last night I was at my parents and as I said before to you I come from a union family.
Two of my younger bros (I have 6) who are both union workers were talking about how much money they make and bragging anout it.
Now I’m newly free this year and don’t make yet what they sell their time for but I also know I’m very close to making 5x what they make so I had to bite my tough.
See no one asks me about my online stuff but in my head I’m thinking hey guys my mentor in my main program has had days of 35k.
You guys need to get around some real money I’m thinking.
Anyway as you say Perry I will build my opportunities deep and strong NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES!
So no one can take me out.That gets me pumped daily.
Thanks for sharing and God bless
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Perry, Perry, Perry …
You’ve Outdone Yourself This Time :)
This is the VERY BEST Christmas Wish I’ve Ever Seen!
So Good, I had to quote You on my
Sunny Hills “The Affirmations Genius” Fan Page on Facebook.
Just AWESOME!
AND … I hope the Same for YOU!
YOU Are TRULY A Wonderful Gift to ALL Who Know You!
May You Live A LONG & Prosperous Life.
Merry Christmas to You & Yours!
~Sunny :)
Sunny,
It’s always great to have your own affirming words! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Hey Perry,
Just a note to say thanks for the gifts you’ve given me this year. Your wisdom and an education both in marketing and life.
Priceless! :-)
All the best,
Paul
Thanks for sharing Perry.
I laughed when you 9 year old son asked you to tell the story of how you got fired. But immediately thought, that must have been very difficult.
I am glad to see that trials have brought you to a place of entreprenuerial victory.
Thanks for giving value first!
Perry,
Your voice rings true to me where others sound like a pig farting in the mud.
Thanks for always cutting thru the BS and delivering all the nuggets of sound wisdom…
I have been reading your stuff for a few years now and its affecting the way I write to my audience.
Merry Christmas
Jody Collier
Perry,
Just wanted to say thanks for this post. My son recently lost his job due to cutbacks.
I’ve been trying for some time to get my son interested in internet marketing. He’s shown limited interest and put forth limited effort.
Your post described him almost perfectly. It may be the “stimulus package” my son needs begin believing and then begin achieving.
Many thanks! I enjoy listening and learning from you.
Very interesting and true. Merry Christmas!!
A very Merry Christmas Perry to you and your family. Thank you for all your wisdom and personal insights that appear regularly in my inbox. I have been in my own businesses since I was 21 and I am now 62. A few mistakes over the past couple of years and I am having to start all over again. But that`s being in business for yourself and I would not, in fact could not change it. Being free is the greatest gift we have. May you continue to prosper in 2010. Happy New Year.
I really like this post. I’ve never been fired but only because I’ve never stayed at any job long enough! Actually, I’ve managed to hold down a job for more than a year but lately it seems impossible because I just can’t stand to have someone tell me what to do when I know what to do better than they do. With my last job as an account executive, I finally realized that it was my destiny to be a successful entrepreneur and so here I am. So glad I found your site and have been able to soak up some of the great stuff you have available for us to learn. Keep up the great work in 2010 and hope to see you someday at one of your four “man” intensives.
Wow, now that hit home. I’m one of those people that dosen’t like someone telling me whether I have a job or not and how much I get paid.
For a long time I’ve strived to make myself as valuable and versatile in skills as I could.
It’s working quite well.
I suggest others do the same and take your destiny into your own hands.
Truly inspirational. Thankyou very much and all the best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. I think 2010 is going to be a GREAT year.
Merry Christmas Perry!
Your email today brought back memories of when and how I got fired several times. Your email also reminds me that one is a lonely number.
It just took me several years to figure it out and now I have multiples of just about everything in business. I especially enjoy multiple streams of income because “What if” I chose the wrong stream?
Wishing you a Happy and Profitable New Year.
Hal
Thank you for sharing again some early hardships and experiences, and for pointing out the need to look for a worthwhile path forward (in spite of those hardships). In a short piece of writing, you provided much. Best regards.
Thank you that masterpiece. That’s brain fodder at its best. 2009 was not very kind to me and I now know what was lacking. It is lies somewhere in the ending of the above article, that is, “resolve to do *whatever it takes* to build your bag of tricks, your network and your opportunities. Build those things so deep that NOBODY can take you out.”
As they say in French, merci beaucoup.
Yes, somebody runs your life, but I would rather be accountable to clients than to a boss. Thanks for your insights Perry and Merry Christ-mas!
I have been fired from every job I’ve ever had within 5 months of being hired.
As much as I told myself it wasn’t a bad thing because the jobs were not my end goal, the rejection each time still got to me.
The cool thing is that 2 years later the people I used to work with are still the same and I’ve become a savvy entrepreneur.
Great post as always Perry. I am looking forward to the best year of my life, learning a lot and helping as much as I can to better the lives of everyone around me. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Very enjoyable and so true. I think we all crave that level of independence.
I became “Mentally unemployable”, fed up with decisions that I had no input on, an alright wage but no real future or prospects.
So became a sole trader not a big success, but successful.
I like the ability to say yes or no to a potential customer.
So I understand your comments.
Thank you so much for your wisdom and inspiration throughout the year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Perry and team!
In May 2009 Advanta Corp, one of the largest small business credit card issuers went under, a victim of the Great Recession. As I am in the doll business, May is when I am starting to build inventory for the Holiday season. They gave me 3 days notice. As anyone knows, you can not get a bank to issue a new CC in 3 days. Nor will they give you as much credit as you might have built up over the years with your established bank. Plus the number of automatic monthly payments tied to that card. Lesson learned? Don’t rely on just one bank or credit card issuer. It wasn’t a disaster, but we were in an uncomfortable position for weeks after. So add that one to your list… don’t get ‘fired’ by your bank or credit card issuer.
Hello Perry,
It seems what you wrote in your last e-mail was directed solely to me :>)
I have been laid off and / or fired from my last 4 jobs (last one being in June of 2007). At the time, I was angry at everyone but myself. These last 2 years, after being self employed I realize two things: ONE — best thing that ever happened to me was being fired and TWO — I was a horrible employee and deserved to be fired from most of these jobs.
I first “met you” during a WSI webinar recording where you spoke at their E&I conference. This was before I became a franchisee. Aside from WSI, you’ve played the biggest role in my maturation process in the world of Internet Markteting.
You opened up the gates for me to meet other “gurus” who have changed the way I am doing business both for my clients and myself. I am still with WSI however looking to sell my franchise (very expensive introductory education into the world of Internet Marketing but they laid the foundation to where I am today).
In 2010, looking to develop 5 distinct business models: Service clients (what I do now); affiliate marketing (started to delve into); selling my own products (currently partnered with a group — http://www.ResveratrolPlusRx.com; sell informational products (looking to target both English and Spanish speaking markets); become a paid speaker in the Hispanic market pertaining to Internet Marketing.
Thanks again for opening my eyes to this incredible world and I look forward to never working for someone ever again.
Merry Christmas,
Jaime Antonio Paredes
http://www.Jaime-Paredes.com
Perry, you reminded me of my first termination and my dismal false started at community college. I am thankful for the learning opportunity and my life of abundance today. Thank you for helping count my blessings and have a great 2010!
Perry–
Thank you for this story, today. You reinspired me at a time when I’ve been getting more and more down. I’m in the situation of needing to move from my 3,000 sq ft condo in Nashville to a small condo near my aging folks in South Florida, and having trouble closing on anything. Taking much longer than I thought.
I’d been in community mental health for a long time, and unable to start a private practice around the things I most love — creativity, women’s issues, goal attainment — in my area. Moving here, and staying with my folks, I’m under the constant microscope of their vision of how the world works.
Which, of course, means working for someone else even for very little money.
Your message today re-centered my energy to the websites and businesses I’ve been building, to my determination to create a viable life and creativity coaching practice, and to market my own skills and value. I know I can do this.
Now I’m re-fired to get it done.
Thank you, and happy holidays!
–Batya
Your email reminded me that I need to develop another stream of income. Presently I am selling the wonderful jewelry of a designer who is in his eighties. He seems very spry and still creative, but … I remember that nothing good happened to the Miriam Haskell line when she left the company. Same for Judith Leiber. Affiliate marketing is my next endeavor, since I am really a good researcher and find it enjoyable to write. But it will be so different from sellign a physical product & shipping it to customers I can communicate with … anyone want to chime in?
@Jane – Sure, I’ll chime in. Some thoughts:
1. Start a blog, post once a week “Words from Kenneth” or something. You could record and transcribe.
2. Use the blog to help tell the story.
3. Look ahead to the collectibles and after market. Once no more jewelry is made, create value by brokering sales and exchange between current owners.
4. Didn’t see a list, if I missed it, make it more prominent. Fans and customers want to be on the right lists.
Hi Perry,
Ultimately, in most companies, the people above you are in an ongoing posture of covering their own butts, justifying their posiitions,making themselves look good, etc.
In many cases, appearances are more important than productivity. The reason this happens is that they have no proprietary concern.
Entrepreneurs live or die because of the depth of their proprietary concern.
Many of us are “unemplyable” because we can’t stomach people who just “go through the motions because they can.”
I, too, have been fired from jobs. I am not necessarily proud of it, I just consider it a “right of passage.”
Bless you, Perry, for always delivering the right “message to market”, at the right time.
Happy Holidays to you and your’s!
Mike
Merry Christmas to you too Perry.
Thanks for your insight and encouragement in 2009.
Your are a beacon of light in this world of mediocrity, self doubt, compromise and status-quo.
Here is to you and whatever it takes in 2010.
Perry,
You are not going to believe this!, but yesterday I was thinking about how to set up different streams of income and the best way to work not hard but smart (obviously I also need to work hard LOL) in order to know exactly where I’m going in 2010. I agree with you, to be dependent on only one “trick” is not smart enough.
Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo,
Tomas Sanchez
Mexico City.
Dear Perry,
Thank you for being YOU! I look forward to hearing your unique delivery of the basic truths of life and success, and am grateful that you decided to share yourself with us! Just want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I know I’m happier because I receive your newsletter and follow your fundamental advice!
Best regards, Jet
“Never fail a class and never get fired from a job.”
That’s me.
Now the thought of simply taking a class nauseates me.
In 2010, I’m shifting my focus from “getting money” to “delivering value and delight.”