OK, so I’m usually very positive and optimistic. This blog post won’t be any different.

But, it starts out a little weird.

First, what’s up with the semi-profanity in the title?

Look, whether you or I talk that way (which I don’t) at some point in your life, things get crazy enough that you at least “think” something like that.

C’mon be honest.

Which reminds me of a funny story — I’ll tell it really quick. Promise!

A preacher is working at his church property, building a new building for Sunday school classes.

A little boy shows up, and promptly sits down off to one side.

All day he sits there. Never says a word.

Finally, toward the end of the day, the preacher lays down his tools, walks over to young boy and asks, “Son, I notice you’ve been here all day, watching, but haven’t said a word. Is there something I can do for you?”

The young boy squints his eyes is the evening sun, looks up at the preacher, and replies, “Well sir, I just wanted to find out what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with the hammer.”

My grandfather (who was a preacher by the way) used to love telling that story.

Now, back to the “stuff” hitting the fan.

You and I both know that things don’t always go as planned.

You set goals. You map out your objectives and milestones.

And, then things take a dive. The bottom falls out. People let you down. You fail.

Trust me, I’m not immune to mistakes, setbacks, or failures.

Let me give you an example.

2011 was an interesting and strange year. Good stuff — and not so good stuff!

Among the exciting and positive things…

• We moved from Texas to a new estate in Florida.
• We held our first “BIG” live event — JV Expo in Orlando (that event crushed it).
• We had our third baby — beautiful experience.
• We successfully launched at least 7 new products (maybe more, I can’t remember exactly) and sold the living daylights outta them using webinars and some of our other launch strategies

But we also has some “STUFF” happen this year.

I realize the “guru types” won’t let you behind the scenes or even reveal that they have challenges and setbacks, but I’m all about transparency.

So, some of our “stuff” included…

• Despite a WILDLY successful JV Expo in Orlando, our follow-up event in Las Vegas TANKED — big time. I’ve never lost that much money (or been so publicly embarrassed) on a single project. It was enough to knock the wind outta ya (trust me on that one).
• We fell victim to PayPal’s NAZI “reserve” tactics — with them FREEZING significant 5-figures of our money indefinitely and holding another 20% HOSTAGE in a rolling reserve. That means if we sell a product through a JV/affiliate, and pay them the common 50% commission, we’re left with 30% after PayPal dips in. Imagine trying to operate your business on about 30% of what you sell. I’m going to share more on this topic with you later because so many people are being hurt by it right now. One of my marketing buddies had $52,000.00 frozen. Another $109,000.00 frozen. You need to know about this.
• Third, we finally canned a software project that had dragged on for several years unsuccessfully — BIG MONEY LOST.

So, what’s that mean?

Well, it means nothing actually.

It just means that sometimes life works out, and sometimes it doesn’t.

You make mistakes. You suffer setbacks. You fail. Life deals you a sorry hand.

It can be embarrassing. It can cause pain. It can endanger relationships with friends, family, business associates, vendors, and others.

And, trust me — failure is NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS.

It matters not whether you’re a BIG NAME guru, someone just getting started in business, or even if you’re still working in your day job.

Some Days You’re The Windshield, Some Days You’re The Bug!

Fact is, stuff happens to EVERYONE. But, here’s the KEY…

Successful people in our world CHOOSE how we react to those circumstances.

At the end of the day, you really only have two choices:

1. You can let setbacks, mistakes, and failures paralyze you and keep you from moving forward, or…
2. You can lick your wounds, regroup, then get back up and go a little further.

The choice is yours.

And, in the end — ONLY YOU are responsible for how you deal with setbacks.

I hope you’ll join me for an AMAZING 2012.

This year, I plan to GIVE EVEN MORE.

TEACH EVEN MORE.

SHARE EVEN MORE.

And, help other people enjoy the blessings I’ve been so fortunate to enjoy.

Keep it real!

JP Maroney
aka “Mr. Monetizer”

PS: I’d love to know how your year went, and how you plan to make 2012 even bigger and better.

Please take a few moments and comment below.