I read Michael Martine’s Remarkablogger and I see a focused, dedicated blog consultant. What I didn’t know and that this interview showed me was that Michael is also a patient man, working towards his goals slowly instead of rushing out and trying to fulfil them all at once. Being somewhat patience-challenged myself, this attitude is definitely something I should look into adopting.
Who: Michael Martine of Remarkablogger
Michael is a blog and internet marketing consultant with an ability to get people to see things that are right under their noses and use them to break through to the next level in their business via blogging and internet marketing.
Name one moment in your life when you threw a pity party for yourself and the reasons why you felt you weren’t able to achieve your goals. Were you feeling stuck? Had you felt you failed? What wasn’t working in your life?
I’m not into pity parties, but I get frustrated in my attempts to learn and apply things. You can read or watch or listen to all the advice you want, but the real learning is in the doing, and it ain’t pretty! Not too long ago, I came to the realization that the way I was running my business was killing me in two ways: time and frustration. I had created a rather conventional sort of “freelance technician” model and it just wasn’t me.
What actions did you decide to take? Did someone help you buoy your spirits? Push you along?
I restructured my business model to do what I really do best and what I want to do, instead of what I was merely good at and thought I was supposed to be doing. I had a lot of support from my wife during this time, and it was tough because during this transition I made less money than usual.
Can you look back on that moment and tell us how you felt when you did decide to take action? What results came about from your decision to take charge and move on?
I felt light and engaged in the moment. It was (and is) a great feeling. As a result, my business is growing and I’m much happier.
Everyone has a Someday problem hiding deep inside, even little ones. What variety of the Someday Syndrome do you currently harbor? What would you like to achieve but haven’t yet?
I feel good about how I’m working towards my goals. The one thing I haven’t shed, yet, is the full-time job (with its health insurance).
Examining your Someday Syndrome problem, what are you currently doing to resolve it and eliminate it from your life?
Building up my online income to the point where I know I’ll be able to cut the cord on the job without risking my family.
Many people suffer the same problems you do. You’re not alone, and neither are they. What would you tell people in your situation right now to help them avoid what you’re going through?
Don’t work during every waking moment of the day. Spend some time with your family once in a while. You will have to work a lot, but in order to do that you have to recharge.
If you could ask for one thing, right now, to help you overcome your Someday Syndrome, what type of help would you ask for?
A clone of myself. 
17 Responses to “Goals and patience: Michael Martine interview”
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Michael,
Great interview. I love the term “freelance technician” to describe the overworked and underdiversified problem. And I love how you keep your family at the heart of your decisions. That is so obvious from reading your blog over a long period of time. Keep up the patient work!
Alex,
Have you noticed that everyone answers the last question with a twinkle in their eye?
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly´s last blog post..Tip of the Week: Have a Lobstah
Great interview! I know it’s a freeing feeling when you make a decision to do what you want vs. what you think you’re supposed to be doing. I’m in a similar transition phase now, and it’s always inspiring to here about someone who’s been there before.
Broderick Allen´s last blog post..Persistence
@Kelly
Yes, I have noticed that about the last question. I think it might be because most people are scared of actually asking for help.
@Broderick
Good luck with your own transition. I’m still figuring it out as I reach a certain level with then frees me to realize the next step that I really want to take, which leads to another transformation.
“I restructured my business model to do what I really do best and what I want to do.”
I can agree with that more. Really. We only have two arms and one brain, one heart…shouldn’t they be aligned?
Janice Cartier´s last blog post..Why Robert Redford Is A Hero
Alex,
W-w-who? M-m-me scared?
I was just scared of the interview.
Until later,
Kelly
Kelly´s last blog post..Tip of the Week: Have a Lobstah
Michael Martine - the aspiring SEO visionary - still has his day job?
Michael, cut the cord and get on with it.
Andy Hayes´s last blog post..Inspiring Tours, Authentic Experiences - All in One Place
Hi Alex, Hi Michael: I definitely think we should all make it a priority to find work we love; this often involves uncertainty and lots of hard work, but it’s worth it. Somehow I’ve always had the impression that Michael is very patient . . . maybe it’s because he speaks slowly on his videos.
The clone idea– I like that, times ten. My house would be organized and clean and I could focus on family and work.
Karen Putz´s last blog post..Dear Anonymous Commentor
Hi Michael,
I love that you decided to do what you wanted to do with your business as well as what you do best.
Doing what you could be the best in the world at is an inspiration I got from the Jim Collins book, Good to Great. Sounds like you’ve hit that sweet spot.
Alex, I admire you for asking the tough question about how your guest will be cleaning up their someday syndrome.
Tom Volkar / Delightful Work´s last blog post..Time and Money
Oh good! Someone else who wants to clone themselves. I feel much less like a freak now.
Great to learn more about you, Michael. This was a great interview!
Amy´s last blog post..Ever Felt Like Divorcing Your Blog?
Oh, Michael…I feel you on the day job and I am praying your turn comes quickly. waiting for even a glimmer of mine.
It was great getting to know more about you, Michael. Thanks, Alex, for interviewing Michael.
B J Keltz´s last blog post..We are Book People
This is such a problem in freelancing and one of the reasons The Unlimited Freelancer came to be.
We saw so many of our peers burning out, burning up and getting exhausted. It was time to say, “It doesn’t have to be that way.”
Good on you, Michael, for realizing it and making changes for a better life.
James Chartrand - Men with Pens´s last blog post..Putting the “Social” Back Into Social Networking
” … the real learning is in the doing, and it ain’t pretty!” — Loved that line. It’s so true and so simple.
SpaceAgeSage — Lori´s last blog post..Graciousness doesn’t fit into a box
@Janice
Only one brain? Really? But then how come so many times I’m of two minds about something?
@Kelly
And you used that fear wonderfully
@Andy
I like the way Michael’s doing it, slow and sure. It makes for a more solid success. But I’m more like you - I simply jumped.
@Marelisa
You are so right about finding that thing-we-love is a lot of work, and even more to find a way to make it happen!
@Karen
I see a DeafMom version of Disney’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice happening.
@Tom
I loved the Good to Great book and use it all time with what I work on. Glad you like the questions!
@Amy
The world would not be a safe place if there were Amy clones. A lot more fun for sure, but safe?
@BJ
I have tried several times to do a day job and just end up preferring to be poor and working for myself.
@James
Yay to the Unlimited Freelancer - @everyone I highly recommend anything that James has written!
@Lori
Yes, learning comes from acting - and messing up sometimes!
It’s bicameral.
Janice Cartier´s last blog post..Never Ending Brilliance
Aw, shucks. Thanks.
Kelly´s last blog post..Inspiration Points: Reality Is Not on a TV Show
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