Once again I’ve had a hectic week, as you may already know over the last week or so I’ve been promoting Killer Content, launched 2 new products and over the weekend it was my birthday, the hangover seemed to last 2 days, boy I’m getting old 
I also attended Randy Smiths Northallerton meet up on Saturday. These are regular meet ups that Randy has ran for a few years now, he holds them every month or so and it was great to see so many faces from the online world in the flesh and also meet up with some old friends. The meet up was more of an informal affair followed by a Q&A session and it worked great. Randy delivered some great content and as there were a few ‘experts’ in the room everyone benefited from the content delivered. The only problem was I was driving so having a cup of tea while watching others have a beer was not the best experience.
The best thing for me about attending the meet up was the fact I generated some great ideas for putting together a workshop of my own upstairs in my office. In fact I’ve ordered a projector kit and furniture today and I will be transforming what is essentially a storage room at the moment into full on meeting room. I’ll be holding the initial workshops in groups of 16 and let me assure you these workshops will be content packed and pitch free followed by a live Q&A and networking session.
Remember that buying Killer Content via my affiliate link entitles you to attend one workshop completely free but you only have till midnight Thursday so don’t delay.
As you may know this is something I’ve never done before so once again I am getting out of my comfort zone to do this. Sometimes you just have to get things done to move forward and this is a massive step for me.
Sometimes fear of the unknown can hold us back, I remember doing a tele-seminar a few years ago and I was physically shaking as I was getting introduced, and this was over the telephone. However once I got started the nerves soon went and I actually had a lot of people congratulate me afterwards. I also remember it taking me about 2 years to put a picture of myself online and about 3 years before I recorded my first screencam video and even longer before holding my first webinar, now I host webinars almost every week for my coaching students. All of these hurdles had to be overcome before I could move forward and once they were it really wasn’t a problem.
Will I be nervous doing my first workshop? Yes! I’ll probably be shaking but once I do it I know I’ll be fine and who knows, once I get over this hurdle I may even speak at an event one day but for now I’ll settle with 16 determined individuals in the comfort of my own environment.
So if something is holding you back just push through it, once you do you will probably wonder what all the fuss was about…
On another note I am involved in yet another product launch over the next 14 days, this time the product is Push Button Giveaways 2.0 and it’s a joint effort between myself and Keith Purkiss, well I say joint effort, it’s mostly Keith’s baby but I was so impressed with the fact he has built a list of over 20,000 subscribers from giveaways that when he told me he was upgrading Push Button Giveaways to version 2.0 I had to become involved. The beauty of giveaways is anyone starting from scratch can get going by taking part in an event and Keith has basically made it as easy as possible to join and take part in giveaway events at the click of a button. He even supplies ready made products you can use and I have thrown a few of my own in there too.
There’s some great free content being delivered during pre-launch so I urge you to check it out. If you do you’ll receive access to a series of audios that explains how I went from complete giveaway newbie to generating a ton of new subscribers and earning some money along the way. Let me tell you taking part in giveaways will be a key area of my business building in 2011.
That’s it for now and remember! Overcome those hurdles and watch your business grow, and if you want to watch me overcome one of my hurdles check out Killer Content before it’s too late and let me help you build your business.
55 Comments
RandySmith@InternetMarketingRambles
June 7, 2011It was great to see you finally make it down to Northallerton John
I know everyone there was thrilled to see you! and yeah – a few commented that they would bet it wouldn’t be long before you held some of your own….lol
I’m guessing it was due to seeing that these meet ups CAN be informal and without a pitch fest that made you realise you could and should just go for it!
SO I know that when you do – it’ll be a great day of content and help for those who are lucky enough to get along (Naturally I’d love to be involved…hehe)
Randy
Adwello
June 7, 2011That’ll be so amazing, your own workshop, John, wowee! You’ve been working really hard lately so take time out for a bit of a break and put your feet up! Good luck with all your projects!
Keith Purkiss
June 7, 2011Hi John,
Sorry you had to drink tea, while I was having a budweiser 😉
Sounds like you made up for it on Sunday though…
Will you be videoing the workshops?
Thanks
Keith
John Thornhill
June 7, 2011I probably wont record the first few Keith just till I get the hang of it.
Mandy Allen
June 7, 2011Hi John, it was very good to meet you on Saturday. I’m glad to hear you are putting on some events. I’ve always thought they are a good idea as many people (myself included) learn so much better being in the same room as others.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Rob Corrigan
June 7, 2011Hi John,
a lot of what you are saying here I guess is to push the boundries of your own comfort zone. I guess thats what wea should all do only more often than we do now. Great to finally meet you and and some of the other guys at Randy’s do I have only known from my online communications.
cheers
Rob
John Thornhill
June 7, 2011Yes Rob, if we don’t push ourselves we stand still. It was great meeting you last week.
Ray Johnson
June 7, 2011Awesome post John,
I had the same feeling on a webinar with Ben Shaffer – I was (can I say bricking it?)
Glad I did though, as confidence allows you to grow.
I will definitely be an attendee on your workshop
Cheers mate
Ray
John Thornhill
June 8, 2011I look forward to it matey.
Paul Guilfoyle
June 7, 2011I’m really looking forward to your workshop John. I’m sure you have nothing to be worried about. Like everything you do in the business it will be top rate.
All the best,
Paul
Terry Conti
June 7, 2011Hi John,
Nice to know you all you guys had a beneficial experience at Northallerton meet up.
I’m across the pond here in the USA and it’s though to get there but, it’s nice knowing about it.
Good post to read if you have something pressing on your mind you’re not sure of that needs to be done to expand business.
Once you just go ahead and do it you’ll say to yourself, what was all the fuss about. I like that thought, kind of eases things up a bit.
Take it easy John I’m sure the workshop will turn out great. You’ve done so much, this is just another stepping stone. The people attending your work shop are lucky because they are going to get the best.
I notice there are a lot of giveaways around and they are definitely something to get interested in.
Thanks for the motivation and expressing things that are normal that we all go through.
Terry Conti
Web Design Bury
June 7, 2011Hi John,
Your story is very inspirational. Yesterday I was invited to do a presentation to a few local business partners and I accepted it but I am shaking as well. I have done it before and people liked it but I still feel uncomfortable.
Regards,
Gordan Bosnjak
Ed
June 7, 2011Hey John,
I couldn’t agree more on this, I have and proud to say myself overcome both small and large hurdles, one last week being updating windows to Vista Home Premium from XP on the desktop never done it before…
BUT…
By forging ahead and keeping at it finally cracked it, surprized myself actually, but it simply compliments your point in this post, you need to overcome these hurdles….*PERIOD*!
Dang it I was working last Saturday, plus I would have loved to meet Rob also, I will one day attend Randy’s meet in good old Yorkshire, However I know I will meet you one day if it means me skateboarding all the way up to Sunderland, would love to brainstorm ideas with you!
Ed A.K.A John.
Donald
June 7, 2011Hi John,
A good post as usual. I suppose we all have to overcome something to move on. I’m looking forward to the push button stuff coming out. I’ve already bought Killer Content, love it. I was watching the videos and now it’s time to put it to use.
As for your workshop i would love to attend that one, and I’m sure it’ll be a doddle for you.
Good luck with your latest venture.
Regards
Donald
Steve King @ Information Underload
June 7, 2011Hi John
Happy birthday for the weekend…you kept that quiet mate
It was great to meet you after all this time and I for one will be looking forward to coming to one of your workshops.
Although I’ve been in sales for many, many years I can still remember how nervous I was for my first presentation…so I can definitely feel your pain!
The best advice I was ever given was “to always be yourself”…and the worst advice I was ever given was “to imagine everyone naked”!!!
I wish you luck with the workshops and I know it will only be a short time before you are wondering what all the fuss was about.
Happy Birthday!
Cheers
Steve
John Thornhill
June 8, 2011Yeah, I did keep it quiet didn’t I Steve
Thanks for the tips.
Donald
June 8, 2011Steve,
I spent 22 years in the RN. I went through 1 promotion in that time. What kept me from going forward is the fact I would have had to stand up in front of people and talk, couldn’t do it.
Best man at my brothers wedding, couldn’t enjoy myself all day until after the speech..petrified. My own wedding, won’t go there. I even refused to be a best man at my mates wedding, although I couldn’t imagine what I would come out if i was to imagine everyone being naked. I also have to make a speech at my daughters wedding, not looking forward to it. I tried to get out of it, didn’t work.
John I thought you could talk the hind legs of a donkey, although I’m only used to seeing you in video, either by yourself or with Dave which I suppose is different. You’re going into a new chapter in your business talking to a class full of students which I suppose will be new to you. You’ll manage, I have no doubt in that.
Donald
zahid
June 9, 2011Hey Steve
Hope you are well.
Great seeing you at Randys meet.
Regards
Zahid
Hamant
June 7, 2011Hi John ,
I was John Asharaf’s Video on his blog today and Procrastination and Overcoming Hurdles – Those seem to be two of the most difficult things to control, but like you said once you do it it becomes a habit and you realize – “Hey that was’nt so bad”
Looking forward to meeting you.
Hamant
Ps Look forward to details of the up coming meet up.
Dee
June 7, 2011Hi John
It seems incredible that after all your achievements you would be afraid of a workshop. I wouldn’t mind betting that everyone who is lucky enough to attend will be quaking in their shoes at the thought of meeting the great John Thornhill. It takes courage to admit your fears to yourself let alone publicly, and it certainly shows us all that you are as human as we are. I appreciate your sharing your fears and it gives me more ideas for my Good Guy series.
Regards
Dee
John Thornhill
June 8, 2011Hey Dee, I’m just a regular guy and never thought I’d ever be doing something like this so if I can do it anyone can
Jacinta D
June 7, 2011Hi John,
Congratulations on deciding to give the workshops a go. And I am sure you will end up speaking at an event one day.
You may even end up traveling to Australia!
I recently saw Raymond Aaron do a 2 day seminar which was free to attend. There were only 20 people in the room and it was AWESOME. One of the best I have been to!
Full of content and very powerful as well as personal.
The amazing thing I watched occur was at the end of the event, he did promote a coaching program. The starting price was $13,000. He also had 2 other coaching programs of @$24,000 and $42,000.
I watched about 15 of the 20 people sign up for them!!!
Now that is one powerful way to make money!
I am sure he is coming to London in the next few weeks. I think the first week of July. I would highly recommend going if you got the chance. He is a great example of marketing at its BEST and coaching at its BEST.
He beats the Gurus hands down and I have seen a lot of gurus over the years including Anthony Robbins, Christopher Howard, and a good 50 odd internet gurus. (I love attending seminars!)
Raymond is one of the best! Very inspirational and very powerful and very giving.
If you want to research more on his seminar “aaron.com/events”
The only reason I mention this is because I believe you will be like Raymond. An awesome ethical marketer, teacher, coach, and motivator!
Congratulations on taking yourself to the next level!
YOU WILL BE AWESOME!
And hopefully you will come and speak in Australia one day!
Just putting the thought out there! hehehehehehehe
Cheers
Jacinta 😀
John Thornhill
June 8, 2011Thanks for that Jacinta, it’s something I’ll look into. And thanks for the kind comments, it’s appreciated.
Carol Smith
June 7, 2011Hurdles are in our way all through life. If we don’t conquer them, we are severely limiting ourselves.
As a retired teacher I recently got a note from a student on Facebook. He explained that we were always doing projects (I taught Offset Printing, Photography and Journalism)and I always assumed they could do it. They did it because they didn’t want to disappoint me.
This assumption is something that I hoped to teach all my students. As I venture into the area of Online Teaching this again is my hope.
Just saw a note on TV from a girl whose family had lost everything in a Oklahoma tornado. Her horse had survived and wonderful residents had helped her get back to competition. Her sign on her stall said, “Winning is not everything, but wanting to win is.”
Very appropriate.
Carol
Nando
June 8, 2011Hi John,
Thanks for sharing such an encouraging post. It takes a lot of guts to get out of your comfort zone. I’m no different than you or anybody else but I realize that the only way to really grow in this business is to do things you normally wouldn’t in order to achieve things others won’t.
Take care and thanks again,
Nando
Omar Martin
June 8, 2011That’s something I may cross the pond to attend.
😉
RandySmith@InternetMarketingRambles
June 8, 2011I’m Hurt Omar…..
You’ll cross the pond to attend John’s workshop – but never gave it a thought for my meet ups! … tch!
I guess I should be grateful that John came to mine and was motivated to push himself further…
(But you’re now on the “Make Omar Buy The First Drinks List” as far as I’m concerned! …
LOL
Randy
John Thornhill
June 8, 2011Omar has seen how we roll Randy and doesn’t want to miss out
Omar Martin
June 8, 2011As long as I am not forced to drink perno again.
Omar Martin
June 8, 2011@Randy – I’ll be sure to attend the North Allerton meet up during my next visit Randy… matter of fact I would also like to attend a Manchester United match, and witness Daniel wearing the MJ jacket to the pub. Come to think of it.. I’d better make a list of “Things To Do While In The UK”
John Thornhill
June 8, 2011That could be interesting Omar 😉
Gary Simpson
June 8, 2011Hi John,
Yeah, it’s amazing how we limit ourselves with stuff like this.
I remember reading once where a good technique is to imagine that everybody else in the room is naked (except you). But that could be distracting – depending on who may be in the audience. LOL!
Regards
Gary Simpson
John Thornhill
June 8, 2011Lol, that could be distracting Gary
David Taylor
June 8, 2011Hiya John.
The Comfort Zone is really dangerous isn’t it. It would seem that the best way to succeed is to step outside it and quickly.
I think I’ll make a list of 5 things I’d hate to do and then just do them. Interviewing was one of them by the way but I have now done 3 interviews, including with your good self. Thanks for that.
Looking forward to meeting you soon.
Best wishes,
David
Matt Poc
June 8, 2011I can totally relate to that fear John
I’ve just got started online and this month I should make about $1,000, but to make that happen I had to step out from my comfort zone quite a lot, I should say.
I remember when I did my first interview with you and Dave… I was shaking before that, mostly, because English is not my first language.
But, now I did a couple more interviews and I am almost not scared now, only during first 1-3 minutes and later on I just enjoy it. It is really a very pleasurable experience.
Matt Poc
John Thornhill
June 8, 2011Great stuff Matt, it is easy once you do something once isn’t it?
Matt Poc
June 9, 2011Yeah, it is much easier to do something again
Alex
June 8, 2011Hi John,
First, Happy Birthday ! Nice to hear that you have fun together guys there with Randy. I hope that I’ll get some opportunity to go there from Croatia to Randy’s meeting point. I hope !
And on the end, thanks for all value info, for Push B.Giweaways 2.0. where we can get a tons of info !
Alex
Lisa
June 8, 2011Hi John,
After you do the first 5 minutes of your first workshop, you will be thinking “Now why was I so stinkin nervous??”
I know the first time I called you at your office I was shaking and nervous and now talking to you is like talking to an old friend!!
You would think after almost 2 years of emailing you and watching your coaching videos and watching what you do to grow your business, I would have been ok with all that, but nope….so nervous it almost made me puke!! hahahaha!!!
I really wish I could get across the pond and have some tea and biscuits with ya! (now that would make me pukey nervous!!) Checked on flights…..long flight (about 18 hours) and lots of money! But it is on my bucket list!!
So I wish you well and thanks for all your help on everything! I am looking forward to working with you for a loooonnnnggggg time!!
Congrats on taking yourself to the next level! You inspire me!!(I’m still at the factory!!)
God bless you, John. I wish you the best in all you do!!
Lisa~
Folks, if there is any way y’all can get to JT’s workshops….you should go! He’s the best!!
John Thornhill
June 8, 2011Thanks for the kind comments Lisa
zahid
June 8, 2011Hi John
It was great meeting you at Randys meet in Northallerton on Saturday.
I got Killer Content via your link , so looking forward to the workshop and visiting your office.
Cheers
Zahid
Barry Wells
June 8, 2011Hi John, congrat’s on your birthday. The year has certainly flown by, it only seems like a few months ago that I was reading about your Norfolk Broads Birthday trip…..where does the time go.
It’s really funny that you wrote this post at this time John because I’ve just won a prize from Dawn Kay to have an interview transcribed and my nerves are now dancing the moonstomp, where I wish it was the can can 😆
It’s a great opportunity that I can’t pass up but now I have to find a target, think of good questions to ask and prepair for melt down, opps i mean interview 😉
On that note I saw your bonus offers for Killer Content and as a result I bought the product just for your bonuses. I’ll be getting in touch with you about that via the proper channel John but I thought I’d mention it as I’m nervous as hell about it.
I find it hard to imagine you being nervous about facing any hurdles John but reading this post and seeing that you are has helped…..a little.
Catch up again soon John
Respect and Regards, Barry
Mike
June 8, 2011John, good to hear your story about stepping out of the comfort zone. It’s important for everyone to do that, challenging themselves along the way. And, it’s great to hear stories like these which help us make that next move more bearable. Keep up the good work!
Mike
Ken Soszka - Easy Automated Websites
June 8, 2011Hi John,
How true this is! I just wish I could teach myself to always remember that if I “just do it”, I usually wind up telling myself that I wish I just did it a long time ago!
It seems that 9 times out of 10 whatever it is takes 1/4 of the time I thought it would, and goes smoothly.
Thanks and keep “just doing it”!
Ken Soszka
Candy
June 8, 2011So where do I sign up for this workshop that was in the bonuses it don’t say.. will you let us know?
John Thornhill
June 8, 2011I will be providing more info soon Candy, just be sure to register on the bonus page I provided after you submitted your receipt.
Graham
June 8, 2011Hi John,
Great blog post as always, wish that i had made it up to Randys meet i am sure it must have been an awesome event.
Looking forward to your get together, will definately be signing up for it. I just know it will be a meeting stuffed full of great content, i also know that, despite your worries, you will provide a great day, just be what you are John, an honest guy whogoes that extra mile for his subscribers.
Keep providing the awesome service and looking forward to sitting round a table with you
Graham
Lee Scott
June 9, 2011Hey John,
It was great to finally meet you at the weekend at Randy’s meet up. I’m still a bit starstruck in fact, it was like meeting somebody famous.
You shouldn’t be nervous doing your first workshops, you are a natural teacher and mentor John.
I actually overcame one hurdle by just attending the event as it was my first. I couldn’t have started off with a better one and it certainly won’t be my last.
I’m looking forward to your workshops that you are planning at the moment and looking forward to the content.
I bought ‘Killer Content’ through your link as you provided another awesome bonus as you always do. They just seem to get better and better.
I can’t wait to see what your next bonus will be, maybe a BMW M6(hint hint)-lol.
Anyway Happy Birthday for the weekend John and hope to see you again soon.
Thanks,
Lee.
Zora
June 9, 2011Hi,John
This is so inspiring because it comes from real True life experiences. It is also a good example on if you were terrorized to almost stage fright and almost not being able to go through with it.
Then you go ahead and do it anyway .As you show once you go ahead and get started your fears vanished and you got good comments to boot for doing a good job. By showing your courage and determination on how you achieved this .We can see your telling us good examples of how there really are huddles to overcome.
People can tell you are trying to help them out by telling about you fears. Because you could keep your wearies and fears private to you self and just show the technical way of internet marketing like most mentors do. This shows that by following you example other can achieve similar results.
A lot of the mentors out there just show how to do something and that it. John shows you how to do it and then tells you why you did that and that it might not be easy 1,2,3 and it might even be a pain or hard ship invalid like overcoming a fear or a new technical skill.
John will come out and tell you the truth you do have to perform daily work .John will come out and tell you striate off there are no easy one buttons to push. I believe he was the one who said pushing a button is not a business pushing a button is a dream.
If you don’t get those extra tips and warnings like the ones John Thornhill let us in on you are missing out on a lot of the meanings of what you trying to learn.
Thank you for all your hard work
Zora Blume
P.S I’m sorry you dropped to second .I done my best to help keep you at # 1 . I bought Killer Content though your link .But however it turns out, I know you done you best. Either way The race is exciting for all.
Sorry I can’t take you up on all of the bonus you gave me from Killer Content Like the office visit would be a once in a life time opportunity but im in Texas, USA too far away and able to span the distance low on travel funds.
Doug Prentice
June 9, 2011Hi John
There’s absolutely no need for you to worry about doing your workshops. Yes, you’ll be nervous but that’s quite natural. Many seasoned performers are nervous before they take stage centre. It shows that you care about what you do.
I can still recall the first time I had to present to a roomful of people. “Bricking it” didn’t begin to describe how I felt. But if you have prepared well and practised, it all falls into place.
With the workshops you’ll be in front of some of your biggest fans and you could probably go “blah, blah, blah” and we wouldn’t notice.
Come to think of it most of us will I’m sure be more nervous than you!
Looking forward to the workshops and meeting you.
Best regards
Doug
Tim Rees
June 9, 2011Hi John.
Like Barry I just want to thank you for an incredible bonus for KC, and just like the others I’m looking forward to meeting up with you again, (last time at Bristol I was a little tongue tied).
That day (and night) I was out of my comfort zone. I sat there wanting to ask you stuff and just couldn’t think of anything intelligent to say. I suppose this is the perfect example of having an opportunity but being to frightened to step out of my comfort zone, and so I missed out on what was a great chance. – you had the X-factor and I’d got the fear factor – lol
Thankfully, I have moved on a little (I think), helped along the way by you and Dave N (will Dave be at the workshop?) You both always reply to emails, with good and relevant advice, something a lot of big marketers don’t seem do once they’ve got a big list, yours and Dave’s customer service is second to none, this is something I intend to emulate so again thanks for that.
My current comfort zone problem is one you’ve overcome, and that’s putting pictures and videos of yourself online, there are a couple of me knocking about but I am still struggling with this a little. I’ve got photos with Omar and others from Bristol, so after reading about your trepidation, I may just have to bite the bullet and put them online.
I have overcome various things, like having both knees, both hips and one shoulder replaced due to Arthritis, so putting a few photos online should be a piece of …. cake really
(worth more as scrap metal).
I better stop before the comment turns into a novel, do you know how often Randy holds his ‘meets’ Thanks again John – take care all
Tim
RandySmith@InternetMarketingRambles
June 10, 2011Hi Tim,
Re your last question:
I hold a meet up every month – usually the first Saturday of the month (except July which will be on the 9th as I’m in Bristol on the 2nd)
John linked to my Meet Up Page, and thanks to Sally Neill, I now have a fan page for the meet ups at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Northallerton-Marketing-Meetup/209322935772933?sk=app_113963502018946
(Still need 5 more ‘likes’ to get a better name ..lol)
Anyways – those pages will give you all the details of up coming meet ups etc.
Or feel free to click on the support ticket on my blog if you have specific questions you’d like answered
Hope that helps
Randy
Marcus Campana
June 14, 2011Nice post John,
I agree, fear of the unknown as you say is far worse than the the known. Once we do something new, the second time is never as bad and it’s all uphill from there…
Cheers,
Marcus
David Edwards
June 16, 2011Hi John,
I thought I’d stop by and say hi!… I was at the Instant Profit Seminar last weekend in London. Your name was mentioned a few times at the bar by some of the marketers.
Nice work!,
David Edwards
Wayne Stanila
June 17, 2011Hi John,
Thanks for keeping it real and the inspiration to always be moving forward with learning and implementing new things.
Take it from an ‘old dude’ that the hangovers don’t get any easier with age but its good to blow it out on your special day.
Best,
Wayne O. Stanila
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