WELCOME!
So, you want to know about The Infinite Affiliate? Here’s my story….
Having frequently thought about the possibility of leaving the “DAY JOB”, I have discovered a plethora of opportunities to work from home. In this site, I aim to explore what it is possible to achieve from someone who is computer-literate, but has no background in actually working online.
From my research I know it is possible, and this, I will share with all of you like-minded readers who are curious about working remotely, maybe as a part-time opportunity to make money online, or even starting a business to fit in with a home-based lifestyle, using just a laptop.
SO, WHO AM I?
Colin is my name, and I think I recently just accidentally retired!
Wait! How can you ACCIDENTALLY retire?
Let’s rewind a good few years, back to the beginning.
Having done an apprenticeship in Precision Engineering, I have worked for various companies throughout the years, both big and small, but all mainly in the Aerospace industry. I was a CNC Machinist. It was a job I found rewarding, but still very challenging.
One of these challenges being a certain intolerance to the cutting oils used, and I frequently battled skin flare-ups, which caused a lot of personal anguish. I vowed to get out of this someday, but it is all too easy to get into a cycle of dependence on a paycheck, and not feeling able to take a risk and change career, as by then, I had acquired commitments.
I eventually got the opportunity to become a Quality Controller, still within the Aerospace industry. This was a good move. Cleaner working environment, and no contact from cutting oils to upset me!
SIDELINED!
This was fine until I got sidelined by my boss, into a position where there was zero opportunity for any progress, and I knew it was time for action. This could not go on!
When I was offered the chance of redundancy after 14 years in the company, I knew I had to take it. Having had my eyes opened to the possibility of working location independent as a Digital Nomad, by a colleague who had achieved this, I developed a plan. I was not necessarily going to buy a one-way ticket to Thailand like he had, but I quite fancied the idea of working on my terms instead of being tied to one employer. My plan was to go contracting for a few months at a time, but there’s a twist……basing myself at different parts of the UK, so my partner and I could explore some more of our own country, that we wouldn’t otherwise get to see with only limited holidays available through a “normal” job. So far, so good.
2020 HAD OTHER PLANS!
I put my CV online, and whilst decorating the hall, stairs, and landing, was constantly fielding phone calls from agencies, informing me of all these wonderful contract positions. I bought new clothes, went for interviews, and accepted a position. Not somewhere 200 miles from home, but just 20! Ah well, it was a good 1st contract. I was comfortable with it, and could just about get up at 05:45 to make the 1/2 hour commute. Yes, still not quite life on my terms, I’m not a morning person!
This was all very well, then lock down hit! Suddenly no one was flying, which is pretty bad if you are in the aviation business!
At this point, I was not working, and it looked like the aerospace jobs would all dry up due to the situation.
I was originally viewing my contracting plan as a semi-retirement, as I had not planned to be constantly working throughout the year. I wanted a better work-life balance.
So, being out of work, yet not wanting a traditional job structure, and not much chance of contracting in my field, the decision was out of my hands.
I HAD ACCIDENTALLY RETIRED!
“WHAT NEXT?”, I HEAR YOU ASK
This is where it gets exciting!
Lock down provided a great deal of time to reflect on what I wanted my future to look like. I started to listen to various podcasts, and being a strong believer in the power of personal development, signed up for some online learning. One thing that kept cropping up on the podcasts I was listening to, was The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. Yes, I was still fascinated by the whole remote working lifestyle. My notebook became full of snippets about how I may achieve this.
It was during this time that AFFILIATE MARKETING became the next phase of my journey towards the lifestyle I wanted to achieve. I believe that with some concerted effort, I can provide an ongoing income, working on my terms, and based around my lifestyle, which will allow me the time and freedom to explore both my country, and other parts of the world.
EVERYONE HAS A STORY
Everyone has a story: everyone has a vision of what their life should look like.
I know I’m never going to be the next Steven Bartlett, but I can create an income online!
There is great satisfaction to be had by helping people achieve their goals. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats, right?
So, if you are interested in exploring the opportunity that affiliate marketing has to offer, or have any questions I can answer, I’ll try my best to help. Please feel free to comment below. I look forward to hearing from you. ?
All the best,
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