Sometimes...life is just so cruel.

Today (28th February) was to be the start of another massively happy chapter in my life as I was due to attend the 2010 WA conference in Las Vegas, but I’m not....I’m at home.

??

It all started on Friday (26th Feb) the day before I was due to fly out to Vegas. Everything was set at home, and I had just finished letting my friends here at WA know that I would be away for a few days. I hadn’t been feeling at my sharpest in the week leading up to the trip, and by Friday afternoon I decided to get a niggling stomach ache checked out by the Doctors before travelling.

To my absolute horror, I was told that my symptoms suggest that I could have appendicitis, and after much prodding and poking I was advised that I should forget all about taking an 11 hour flight across the Atlantic because the risks were too great.

To cut a long story short, it’s now Sunday morning...I’m back home...and my Vegas-bound case is unpacked. Today was to be the day that I spent exploring the Vegas Strip before meeting up with my good friends at the conference later this evening, but that’s not to be. Devastated? Totally, but a big part of me is happy that I’m safe. Something’s in life you simply cannot avoid...and this is a situation that I just have to accept.

So what now?

Well let me just say that I’m not after sympathy here because that’s not my style, but I’ve decided to make this post for a couple of reasons...

1) To let my good friends here at WA know what has happened
2) To let YOU know how I plan to move forward.

You see, learning to deal with failure and disappointment is a major part of affiliate marketing, and many people are too quick to give up as soon as something doesn’t work. Right now I’m dealing with HUGE disappointment, but I am the type of person that will find a positive in ANY negative situation. In this case...I might have missed Vegas, but I am healthier than what I could have been.

Now over on the left hand side of the screen you will see pictures of me in Las Vegas 2009, and I put those there last year to show others what the conference is like, and to remind ME of how far I have come and what I have achieved since joining WA. Truth be known, I look at them when I’m low on morale, or in need of inspiration because they always do the trick!

But now I need a NEW source of inspiration...something that will help inspire me to keep pushing in 2010, and serve as a reminder of what of what has just happened to me, so I’ve decided to use the ticket that never was!

Yep, it hurts like hell to have this on my desk, but at the same time it makes me grit my teeth and make DAMN SURE that next year I get to use it! In fact, I’m going to frame it and hang it above my desk, and any time I get a little bit low or need that extra bit of drive, this picture will ensure that I continue to push forward in 2010.

So if you are maybe a little low about your progress at WA...let this serve as a reminder  that we all suffer disappointment sometimes, but the most important thing to remember is you must learn to deal with the situation, and allow it to help you become a better and stronger person.

Sure, my situation was something that I could do little about, but I’m using that negative situation to inspire me to even better things in 2010 and beyond...and it will. I work closely with many people here at WA on a daily basis, and 99.9% of their “disappointments” can be rectified easily with a few minor adjustments, so I’ll just reiterate what I’ve said here many times in the past and say...ANYTHING really is possible if you want it bad enough. I have been prevented from travelling to Vegas this year, but I know for sure that I will be there again next year...even if I had to start with a blank canvas.

A special shout out to Kyle & Carson...
These guys have been FANTASTIC. I’m very fortunate to work closely with them on the Super Affiliate program, and this year’s trip to Las Vegas would allow us to build on the foundations we created over the last year. You’ve both been very understanding of my situation, and to take the time to phone my wife and check that everything was ok meant so much, and again proves to me how considerate you both are. Thank you so much.

To my friends attending the Las Vegas conference...
Have a WONDERFUL time! I’ve spoken with some of you during the build up to the trip, and I know that you are very excited to be there. Don’t worry...you’ll have the ABSOLUTE time of your lives :)

I’ll also apologize to those of you that I had arranged to meet whilst in Vegas...I’m sure we’ll get chance to do it next year!

And finally...to those of you that have maybe been trying to reach me over the last few days...I’m gradually getting back on track, so if you’ve tried to contact me and I haven’t replied to you, I’ll be getting back to you shortly.

Thanks for reading...and bring on Vegas 2011!!