Living With Napoleon Dynamite Syndrome
October 10, 2008 by admin
Have you ever felt like you are living with some type of Napoleon Dynamite syndrome and everything you seem to touch just turns to complete crap? A couple of weeks ago, I swear some Napoleon entity was living inside of me. It didn’t seem to matter what I’d do in a day, nothing would work out. Whether it be something as simple as getting onto the internet, or some other seemingly simple task, I was having troubles. I’m sure you have had that type of day many times yourself working online.
If you recall a few weeks ago, I mentioned on my blog about The 16 Steps To Success with Sam Clark of the Authority Site Center.
In case you haven’t noticed yet, the blog you are looking at is entirely new, so you won’t find that post on this blog. Actually, each of my sites were wiped out beyond recover. I’ve been going through the process of rebuilding everything.
There was a time that I used to tell myself that if I ever had to start completely from scratch again, I don’t think I could do it. Well, the complete unforeseen happened, and that is exactly what I’ve had to do.
Unfortunately, I had a problem with my hosting account, and all of the data that had been accumulated in my last blog over the course of the last 18 months or so was completely wiped out. Yes, they did do a back up, but, the backup ended up being completely corrupt, and nothing could be retrieved.
It is ironic that just a day or so prior to this happening that Sam Clark was talking about the absolute importance of storing your own backups, not only on your own computer, but also, on an external hard drive as well. I had been keeping some backups, but unfortunately, there wasn’t much to be retrieved there either. I hadn’t been doing it regularly enough. But the lesson here is, don’t ever rely on your hosting company as far as trusting that you are in good hands! We are never in good hands when we are at the mercy of third party companies handling certain areas of our businesses.
Now, the silly thing is, that I knew all this to well. But still, I took it for granted that such an occurrence would never happen to me. Well, boy was I wrong! Please realize the importance of this, and don’t ever let it happen to you. Backup, backup….backup!!!
While I will admit, that some days it’s been hard to get myself going again. Some days, in a way, I almost felt like I was going to fall into some type of major depression. It’s been tough and thank god, I have friends who have been very supportive in the situation I found myself in. Personally, I’d like to thank first and foremost Holly Mann. THANK YOU SO MUCH Holly, everything you have done to help means the world to me..and more.
I’d also like to thank Joe Swopes, Anna Vera Williams, and Dustin Harris. Yes, even you Dustin, had a small part in me keeping going if you are reading. I think you were my first reader again! Again, THANK YOU GUYS.
And to Joe and Anna, thank you so much for your friendship and support. It means so much to me, more than you can really know.
In case you haven’t heard of The Honest Marketing Movement yet. I’d like to introduce you to it. Recently, Holly put together a system in which all members of this movement are interconnected through a blog network. This community is all about helping one another along their journey in online marketing. It’s a very inspirational cause, and I urge you to check it out now. It’s for people who really value honesty and integrity in their business practices, and also as a support system for marketers to truly help one another. While this following movie of “Pay It Forward” of course, isn’t directly attached to The Honest Marketing Movement in any way, shape, or form, it’s very inspiring about how a few simple actions can truly transform the world in how we perceive it, and also improve it through acts of kindness to others we come into contact with. You may have seen it before, but, you must admit, it’s truly inspiring!
The last little while Sam Clark has been putting together a few videos and I’ve been finding them very inspiring for me to keep pressing on, and to keep re-building once again. Yes, I could have gave up, but, I absolutely refuse to be beat by this business. And even more so, what type of an inspiration to upcoming students in this business would I be, if I was to throw in the towel? It’s just not in me to be doing that, and please don’t ever let things like this get the best of you either. Better yet, don’t let it happen, and be sure you are backing up everything regularly.
The following video Sam discusses some of the teachings from The Power Of Thinking Big. I know I’ve been finding them inspiring and they have been keeping me going, even on the days when I felt like the mountain was to big to climb again. I hope you will find it inspiring as well. Ok, that said…time to do a backup! Let’s not have anymore Napoleon days where everything just blows up!
Popularity: 15% [?]
Great post Davin, and thank you for mentioning us! I appreciate that you remind others to take extensive measures to back up our databases. I currently have a weekly backup being sent to my yahoo address, using the WP DB Backup plugin. I had them being sent to my server-based email but then I realize that was a bit pointless, so I switched it over. After reading this I realize I should also store these on my computer and an external drive as well!
I believe that by reminding others of the importance of backing up our data, you will save many more catastrophes. Thanks for the post and let me know if there is anything we can do to help you recover your traffic.
Hey Anna, well you are very welcome for the mention. How can I not mention you guys! Yes, well I hope the post helps some people to realize the importance of keeping steady and up to date backups. It’s definitely not something I want to deal with again. It’s unreal how much has to be put back in place after that amount of time.
Thank you for your offer on helping me to re-cover some traffic as well. If I think of something I’ll be sure to let you know! Thanx again Anna. Talk to you soon…
Davin
Hello Davin,
I am so sorry for what happened to you. I remember reading a little about it on Holly’s blog, but I didn’t know that you lost everything! I admire your courage and determination. It must have been such a blow. I don’t come around here as much as I’d like…I don’t have a blog; however, I am getting involved in the ecommerce industry. I did find videos you made on siloing from an entirely different site and was happy to see that it was you, and they helped me out to understand the concept.
I will try to get the word out on your blog as much as I can. You and Holly have transformed the internet marketing movement and I hope that every new and established marketer can be exposed to it in some way. I am very excited to see what happens with this “Honest marketing movement” blog network. It sounds like a great idea.
I know it must have been a nightmare to rebuild, but when someone goes through those things, it motivates someone like me to keep at it against all odds. I paid a designer back in February, who we checked out thoroughly, to build my husband and I an ecommerce site and it is still not done and we just found out that what he did work on is complete mess. So we are now in the process of getting a new designer and trying to recover our money back. I know what it is like to feel like everything you touch turns to crap! We have been in a 9 month battle. So, I am in the process of rebuilding myself and you have encouraged me to keep on.
Thanks again Davin,
Jenna
No prob Davin! You know you’ll ALWAYS have my support, and I’m sure the same can be said for the rest of the folks involved. Your determination is inspiring man! And I know you’ll be fine. There was really never a question as to if we would help, it was merely what exactly you would need us to do! Keep moving forward man, I’m very blessed to be part of the movement.
JKSwopess last blog post..Transform Your Thinking: How Your Thoughts Affect Your Success
Hi Jenna,
Wow, it’s certainly nice to see you stop by.
Thanx for the nice words Jenna. Well, you know, I guess the main thing I lost was all of the databases, for blogs, and or any other programs that used one. But, for some of the “static” sites I still had those on my hard drive. I’ve just been finally putting most of those back online. Not all of them, but, no worries.
There is a positive to all of this though. One, I learned a HUGE lesson! And Two, at least I don’t have to go through all of the learning curves that I’ve had to in the past. Things like how to create a site, and work with Wordpress etc. So it could be much worse!
I do hope you join the Honest Marketing Movement network. It’s should be great in time, I’m imagining. I’m very happy Holly thought of that. That part was totally her idea. I didn’t even know she was putting it together. It was a nice surprise!
Yes, and as far as your designer…that’s a real bummer. I sure hope you and your hubby can get your money back!
Hopefully, both of us can stop turning things to crap hey?
Well, just keep plugging away Jenna…eventually things have to work out, and stay encouraged!
Thanx for the kind words again Jenna
Take care,
Davin
And Joe, thanx! Well…it’s not the first time I’ve been knocked to the curb Joe! It’s just nice to have such great people in my life. I really appreciate all of you guys! I’m sure in time things will come together and be just fine.
Sometimes were down…but, never out..right? Of course not!
Cheers and talk soon Joe
Dav
I am glad that I was able to play even a small role in keeping you going! Yes, I’m reading
I’ve just been incredibly busy lately and so I’ve been behind. Besides that, I have to admit that the viral marketing thing is a little over my head, so I am a little more quiet on your blog than I care to be!
I’m glad you’re getting back on track, though. That sounds like a really devastating blow! As miserable as it was, though, it is an opportunity for people like me to learn from your misfortunes…I need to start backing up!
I should know this…I work in IT field…just never really thought about it from a blogging stand point.l
Thanks, Davin. And keep trudging along!
Dustins last blog post..How I’m Dealing With Frustration
I had no idea you were so wiped out Davin. But your attitude is great and here you are. Giving to others generously as usual and being optimistic.
I’ve lost a couple of HD’s - one was set up with raid and was supposed to be backing up to the second HD all the time. HAH.
I appreciate all your newsletters and reviews. You have a unique voice in the internet marketing field.
Cheers, Dianne
Hey, well thank you Dianne. I’m glad you are reading. I always enjoy your visits. Yes, it was a bit of a blow, but, things will work out once again in the long run, and it’s coming along! I hope you are doing fine and still plugging away Dianne. Lord knows, many of us have been around for a while now. It’s always an interesting journey for sure!
Take care and talk soon Dianne,
Davin