The File Folder Effect
What if you made a different choice? What if you took that other path?
Those are questions I have pondered about once in a while.
Let me explain. Each time you take a different path in your life, it’s like a new file folder. Whatever path you take that follows is like a sub folder. Each new decision you make continues this way (whether it’s right or wrong). But, you can’t skip back. There’s no traveling back into the past. There are several different paths you can take to earn your freedom, if that’s your goal. There are also several paths that can ruin your life in a pretty dramatic way.
Here’s one example of a decision IÂ made a few years ago. It’s one decision I made which has led to my success in this business.
I was browsing an internet message board for ways I could drive traffic to a site of mine. (I wonder how much time I really wasted doing that.) I found a post which was unlike the other topics. This one was written like a how-to article. It was actually helpful, compared to so many other junk posts which rarely had any helpful advice. I can’t remember the exact topic of the post, but I enjoyed it so much, I e-mailed the author and thanked him for sharing such solid advice. In return, he sent me a link to one of his online courses. That course inspired me to take action.
To this day, I’m still following other courses made by that author. My actions had a large effect on my life. That first course was the statistical copywriting course. I don’t want to give others the impression that I became more successful because I was hanging out on a forum. My advice is, once you do find real solid information that can take you to the next level, jump on it. Take action.
Doing the wrong things at the wrong time will lead to quite a bit of failure. So why not focus on one thing, take action, and choose a proven path to follow?
There’s a great book that was written about the choices two people made in life. They were lucky enough to earn the ability to witness all the past choices they made at certain times of their life. The book is called One by Richard Bach. As a matter of fact, I have a couple copies of this book I want to give away.
Here’s how you can claim one of your own. Simply write a comment at the end of this post. I will send a copy of the book to the first two people who leave a comment. If you’re one of those first two, I’ll send you an e-mail asking for your shipping address shortly.
- Aaron Brandon
Personally, I think your intern program is a great example of helpful actions to take. Helpful in building Aaron’s business in return for helping people like me get into action and building my own business.
Now I’m going to have to go look up Bach’s other books.
Comment by Wayne — November 7, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Sounds like a good book.
Comment by Jeff — November 7, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Hi Aaron!
I, periodically, read your posts and articles. I have only 6 blog authors in my bookmarks and you are one of them (Recommendation of James Brausch). I simply enjoy this reading.
I live in Spain, so postage costs can be higher than calculated so it’s up to you!
Sincerely.
Francisco Moriones
Comment by Francisco Moriones — November 7, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Hi Aaron,
Great post. I’ve read a couple of books by Richard Bach, but I haven’t read “One” yet. It sounds like a great book.
Thanks for all the effort you put into this blog; I read it every day!
Thanks,
Andy
Comment by Andy — November 7, 2007 at 5:24 pm
I like your allegory on the “File Folders” of Life. It is so true, the only problem is that we sometimes forget to clear out the junk folders and send them to the recycle bin! We will all make mistakes and occasionally wander off the correct path, thank goodness there is always a chance to restructure and get back on the path. Good advice Aaron.
Comment by Connie Faubel — November 7, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Great post, Aaron! Choosing a specific course of action… and then actually TAKING that action was something that has unfortunately taken me a long time to implement. I always felt I had to understand everything “perfectly” BEFORE I could take action.
What I’ve finally learned — from the same mentor as you did — is that continuous improvement will always be MUCH more effective than “perfection”… Especially since “perfection” is almost always just an excuse for not taking action.
(BTW… Please pass the book offer on to the next posters.)
Comment by Asian Diabetes Association — November 7, 2007 at 5:40 pm
How true it is, Aaron. If most people could see first hand the consequences of the actions they DIDN’T take, perhaps they would be wiser the next time. Of course, the consequence of the actions they DID take is what brought them to this point.
It’s such a simple truth, that most people who succeed in life do so as a result of taking SOME action…ANY action. The action taken is not even extraordinary…it’s an action that anyone could have taken. The spoils of victory always go to the “do-ers”.
Hanif (H2.0) Khaki
Comment by Hanif Khaki — November 7, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Hi there Aaron.
I’m a recovering opportunity jumper and procrastinator but recently I started focusing on some great information and more importantly things I can actually understand. I try to look at my past mistakes as an educational funnel so reading your post today reinforces my decision to focus on things that will matter to me in the long run.
Thanks for letting me post my comment.
Jimmy A.
Comment by Jimmy Adames — November 7, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Aaron, sounds like you’re heading the right direction in life. Consider yourself blessed to have started at a young age rather than having 40 years of wasted life be your wake up call. That is what happens for most people. - Brent Riggs
Comment by Brent Riggs — November 7, 2007 at 5:48 pm
I’ve been under the impression that my choices were predestined, even though I get to make them myself…as it were. The multi-verse theory kind of backs me on that, even though the scriptures spelled it out long before “Science” caught on.
Comment by Chuck — November 7, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Hi Aaron,
I’d love to get a copy of that book if I’m an early poster. If not I’ve been enjoying your blog. You’ve done well be working with James Brausch.
That is how I found your blog, through his.
Cheers, Roger
Comment by Roger Haeske — November 7, 2007 at 7:20 pm
I assume the author whose online course you bought was James Brausch? I discovered James through a teleseminar being given by a fellow who specializes in teaching about web traffic and who also recommended James. I was glad he spelled “Brausch” or I probably would have never found him when I googled it. The ironic thing is I noticed this fellow does not really apply much of what James teaches… at least to look at how he constructs a sales letter.
Comment by Matia — November 7, 2007 at 7:29 pm
I think it was Dan Kennedy who wrote that “Every lifestyle, every choice has its price.” Very true - our decisions determine how our lives end up. I would love a copy of the book you’re giving away.
Comment by Christy — November 7, 2007 at 8:06 pm
It turns out I’d been thinking of Richard Restak when I read the post.
Bach looks interesting too. I’ve got One on the way from the library and Jonathan Livingston Seagull is queued for my next down time.
Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Wayne — November 7, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Hey Aaron,
I sort of stumbled upon the same person as well, although it started for me with a different course.
That was one of the things I mentioned to James while in Costa Rica, I felt incredibly fortunate to have found his information before any of the other “gurus” out there… otherwise I would probably be spinning my wheels slanging cracksense sites instead of building a real business.
Regards,
-Jim Sansi
Comment by Jim Sansi — November 8, 2007 at 12:09 pm
On the back jacket of my copy of “One” is the quote below from a chapter in the book which is both very sad when viewed from the individual perspectives of the older couple, yet filled with hope for the Richard who is observing them….which you? which world?
” I gave my life to become the person I am right now. Was it worth it?”
Comment by mark mcclure — November 9, 2007 at 3:57 am