The Dark Side of Online Success…Part I
April 14th, 2008 by 
Amit
Now I’ve talked a LOT about the benefits of being a super affiliate and, in most cases, these benefits also apply to having a successful online business.
I talk about all the benefits for a good reason, I want YOU to experience how awesome this life is. I also want you to know that whatever struggles you may be going through now building your affiliate marketing business will be TOTALLY worth it in the end.
There’s another side of the story…
As great as the super affiliate lifestyle is there are some downsides as well that you need to be aware of:
#1 ALLERGIES & LOW IMMUNITY
One of the biggest drawbacks of working from home is that your living in a bubble. You’re not exposed to people or outside air while sitting at home, which lowers your immunity and make you more susceptible to allergies.
Before I started working from home I virtually NEVER got sick, about 6 months after I quit my job I started getting sick more and more, especially after I traveled. Once I had a dangerously high 105 fever, which I’ve never had in my life!
That was SCARY!
Now that I’m working out almost everyday at the gym my immunity has shot up so it’s not so much of a problem, however, now I’m suffering from allergy attacks on almost a weekly basis.
It’s gotten so bad that I’m now seeing an acupuncture specialist twice a week in order to get my allergies under control.
Just to put things in perspective I’ve had virtually ZERO allergies until I started working from home.
#2 SITTING ON YOUR BUTT ALL DAY
Having a 30 second commute from your bedroom to your office is SWEET. Trust me, I don’t miss Boston traffic! The only problem is once you start working from home you end up waking up late, walking a lot less, and in general not moving much at ALL.
I know some of you will sit at your computer for hours on end without a break.
When I first started working from home I was going to the gym about 2 times a week, and I typically did a 30 minute workout. This mickey mouse exercise routine wasn’t enough - I started gaining weight, I saw my energy levels start falling and consequently my productivity dropped.
Emotionally I felt like crap.
I eventually hired a personal trainer, whom I meet 4 times a week now, in the morning. Plus I go to the gym an additional 2 days a week. I now workout for an hour at a time, and my trainer pushes me until I’m almost passed out!
Not only did I get back in shape, but my energy levels (both mental and physical) have SKYROCKETED. I get WAAAY more done during the day and feel great.
If you’re working from home and you’re NOT exercising you may as well shot yourself in the foot. You’re doing serious damage to your health AND your business.
At the very least try to get out of your home once a day, take a walk, go work in a coffee shop, & get exposed to outside air and people.
More on the dark side of online success coming up so stay tuned!
allergies exercise low immunity work at home
Posted in Super Affiliate Mindset | 
I work full time and wake up butt early for my 5mile run atleast 5 times a week. If I was able to work from home, i’d be able to run at any time I wanted. That’d be NICE!
I basically just make a schedule to run 3 or 4 half marathons a year, that keeps me in shape.
Amit,
Had the same problem and found the answer. You might have heard of the Alkaline/Acid Balance. Allergies and bacteria proliferate in a slightly acidic level in the blood. So then to Alkalize is simple- lots of greens and cut down on foods that leave a high acidic residue in the system. Better yet take a highly concentrated greens drink with MSM. http://www.supremegreens.com/
Picked it up from Tony Robbins and Alex Guerrero.
Been taking it for 3 years.
Great results!
Nick
Totally true.
It happened to me to. However, since the last month I started to train everyday. I workout 3 times a week, and the other 4 days I run about 5KMs. LOOOVVEEE ITT.
Do you somehow manage to keep healthy life when you travel?
Amit,
I totally feel you on that, that’s why I’m going to start working out and jogging every morning since its getting warm around here (Indiana). BTW my aunt lives in boston
This hasn’t really been a problem for me, as being physically active has always been important to me. I generally exercise in some form every morning when I get up. It’s better than coffee, and you feel like you’ve accomplished something while most people are still staggering into Starbucks. Thanks for the post!
- Dave
Maybe there’s money to be had for a super affiliate steroid.
Completely agree.
I have worked from home for 5+ years. The first few years were spent real estate investing and so while home was my base, I got out a lot. No problems.
Over the last couple of years I have got more involved in aff marketing and the need for travel wasn’t there. Definitely felt ill more often - you do need to get out as much as is realistic - I swim 3-4 times a week which I love.
Another dark side of working from home is the social isolation. I have now teamed up with a local web design company where I work out of their offices and we split ad costs and profits from campaigns. I work with their designers and techs and get to meet real people rather than being online the whole time.
Paul
I totally agree with you. I work from home and have found taking a boxing class 4 days a week has made me feel a whole lot better. I’m not only in the best shape of my life it’s a way to meet people and make friends. Inactivity and social isolation are the dangers of working at home.
Luke, come to dark side…
Good posting. I do not like taking medications for allergies. Instead. dusting our bed etc. everyday, rinsing hair twice a day, and using allergen removing air filters, and pranayam [from RamDev} helped us a lot. You can visit http://www.quickdoctors.com [not an affiliate link] for more information.
thanks
7 years and about 70 lbs later, you’re correct about sitting on your butt. Doesn’t help that we get long winters in Canada and I hate winter sports. During the warm months at least I make time for the out doors.
BTW.. I’m down to taking a weekly allergy shot now..nothing over-the-counter worked so I have to be tested every 3 months so they can create a specific/tailored needle for me.
It is tough working from home.. but I wouldn’t trade it.
I don’t find this two, problems. I thought you would mention being bombarded daily with 1000s of emails with questions about your campaigns, niches, your. This is a problem of being an authority in your business. No matter how hard you try to keep your email/phone no. private there will always be someone that finds it.
Going 3-4 times a week to the gym and eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables will solve the 2 “problems”
…I agree, just sitting around on my ass in that Death Star is making my helmet tighter.
I work with my windows open no matter the weather
Fresh air helps a lot..
Hey Amit, I have this problem but you know what? I prefer to be sitting and working at home and being your own boss. Gym and some hang out is really the pills that you need.
At the end nothing in this world is perfect but affiliate marketing and making money online at home is really worth if you know how to control it. (in terms of healthy).
Hey Amit,
I also can relate you what your saying in your post. Well if here is a website you can check that can help with your problem http://www.mymonavie.com/wfh ok
take care