4. And speaking of "nag voices," I take care of all those trivial things that I have been putting off doing. I find this is important because it seems to clear my head. Shutting up "nag voices" is like taking out mental garbage.

Basically, I’m telling myself it’s okay to feel way I’m feeling...apathetic, disinterested, turned-off, tuned-out.

After a while, I start feeling there’s a void in my life. I miss writing; my brain starts to hunger for knowledge again; I’m feeling aimless and bored.

Then I know it’s time to ease back into Internet marketing.

I start by opening up a few of my HotMail accounts. Not all of them because I don’t want to feel overwhelmed. I allow myself one hour a day to read ezines and study ads. After a while, I’ll allow myself one hour in morning and one hour in afternoon to read and study. Gradually, I open all my accounts back up.

Before I know it, I’m getting excited again. Words are flowing; ideas are bumping around in my head.

She’s B-A-C-K!!!

For me, I think "Black Hole" periods are good. I return to Internet marketing refreshed and energized. I’m grateful once again for return of passion. No longer stale, I can clearly see flaws previously overlooked and come up with fresh ideas.

Sometimes we are so deeply involved with our life within computer; we lose our sense of perspective. We think we are learning, but we’re just reading words. Our brain is overloaded and nothing is sticking. We just do "same old, same old" and wonder why we’re not getting anywhere.

I think "Black Hole" is our mind’s way of saying, "Hey, ease up! Ya know, there’s a whole nother world outside of that monitor. I’m going on strike until you give me a break!"

I have come to understand that for me, I live in two worlds; one is CyperSpace and other is physical world. I have friends and loved ones in both worlds; I make money in both worlds; I am passionate about both worlds.

I think key is to try to find right formula so that two worlds can co-exist in harmony.

Every time I come out of a "Black Hole," I get a bit closer to finding that formula.

So don’t panic when you fall in "Black Hole." Just listen to that quiet, still voice inside. It will guide you through it. And when you come out to other side, I think you’ll be smarter for experience. Certainly you’ll appreciate return of renewed passion and excitement.

"This, indeed, is one of eternal paradoxes of both life and literature--that without passion little gets done; yet, without control of that passion, its effects are largely ill or null." F.L. Lucas

What can you use on your site to be unparalleled? Truth and honesty goes a long way and so does sincerity. People can feel that someone is genuine and straightforward. This puts you heads above your competitors. Present your claims openly and try what Ralph Waldo Emerson called “Plain Dealing.” The opposite trait to this type of marketing is dishonesty and hypocrisy. Of course, there are shades of this unpleasant form of marketing and these are just as destructive. You certainly don’t ever want to venture down these trails, because your business demise is at end of these roads and so is your personal integrity. Too much to put on chopping block.

If you invest time and money into whatever you are marketing, then invest another commodity - yourself. Become legitimate, bona fide, earnest marketer of your product/service. Then proudly walk by bogus, insincere storefronts and feel warmness of offering something to make someone’s life better or easier. Its a great feeling and it definitely is something you can take to bank. ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 July