This is not a long post. I am a HUGE believer in recognizing accomplishments, reflecting on progress, and understanding how you got to where you are. I advise other people to do this, so I do it too.
Two years ago I released this app:
It was (approximately) the 75th app I had uploaded to the store. What most people don’t know is that I had “mock” uploaded over 1,000 already just so that I was a master at publishing (upload, then reject before it went into review). I was pretty close to writing off the whole app thing, despite making good money on my other apps. I was just so burnt out.
The rest is history.
When we’re young, years seem life a lifetime. As you get older, you realize how fast they go. But what doesn’t change if the amount of opportunity each year holds. Each month. Each day.
Many people would look at two years and dismiss it as a period of their life that can be lumped together in one sweeping statement.
“Oh yeah, I lived in Tokyo for two years.”
“I was a senior account manager for two years.”
“I dated someone for two years.”
Two years…and it’s just a flash in the pan.
I’m writing this blog post for the person reading this and feeling like they are spinning their wheels. I’m writing it for the person who looks at time and thinks that letting days or weeks pass by is OK…that something will change in the future. I’m writing it for the Carter Thomas who woke up on Novemeber 29, 2012 wondering if life would ever get better, or if all the books he read were just full of it – that it wouldn’t happen to him.
I’m writing this to tell you that everything can change if you want it to….and it can happen a LOT faster than you think. Like I’ve said before, it’s not necessarily easy…but it’s possible.
Two years ago I was sitting EXACTLY where you are. I dreamed of traveling more. I read about this guy Chad Mureta as if it was some far away fantasy world. I felt like I would never get ahead.
Two years later I’ve traveled more than I ever thought I would do in a lifetime. Chad is one of my best friends. I’ve put myself (financially) in a position where I am in control of my future. Granted, this is the product of thousands of hours of work, but it still happened. It wasn’t the revenue from the Gangnam game that got me here – it was that I finally had proof that this was all possible.
All in two years.
Dreams come true…faster than you think. Respect time and it’s power. Use it.
Rock and roll,
Carter
Thanks for posting this Carter, your reflection is a huge motivator. We’re just starting, full time, after two lay-offs. We only have one thing in mind : being able to write the same kind of post in two years, just like you. It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll!
@Matt – Hell yeah man. All the best to you!
Inspirational. Very powerful words. It’s possible. When I reflect back on my two year mark since I started on apps, I want to be able to say to myself I did all these positive things for a better future. Thanks Carter. You make a difference.
@Joshua – Awesome stuff. One of the best books I ever read relating to this was Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search For Meaning” because he talks about exactly what you said. Imagining your future self giving your current self perspective is a powerful tool. It opens you to the big picture and to the really important stuff. It also gets you through the tough times. Good luck man and thank you so much for your words.
Your post came to me in the perfect moment, even when you are convinced of what you want from time to time we all need words like this.
Thanks and I hope I can share something like you did in 2 years.
Cheers!
@Luis – There is nothing that has made a bigger impact on my life than daily reminders of why I’m doing all this. Business, faith, and iron focus – it all comes down to positive energy. That’s one of the best parts of being human (despite what a lot of people think) – you need the outside world to help you reach the next level. That’s when it gets really great. Thanks for writing in and YES definitely hit me up for your 2 year celebration 🙂
great to hear your voice again carter! Keep the posts coming, it’s inspirational stuff.
And I would like to thank YOU for setting me up on this path. Haven’t achieved all my goals yet, but feel like I am definitely on the way…
@David – It’s pretty cool that we’ve built a community, one that you’ve played a part in as well. Fire spreads – keep the pedal down and we’ll all rise.
I’m going to give you the nickname CT3 because you are always dishing out great thoughts and perspectives that help everyone move forward in their journey!
I am a year in so far and it has been difficult at least for me. Self doubt creeps in all the time. People are saying the app store is crowded. A lot of apps tank in numbers and revenue. I’ve been basically going on blind faith that success will come knocking soon. It’s a freaking roller coaster ride man. But I will say this. This time last year I bought my first two source codes from you on this very blog. The process was painful learning how to get the first few apps into the store. But I kept plugging away. With each app upload I learn more about the app store, the ad networks, ASO, my users, my programmers, source codes, diversifying to other platforms, etc. I’m a lot further along now then where I was a year ago. I have you and the members of the appreneur community to thank for it. So with these posts that you put up it lets me know that someone else has also gone through and experienced what I’m going through. If I hang in there a little longer I will see the success that I’m working real hard to achieve. So for that I’m grateful to you and this community!
@Samuel – Thanks for commenting man. It’s awesome that you’ve stuck with it after a year, the puts you head of about 95% of people who try to make something happen. One thing that you’ll see happening is that you will start to see new opportunities in what you’re doing. As you keep grinding and watching the process, you will slowly start to understand and be aware of the larger systems in place. This happens ALL THE TIME and is usually why things pop. It wasn’t when I was uploading dozens of apps that things took off…its when I realized that matching apps the hot ad networks at the time was the opportunity that things suddenly blew up. Small tweak to my existing system – BAM. Same with source codes – once I realized that selling quality was a much better business than selling volume like others do, things took off. Nothing really changed on my end except strategy.
My advice is that when you’re at this stage of your business, spend a few hours each week thinking about the SYSTEM and the KNOWLEDGE you have, not just the apps. What industry could benefit from a reskinning engine? What business could use someone who knows how to create a reskinning empire? This is a paradigm shit and will not happen overnight, but I can almost guarantee you that this is how you’re going to reach the next level.
In the meantime, keep dominating! Thanks for being a part of this – I am grateful for you too.
Hi Carter,
Thanks for the inspirational post, I’m getting into the App business myself.
I have zero experience in app development and I think that reskinning and submitting apps would be a good way to get my feet wet.
I’m on a bootstrap budget.. so I was wondering what’s the bare minimum I need to have in terms of devices? A Mac computer? An Iphone? Would an Ipod suffice for testing out the apps or is the Iphone mandatory?
Also I’m a non-US citizen, is it compulsory to incorporate and get the EIN? Or does that not apply to me?
Thanks a bunch! 🙂
@Lee – Awesome man, glad to have you on the team. Bare minimum would be a mac computer and iphone. Check out ebay or even craigslist. Depending on what country you’re in maybe there are better sites, but anything second hand will save you money. An iPod would suffice but won’t give you all the functions or the true experience of an iPhone user. Not compulsory to incorporate and get an EIN – all depends on if you want to do it now or later. If money is tight, you’re better off being a sole proprietor for now, then doing the incorporation thing once you’re up and running (in other words, you’re going to be in this for a while).
Best of luck!
@CarterThomas Thanks man you’re the best! 🙂
I’m glad that I’ve found your site.. I was about to drop a couple grand outsourcing the development of my app as I was initially following Chad Mureta. But I now that I need to fail and fail fast in order to succeed and reskinning and submitting allows me to achieve that!
Thanks again, I’ve been trying to join Bluecloud select but the shopping cart doesn’t load, will try it with another PC. Gonna get my Mac and Iphone today, so excited ! 🙂
@Lee Tried it from another PC, but still couldn’t get the shopping cart to load for Bluecloud Select
@Lee – yeah dude, working on it. Sorry about that. Got everyone trying to fix, hopefully should be back up ASAP.
@Carter thanks man, hope it gets resolved soon. Just got my devices, read your introductory ebooks. Looking forward to purchase your more in-depth ebooks and join Select once the cart is fixed.