We’ve all had those days. Everything’s going to plan—until it isn’t.
Let me take you back to the summer of 1965. I’d just completed my first year at dental school in Cardiff and was heading home to Llanbradach for a long weekend. My cricket kit was slung over my shoulder, a half-read copy of Wisden poking out of my bag, and I was, in my head, already planning how I’d open the batting for my local club that Saturday.
I got to Cardiff General Station with time to spare—so I thought.
Somewhere between queuing for a pasty and chatting with a former schoolmate I hadn’t seen in months, I heard the unmistakable noise of my train pulling away. Not just any train—my train.
I sprinted up the platform, past surprised porters and amused pigeons, only to arrive just as the last carriage turned the corner and disappeared.
My heart sank. There would be no other train for an hour. My father, no fan of lateness, would have prepared my lunch early and would have expected me in good time to eat my lunch before leaving for the match. I hadn’t seen him for a month. He would certainly be mildly irritated.
The worst part? It wasn’t really anyone’s fault but mine.
The Realisation Moment
That moment—standing there with a lukewarm pasty and my cricket bag like a stranded evacuee—has stayed with me all these years. Not because it was especially dramatic, but because it taught me a quiet, enduring lesson: the importance of timing, focus, and accepting the consequences of distraction.
And strangely, that same lesson crops up repeatedly in my online marketing journey.
Because affiliate marketing—like life—is all about catching the right train. It’s about recognising opportunity, preparing properly, and not letting yourself get distracted by side quests or shiny objects.
The Missed Train Moments in Marketing
Over the years, I’ve missed quite a few metaphorical trains in business too:
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Spending too long trying to perfect a website before launching.
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Delaying an email sequence because “the design isn’t quite right.”
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Hesitating to apply for a promising affiliate offer, only to find it had closed the next day.
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Jumping between tools without mastering any of them.
Sound familiar?
Most of us spend far too long hovering on the platform, unsure if the train we see is the “right one.” We wait, we worry, we tweak… and the opportunity rolls on without us.
What Changed for Me
When I began taking affiliate marketing seriously in retirement, I approached it at first like a hobby. Tinkering. Dipping in and out. Reading more than doing.
But after too many hours spent reading “how to” articles and chasing the next big course launch, I realised I was making the same mistake I’d made in 1965: letting distraction rule over decision.
It wasn’t until I committed to the MAP (Master Affiliate Profits) program that I finally found a platform I could stick with. No more hopping from one thing to another. Just clear, consistent progress.
>> Here’s that link to the Free MAP book again
And funnily enough, the MAP program is a lot like a well-run train service:
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There’s a clear timetable (weekly steps and goals).
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A reliable conductor (John Thornhill himself).
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A final destination that you understand and can reach if you stay on board.
The Importance of Showing Up
In affiliate marketing, success is rarely about who shouts the loudest. It’s about who shows up consistently, who keeps the promises they make to themselves, and who is prepared when the train arrives.
That means:
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Writing that blog post even if it’s a sunny day and the garden’s calling.
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Hitting publish even when you’re not 100% sure it’s perfect.
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Learning how to use your tools properly before buying another shiny app.
When I look back, I realise my biggest wins didn’t come from huge breakthroughs, but from small actions taken again and again—even when they felt dull.
A Little Reminder from 1965
Eventually, I got home that day—on the next train. My father said nothing when I arrived an hour late, just grunted and pointed to the food on the table.
But I remember vowing silently that I wouldn’t miss something important again because I was distracted.
I’ve broken that vow a few times, of course. I’m human. But the lesson stuck. And if you’re reading this and wondering whether now is the right time to finally take your affiliate marketing seriously… let this be your nudge.
Don’t wait for the next train.
Final Thoughts: Time, Trains and Trusting the Process
Affiliate marketing is a long game. There’s no express service to six-figure months. But there is a dependable route, if you choose it.
So here’s my advice—born from missed trains, missed chances, and eventually, a bit of wisdom:
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Pick one platform and stick with it.
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Show up regularly, even when it’s hard.
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Don’t let perfection steal your momentum.
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Act when the moment comes.
And maybe—just maybe—you won’t find yourself running down a platform, waving at a disappearing opportunity.
