It’s time for a change and I need your help to make it happen.
Not too long ago I took a poll to see if people found this site helpful, and based on the response the answer was a big — yes! But, instead of making me just feel fuzzy inside, it also focused my mind and made me examine how I could make this site even more awesome.
Actually, I’ve already gotten started on this expansion project and have been working on the redesign of this site for the past month or so.
I wanted to quickly point out some of the major additions I’m currently working on.
1. Newsletter: This is an email based system that’s designed to send you news, tutorials, podcasts, and other information that won’t be made available anywhere else.
2. Article Submission: This feature will allow readers to submit their own blog entries, so they can share tips and information to help those in the AG community. I’ve always thought that we all have valuable knowledge to share, and this is a chance for you to do that on a bigger scale. Of course, I’ll be editing and sorting entries, so only the very best will be published.
3. Podcast: I have a series of new podcasts that will deal with issues that I haven’t touched on in the past.
Over time I plan to add more features and hope to turn AG into the best resource it can possibly be for you and all those in similar situations.
Now, the sucky part.
Unfortunately, and to my total surprise, I got ripped off. Yeah I know, I’m so PO’ed about the whole situation. I hired a designer to handle the whole project for $400 bucks, but after I paid things went south.
At first he seemed great, then he stopped answering emails, and well, a month later only half the work was done. So, given that he did at least some work, I will try to recover some of my money, but there isn’t any telling how long that could take or if it’s even possible (I promise I’ll give it a 100% though).
I guess I was naive and thought that because I give off good karma that I would get a little of that mojo back and complete my project without any drama, but things didn’t turn out like I thought they would.
Now I’m in a position where I really want to — and will — continue to finish what I started, but I need your help to get it done.
I’ve had to hire a new designer and pay him nearly as much as the first guy, but this time no money is changing hands until the work is done!
Last year you guys guaranteed the continued existence of the AG podcast (The Anxiety Guru Show) with your generous donations.
This year I need to ramp up that effort to cover the cost of AG’s improvements and maintenance, especially because of the ripoff. As many of you know I am I one man show with no outside funding. And the little I make from ads and donations only helps me to break even, but in this case breaking even is the goal.
It makes me happy to help you, but the reality is that this stuff isn’t cheap. Between hosting for the site, podcasts, and designer fees, I’m about to be in it for several hundred dollars.
Last year I was able to raise $200 and I appreciate every single penny, but this year I’ll need to raise even more.
The challenge I face is raising $400.
Even with this amount of support, I’ll still be down a few hundred bucks, but that’s OK with me. I’m just trying to avoid shouldering the entire load.
Some might say, well why even do this if you’re losing money? That’s easy, because for every person I help, I save. I save them from fear, anxiety, hopelessness, and depression. That to me is worth every single dime that I’ve ever spent here. This is my life’s work. To help you. How do you put a dollar amount on that? I simply can’t, and I won’t.
So, to continue those efforts, I need you more than ever. I’ve been asked for money myself many times in the past, so I know how the apathetic among you feel, but this is a worthy cause.
See, even though I already feel better, since I’m “healed” as it were, I keep working because I want everyone that finds me to feel at peace the way that I do now.
Alright, now it’s action time. You can donate buy clicking on either PayPal button. It’s a safe way to donate without having to fret about privacy issues.
Also, remember that you can donate by buying a copy of my special report. This $10 purchase will give you a great resource and also provide AG with a much needed donation.
Your gift — whatever it’s size — will help make AG better.
I’ll be keeping a tally over the next two weeks on this page of all donations made as a thank you to those that participate in this fundraiser.
Please join me in making Anxiety Guru into a better resource for all and not letting a ripoff artist disrupt the good work that’s being done here.
— Paul Dooley
P.S.
If you can’t see the donation button from your email or reader then please visit Anxietyguru.net.
I have been telling my work for about a year now that I believe I am going crazy. It is impossible to do my job because we do mot have the right tools for it. I have been sick alot this year 2 weeks with bronchitis, 2 weeks with pnemonia, my mother almost passed away so I had to care for her. And now I have virtigo issues. I asked for a leave to seek help and rest but was told they would just have me step down because of so much missed time. I was not given any suggestions even though we have a counceling group with our work. I was just told they would not help and that ai should just step down.