Internet Business: Is It Worth It?

Learn Internet Marketing > Weekly Tips > SSWT 12/08/04

Internet Business: "Is It Worth It?"

As 2004 comes to an end, I find myself in deep thought over the year behind and the year ahead. I think, all said and done, that 2004 will represent the year that I became interested in RSS and began to implement it into my online marketing strategy. And I imagine that will be quite a landmark to me when I am looking back over my years in
e-business.

But I cant help but think back even further - to January 1 of this year - when I took on Mark Farmer's 21-day Challenge. You may remember that particular event, which I titled "The 25th Hour".

These events take place online at Total Life Success, and I encourage you to participate in a future 21-day Challenge... it is a phenomenal experience! I have an award on my office wall from the May 2003 event, where I won the "Best of Success" award. It has meant a lot to me - not just receiving the award, but the incredible effects of the challenge itself. The changes that I made, things that I learned - and the RESULTS - are what really counts.

During my "25th Hour" Challenge, I really pushed myself to a breaking point in order to accomplish MORE in a day's time... every day - consistently. I was already feeling loads of stress and pressure, with a very full schedule and a monstrous task list.

With only 24 hours in a day, and so much to accomplish, I titled it "The 25th Hour" because I was challenging myself to squeeze one more hour into my work day to reach some very important goals.

Eleven months later, I can tell you that the Challenge was a HUGE success! During the 3 weeks of the actual event, it felt like pure chaos. I finally did reach my breaking point, and I just threw my hands up in the air. I felt like crawling in a hole... and pulling the hole in behind me :p

But I didn't... and I made incredible progress towards my goals. But more importantly, I set a precedent for the months that followed, and in that time I made a complete turn-around.

Now, almost 1 year later, my life and business run so much smoother. One of the top questions that I have been asked recently is "How many hours do you work?" - and my answer shocks them. Admittedly, it shocks me too :)

The answer: maybe 4-6 hours a day. That's it.

Has my income suffered? No. In fact, I've almost tripled my income this year, while cutting my work hours down by almost 2/3!

I've finally reached the perfect balance :)

I know that there are a lot of people out there that are facing the same challenges that I have faced myself... and I really do wish that there was a "magic answer" that I could share.

But - and we all know this - if there was a "magic answer", then competition would be pretty darn steep ;) If it was easy, then everyone would be super-successful!

The one advantage that we can have, one that will put us head and shoulders above the rest in any industry, is to WORK. The sad truth is, the majority are not willing to put an investment into their business or into their lives. Meaning time OR money.

Time IS money, right? One year ago, I would have told you that Time was my most precious commodity. Now, I consider it my greatest luxury.

All anyone really needs is a kick-start. And a healthy dose of motivation and confidence to carry you through your "breaking point". Change doesn't come easy - it has to be forced. And you have to REALLY want it to make it happen.

There are a lot of people who have contributed to my success, and particularly to the changes I've made in my business and life this year. But two really stand out in my mind: Fabio Marciano and Mike Litman.

Ironically, I met Fabio (aka "fabman") during the May 2003 Challenge at TLS. He supported my Challenge, and encouraged me throughout the event. Our paths continued to cross, and we eventually began working together.

Fabio is the author of The Secrets of Wealth - which is an incredible read! - and during the course of our conversations, he has really encouraged me and helped me to reach some of my own goals. He is also the author of The One Minute Ebook, among other titles. He has been a great friend, and a huge inspiration.

And then this year... he introduced me to Mike Litman.

I turned around and introduced you to Mike - and encouraged you to grab a free copy of his Greatness Held Hostage CD and Conversations With Millionaires book. Mike tracks all of the referrals that I send, so I know that a lot of you got your hands on that information. GOOD FOR YOU!

(If you missed this offer, you can read the Introduction to Mike Litman's best-seller, & find out more about the Free CD at www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/millionaire.htm )

I want to refer you back to one of the interviews in Conversations With Millionaires. It's Chapter 7: Conversation With Michael Gerber (specifically, page 161 in the hard copy of CWM), where Michael says:

"ask yourself the question: what do I want from my life?... Forget about your business. This is not about business. Your life is your business and so you have to ask yourself: what do I want? What I mean by that is, what is your primary aim?"

Sound familiar? For those of you that read my Blog, you may remember a recent entry where I said: "This is my LIFE, not just my business!"

As we close out this year, and prepare for 2005 - which can easily become your BEST YEAR YET (I plan to make it mine!) - I encourage you to really put some thought into your long- term goals. Not just about money. Or business. But what you WANT out of life. What you want your life to be LIKE. Where you envision yourself in 10 years... and how many hours you will be working every day from now until then.

Have a Super-Profitable Week!!