Different people are motivated by different things. Some are inspired by a desire for a better quality of life and some by a more affluent life-style. These two things are not the same as some seem to believe. Life-style is about possessions and material accomplishment whereas quality of life is a more ‘spiritual’ thing. Life-style is external whilst quality of life is internal. However, whatever our personal motivation we are all looking to improve our lot both for ourselves and, if we have one, for our family.
With the growth in online business comes a real opportunity to find a way to create the life we envisage for ourselves. However, it is not the business itself which we need to learn about, first and foremost, we need to learn about ourselves. In my early days as a musician I got a one year contract to go to Reykjavik to play with the National Symphony Orchestra of Iceland. It was my first trip abroad as well as my first fulltime contract. I learnt a great deal about orchestral playing which stood me in very good stead in my later career but, more importantly, I found out a lot about myself.
To commit to the process of developing and running an internet marketing business requires the learning of a new set of skills but, even more important, it will involve a significant amount of personal development. It is through strength of character that you will cope with the steep learning curve which all newcomers to the business face. It is through perseverance that you will overcome the difficulties which will inevitably come as you explore a new way of earning your living. It is through stickability that you will see it through until you achieve what you want to achieve.
It has been said that to be successful in business you first have to be successful in life. There is, I believe, a lot of truth in that statement. In life, we need to plan ahead, to regularly take stock of just where we are and to make value judgements of how we are doing. To succeed in any business venture will require the same approach. Success comes from preparation and planning. It will require the right mind-set and lots and lots of self-belief. It demands a strong work ethic too.
Only you can create your own success. Be prepared to learn, to commit and to persist because nobody can do it for you. Set yourself targets as you go. Use the fell-walkers’ technique of bee-lining,- that is setting yourself a series of short term targets rather than one distant target. Take stock regularly to assess exactly where you are in the development of your business and to decide on your next step. Try to envisage what life will be like when you finally achieve your goal.
They say that knowledge is power. I have never fully accepted that statement. To my thinking, knowledge is potential. It is only through action is that potential turned into power. So plan, study and learn but, most important, take action if you want to succeed