The Something-For-Nothing Syndrome

By Angela Wu
Posted Sunday, July 11, 2004

You've had a long day.

You're tired from working all day long and tired of having to watch every penny you spend. For the millionth time, you wonder what it would be like to work from home and make good money while you're at it.

A lot of people understand and share these feelings. Unfortunately, it's all too easy to get caught in the trap of expecting 'something for nothing' - you've worked hard, you've heard all the good things about how people are getting rich on the Internet ... isn't it YOUR turn? Heck, if OTHER people can do it, why can't you?

You can. Just don't fall into these common traps ...

Looking for the Easy Way Out

Some people expend a great deal of time and effort looking for just the 'right' opportunity, thinking that this one mythical and magical opportunity will instantly transform their lives.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING. Sure, there will be opportunities that suit your personality and skills more than others ... but ALL of them require hard work and staying power. None of them will make you rich by working only 3 hours a day, and none of them are 'automated cash machines'!

Forget the endless and ultimately fruitless search for that one magical opportunity. Pick a good opportunity - or create one of your own - and then commit yourself to working hard. Instead of wasting effort *looking* for opportunities, put the effort towards *building* one.

Expecting Everything For Free

'Why should I PAY for something when I can get it for free?' I've heard this so many times that the phrase sometimes echoes in my dreams.

The Internet is an excellent source of free information, no doubt about that. When you're building a business, though, you can shave off MONTHS from your learning curve just by making a few smart investments.

The problem with free information is that there's so much of it. How do you manage it all? Do you have the time to sort through it, compile it into something that you can USE, and then finally act upon it - if you're not too tired or frustrated by then?

Then there's the issue of investing in products or services for your business. Web hosting is a good example; although there are numerous free websites available, that doesn't mean you should use them! 'Free' websites are not actually free; you 'pay' for them by allowing the host to place ads on your website. Would YOU trust a company that couldn't even afford to pay a few bucks a month for professional hosting?

On the Internet you can do a lot with a limited budget ... but you can't do it all for free. Invest wisely; it will help your business to become profitable more quickly.

The 'Hobby' Rather than the 'Business'

Building a business on the Internet is the same as building a business in the "real world". It takes commitment. You CAN build a profitable Internet business working part-time (which is how many of us start) ... but there is a world of difference between working on your business "part-time" and working on it in your "spare time".

If you want to become profitable, then commit yourself to it. Be firm! Set a minimum number of hours per week, and then DO IT. Work those hours regardless of whether or not you 'feel like it'. If you have to give up your evening 'TV time' to fit it in, then do so.

Is it possible to make a decent income from home? Sure. People from all walks of life are doing it ... but you can bet that they worked hard to get where they are today! The Internet only offers an *opportunity* to make money from home; YOU have to shape that opportunity into a profitable business. Success is in your hands!

About the Author
Angela Wu is the editor of Online Business Basics, an exclusive newsletter for eBusiness beginners. Visit (http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/) for tips on building a business on the web.