Many people fall into the misconception they can achieve success with little effort. I find a lot of truth in the saying that you reap what you sow – really, should you expect life to be any different?
I’ve been asked many times how I became successful online – going from an office job to making a living on the internet. Yes, I’ll admit that right now I wouldn’t trade my life in for the world. I get to wake up when I want, work from where I want and can see my wife Shelly any time of the day. But I worked hard to be where I’m at.
Part of reaping what you sow can be explained by the simple fact that what you do will come back to you. Think of a boomerang. In order to catch it, you must throw it.
Too many people think that life will be handed to them, as though they should expect to receive without giving. I’m guessing that Smith Barney will tell you the same thing I am.
If you want to make money, do it the old-fashioned way. Roll up your sleeves, get dirty…
…and EARN IT!
That was well said, I’m in college right know with a major in Graphic Design and I really need this kind of Inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Justin – glad I could inspire you with my post. Graphic design is something I actually wish I took when I was in college, so props to you for taking that direction in life!
Very well said, Brian. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Sasha, will certainly try to keep it up!
Hey Brian,
Long time fan, first time posting a comment. (I think LOL). Just want to say that you would not be where you are right now, if you did not put your back into it.
Keep up the good work,
Emil
Hey Emil – thanks for taking the time to post a comment!
This is a great post Brian. The great thing about being a freelancer is fact that working hard for yourself is a bit easier. At least for me. But I run into too many folks nowadays that think they’re going to make money in their sleep.
Completely agree with you Jason. Too many people quit their jobs, with hopes of being a freelancer and don’t do the work in advance that will help them sustain success. I moonlighted for a long time before I was able to safely leave my dayjob – and too many people don’t weigh their circumstances and responsibilities before making such decisions.
Brian,
Are you sure that is not some exfoliation skin treatment from an exotic mud only located in the jungles of some unknown island in the Pacific? Just teasing. Hard work is not always fun and does have it’s bumps, but it does pay off in the long term.
Nicely said. I just wrote a blog about cutting out the middle man and getting on with it. Thanks to the web we have no middlemen and so therefore no excuse to not “Just Do It”. None of it is very hard.
Hey Brian,
I think with all the hype out there people think they’re getting no where when they don’t succeed over night!
For me, all the hard work is what continues to create my business. With each new client or project I learn something new, which then allows me to create new video or find what it is my readers really want!
And at the end of the day, a bad day working for myself is better than a great day working for someone else!
I agree that hard work is needed at some places, but in general I have often felt like life was a lot easier than I thought. It’s just the initial impact that you need for taking action that is the hardest step. After this first step work is more like flowing, you have to put less effort into it than was needed to start the action.
Sebastian
First time.. I give my hand to comment here.. This simple but interesting article.. You inspired me Brian.. Thanks!
Too many people today think that there is some kind of golden key which will open a door to riches. This makes them flip from idea to idea. Much of this problem stems from the brilliant copy that the gurus use on over hyped products.
That said many people are really looking for an easy way to reach their goals.
So well said, you got to get your hands dirty.
That is the thing isn’t it, people all want the “get rich quick”, but really those people want the “get rich easy”. Sorry, it just does not work that way the vast majority of the time. If you want success you have to put in the time and the effort. That goes for making a living on-line as well.
Like you, many people ask me how I make a living from home working online, the simple answer is, a lot of hard work, or in other words, I got my hands dirty. Long hours, lots of mistakes, lots of learning from those mistakes and moving forward. I would not have it any other way. I can look back and say this is mine, I earned it. If I want more, I will work for it.
Brian,
Thanks for sharing this with us. There really is no other way to get what you have achieved. Keep up the great work, and come back to us whenever you summer break ends!
Brian,
This is so true. It seems that the internet has generated a ton of interest in overnight riches. I have found just as you have that life rewards those who really WORK for what they want. But even further, if you are really interested in something, it doesn’t SEEM like as much work! As they say…do what you love.
I am very impressed with the thought given to this post and another where you talk about the “road less traveled”. I had to slow down and digest your thoughts instead of just skimming them.
It is nice to see someone actually taking time to THINK before they post.
Thanks,
Rex