9 Things I Discovered in 2009
Hi folks.
2009 was not the year I wanted or expected. I wanted and expected to be a lot further along in achieving my dreams this year and I missed out on achieving a few of my goals this year. However, I recognize that difficult and trying situations and negative experiences actually help us in the long run, if you don't dwell on them, analyze them and take the positive from them.
I worked in an online marketing company this year that unfortunately lost a lot of money at the end of the year and can no longer function as it once did. A few people lost their jobs. It was a big shame, but this company had been making five to six figures in revenue and profit per month at the start of the year.
Despite missing some out on some of my goals this year, and despite finding myself jobless near the back end of this year, I have learnt so much from my experiences, and I am committed to channeling these lessons into positive action in 2010 and starting a full-time business for myself.
I thought I'd quickly make this post sharing nine important things I discovered this year, in the hope they may be useful to other people. I'd also love to hear what other people have learnt and taken from 2009 in their business and efforts.
Here we go:
1. It's been said before, but you need to treat this online money making thing as a business, whether it is part or full-time. Be professional, ethical, operate within the law and build something that will pay you for a life time and that you can be proud of.
2. Be in it for something other than the cash. One of the big problems at a the company I worked for this year was that there was no long term vision other than "make more money". Since there was only one shareholder, this translated to "make more money for this guy". As an employee, that is ultimately what you are there to do, but that kind of vision from a company owner is not something staff/employees can really buy into and get behind. Have a vision for your business other than how much cash you can earn.
3. Be a positive influence on every situation. Don't get embroiled in too much negativity and always do your best do over-deliver and have a positive impact on every person you talk to and every situation you are a part of.
4. Don't spend when you don't need to. I know several people who have fallen foul of this, and it is such an easy mistake to make. Just because you make 20-30k this month, doesn't mean you will next month. Keep that in mind when budgeting for expenses etc in the long-run.
5. It's about who you know. Make contacts and network. When I lost my job, 4 separate people came to me asking me if I'd like to get involved as a partner with a business idea they had. Some of these people were not even in the IM field. Contacts are important, it's critical to make them, and as I mentioned earlier, impress them and have a positive impact on them in your dealings with them. I lost my job, but had opportunities open up immediately for me. I feel very lucky for this and it has emphasized the importance of making contacts and networking for me.
6. Treat your customers like gold. If you have the resources to go above and beyond for them, it's nearly always worth it. I wish this was something that didn't need said, but from what I have seen this year, it seems some people let this slip some times. Again, have a positive impact on them.
7. Be honest with yourself and others. Some say this is my biggest failing in some ways, but I am an honest sort of chap, who likes to give direct answers. It is more important to be able to be honest with yourself as well though; and identify weaknesses, errors and problems.
8. Don't underestimate the greed of people or your friends. Money, love, power are three things that can turn best friends into fierce rivals. Don't underestimate how far people will go, and how much they will do to try deceive trick and lie to you to get what they want. Be careful who you trust, remain vigilant and don't get taken for a fool. I should also add here, if you find yourself being deceived or mistreated, don't waste time on revenge or one-up-man-ship. I think the greatest revenge any one can have, is being the best that they can be, and being more successful than anyone ever imagined.
9. Systemize everything you do. It makes business a lot easier, simpler and more efficient. I used to really enjoy learning about things like "Kaizen" and continuous-improvement strategies in high-school business lessons. Even in Internet marketing, I see the benefit in applying those practices.
These rules aren't universal, and won't be for everyone. But they are what I have taken from 2009 and will be living by in 2010. I may not have the income I wanted from 2009, but in some ways, what I have at the end of this year has been worth more than money and I am excited about moving forwards in 2010.
What have you taken or learnt from 2009 and what would you add to this list?
2009 was not the year I wanted or expected. I wanted and expected to be a lot further along in achieving my dreams this year and I missed out on achieving a few of my goals this year. However, I recognize that difficult and trying situations and negative experiences actually help us in the long run, if you don't dwell on them, analyze them and take the positive from them.
I worked in an online marketing company this year that unfortunately lost a lot of money at the end of the year and can no longer function as it once did. A few people lost their jobs. It was a big shame, but this company had been making five to six figures in revenue and profit per month at the start of the year.
Despite missing some out on some of my goals this year, and despite finding myself jobless near the back end of this year, I have learnt so much from my experiences, and I am committed to channeling these lessons into positive action in 2010 and starting a full-time business for myself.
I thought I'd quickly make this post sharing nine important things I discovered this year, in the hope they may be useful to other people. I'd also love to hear what other people have learnt and taken from 2009 in their business and efforts.
Here we go:
1. It's been said before, but you need to treat this online money making thing as a business, whether it is part or full-time. Be professional, ethical, operate within the law and build something that will pay you for a life time and that you can be proud of.
2. Be in it for something other than the cash. One of the big problems at a the company I worked for this year was that there was no long term vision other than "make more money". Since there was only one shareholder, this translated to "make more money for this guy". As an employee, that is ultimately what you are there to do, but that kind of vision from a company owner is not something staff/employees can really buy into and get behind. Have a vision for your business other than how much cash you can earn.
3. Be a positive influence on every situation. Don't get embroiled in too much negativity and always do your best do over-deliver and have a positive impact on every person you talk to and every situation you are a part of.
4. Don't spend when you don't need to. I know several people who have fallen foul of this, and it is such an easy mistake to make. Just because you make 20-30k this month, doesn't mean you will next month. Keep that in mind when budgeting for expenses etc in the long-run.
5. It's about who you know. Make contacts and network. When I lost my job, 4 separate people came to me asking me if I'd like to get involved as a partner with a business idea they had. Some of these people were not even in the IM field. Contacts are important, it's critical to make them, and as I mentioned earlier, impress them and have a positive impact on them in your dealings with them. I lost my job, but had opportunities open up immediately for me. I feel very lucky for this and it has emphasized the importance of making contacts and networking for me.
6. Treat your customers like gold. If you have the resources to go above and beyond for them, it's nearly always worth it. I wish this was something that didn't need said, but from what I have seen this year, it seems some people let this slip some times. Again, have a positive impact on them.
7. Be honest with yourself and others. Some say this is my biggest failing in some ways, but I am an honest sort of chap, who likes to give direct answers. It is more important to be able to be honest with yourself as well though; and identify weaknesses, errors and problems.
8. Don't underestimate the greed of people or your friends. Money, love, power are three things that can turn best friends into fierce rivals. Don't underestimate how far people will go, and how much they will do to try deceive trick and lie to you to get what they want. Be careful who you trust, remain vigilant and don't get taken for a fool. I should also add here, if you find yourself being deceived or mistreated, don't waste time on revenge or one-up-man-ship. I think the greatest revenge any one can have, is being the best that they can be, and being more successful than anyone ever imagined.
9. Systemize everything you do. It makes business a lot easier, simpler and more efficient. I used to really enjoy learning about things like "Kaizen" and continuous-improvement strategies in high-school business lessons. Even in Internet marketing, I see the benefit in applying those practices.
These rules aren't universal, and won't be for everyone. But they are what I have taken from 2009 and will be living by in 2010. I may not have the income I wanted from 2009, but in some ways, what I have at the end of this year has been worth more than money and I am excited about moving forwards in 2010.
What have you taken or learnt from 2009 and what would you add to this list?
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P.S.
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