Want to succeed? Quit your job.

by Toniy
246 replies
Also... don't take my advice.

If only there were a disclaimer for posts as well..... no matter

I don't want to be held responsible for other people's bankruptcy, just my own :p

So getting to it... Yes, I just made myself unemployed. I did so knowing full well the situation I was getting myself in to.

I face bankruptcy, but fortunately I have no assets, no children, no wife... I rent and I have a good relationship with my parents so worst comes to worst, I live with Mum again :p

I know my character... I know myself very well. I can't be given an alternative, otherwise I'll tend towards procrastination.

I know that the only way I will be happy is with the Internet Lifestyle. I also know that the only way I'll achieve this is by working full time on it.

The reason I can't do an hour here and an hour there is because I procrastinate. I'm also an extremist so I like to focus all my energy on one thing. And when most of my energy is taken up asking 'Have you had any credit cards taken out before 2007?' all day to strangers on the phone then I know I need to change something.

We all know that success in IM comes primarily from action. The speed and magnitude of success comes from knowledge and effort. Now I know a fair amount about IM to be honest with you... from a theoretical standpoint. I could pass any test / quiz on IM, however practical application is only now on the cards.

So I now have a deadline... bankruptcy. I know it's a big risk but I also know that it's the only way I'll do what I have to do.

I think everybody would be the same... you cannot procrastinate if your life depends on it. Eliminate procrastination by giving yourself no other choice.

Not an ideal situation and certainly a dangerous one... but I know success is only a few weeks away.

All I need to do is make enough to cover rent and credit card repayments, and the rest can go on the plastic. I have around 5 months to begin turning a profit, functioning this way.

The end is in sight and I'm excited

Once again... don't follow my advice

Wish me luck if you like... but don't follow my advice
#job #quit #succeed
  • Profile picture of the author Joyful Thiek
    Hi Toniy,

    I'm in the exact same position. I just quit my job as an engineer in a metals firm to do IM full-time. Like you, I'm not the kind of person that can do two things at a time. And having the 9-5 job only does more harm than good so far as my IM life is concerned.

    My last day on the job will be 15th of this month. From then on, whatever happens happens. The idea of going from a decent monthly earning to bankruptcy is unbearable; hopefully, that will pose as the biggest factor in making me work harder. Procrastination is a biatch, not that one can help if you're working full-time on something completely different. And I am a living proof of just that.

    I concur to your advice. But I'll never advise others, because this is just me - not others. Leaving a perfectly decent job for an uncertain something is a risk too big. Then again, 'being safe is now too risky' - Seth Godin.

    Good luck to the both of us.


    Cheers,
    Jou
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    • Profile picture of the author Toniy
      Thanks man, and to you too!

      It is frightening and daunting and you will find very little support from friends and especially family.

      That's the biggest hurdle to get over to be honest. But that motivates me even more... that 'I told you I'd make money this way' day.

      Happy times... back to work then

      Just make sure you have a daily task list and COMPLETE THE LIST.

      Stick religiously to the list
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      • Profile picture of the author rambrose
        I agree that quitting my job would benefit my IM career because I would be much more focused knowing that I have a mortgage to pay each month.

        However, it is not a risk I'm willing to take at this time with a wife and three kids. It would be something to consider once I have dependable IM income each month.

        Rich
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        • Profile picture of the author Troy Broussard
          Originally Posted by rambrose View Post

          I agree that quitting my job would benefit my IM career because I would be much more focused knowing that I have a mortgage to pay each month.

          However, it is not a risk I'm willing to take at this time with a wife and three kids. It would be something to consider once I have dependable IM income each month.

          Rich
          Wise approach. There's another angle to this as well and that is simply that not everyone is cut out for it (by "it" I mean being an entrepreneur with no boss). It takes a lot of discipline and is not as easy as it appears even when you do have a full time income and system in place.

          I love it and wouldn't trade it for the world, but I also know that not everyone out there has the self-discipline that being your own requires and supporting a family is certainly your first commitment.

          One thing that I can recommend to anyone considering this type of approach is to make it a transition. Prove to yourself that you can create the income before you walk away from your job - though I do understand that the unique situation of the person starting this thread is different...

          And don't forget about services... there are lots of service related online paths that you can start out in pretty quickly while to build your affiliate route or whatever direction you choose, but if you start out writing articles or doing graphics design or programming or whatever other related service that you can offer, it makes getting started easier.

          Best of luck...
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      • Profile picture of the author Joyful Thiek
        Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

        Thanks man, and to you too!

        It is frightening and daunting and you will find very little support from friends and especially family.

        That's the biggest hurdle to get over to be honest. But that motivates me even more... that 'I told you I'd make money this way' day.

        Happy times... back to work then

        Just make sure you have a daily task list and COMPLETE THE LIST.

        Stick religiously to the list
        Tell me about it. I still don't know how I finally did convince my parents to agree, but they did - to my utter surprise. And I believe the past 4 days have made them to believe I could really do something if I have the time - my WSO sales have been pretty good. Only trouble is it's not a stable source of income.

        I have already made a list that involves niche sites, massive SEO, offering services, etc., which I will revise once I leave. The feeling is unlike any - it's exciting and yet so very frightening. I wonder if six months, a year later we'll look back to this all and say 'that was the biggest mistake of my life'.

        Fingers crossed!
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        • Profile picture of the author bodiddley
          Originally Posted by Joyful Thiek View Post

          Tell me about it. I still don't know how I finally did convince my parents to agree, but they did - to my utter surprise. And I believe the past 4 days have made them to believe I could really do something if I have the time - my WSO sales have been pretty good. Only trouble is it's not a stable source of income.

          I have already made a list that involves niche sites, massive SEO, offering services, etc., which I will revise once I leave. The feeling is unlike any - it's exciting and yet so very frightening. I wonder if six months, a year later we'll look back to this all and say 'that was the biggest mistake of my life'.

          Fingers crossed!
          Forgive me if I'm reading this wrong, but why are you selling WSO's when you're not making a full-time income yourself?

          WTF??
          Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author Ernie Lo
    I do wish you luck but I tried the same thing a few years ago and was the biggest mistake of my life. I lost on about $30K from not staying at my job. (it took me a while to find another job)

    If a newbie doesnt know how to make money, quitting their job isnt going to magically change that.

    I'd only suggest it if you already have a system making you decent money.

    Anyway best of luck, hopefully it works out.
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    • Profile picture of the author JustinDupre
      Originally Posted by Ernie Lonardo View Post

      I do wish you luck but I tried the same thing a few years ago and was the biggest mistake of my life. I lost on about $30K from not staying at my job. (it took me a while to find another job)

      If a newbie doesnt know how to make money, quitting their job isnt going to magically change that.

      I'd only suggest it if you already have a system making you decent money.

      Anyway best of luck, hopefully it works out.
      Yeah I agree.. maybe you should come up with a working system for online business first before quitting your job. It's not as easy as it used to be a few years ago on IM. But yep best of luck buddy!
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  • Profile picture of the author backendbuddy
    Hiyaaaaaaa! It seems we all are same here. I used to be a marketing manager in a textile mill that monthly exports 15 million dollars. So you can guess what type of perks i am used to. Still i quit and switched to IM. Am keep growing, growing. And i love what i do. Good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author profitsforall
    I'm glad that you don't suggest for one second that others follow your lead.

    In my opinion I think you are being extremely reckless.

    You state in one breath that you need the threat of bankruptcy to motivate you, then in the next you outline your plan of moving back in to your parents house if the worst comes to the worst. So will you really feel the pain? will that really motivate you knowing you can leech of your parents?

    I wish you success (if only for your parent's sake). However, even if you succeed what are you going to do once the threat of bankruptcy no longer looms.

    will you be happy to muddle along scraping by for the rest of your life?

    On a positive note you've identified you have a problem with procrastination - just find a less drastic ways to deal with it.

    As someone who struggled with crippling debt a few years ago - I can say that desperation isn't a great motivator. Sleepless nights - not being able to pay your bills with your maxed out credit cards and knowing you need to have money coming in isn't all that conducive to success online. (Especially when you have others dependant on you).

    Then again, i never considered bankruptcy - because it was my own stupidity to max out credit cards, take loans and spend above my mean. I signed every single agreement and to me that was the same thing as giving my word. Of course for some people bankruptcy is unavoidable - but to actively flirt with it is ridiculous.
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    • Profile picture of the author Deidra Renee
      Originally Posted by profitsforall View Post

      I'm glad that you don't suggest for one second that others follow your lead.

      In my opinion I think you are being extremely reckless.

      You state in one breath that you need the threat of bankruptcy to motivate you, then in the next you outline your plan of moving back in to your parents house if the worst comes to the worst. So will you really feel the pain? will that really motivate you knowing you can leech of your parents?

      I wish you success (if only for your parent's sake). However, even if you succeed what are you going to do once the threat of bankruptcy no longer looms.

      will you be happy to muddle along scraping by for the rest of your life?

      On a positive note you've identified you have a problem with procrastination - just find a less drastic ways to deal with it.

      As someone who struggled with crippling debt a few years ago - I can say that desperation isn't a great motivator. Sleepless nights - not being able to pay your bills with your maxed out credit cards and knowing you need to have money coming in isn't all that conducive to success online. (Especially when you have others dependant on you).

      Then again, i never considered bankruptcy - because it was my own stupidity to max out credit cards, take loans and spend above my mean. I signed every single agreement and to me that was the same thing as giving my word. Of course for some people bankruptcy is unavoidable - but to actively flirt with it is ridiculous.
      Some people need this to *get going.* As he stated, he only suggested this for his self, not others. But I will say I did the same thing...I was only making like $200 a month from my offline business, then quit my regular job and went full time and it was the best decision I ever made If I would have stayed, I would not have a successful offline business right now and I am only making about $2000 a month, but unfortunately, that's more than I was making at my job, so some people do need their *back against the wall* to stop procrastinating. But I wouldn't suggest it for others because some people would still just procrastinate. lol Oh, another thing to do if you're desperate for money....telemarketing
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    • Profile picture of the author tkboy101
      Originally Posted by profitsforall View Post

      I'm glad that you don't suggest for one second that others follow your lead.

      In my opinion I think you are being extremely reckless.

      You state in one breath that you need the threat of bankruptcy to motivate you, then in the next you outline your plan of moving back in to your parents house if the worst comes to the worst. So will you really feel the pain? will that really motivate you knowing you can leech of your parents?

      I wish you success (if only for your parent's sake). However, even if you succeed what are you going to do once the threat of bankruptcy no longer looms.

      will you be happy to muddle along scraping by for the rest of your life?

      On a positive note you've identified you have a problem with procrastination - just find a less drastic ways to deal with it.

      As someone who struggled with crippling debt a few years ago - I can say that desperation isn't a great motivator. Sleepless nights - not being able to pay your bills with your maxed out credit cards and knowing you need to have money coming in isn't all that conducive to success online. (Especially when you have others dependant on you).

      Then again, i never considered bankruptcy - because it was my own stupidity to max out credit cards, take loans and spend above my mean. I signed every single agreement and to me that was the same thing as giving my word. Of course for some people bankruptcy is unavoidable - but to actively flirt with it is ridiculous.
      This is a good point...

      And I'm in my 20's.

      My background isn't very scary. I don't have any debt, I don't face any bankruptcy and I am able to dedicate all my time to this stuff. I'm happy to be making a living online already, so that's good.... I also didn't go to college.

      But what motivated me the most before that, was the fear of moving back into my parents house!!!!!! REALLY!

      I'd RATHER face bankruptcy (an adult situation) than have to move back in with my parents! It's not an abuse kind of thing, they just raised me well and I have a very independent personality. Like I just wanna be ON MY OWN!

      I literally gave up everything to chase down IM success... did this stuff since I was 18 years old... trying to break through for YEARS. And it wasn't until I was full-time on it, forgetting about a job, that I finally found success...

      My #1 tip to ANYONE in a bad or good situation who wants to break through:

      DON'T PUDDLE JUMP!!!!

      Pick ONE tactic, STICK WITH IT until you MAKE IT HAPPEN.


      That's all from me.

      Peace.

      Luke
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    • Profile picture of the author DanThor
      Been there, done that. Some things need to be learned the hard way, I guess.

      Don't quit your job until you've got he IM thing producing at least a sustainable income for you. It's tough, but if you can build it at least to that level while you're still working at your job, THEN you can take the plunge if you think it makes sense to do the IM full time.

      Word to the wise.
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  • Profile picture of the author Frank Ayres
    Personally i think you are mad.
    I am in full-time employment and do IM as well.

    My plan for this year is to go full time in IM but i wouldn't even consider it until i am earning what i am now in my full time job.

    Each to their own hope it works out and you don't become homeless
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    • Profile picture of the author lioncirth
      I personally wouldnt advise anyone quitting their full time job to do IM until they can fully support themselves on their IM income.

      ideally you want a years worth of your current wage in a savings account (in case of emergencies) and then make sure you are making enough from IM to cover your monthly wage.

      I would probably recommend getting a part time job if your not able to get a full time one and combine this with IM
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      • Profile picture of the author emmndi
        I am on a full time job. Combining my job and IM can sometimes be tricky, however I would not recommend someone to quit their jobs unless they are making just about double of what they are earning now. That will cushion them when hard times come around.

        Otherwise, good luck to those that have already quit to undertake full time IM, hard work, persistence and patience will definitely pay off.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike McAleer
      Originally Posted by Frank Ayres View Post

      Personally i think you are mad.
      I am in full-time employment and do IM as well.

      My plan for this year is to go full time in IM but i wouldn't even consider it until i am earning what i am now in my full time job.

      Each to their own hope it works out and you don't become homeless
      I think that if people want to take off work they sure can. You really got to focus your full efforts on IM( well some people do)
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  • Profile picture of the author sonic74
    Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

    Also... don't take my advice.

    If only there were a disclaimer for posts as well..... no matter

    I don't want to be held responsible for other people's bankruptcy, just my own :p

    So getting to it... Yes, I just made myself unemployed. I did so knowing full well the situation I was getting myself in to.

    I face bankruptcy, but fortunately I have no assets, no children, no wife... I rent and I have a good relationship with my parents so worst comes to worst, I live with Mum again :p

    I know my character... I know myself very well. I can't be given an alternative, otherwise I'll tend towards procrastination.

    I know that the only way I will be happy is with the Internet Lifestyle. I also know that the only way I'll achieve this is by working full time on it.

    The reason I can't do an hour here and an hour there is because I procrastinate. I'm also an extremist so I like to focus all my energy on one thing. And when most of my energy is taken up asking 'Have you had any credit cards taken out before 2007?' all day to strangers on the phone then I know I need to change something.

    We all know that success in IM comes primarily from action. The speed and magnitude of success comes from knowledge and effort. Now I know a fair amount about IM to be honest with you... from a theoretical standpoint. I could pass any test / quiz on IM, however practical application is only now on the cards.

    So I now have a deadline... bankruptcy. I know it's a big risk but I also know that it's the only way I'll do what I have to do.

    I think everybody would be the same... you cannot procrastinate if your life depends on it. Eliminate procrastination by giving yourself no other choice.

    Not an ideal situation and certainly a dangerous one... but I know success is only a few weeks away.

    All I need to do is make enough to cover rent and credit card repayments, and the rest can go on the plastic. I have around 5 months to begin turning a profit, functioning this way.

    The end is in sight and I'm excited

    Once again... don't follow my advice

    Wish me luck if you like... but don't follow my advice
    Good luck Toniy,

    I hope you have an action plan and get massive action !

    I'm in the same situation.....
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    • Profile picture of the author Nightengale
      I can certainly appreciate why you'd do this. But like the others, I think it's a bad idea -- even if you are single with no children.

      I'm also single, with no children. I lost my job last year and saw it as a tremendous opportunity for my IM business. I tapped my retirement funds to start it and got all the way to launch...and had to postpone the launch because I had a cashflow crisis -- there really is NO MORE money at all until I can find a job.

      The job hunt has been lengthy and discouraging -- to say the least.

      You can start and run an IM business on little money -- but not on NO money. You still need to be able to pay your personal expenses (rent, phone/Internet, car insurance, food, etc.) plus the basic IM expenses like hosting and autoresponders.

      If you can't pay your basic living expenses (nevermind the basic IM expenses), you won't be able to market -- and you won't be able to get your business off the ground (or grow it).

      Like you, my family won't let me starve or be homeless. But they're not paying my bills either. Things are TOUGH right now.

      I had some tremendous opportunities right after I lost my job and I don't regret tapping my retirement funds. But for cashflow reasons, I simply can't launch until I get a job and get the basic bills covered.

      You've made a choice and taken a risk. Hopefully you have some money to cover your expenses for a while, which means you really are in a race against time. Since you don't have a family, I suppose you can afford to take that risk.

      Given my own situation though, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else -- even if they are single with no kids. If you end up needing another job, you'll likely find it very difficult to get one. At least, that's my current experience. The job market is still very hard.

      Once I get a job and get my basic bills covered, I can launch. And I wouldn't quit that job until I had a cash cushion AND some consistent income from the business (even if it wasn't a lot).

      I wish you the best and hope it's the right choice for you.

      Michelle
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenwrites
    The ones posting about it being reckless to leave a job to pursue your dreams are spot on and offering solid advice. However, that is not to say it cannot be done. Just realize that you will pay a heavy price.

    I left my brick and mortar job in July 2009. Ok so it was a mutual agreement.LOL My online income comes from writing and affiliate marketing. I really think that at this point in my life I am completely unemployable. But it comes with a price.

    If you do decide to go forward with your plans, expect to work your tail off. Expect 14+ hour days. Expect to continually look for ways to bring in income. Expect to be extremely frustrated. Expect to be very angry at times. Expect to eat rice with salsa for weeks at a time. Expect to not be able to splurge on that soda or a burger at Mickey Ds when you want.

    Your work ethic and focus must be impeccable because you efforts are directly affecting your income. Using your full-time job as an excuse for procrastinating to build a business is not reflective of a high value work ethic. Deal with the procrastination head on, even with your full-time job. Procrastination is your achilles heel, not employment. Deal with that head on, and you will overcome any and all of your obstacles. Not dealing with it, and you are doomed to continually fall into procrastination.

    I wish you all the best, if you do decide to pursue your original plan. However, really consider dealing with the root problem first. Deal with the root issue and nothing will stand in your way to success.
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    • Profile picture of the author Wealthyclark
      Everyone that's against this is correct but the one's that are for it are also correct. Everyone has their own path, some people work better under pressure, some people fold. The key to this situation is to know yourself. There are many successful people that were broke and even homeless at one point due to chasing their dreams but they were determined to succeed. I'm a firm believer of the saying anything is possible, especially when your willing bet everything on your achievement.
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  • Profile picture of the author zannix
    There's this story I heard long ago..

    It was about a leader leading his men into battle. They arrived with their ships to the enemy's shore.

    Then the leader insisted that they burn the ships. Now they had no choice but to win or to die.

    Guess what? They won.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Lin
      We are in the same shoe. Luckily, I have no wife, children and debt am making some money with IM business and my only obstacle is procrastination. Good luck to you!
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    • Profile picture of the author profitsforall
      Originally Posted by zannix View Post

      There's this story I heard long ago..

      It was about a leader leading his men into battle. They arrived with their ships to the enemy's shore.

      Then the leader insisted that they burn the ships. Now they had no choice but to win or to die.

      Guess what? They won.
      History remembers those whose gambles paid off.

      Looking at one factor and attributing that to success is over simplistic.
      I'm sure there were months of planning prior to the expedition even setting sale, and training, equipment and better armour may have been even more important to the victory than burning your fleet

      One thing is for certain - Cortes victory has precious little to do with whether the OP will succeed or not.

      He may succeed, and I honestly hope he does, but I think leaping head first towards bankruptcy as a means of motivating yourself is madness, when you can deal with the root cause in a far more sensible and less risky manner.
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      • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
        Originally Posted by profitsforall View Post

        He may succeed, and I honestly hope he does, but I think leaping head first towards bankruptcy as a means of motivating yourself is madness, when you can deal with the root cause in a far more sensible and less risky manner.
        Whats the worst thing that can happen?

        He goes back to work?

        Wow, thats terrible.
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        • Profile picture of the author profitsforall
          Originally Posted by ramone_johnny View Post

          Whats the worst thing that can happen?

          He goes back to work?

          Wow, thats terrible.
          In the UK bankruptcy can shut the doors on some careers completely.
          There is rising unemployment - and for the younger generation it is around 20%, so no absolute guarantees that he will find a job so easily.

          It's always easier to find a job when you are in a job.

          From his original post I thought his decision was a spur of the moment, whim with no thought for anyone else.

          However seeing his further responses, he has obviously got no dependents, no massive debts, and has considered this carefully.
          He did even say that he wouldn't advise this for anyone else.

          but the advice I give comes from my own experience - Ive had fantastic success for periods of time, and I made mistakes and landed myself with huge debts, that had a massive negative impact on my life for years.

          I'm free and clear of that now but won't apologise for urging caution.
          If the core problem was just procrastination there are easier ways of overcoming than giving up your one source of income.
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          • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
            I left 18 years of owning gas/petrol stations in 2007 to become an Internet Marketer, earned $3K my first month and never looked back.
            Don't get me wrong...it has taken hard work. In 2007, I learned to become expert in Google Adwords and sold Internet Education online. When Google started slapping people, I had to learn new methods and become an expert in other fields like Social Media Marketing and Video Marketing.
            It also requires a different mindset that not many people can grasp. You have to believe in your heart and mind you can do this. I have a short paragraph that I read 100 times every morning that keeps me focused. Don't feel I should share it here but if PM me, I will send it to you. You can adjust it to your life/goals.
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        • Profile picture of the author coronaborcalis
          Originally Posted by ramone_johnny View Post

          Whats the worst thing that can happen?

          He goes back to work?

          Wow, thats terrible.
          I like the way you think mate. Just do the best for what you believe and you will find your own success!!!

          Fear knocked at the door. Faith opened the door and there was no one there. What you fear does not exist. Wally Amos
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      • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
        I think the only good reason for one to quit a job (and the thought of going to that job) is if that job is actually affecting your health.

        If you have devised a solid plan, and you have no kids or wife, etc - then there would be no reason you couldn't maintain that extra bit of income while working out your own plan. Not to mention you could be using those paychecks to outsource work at a quicker rate to get to the profit zone much quicker.

        Anyway, I do wish you luck with that - but this is not advisable especially to newbies.
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    • Profile picture of the author RogerAderholdt
      Originally Posted by zannix View Post

      There's this story I heard long ago..

      It was about a leader leading his men into battle. They arrived with their ships to the enemy's shore.

      Then the leader insisted that they burn the ships. Now they had no choice but to win or to die.

      Guess what? They won.
      Love that Quote...

      Yes Burn the ships...

      Man life is to short to be doing something you HATE doing.

      I wish you all the best.

      Work hard and stay focused and it will probally be the best thing you ever did...

      I love when people are willing to risk EVERYTHING to get what they want in life.

      It's called FREEDOM and few people ever get to experience that.

      Come visit me in Thailand when you can and we will do a little celebration party for you.
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    • Profile picture of the author Khondoker
      Originally Posted by zannix View Post

      There's this story I heard long ago..

      It was about a leader leading his men into battle. They arrived with their ships to the enemy's shore.

      Then the leader insisted that they burn the ships. Now they had no choice but to win or to die.

      Guess what? They won.
      It is not a story, it is a history. It happened when the Moors came to Spain first time, eventually made the most advanced empire in that era (at Cordova).
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Youre doing EXACTLY what I did 4 years ago.

    The best advice I can give you is eliminate the negative people around you. This is absolutely VITAL. Anyone that says no, cant, dont, too hard, or job - cut them out of your life.

    Go for it dude. You can acheive whatever you want.

    *EDIT. I can tell you also you will have REALLY tough days where you will question yourself and your reasoning. I remember eating fruitcake for 4 days until money came through once. That was about 2 years ago. Im not kidding. Prepare yourself for days like this. Be ready for them. They come, but they pass.

    Best thing to do is KEEP PUSHING FORWARD.
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    • Profile picture of the author Caleb D Miller
      WOW! I totally LOVE this post!

      Toniy and Jou, I wish you guys the best of luck!

      Sounds like you guys have weighed the pros and cons and you've already burned the bridges. Good for you.

      I made similar decisions a while a back and it had a little to do with reading "How to Get Rich" by Felix Dennis.

      He says that having a regular paycheck is like being on crack cocaine. (And the guy knows what he's talking about with cocaine, he spent 100 mil on whor es and cocaine a couple decades ago).

      It's a weird feeling having a job where every day is stressful to the max and all you want to do is go home and eat ice cream, watch sports, relax (and not work) and YET, you know that you have a paycheck coming in...

      To me I just could NOT take the feeling that I would have a crappy job for the rest of my life, or go to school to finish a degree so I could get another stupid job that would hopefully allow me to retire when I'm 65 so I can play bridge and golf and travel in my old wrinkly skin...............nah

      But like Johnny said, there are probably tough days ahead. And I know what it feels like to have to pay minimums on credit cards with a reserve credit account from your bank because you don't have cash. It sucks.

      You have to daily overcome every doubt and negative feeling and expectation you have in your mind and body. Or the doubt will consume your psychic energy just like your job did.

      For those who had made up their minds and burned the bridge, you should ONLY listen to people like Johnny here:


      Originally Posted by ramone_johnny View Post

      Youre doing EXACTLY what I did 4 years ago.

      The best advice I can give you is eliminate the negative people around you. This is absolutely VITAL. Anyone that says no, cant, dont, too hard, or job - cut them out of your life.

      Go for it dude. You can acheive whatever you want.

      *EDIT. I can tell you also you will have REALLY tough days where you will question yourself and your reasoning. I remember eating fruitcake for 4 days until money came through once. That was about 2 years ago. Im not kidding. Prepare yourself for days like this. Be ready for them. They come, but they pass.

      Best thing to do is KEEP PUSHING FORWARD.
      So don't listen to the doubters because they probably WANT you to fail.

      And you actually might "fail" this time. But in my opinion from reading many stories MANY of the people who are now wildly successful came from desperate circumstances.

      And you guys know what you're doing. You're creating for yourself a desperate circumstance where you MUST succeed. So do it!

      Here's some stuff that I think might be encouraging:
      -Raising Eyebrows (about Dal Lamagna who accumulated 150k in debt from business loans in the 80's and failed over and over till his 30's)
      -Read about others who failed for a long time in order to do what was MEANINGFUL to them. Like Sylvester Stallone, Donald Trump, etc.

      Because it's not about just surviving.... it's about thriving right?
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    • Profile picture of the author im1217
      Where are you now?

      Originally Posted by ramone_johnny View Post

      Youre doing EXACTLY what I did 4 years ago.

      The best advice I can give you is eliminate the negative people around you. This is absolutely VITAL. Anyone that says no, cant, dont, too hard, or job - cut them out of your life.

      Go for it dude. You can acheive whatever you want.

      *EDIT. I can tell you also you will have REALLY tough days where you will question yourself and your reasoning. I remember eating fruitcake for 4 days until money came through once. That was about 2 years ago. Im not kidding. Prepare yourself for days like this. Be ready for them. They come, but they pass.

      Best thing to do is KEEP PUSHING FORWARD.
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      • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
        Originally Posted by im1217 View Post

        Where are you now?
        Im at a cafe, enjoying an afternoon breakfast, you?
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  • Profile picture of the author Will Edwards
    Good luck to you Toniy.

    Will
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    Ernie - You are right... if you don't have a solid plan in place, then you're putting yourself at tremendous risk... I have tried it once before with an awful plan and the bare minimum of support. And learned from it. Won't make that mistake again, and thankyou for your well wishes As I said... I'll be sticking religiously to my list.

    Rambrose - Absolutely. I respect and envy you an enormous amount and I say now that if I had the same commitments, I would never dream of giving up financial security. You are a good man doing right by your family. I, at present, have nobody depending on me. As such it is the only time I can take this risk.

    Backendbuddy - That is the kind of post I was hoping for... a little light I'm glad it's working out for you man. I know it isn't easy, but nothing worth having is!

    Profitsforall - I agree... this is reckless. In fact, I'm known to be reckless. But so far it has always paid off, even if not in the expected manner. As I've said, I would never do such a thing if I had people depending on me. To be honest, I'd be inclined to be offended with what you said, had I forgotten that you don't know me and we have never spoken before. I am a man of integrity, and I would never allow myself to leech. Leechers will never find success in any case, by nature of being a leech and not providing value. My parents have provided a great upbringing to me and it's now on me to repay them for that. Moving back in isn't an option for me either. I don't require the threat of bankruptcy. I was writing light-heartedly and worry and concern are destructive and unproductive. On a side note, thankyou for your wish of success but please take note that I have provided for my parents in the past and I am the sole reason they still have their house. I will be happy to muddle along until I find success... but this will not be for the rest of my life. I thank you for your reality check and I know you don't write to hurt or upset, but to prevent an awful situation for somebody you don't know. This shows you are a good person and I appreciate it. But I'll say once more... I have options. I can return to work at any time since I always work very hard at what I do. I just don't plan to. I probably wouldn't be so brazen if I didn't work in debt management There are always options.

    Allfans - I'd much rather wonder if in 6 months to a year we look back on this and wonder 'is that the single best decision I ever made in my life?' Congratulations though man, nicely done... now just grow and replicate!

    Frank Ayres - Thanks man! I hope I don't become homeless too And yeah... most people would agree with you. As 'mad' is defined I guess it can be as simple as 'does things most don't... because it's crazy' :p

    Lioncirth - I would love to have a year's worth of salary behind me, truly I would. But that would require me to work for another 2 years at least... and I just can't put up with employment any more. I don't like having my choices limited and I'm tired of not seeing full return for my efforts. Maybe it's arrogant... maybe it's brave... whatever it is, it's what I need to do.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gavin Abeyratne
    Hey dude,

    I did the same thing, people thought I was crazy.

    It works, my motivation went through the roof.

    i lived, slept, ate and breathed IM and I hustled harder than I ever had before.

    Replaced my job income in no time with Offline SEO consulting, then started to do pretty well online too.

    There were tough days, but when you eventually realise that the only thing stopping you from succeeding is yourself, and you do what needs to be done to get your ass in gear, then stuff falls into place.

    Good on ya mate! You'll be fine.

    Gavin

    "Necessity is the mother of innovation"
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Hess
    I wish you the best of luck... after you said this:

    Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

    I face bankruptcy, but fortunately I have no assets, no children, no wife... I rent and I have a good relationship with my parents so worst comes to worst, I live with Mum again :p
    You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain...

    One of the most important things you can do is remain focused and spend all day doing things that will benefit your business.
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  • Profile picture of the author ladywriter
    I find it interesting that those advocating 'just quitting' in fact have a cushion (of family/savings/credit) and are employable.

    I'm fairly certain that someone living hand to mouth on their minimum wage job would not be so eager to jump ship.

    We all have our crosses to bear I guess, whatever works is what works. Good luck to the OP!
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    • Profile picture of the author affy123
      I'm in the same position, however, I do have a bit of a cushion to protect me if things get rough. I guess I also have age on my side, still in my early 20s so I can pull 14-16 hour days without too much trouble. Gotta make this into a fulltime income gig before the summer, seems reasonable since I have a detailed action plan. Go for it, if it doesn't pan out the way you originally thought it would, dust yourself off, get a part-time job if you have to and try it again. Go hard and never give up.
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  • Profile picture of the author ScottTMk
    Sometimes to put yourself in a situation where its either sink or swim is the best way to go, your much more likely to get on with it and make the money you need and want to be earning.

    Wish you the best of luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author Henri Lind
    I know that the only way I will be happy is with the Internet Lifestyle.
    The same with me.

    I really wish you good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author Dave Rodman
    Banned
    I don't really see the rationale in quitting your job. Most people, at least in the US, don't consider all the things that an employer provides that protect you. Life, disability, and health insurance to name a few. Not saying you can't get those things on your own, but do you?

    Second, I don't really even think most people improve their productivity that much. Since they lose the cash flow from their jobs, they start doing tasks that should be outsourced. When I was still working, I outsourced EVERYTHING to other people. The business was used to being run without me.

    Third, when you're drawing money out of your business to live on, it means it can't be deployed. During my working years, I had so much extra cash that my business was throwing off it was insane. I built out my team, purchased sites, etc. Now I have a stable of websites that produces a healthy income. If I had to withdraw money for a salary during those initial years, my business wouldn't have grown at the pace that it did.

    Forth, I wonder how many people REALLY hate their jobs that much or do they just hate feeling like their jobs control them. When I started making money online, stress at my job dropped immediately cause I didn't rely on them for income anymore.
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  • Profile picture of the author WAWarrior
    Toniy,

    All the best. The first year will be tough. One routine that I recommend you have daily is personal development. You need to build your inspiration and self belief - and not entertain any thoughts that will not empower you.

    I recommend you read "The Magic of Thinking Big" and " Think and Grow Rich" for a start. Do that for 30 mins each day. Else watch some inspiration videos.

    Listen to John Reese's rebooting the brain; link as follows --http://www.marketingsecrets.com/images/rebootmethod/rebootmethod.html

    And do your Dreams and Goals exercise. You need Desire to motivate you. Are you hungry for success ?
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    • Profile picture of the author Brad Pollina
      Originally Posted by WAWarrior View Post

      Toniy,

      All the best. The first year will be tough. One routine that I recommend you have daily is personal development. You need to build your inspiration and self belief - and not entertain any thoughts that will not empower you.

      I recommend you read "The Magic of Thinking Big" and " Think and Grow Rich" for a start. Do that for 30 mins each day. Else watch some inspiration videos.

      Listen to John Reese's rebooting the brain; link as follows --http://www.marketingsecrets.com/images/rebootmethod/rebootmethod.html

      And do your Dreams and Goals exercise. You need Desire to motivate you. Are you hungry for success ?
      PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT IS KEY! Glad someone said it. I concur!

      Good luck and we wish you all the best! Keep us informed.
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      "Be patient with me....God isn't finished with me yet!"
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  • Profile picture of the author DynoMutt
    I just want to wish you good luck.

    I'm not bold enough to do anything like that. My plan is to make enough money where I'll be able to support myself from the time I quit my job to the time I join the Navy, which is about July of next year.

    Even though I have a savings account to draw on, I worked so hard building it up last year that I don't want to start withdrawing from it now.
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  • Profile picture of the author Davy44
    Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

    I know that the only way I will be happy is with the Internet Lifestyle. I also know that the only way I'll achieve this is by working full time on it.
    Hey, if you are as happy as you seem, I say go for it. Luckily, you are not naive about the situation you are getting yourself into. You pretty much know that it could end up either way- successfully or disastrously. So, be sure to prepare yourself for either outcome.

    Yes, IM requires a lot of time spent strategizing, publishing and just hanging out on the web. But, it also requires resources beyond time- money. Anything meaningful on the web these days cost money; there is no longer free lunches on the web.

    So, you have a plan, credit card and your mom as a back up. I think you are good for the ride. And, I wish you best of luck. I mean it, seriously.
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  • Profile picture of the author masterjani
    The best advice from me:
    Don't even think about your 9-5 job and its salary whatever it is.
    Even a single dollar you make from IM now on is your first salary
    That gives easy to your life.
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    • Profile picture of the author rama
      It's scary giving up your regular day job to IM. Better do both for the time being, and when you're online income is substantial enough to pay your bills, then we can live like those online people who are earning 5 figures a month just because they introduced or invented something fresh or useful to the online community. Just my two cents.
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  • Profile picture of the author drh
    best of luck, hopefully it works out.
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  • Profile picture of the author BizSeo
    It's possible! All you need to know is that you CAN DO IT!

    Don't quit, work hard and with patience you will see results.

    Enjoy and good luck to all the new Internet Marketers.
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    • Profile picture of the author wardo74
      Wow,

      First I would say that I hope you are as passionate as it sounds. I hope you have at least made some sort of relatively steady IM income. Or at least when you focused you succedded. If you are 125% passionate I think you will eventually come out on top.

      If you are not 125% passionate about it then I would be seriously concerned. I still consider myself as a newbie. (I.e. someone that has only made one sale and has spent far more than that trying to create money!) If you do procrastinate (as I do ) then I'm not sure facing bankruptcy would help.

      Best of luck, I hope you have a backup plan. And if not I suggest indeed.com and craigslist.com In case you have to come back to the grind. Perhaps you should schedule your day?

      At any rate, Best of Luck!!
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  • Profile picture of the author petelta
    Good luck man. I actually did the same thing...which was an extremely difficult thing to pull off.

    I quit my job without any viable business in place and started from nothing. It took about 1.5 years of struggling to make it by before I produced a full time income.

    As I built my online business, I made it by from doing jobs on Craigslist, Elance, Odesk, and the Warrior For Hire section.

    If I didn't take the plunge, I wouldn't be where I am today though. I probably would of been still making $40k/year working 60 hours a week. Now, the paychecks are quite a bit higher and the work weeks are quite a bit less.

    Even though that 1.5 years sucked, I wouldn't trade the experience.

    Travis
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  • Profile picture of the author rhodah
    guys, newbies like me needs to be very careful when, it come to the decision of whether or not quitting a day joy cos of im.im is complex and one needs to know the nity gritty before such decision can be taken.well am still leaning.a time will come that i will be able to take such step.
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    • Profile picture of the author DudleyDog
      With the current climate in the UK, there's not many people that would give up their job. I think it shows a certain amount of courage.

      Now you've set yourself a goal (you'll be surprised how many don't). You need to get a plan of action together in order to meet that goal.

      You must be prepared to put in the hours now, which will probably mean working harder than you have ever done before. But remember, it does not necessarily have to be like that forever.

      Don't waste too much time searching forums for a get-rich-quick solution, you probably won't find it; but if you've got five months then in my opinion, you've got plenty of time to turn this around. I've seen quite a few people do this in the last few years.

      I'd also suggest not to spend loads of money on downloads and ebooks etc. It's absolutely not necessary.

      Many people have become successful because they are prepared to take risks. Others feel like they are backed into a corner in this situation. A few years ago I would have been one of those. But being my own boss in IM has taught me many things.

      I hope you will be able to learn quickly too and quickly take your first steps to becoming a success.
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  • Profile picture of the author mahal788
    You give value to the saying - "No guts, no glory."
    I'm not as brave as you are, probably because I am married with a kid, have a mortgage, etc. I always want something to fall back on, a plan B, if things don't work out.
    Right now I am still working my 9-5, doing IM part time.
    However, I wish you luck and commend you on your courage. I hope you won't have to move back in with your parents.
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Skinner
    I wish you the best of luck my friend. Start with a solid plan and then go about implementing it every day. You'll be fine.
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    • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
      Agreed that everyone is different, I've seen people succeed from both approaches and I've seen many more fail with both approaches.

      In my case I definitely started with overlap and it turned out exceptionally well - no problem motivating myself for 3-4 hours a night.

      The ideal situation for many would be...

      1. Transition from a heavy commitment job where yo uare sapped out time and energy wise to a job where you can get some time to work on your business (perhaps at a lower wage, but a wage just the same to get you through the learning, experimental phase)

      2. Or...a job that is more in line with your goals, that gets you experience with either you rmarket or with the marketing techniques you will use to market your business. That way you can get paid for learning while you build your own business on the side

      3. Or...you are open to augmenting your business with some freelancing income in the short-term (this obviously depends on whether you have a value that you can freelance and are open to taking on some projects while you build your business)

      4. Or...you have a payout that lasts you 4-6 months (at least) to give you time to get your legs under you.

      I am all for giving 110% and going full-bore at your objective, but there are multiple learning curves on the way to setting up a full-time income generating online business.

      Best of luck mate!

      Jeff
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      • Profile picture of the author Eric 90
        Dude, That's a Brave deccision, good luck to you.

        I tryed to do the same thing but it wasen't for me I was so worried that it affected me big time and I just had a longterm plan in Place so I basicly avoided it and searched for get rich quick schemes all day it was worth the xperience, but know I know it's not for me.

        I have a minimum wage Job that Enjoy to the degree that I am there and cane have fun there but it's something that I wouldn't do more than 2 years. I have my business running and Invest a big portion of my salary into outsourcing which is realy my thing and ase soon ase my Online income is 10* higher than my Job Income and I have savings for 12 months plus enough money to pay the taxes ( don't forget that)

        I will quit my Job which will happen at the end of 2011

        I am doing this online stuff for quality of life and freedome So I want to have a smooth transition, but everybody's different.

        But good luck to you I heared the Stories of people doing amazing things when there back was against the wall
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      • Profile picture of the author ColinChia
        Hey Toniy,

        A GREAT thread this has turned out to be! GOOD STUFF!

        Just want to share my little story here, I'm a recent graduate July '10 (LOL - pretty recent for me) the last 10 months have gone by in FLASH!

        Never had a "REAL JOB" never think I will! Unless you count serving overpriced coffee's at STARBUCKs a job... HaHa! That was enough to convince me there is more to life than just becoming a drone and in any big old corporation.

        Never regretted giving IM a shot, it has giving me the FREEDOM to travel (Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, ect) eventually pay off my +$20k student loan and retiring my parents this YEAR!

        To be honest it could have been any industry, offline, online, catering, finance, business and internet marketing just stuck with me! Being passionate about something really helps, money can be a GOOD motivator but is a BAD leader. So where MONEY might make you take action, make sure you're HEART is in it to carry in the long term.

        This is not a BOAST because I'm not even close to where I want to be at the moment... But let me just leave it at this, it is just the beginning.

        Wish you all the best mate...

        Leave you with a little bit of motivation!

        "This industry is a level playing field, it's STRICTLY based on HUSTLE"

        - HUSTLE HARD!
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    Justin Dupre - I have the support of some really successful entrepreneurs... I'm fortunate enough to have developed a good relationship with them and I'm confident that they'll be there every step of the way (even if they don't support the idea of going into debt ) and thanks.

    Sonic 74 - Cool man! Glad to hear it... we just gotta nail the action plan. I have methods inspired by the aforementioned marketers and their readily available advice. It's just on me to create and add value now Best of luck to you to bud.

    Kenwrites - This really spoke to me actually... I appreciate it. I'm a writer also, and will be looking to supplement my work writing articles also. However your point about procrastination is really key. And you are right. I should be able to do both. But from my perspective (and this may be an excuse from my subconscious) having the 14+ hours a day is important to me. I want to immerse myself in IM... I want THAT to be my job. Believe me, when I'm at 'work' I do not procrastinate. But I want to focus on one thing. Thankyou though for those thoughts, sincerely.

    Nightengale - Michelle, thanks for your concern. I really hope things pick up again for you! I have the opportunity to go back to my previous employer should I need to. Fortunately, I am quite a talented salesman and there's always a demand for that. There's also a restaurant I used to work at that would take me back as well. Minimum wage is always there, and there are other opportunities to reduce my debt as well. This is where I'm fortunate. Again as gung-ho I seem to be about this (which I am)... even if things were to go completely nuclear... I will be ok. But the fear of having to get a 'job' again is my motivator.

    Zannix - That was f***ing awesome

    Wealthyclark - Thankyou man... I do feel I know myself well enough to know that I need pressure. I need fear also. Fear of jobs, as I just mentioned, will have me working every day, all day, until I turn a profit. Every dollar will be a little victory to spur me on. When I was at university, I finished my dissertation in about 12 hours. The day before it was due. I need pressure... The difference now is that I actually CARE about what I'm doing!

    Alex Lin - Fantastic to hear! Just work it man... work work work... treat yourself when you hit targets, but until then just nail it. Easy money is hard work, and you know what? It should be! Here's to our success!

    Ramone-Johnny - That's one of my favourite posts so far there man, telling me just what I'm glad to hear! I expect tough times, but I also expect success. I've given myself as little alternative as I can and a reasonable amount of time to succeed. I've effectively set fire to my boats!

    Will Edwards - Thankyou Will, sincerely!

    Profitsforall - We've spoken already man, so again I appreciate your kind words and good will... And the Cortes crack made me laugh. But you raise another really good point... I've had training, I have the support, I have a plan and I have prepared. I'm not jumping in blind... I've been immersed in IM for about a year. No substantial action has been taken for around 10 months, but in the last couple of months I've really re-arranged my priorities. This is my commitment to myself. I have a plan B, but I don't want to use it!

    Ramone-Johnny - Yeah, that is pretty much my plan B... it would be terrible :p

    Jill Carpenter - I appreciate your advice Jill and I see where you're coming from, but I have to disagree, unless you are under the assumption that I am a newbie (in which case I would give the same advice as you do!). Since I am not however, I have to disagree that the only reason to leave a job would be health. What about happiness? And doesn't happiness contribute to health also? In fact there are some circles that believe it's the single biggest determinant to health. Also diet The plan is there but now so are the hours. I wouldn't outsource even if I had the money as I want to build from the ground up. Once I have a thorough understanding, then I will outsource. That's how I want to run my business. Also, the 2 hours a day method would take much, much longer and delay my happiness. It's a risk, not a gamble.

    Daedalus1 - Thanks man! Yes, I totally agree. I don't want distractions, I want to live, eat and breathe IM too! Motivation through the roof sounds about right!

    Mark Hess - Mark, thanks buddy I appreciate it. My worst case scenario really isn't that bad. I'm fortunate in my situation and that's why I want to take advantage of it. Now is the time! I've warned the people around me that this is how I'm going to spend my time so they aren't going to see my much over the next few months.

    Profitsforall - Again man, what you're saying might not be the most popular or enthusiastic advice, but I know you are speaking from broad experience so I'm glad you're contributing. Too many times I've charged into things without good advice from folks in the know. At least this way I'm in the know but charging ahead anyway

    sdentrepreneur - You can expect my PM... I am also personally a big believer in belief, I hope that makes sense. It's powerful. And thanks.

    rosegrower76 - Very good point... to be honest it's the cushion that makes me feel it's a risk rather than a gamble. That and not having anything to gamble with. Although I have an effect net worth in the negatives, I know I will have something to fall back on. I've put enough work into my life and development of my character to ensure that worst case scenario... I end up bankrupt, I will be able to bounce back. What I'm advocating here is taking a risk you're comfortable with, making sure the worst case scenario isn't death / a s***ty life in the future, and freeing up as much time as you can to follow your passion. Hell I'll say it... consequences be damned And thanks for the good luck, I'm soaking up as much as I can!

    affy123 - I think we're in EXACTLY the same position. I have freed myself up for 14-16 hour days, my target is liveable income within the next 3 months and I have a plan to get there. Also I'm 25

    snobants - I wanted to say that you have no idea how important posts like this are to me right now... but if you're been there yourself, then you probably do! Cheers bro and congrats.

    ScottTMK - That's my thinking man, thankyou. I've just been dabbling the past few months but if I want this to be a full time occupation then why don't I make it my full time occupation? I don't see any difference between this and the dozens of brick and mortar businesses starting up every single day. Of course I'm sure they'd get the same mixed advice :p

    vapsjee - Thanks, we'll make it!

    Dave Rodman - Another really useful post. My first thought is that my job is not the most legitimate anyway. I get paid by cash cheque because they haven't set up a payment system. I don't have a contract. They supply me with a salary and NOTHING else. What I hate about my job is that it's soul-crushing. It isn't how I want to live my life... growing my own business, creating, writing... this is. And I understand the point about re-investing to grow the business... but from my perspective, if I'm working at a job 8 hours a day, my business isn't going to grow fast anyway. I believe it will even out in the end, but that is a lesson I'll have to learn myself. I just want to enjoy what I do and 25 years is enough time to wait for me. But that's why I don't advocate this advice for anyone else... just me. And congratulations on your success!

    WAWarrior - I'm starving for success man! Thanks for the tips there, I know the importance of goal setting and I have my goals on my desktop so I see it every time I boot up the laptop. I've heard great things about Napoleon Hill's work though... I'll look into that. I'm well versed in the power of belief too! Thanks again.

    DynoMutt - I don't think it's a matter of boldness man... you've worked your ass off to build yourself a good life... that's the same as what I'm doing. Exactly the same. And you have a prospect for yourself... I assume you're joining the navy because you WANT to join the navy right? I have complete respect for that, following your dream, your passion. Just because we have different ideals for out future doesn't mean either of us lacks something the other doesn't. Fella... I wish I was bold enough to join navy Fair play and good luck.

    Davy44 - YES!! Thankyou friend... I do have backups... they are poor enough backups for me to want to do everything I can to avoid them... but I have credit to borrow on for a few months, enough support and good advice, and I've made enough mistakes to know what to avoid.... it's time to make good on my knowledge!

    Masterjani - That's the way I like to see it... I know the basic minimum that I need to earn to subsist on the same level as I did when I was earning a salary. $45 per day... that's my outgoings. Once I earn more than this, it goes back into the business! Thanks for the support.

    drh - Thanks! All the kind words really help.

    Joe.Mc - I've dabbled before... left my job for 3 months, tried IM, lost money, had to start work again. But for me... it spurred me on. What it taught me is that I love it. I also realised just how little I knew. Fortunately now I've received some incredible training and support and I'm now somewhere between Conscious Incompetence and Conscious Competence... hopefully closer to the latter but a long way from Unconscious Incompetence I assure you!

    BizSEO - Nice one man, thankyou... I believe it. I know I will succeed at this... now it's just a case of.... f***ing DOING it!

    Thankyou everyone xx
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    • Profile picture of the author stesnees
      Good luck to you people, hope it works out well for you. Would love to see the wifes face if I told her I'd packed my job in to do this..........
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  • Profile picture of the author morninjoi
    @Toniy,
    I admire your courage and applaud your decision, but there are consequences. You will definitely have days that you'll regret quitting your job and even consider looking for another. I quit my job and jumped into IM and i have been through a lot of hard days. However time and experience has made things better. Have this at the back of your mind.
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    • Profile picture of the author genhorrall
      Wow I do not know if I would go so far as to quit my job. I am not saying that it can not be done, but security does have it's privileges. The only concern that I have is that you mention procrastination. This is one thing that is so very detrimental to any business and to anyone that is self employed.

      I would say that one of the things that you should consider is if it is procrastination or fear. Both of them are legitimate, but it is best to know which you are facing.

      So I would make a list of reasons (you know this is what we call our excuses for not getting stuff done) and get to the core of these. Then make an action plan that you can add to your list everday to make sure that this is not going to hinder you during this time. Your need to be focused and to work on task will be a great factor in this endeavor that you have embarked on.

      I am not discouraging you. I think it is dang awesome that you have taken to doing something. It is my advice to anyone, you just have to start. I mean there are no real risks here. You succeed. You do some, but not enough to live. Or you flop flat on your face. But you will never no if you don't get out there and do something.

      I wish you the best of luck and look forward to hearing how your endeavors are going. I do hope that you will make a guide out of your experiences if this crazy ride you are taking works. It will make on heck of story at least.
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    • Profile picture of the author Toniy
      Wow... there's been a few replies since I last checked in!

      Well I have news... but first thing's first

      (I'm sure I could boost my post count if I replied individually :p No accounting for taste I suppose)

      TSuccess - Thanks man, you have no idea how inspirational it is to hear from folks who have tried and made it!

      ColinChia - I know I'm as shocked as you are! I read this post a little while ago actually and I've been using the term 'it's all about the hustle' since then. And you are right... money isn't really even a motivator... it's what you DO with the money that gets you going. The freedom. The opportunities. You've done incredibly well, congratulations! It really is all about heart. And when you know there's nothing else in the world you'd rather do... I think you probably got heart.

      Hobo82 - Thankyou sir! I would LOVE the highest success... and of course the same goes right back to you.

      Ginandtonic - You are not wrong. I've recently looked into a procrastination program to get that all sorted... not because I wasn't working hard enough, but because I was starting to get myself down. If I wasn't working, I wasn't doing ANYTHING. I've been in kind of a rut and the program has snapped me out of it. It's all about choice! So I can happily say that I won't be procrastinating anymore. The world just seems different now. I'll talk about the program at the bottom there. Good advice though.

      Bhuff85 - Awesome post man. I feel the same way. That's no judgement, one way or the other, but I absolutely can't be an employee. I don't need the supposed security that comes with a job as I'll find that myself. I know some of the best paid people in the world are employees (salesmen...) but I need to take care of business myself. I don't know why... maybe there's a little arrogance there. But maybe it's because I know how much of the world there is to see and I want to see it before I'm dead. Can't do that in the 20 days paid leave they give you.

      Wills -
      YES, procrastination is probably the only real enemy of any potential entrepreneur or successful person of any breed. It's tempting to spend a little time here but of course it can be a very useful element of your marketing plan This place is awesome though, the temptation is certainly there. But if you got a direct plan of action, it's not so bad. I find that immersing yourself here at WF is generally down to 'searching for the bullet'. Could be wrong, but it's worth thinking about!

      TurnkeyBusinessBlogs -
      Hey... unemployment benefits. Yes, I gotta get that sorted :p Not really even joking... every little helps in the early days. Uhhh.... expect a PM.

      O0o0O -
      I had to sober up before writing your name properly! Totally agree though. When I tried this a year ago there was so much 'unconscious incompetence' that things just went nowhere. To be honest I'm still paying for that mistake now. But a year later, the plan is in place! Time to unleash...

      Gie Grace - That's a really smart move. If I had known what I know now about how to handle procrastination, I may have done the same. In fact if the worst came to the worst, I could probably do something similar. As long as the misery and exhaustion didn't set in. I really, really hope you do well, you seem to deserve success.

      Kenwa87 -
      Well said. And that is most certainly my thinking!

      Sarah Bosen -
      That was very sweet of you to say, thankyou. I think we share an understanding!

      John Breeze -
      THAT was a cool post man, made me feel awesome, cheers! Kind words.

      Monique3000 -
      I hate it when that happens soooo much. And yeah you know I was never more than a minute early. That's the on time as in 'we don't cut your wages' on time... rather than the 'come in ten minutes before the shift' on time! I think I've done something similar... dabbled in a few different areas but settled for now on what I KNOW I can make money with, since it's a skill I possess and people will pay for. I gotta say though, I never got sacked!

      Nightengale -
      If nothing else I think we could happily dedicate this thread to hating call centre jobs. Never did customer services though... people were always trying to move over to inbound calls!

      Smartalec -
      Wow man, I think you've been through more hell than I have. But I feel the same... I took longer to get things up and running but I've spent a lot of it learning. Now... it begins! Good luck mate.

      jgant -
      Thankyou for your kind words there. I've dived in head first, that's no secret, but I have the same concern. The way I'm making money right at this second is very time consuming, but necessary to guarantee an income to see me by. Dedicating an hour or two to more passive incomes will turn the tide soon enough though!

      Brad789 -
      Thanks Brad. Those are some inspiring words and yes, the key really is to plan and work it. Stick to the plan, trust yourself to plan for yourself the right way. Your blog looks excellent by the way. Easy to navigate and really nicely organised, it's a pleasure to use, congratulations!

      Tim3 -
      Some brevity! Wonderful... And thank you sir, it means more than you know.

      Paulie888 -
      Although you weren't necessarily talking to me, that's excellent advice! I realise now that having all the free time in the world means NOTHING without realising that the time is precious. It needs to be utilised but more importantly you need to CHOOSE to utilise it. Otherwise you run the risk of feeling like you're employed again and you'll rebel by watching daytime TV instead! (Not what I did but... you know)

      Bradmarcus1 -
      Thanks Brad! I know what you mean and I suppose in a sense that's what I've done. Fortunately what I'm doing is do now is 'a job' I enjoy that will facilitate my Business really soon!

      Davechan -
      Nice Work! Care to name the celebrities? Moreover... care to share their emails? Joking aside, that's not a bad target. Well played!

      Wayne-JJ -
      Wayne it doesn't matter that you come up with something original as long as it's sincere... thanks a million!

      Buckeyes09 -
      That's what I'm hoping! There is a huge leap, but there's also a phrase 'nothing ever changes until it hurts enough'... the job was making me miserable, I just wanted to leave. I used this as an excuse to leave I think, in the beginning but am I ever glad I did!

      Ofthemix -
      Very cool, awesome post and very glad to hear it! My income has essentially increased 999,999,999% since taking this full time, but only because I had never made a dollar before hand! The financial reports look amazing by percentage :p But yes, procrastination is really the only enemy. Thankfully I've now got a handle on it and I'm getting paid!

      Chris30k -
      Too late :p I like the idea and I'm sort of doing something similar (doing basic work to fund the business... and live)... but on my own terms now. Happiness is there now, which facilitates great work!

      Mike McAleer -
      Yeah, sure some people are just lucky. I guess I'm one of them since I always seem to land on my feet... of course so does everyone for doesn't give up on a long enough timeline!

      Bestiphone5cases -
      You're totally right, it can be a drag and speaking to folks that are like-minded really really helps! I also know the exact wrong turn to make to get to Merthyr since I did it last week! Let me get things up and running and I'll buy the first round! Good luck mate!

      anthony2 -
      I guess I'm kind of in the middle... I'm not a newbie, but I wasn't making any kind of online income either. My original goal was to earn $1,350 per month before I quit my job, but I just couldn't take it anymore and there was no guaranteeing how long it would have taken. Still, things seem to be going my way so far!

      Rama -
      Certainly not a bad $0.02! The thing is Rama, I probably would have done that very thing but I simply couldn't take the misery of being at a day job anymore... I didn't really have a choice from that perspective.

      Ricocrownmedia -
      I'm a real fan of the extremist method! To be honest, my folks wouldn't deal well with me moving back in and I would have to end up finding a job and getting my own place anyway. Also I got a girlfriend who wouldn't take kindly to moving 200 miles away. So... I don't have a back up plan! All I have is enough active debt to keep me alive for another 5-9 weeks and that's it! And fella... I'm feeling the fire and it's working!

      Andrea Wilson -
      Very sensible Andrea. What I did was reckless and borderline stupid but I had a wealth of knowledge to draw on. Get some knowledge under a belt (took me about a year... although would have been much less if I had the teachers I have now!)... then go make some bad decisions!

      AnneHouse -
      Thank you Miss House! Although what's becoming clearer is you need to know where to apply that action... still, live and learn!

      msmir75 -
      You can't go wrong with the LoA... as long as you know you gotta do at least a little leg work (which will be instinctive to you and no hassle whatsoever) you'll be set! Just envision, appreciate and WANT!

      Mreese601 -
      That would have been another tricky one to write But actually some incredibly advice that I would have loved to hear in the early days! As things move on the balance can shift but that's a great place to start!

      iAmNameLess - Some great points, that can't be argued. The first and most important point... Yes, if I was operating the same way I was when I wrote the original thread, I would have found myself heading for full on 'broke' in no time at all. I was actually in a rut at the time and doing nothing that was conducive to success or even good health! Fortunately I hit the bottom and realise 'gotta change'. I took care of my procrastination issue and I've got my life back in order! As I said I'm about the launch my paid service and I think it'll go pretty well! But it hasn't all been roses, and it can be tough, but it still beats my day job. Especially now I've balanced my work with my life. Unfortunately I can't put my rent on plastic and I need to clear £400 per month, but as I said, I've got a plan to make this happen. I have to disagree that I've set myself up for failure and I also gotta add that this may have been the most negative post I've read so far! I have the knowledge, I have more than the required capability and I can only wonder is perhaps you'd be a little perkier about it if your move into IM was on your own terms, as it has been with me. That's a bigger deal than I think most people appreciate. You're right in that having 6 months savings would be safe (but would also take away the sense of urgency, pushing procrastinators to procrastinate) and that without the discipline to work one hour, you could never work 8+. Also, no this is not for everyone. Fortunately, it is for me. I hope this hasn't seemed combative either sir! It certainly isn't... once again, you're giving the advice you think would serve me best and for that I thank you.




      Kezz -
      Hey Kezz, you're a cool lady! Thank you for sharing that, I wish I had been as dramatic! Unfortunately I left a good job where I liked everyone! (That's a good job on paper, not in practice!). My learning curve has been easier to manage and I basically spent my 'newbie phase' with a job I suppose looking back. Making up for it now though! Congratualations Miss!

      LiamP -
      That first part was very inspiring, thank you. And that quote by Teddy is exceptional. Being true to myself is something I try to do every day... and giving it an almighty heave is something new to me... but I'm gonna make that a habit!



      Genhorrall - Wow... just as I finish my replies for my belated update, you jump in to give me one more addition from the blue! Nice timing! And an incredibly valuable post too! As you can tell for the two week lapse of a reply, the procrastination was still leering a little. And it really, really had to get sorted. Not even so much for just IM but for LIFE!! I am so much happier now than I was only one week ago and more productive too.



      I thought about documenting it all... and you just convinced me


      Thanks to all... I'll have an update in the next post!

      (I wish they gave more than 10 smilies for longer posts!)
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    • Profile picture of the author angelosayson
      Man, I think you're crazy! But sometimes we gotta accept the fact that a high percentage of successful marketers online got to where they are right now by making crazy decisions that no average joe in the right mind would be brave of doing. Do I make sense? LOL

      I sincerely wish you the very best, bro! Keep us updated with your progress... Your journey can be an inspiration to a lot of newbies.


      - Angelo

      PS - Let this video help inspire you to overcome your limits and do whatever it takes to be successful. Watch video.
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    • Profile picture of the author Monteath
      This is a great conversation because I think it really shows the "both sides of the coin" argument. Some people will rise to the occasion and accomplish all their goals, others need to work there incrementally. I tend to do my best when my back is against the wall and I absolutely can't procrastinate...but I've been homeless twice and know how hard it is to fight back once you hit that stage. It's a lot to think about and I've enjoyed seeing how many people are talking about both sides of the coin here.
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      • Profile picture of the author Toniy
        Deidra Renee - Yes... Telesales and Waiting will always be there. For better or for worse... but my god I just realised that the past two years have been spent working on the only two jobs in the world that will always be there. I have literally been at the most entry of entry level positions :p Not to worry, I still got to learn a thing or two. I was earning $2,500 per month with my last job selling financial / legal services. But how do you put a price on happiness? Ah, rhetorical questions

        Zabrina - Hey again lady Always glad to see you Miss... and yes, once again very well said. You should write for a living :p Now a couple of points... Yes, for many people, espcially those with responsibilities other than themselves, steady income remains necessary. For others... leaving work serves as COMMITMENT. I misguidedly began this journey assuming that it would be a motivator... it isn't. Many folks have rightly said that procrastination has nothing to do with the work... and it'll mess you up regardless of your situation. I'm glad I took their advice and got that squared away; got the procrastination dealt with and eliminated. But the commitment is invaluable, which leads on to your next point... Focus. Action is, perhaps 80% of it... Knowledge is 10% and Focus the other 10%. The numbers aren't any kind of precise but serve to emphasise my point. You can spend 20 hours setting up 10 different projects or seeing 1 through to the end... and the more energy you put into any one thing, the more you get out of it. Shiny bullets are soooo pretty though Thanks Zabrina. *Bump*

        Coronaborcalis - I like the quote... I'm also a fan of Johnny's attitude, it's comforting in a 'dude, you're crazy' kind of way Generally my favourite way...

        Monteath - Thank you kindly It's very cool to be talking to someone who's hit rock bottom and yet still remains (if you don't mind me saying!). Survival is the most innate, natural, primal motivational instinct we have. If you mess it up then, then you really need to consider yourself as a person. Darwin would chime in here I'm pretty sure

        I've recently had my first knock to my unwaivering belief that it'll all be cool... and I did spend an hour or so thinking '****... what have I done'. Fortunately I'm back on it with new direction and renewed fervour!

        I'm also bartering my credit card for cash to keep me liquid for a few more months if needs be... AND I negotiated with the credit card company to freeze my interest payments for 3 months. So it all helps.

        Onwards and Upwards!
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    • Profile picture of the author frontiergold
      WOW. That really can be scary but also it does force you to get on with it. When I was in corporate life I kept trying to start my own business but something would always come up and stop me. Though a part of me thinks that was really something I caused to keep me in that safe job. Finally took a layoff during a business down trend to get me to go into business myself.

      I wish you all the luck and breaks possible.
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      • Profile picture of the author Yogini
        Adam,

        I think you have a good mindset and are on your way to succeed. Everyone has a different relation to security. I don't think there is one way for everyone. I had a college roommate that couldn't do a paper till the night before. She worked very well only when there was a deadline. A woman where I work p/t just quit last week and said that if she didn't take the leap of faith now to do something she wants, she'll never get out. Some people are too exhausted by their jobs to build up an internet income and can do much better not having that as a weight.

        Debbie
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    • Profile picture of the author magnates
      First of all , I have to say that you got Guts . I like that . I like people that have the courage to do what they want to do and go against the norm .

      Since you are ok with the worst case scenario , going bankrupt, I don't see why not .

      When you know that the worst case scenario is covered , there is no reason not to go for it.

      To beat procastination , i sugest having a negative consequence. If you know you would look stupid in front of your mentors or if you know you would go hungry if you do not make make some money or if you know IM is the only , you would act immediately .

      If you do not succeed in Im , what would happen

      All i can say is that You take massive action on what is already working for you , form some strategies alliances, some mentors to guide you through the process and go all out to make the next 5 months a success



      Proud of you dude , Go FOR IT !!
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    • Profile picture of the author bjgran
      Hey:
      Just want to say that I think you're very brave!
      But I did the same thing. Facing bankruptcy, I turned my energy toward Im-ing and haven't looked back.
      But, I'm also doing ghostwriting on the side to pay the bills. Gotta have my tv and keep my dog in treats!
      Good luck! I'll be following you.
      Beverly G.
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    • Profile picture of the author astauffer
      I also quit my job to do IM full time. Thankfully I had the support of my husband, who told me that I should quit my job to pursue something that I would enjoy more. That being said, we are able to live off my husband's income and we have savings for three months of expenses.

      I do not think that I would be able to quit cold turkey like you did, but I wish you the best of luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author morninjoi
    @Toniy,
    I admire your courage and applaud your decision, but there are consequences. You will definitely have days that you'll regret quitting your job and even consider looking for another. I quit my job and jumped into IM and i have been through a lot of hard days. However time and experience has made things better. Have this at the back of your mind.
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  • Profile picture of the author TPFLegionaire
    similar situation here

    hated my job , got sick, depression , debts ...The only way out was to insist they make me redundant (with package to cover most of the debts ) . New life started 4 weeks ago...

    Now I am where I can be my best .

    Sometime the only support and impetus you need is a cold wall touching your back.

    PM me if you need anything.

    Cheers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    Petelta - I actually plan on doing something very similar... I'm a skilled writer so I will most likely hire out my services... maybe a handful of free jobs to begin with to build some credibility in the industry and then get the ball rolling. I have a couple other things in the pipeline as well As I said... my daily income requirements are modest and I believe very achievable. It's just a case of partitioning out my day.

    Wardo74 - Scheduling is going to be vital. I am 125% passionate as you say, if not more. I love life and I want as much of it as I can. This is my vehicle to getting to my dream and I love the ride

    rhodah - I hope one day you feel you know enough to be able to Like I've said... I would never recommend this to anyone who didn't have a STEP BY STEP plan on how to earn an income... hell when it works there may even be a WSO in it Keep learning, but more importantly, keep working.

    mahal 788 - Mahal, if I had a wonderful wife and little one as you clearly do in your avatar, I would be doing EXACTLY the same as you. Fortunately my girlfriend has a job herself, we don't live together and I haven't gotten her pregnant yet :p I have tremendous respect for you... and to be honest, if I was doing this in your position... I'd call myself an a**hole. You're doing a great thing.

    Dudley Dog - Great advice and thankyou! You're right... people are finding it hard to find employment in the current climate, but I'm fortunate enough to have made enough contacts to find work should I need it. In my sales job at the moment, they know I make more for them than I get paid, so they'll always take me back. As for goal setting... again this is something vital. I wouldn't do this if I didn't have a plan as I've mentioned already. It's a blueprint, I just gotta build it I don't need any more ebooks or master courses... I have the tools I need!

    northseo - I'm really glad you found success. I appreciate what you're saying but I just can't stick with a soul-crushing job anymore. It's do or die time!

    You'll be fine.


    Scott Skinner
    - You know this is the simplest thing that's been said to me all day... but possibly the most powerful as well. Thank You Scott

    And that's enough for this evening guys... I'll talk again tomorrow but for now I gotta get some work done

    Thankyou to everyone for their well wishes and practical advice. I hope to give something back to you all as soon as I can.

    Goodnight!
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  • Profile picture of the author Guru_Marketing
    Great discussion!

    I remember, I was working in the restaurant business. That's where I've discovered Internet Marketing by accident.

    I start doing IM with having that part time job at the restaurant. However, I seemed to be distracted by the NEW way of thinking about business.

    I just had a job, and trying to build a business. Both worlds seem to conflict with one another, so I decided to move back to my parents house, where I do not need to worry about bills and rent, and work the hell out of it, to make this IM business work.

    Many people get stuck in having a job. I remember Robert Kiyosaki did a funny statement a while ago about jobs.

    J.O.B. = Just Over Broke

    You have a choice, if you want to do something better with your life, make a decision to start an online business.

    Cheers,
    Chris D.
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    Kindle Publishers: Get Reviews and More Sales to Your Kindle Books at http://GettingPublishedFast.com/publishers/

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  • Profile picture of the author Caper224
    I can relate, I've been where your at. I couldn't take working full-time job anymore back in mid-2010. I had a little success online at that point, I was making like 300 bucks a month online which I was stoked about!(probably a little too stoked) So, long story short you couldn't tell me I wasn't the next internet guru and I quit my full-time high five figure job for 300 bucks a month an a disillusion at the time of internet riches but focus an determination and I am now quietly matching my high five figure salary I was making working a dreaded job lol all online. It can be done, you just have to follow the cliche internet market slogan says "take action."
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    stesnees - I kinda want to see that too... hell maybe in a few years I'll try the opposite and tell my (then) wife I'm quitting IM to go back to telesales

    jbsmith - Jeff, you are totally right and you have some really good options there. The learning curve is also exactly why I wouldn't recommend it to everyone / anyone. In my position, I'm essentially 'past' the curve (enough to know I have a blueprint to follow for my success now at least). Of course I know there's a lot more to learn, but my point is that I have learned enough now to not flounder. Also... I'm going with Option #3

    morninjoi - I expect there to be hard days and I expect there to be doubt. But this isn't my first time doing this either... This time I have structure and a plan. I expect success... maybe in a month's time I might feel different, but the way I feel now, it's just not going to happen. Of course it might... but it won't and Thanks for the support

    TPFLegionaire - Man, thanks for that. If anything comes up I will certainly get in touch, it's really great to have someone get your back. Congrats on the decision and best of luck to you as well. Also... I envy your redundancy fee... I managed to swing a one week of unpaid leave... (they don't know I've quit yet!)

    Eric 90 - I'm real glad you got a long term plan there buddy, that's super important. We're on the same level I think, but fortunately you have a job you can keep your soul and sanity with... I didn't. If I had what you had, I'd probably do the same thing... but I don't, so I can't Thanks man

    Caleb D Miller - Fella that was awesome to read, made me feel really good, cheers! You're right, I want my life to begin now, and I want stories to tell! Especially if I get close to the brink, it will inspire my kids to make stupid decisions too :p I'm already mildly resentful of the 25 years I've almost wasted already, no more time to delay. First day of the rest of your life, right?

    Guru-Marketing - Thanks for that Chris, I agree... also being from a restaurant background. Last time I tried to go for broke with online marketing I didn't know nearly enough to get things up and running. Now I can connect all the dots and success is now just a matter of putting the time and effort in. There's no way I won't be making money within this month unless I stop working!

    Caper224 - THAT is what I'm after... a modest 5 figures to get me through so I can start BUILDING the business, letting it grow. But that first dollar is the most important. Also... I'm jealous of the three figures you were making


    So thanks again to everyone for your advice and support, whether you are for or against my decisions.

    I will be starting a freelancing service very soon offering out my writing talents, the first step of course will be to gather testimonials so I can prove my abilities and build a little reputation as well. I'll be taking on 6 clients at no cost for 6 individual jobs.

    I need to earn only $30 per day to keep me ticking over (surviving) for a few months while the rest of the income builds. This, I plan to have up and running within a couple of weeks (yes... I am actually quite good ).

    So watch this space

    And to everybody else who will take, has taken or is taking a similar route as I am... we're in it together. All the very best guys and girls and may good fortune find us...


    Before they turn off the electricity!!
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  • Profile picture of the author tsuccess
    OMG! you're real similar to me. I have quit my job before I even started making money online, but I did it so I could get more focused on a few things. I know where you're coming from and I agree with you.

    Good Luck,
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  • Profile picture of the author Hobo82
    I understand where you are coming from. Good luck to you, may you succeed to the highest level.
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    • Profile picture of the author Wills
      Wow, fair play to you for trying man.

      No point listening to people saying that your mad, because what's done is done.

      Now, just make sure you don't spend too much time, procrastinating on the warrior forum and not doing any work. That is an easy slippery slope to fall down, with all your extra free time.
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  • Profile picture of the author ginandtonic
    If you are a procrastinator before you quit, there's no reason to think you won't be one afterwards. I take that back. There's a huge reason and you mentioned it: bankruptcy. The unfortunate reality of us humans is that even faced with death, we don't change. How many smokers still smoke after they get lung cancer?

    I think it is very important for you to deal with procrastination more seriously than working in IM. i.e. use IM to practice defeating procrastination.
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  • Profile picture of the author bhuff85
    After reading through this all, I say you've got the right mindset going into this. I'd say go for it.

    Now, I don't intend to offend anyone here, but the following is more based around MINDSET more than anything:

    You see, there will always be those people out there who want to "stay safe and secure". They will never take any risks that have the possibility of not working in their favor, yet will continue to daydream about what they could have if they did.

    Instead, they continue to live paycheck-to-paycheck, banking on the hopes that one day they can get that "big promotion" and slowly work their way up the corporate ladder. Then, there comes a day when the biz they are working for can't hack it, goes belly up, and leaves them out of a "safe and secure" job. Rather than try to make it on their own, they continue the cycle, looking for another job that provides "security" and a steady paycheck.

    These people are called EMPLOYEES

    Then, you have those who are risk takers. Not just any risk takers, but those who create strategies and plan extensively, doing their due dilligence as much as they can. Still, they understand that no matter how much careful planning is done, things can still go wrong at any time. Nonetheless, they are willing to accept that risk.

    These people won't settle for anything, willing to lay it all out on the line for something they truly believe in. They have a burning passion to succeed, no matter what it takes to get there, and are willing to make sacrifices in the now to reap the rewards later.

    These people are EMPLOYERS (aka Business Owners, Entrepreneurs)

    What's my point here? It's all about your mindset and how much you're willing to go out there and hit the ground running. Those who strive to learn, aren't afraid to fail (and fail correctly) and can accept some risk are those who will be the most successful.

    Take a look at a lot of the biggest business moguls out there today, and many of them (at some point in their lives) took a significant risk that paid off. Heck, some of them took a FEW or MORE of those risks, having the confidence in their heart to know that one of them would eventually work out.

    Honestly, it doesn't matter how much of a "knack for business" you have. In other words, "Hard work beats out lazy talent every time".

    Keep us updated and let us know how your progress goes. Good luck, and make it happen!
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  • You know, there some truth to that. It's a high pressure scary doing it that way, but it worked for me. I walked away from a job that make me $3400 a month net, and went on unemployment benefits for a year, which FORCED me to get with it quick.

    Pretty scary. I swear if it wasn't for my wife's support and paxil I never would have made it. Fast-forward 8 years and we pull in 3-4 times what I made from that job I hated. Worked 16 hours a day or more for a long time. Had to learn to write content like a freak. Many day I started working on my blogs at 6 AM and didn't stop for more than 10 minutes at a time, and finished working at midnight.

    Man I wish I knew then what I know now. Would have worked allot less, and made allot more.
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  • Profile picture of the author O0o0O
    Your greatest strength is knowing what to do and how to do it. But your greatest weakness is being unaware of what NOT to do. Learn from the mistakes of others and you should continue more easily down the path of success.
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  • Profile picture of the author gie grace
    Your post just echoed what I had in mind!

    When I delved into this IM world, I realized I need to give it my time and attention, coz IT REALLY TAKES TIME to learn all this IM stuff...

    unfortunately, I couldn't quit my day-time job, coz i still have some debts to pay off (tuition fees) and I get my living allowance there as well...

    so what I decided was to re-structure my job schedule and asked my manager to let me work for 3 12-hour shifts, then off for the rest of the week. She agreed. However, when our sched came for this month (April), she hasn't done what I asked (she probably forgotten about it), and I couldn't do much about it now as I had failed to put a written request for it (it was only a verbal request).

    I'm gonna put in my written request some time this week. As for now, I have to bear with having to work 6-hour shifts almost everyday for the rest of the month!

    But I keep on focusing on what I want, 4 days off ( I can live comfortably working just 3 12-hour shifts)... I like it better that way coz I can do more when I'm on a day-off rather than when I'm working even just for 6 hours that day. So I prefer 12-hour shifts for 3 days rather than having to work 6-hour shifts for 6 days.

    Cheers,
    Gie
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    • Profile picture of the author paulie888
      Originally Posted by gie grace View Post

      Your post just echoed what I had in mind!

      When I delved into this IM world, I realized I need to give it my time and attention, coz IT REALLY TAKES TIME to learn all this IM stuff...

      unfortunately, I couldn't quit my day-time job, coz i still have some debts to pay off (tuition fees) and I get my living allowance there as well...

      so what I decided was to re-structure my job schedule and asked my manager to let me work for 3 12-hour shifts, then off for the rest of the week. She agreed. However, when our sched came for this month (April), she hasn't done what I asked (she probably forgotten about it), and I couldn't do much about it now as I had failed to put a written request for it (it was only a verbal request).

      I'm gonna put in my written request some time this week. As for now, I have to bear with having to work 6-hour shifts almost everyday for the rest of the month!

      But I keep on focusing on what I want, 4 days off ( I can live comfortably working just 3 12-hour shifts)... I like it better that way coz I can do more when I'm on a day-off rather than when I'm working even just for 6 hours that day. So I prefer 12-hour shifts for 3 days rather than having to work 6-hour shifts for 6 days.

      Cheers,
      Gie
      Gie, it's great that your employer allows you such flexibility with your work schedule. You're absolutely right - by compressing your work week into just 3 days, you'll get to be a lot more productive for the remainder of the week.

      Just make sure you focus and tune out distractions that are inevitably going to arise - with so much free time on your hands, there'll be the temptation to go off on unproductive tangents or just do unproductive things on the computer. Take stock of what you're doing on your days off, and ensure that you're focusing primarily on activities that let you progress forward in IM.

      Paul
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      • Profile picture of the author gie grace
        Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

        Gie, it's great that your employer allows you such flexibility with your work schedule. You're absolutely right - by compressing your work week into just 3 days, you'll get to be a lot more productive for the remainder of the week.

        Just make sure you focus and tune out distractions that are inevitably going to arise - with so much free time on your hands, there'll be the temptation to go off on unproductive tangents or just do unproductive things on the computer. Take stock of what you're doing on your days off, and ensure that you're focusing primarily on activities that let you progress forward in IM.

        Paul
        Thanks for the tips, Paul!

        Getting rid of job-related distractions is one thing. I need to do my part now that I have that much free time in my hands.

        You can have various distractions when in front of your computer, facebook being the foremost for me

        With the time I've spent learning IM, I realised that there are A LOT OF WAYS to earn money online, that I need to focus on one long enough to make it work.

        For now, I have a plan and I'm sticking with it

        Wish me luck!

        Cheers,

        Gie
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenwa87
    Good luck! but if you quit your job you would have more time to make money! I wish everyone on this thread much luck and wisdom. We are all in the same position just need the guts to get the job done!
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarah Bosen
    Hi Toniy,
    You are spot on.

    I did the same thing, and when you are faced with having nothing else to do, you will find a way and make it work. It's amazing what people can achieve when you have to, and though it sounds strange to do you will succeed.

    You made the step that so many people are afraid to take, and because of that you will do well.
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  • Profile picture of the author PMinc
    Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

    Also... don't take my advice.

    If only there were a disclaimer for posts as well..... no matter

    I don't want to be held responsible for other people's bankruptcy, just my own :p

    So getting to it... Yes, I just made myself unemployed. I did so knowing full well the situation I was getting myself in to.

    I face bankruptcy, but fortunately I have no assets, no children, no wife... I rent and I have a good relationship with my parents so worst comes to worst, I live with Mum again :p

    I know my character... I know myself very well. I can't be given an alternative, otherwise I'll tend towards procrastination.

    I know that the only way I will be happy is with the Internet Lifestyle. I also know that the only way I'll achieve this is by working full time on it.

    The reason I can't do an hour here and an hour there is because I procrastinate. I'm also an extremist so I like to focus all my energy on one thing. And when most of my energy is taken up asking 'Have you had any credit cards taken out before 2007?' all day to strangers on the phone then I know I need to change something.

    We all know that success in IM comes primarily from action. The speed and magnitude of success comes from knowledge and effort. Now I know a fair amount about IM to be honest with you... from a theoretical standpoint. I could pass any test / quiz on IM, however practical application is only now on the cards.

    So I now have a deadline... bankruptcy. I know it's a big risk but I also know that it's the only way I'll do what I have to do.

    I think everybody would be the same... you cannot procrastinate if your life depends on it. Eliminate procrastination by giving yourself no other choice.

    Not an ideal situation and certainly a dangerous one... but I know success is only a few weeks away.

    All I need to do is make enough to cover rent and credit card repayments, and the rest can go on the plastic. I have around 5 months to begin turning a profit, functioning this way.

    The end is in sight and I'm excited

    Once again... don't follow my advice

    Wish me luck if you like... but don't follow my advice
    Too bad more people don't quell their fears and just take a leap. If you truly are determined to make it, this isn't even a leap of faith.

    You're making a contract with yourself that you will work your very hardest.

    Cool post.
    Signature


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  • Profile picture of the author Monique3000
    I typed out a long response but the forum ate it.

    I was in your shoes...sorta. I kept getting fired from call center jobs. I just couldn't be ontime (was a minute late, everyday!) and in a call center, you have to be ontime and ready or else. Well, I just stumbled into IM and here I am, 2 years later doing pretty good. It took at of trial and error, but it paid off.

    What worked for me is trying a bunch of stuff and seeing what I liked. I found something that I liked and what produced and I scaled it up again and again. For example if you are doing adsense, aim for a few bucks a day and forget what the "gurus" are say that they make. Once you can make a few dollars a day and get a good solid plan running, it'll be a breeze to duplicate and even simpler to outsource.

    Good Luck! Let us know about your progress! I'm rooting for ya!
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    • Profile picture of the author Nightengale
      Originally Posted by Monique3000 View Post

      I was in your shoes...sorta. I kept getting fired from call center jobs. I just couldn't be ontime (was a minute late, everyday!) and in a call center, you have to be ontime and ready or else.
      Monique,

      My last job was a call center job and I was laid off last year. I HATE call center jobs with a passion! What miserable work. So glad you were able to make a success of IM!

      Michelle
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    • Profile picture of the author jgant
      Good luck. What's the worst that can happen? You have to find another job.

      I'm approaching leaving my line of work a little more carefully, but then I don't hate my non IM work (it's a service business I own). I plan on making the leap to full time IMer when I earn from IM 1/3 more than I presently earn for 3 months straight. Yes, pretty cautious, but my offline business isn't too bad.

      Besides, with a little hustle you can earn decent money offering services online. My fear with this approach is that I would simply be trading one service business for another. However, if I was working in a job I hated, I think I'd be inclined to take a bigger risk.

      My aim is earning income solely from affiliate marketing which will take longer than offering services online.

      I wish you the best. Yes, this is an excellent thread.
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  • Profile picture of the author NicolaTewhare
    I actually went through a form of bankruptcy after crippling debt. I lost my job due to an illness which is long term. I also had to wait for things like debit visa to be made available in my country before I could enter IM. I played for 5 years buying products (slow I know) but have enough knowledge to make things happen and they are taking off now. (started in Jan 2011) I am lucky enough to work at it full time. Yes you have to make sacrifices. But you can do it if you really want to.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brad789
    Toniy - Best of luck to you. History is full of stories of commanders landing on the beach, burning the ships and succeeding! Rather than be too conservative - I am willing to wish you luck and good fortune. I suppose you won't need to be told to stay focused and dedicated. My research so far says that everyone - everyone who has made it on the internet business has had to admit that it was incredible work - at least for the near term.

    What I have learned - working a day job and coming home to my "second job" - is that there is never enough time to do all the marketing (posting and driving traffic) and creating the content needed for a high quality web or blog.

    Your bold move should provide the necessary time to get the important work completed. Plan your work and work your plan. I am not successful on the net as yet but have applied that rule in my life and achieved my goals.

    If your have a moment and want to check out a "nubie's blog" click on over. I would appreciate your opinion. I suspect reading your post that you will have some very useful insight. Pro or con - I would be interested in your opinion.

    God's speed and best fortune to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tim3
    Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

    Also... don't take my advice.

    If only there were a disclaimer for posts as well..... no matter

    I don't want to be held responsible for other people's bankruptcy, just my own :p

    So getting to it... Yes, I just made myself unemployed. I did so knowing full well the situation I was getting myself in to.

    I face bankruptcy, but fortunately I have no assets, no children, no wife... I rent and I have a good relationship with my parents so worst comes to worst, I live with Mum again :p

    I know my character... I know myself very well. I can't be given an alternative, otherwise I'll tend towards procrastination.

    I know that the only way I will be happy is with the Internet Lifestyle. I also know that the only way I'll achieve this is by working full time on it.

    The reason I can't do an hour here and an hour there is because I procrastinate. I'm also an extremist so I like to focus all my energy on one thing. And when most of my energy is taken up asking 'Have you had any credit cards taken out before 2007?' all day to strangers on the phone then I know I need to change something.

    We all know that success in IM comes primarily from action. The speed and magnitude of success comes from knowledge and effort. Now I know a fair amount about IM to be honest with you... from a theoretical standpoint. I could pass any test / quiz on IM, however practical application is only now on the cards.

    So I now have a deadline... bankruptcy. I know it's a big risk but I also know that it's the only way I'll do what I have to do.

    I think everybody would be the same... you cannot procrastinate if your life depends on it. Eliminate procrastination by giving yourself no other choice.

    Not an ideal situation and certainly a dangerous one... but I know success is only a few weeks away.

    All I need to do is make enough to cover rent and credit card repayments, and the rest can go on the plastic. I have around 5 months to begin turning a profit, functioning this way.

    The end is in sight and I'm excited

    Once again... don't follow my advice

    Wish me luck if you like... but don't follow my advice


    Really good luck to you fella,

    I used to be indecisive too, but now I am not so sure!
    Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author bradmarcus1
    Hello Toniy. I hope everything works out for you. You really should have a job, even a part-time job, until the money starts coming in. And who knows how long that willl be. But, I definitely give you credit!

    I always say, the BEST WAYS for the "average person with little money" to become wealthy is Network Marketing or Internet Marketing.

    Study, Take Action, Don't Quit!

    To Your Success,
    Brad Marcus
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  • Profile picture of the author davechan
    Totally agree. We've been in IM for many years now. Used to be in enterprise software - that is so done now. Once I dedicated my time - full time to this business, things picked - albeit slowly, but eventually ramped up now with a number celebrity clients, doctors, lawyers and non-profits. An hour here and there won't cut it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Wayne-JJ
    Nothing much left to say that's not being said yet, I'm just here to wish you all the best!

    Wishing you plenty of success
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  • Profile picture of the author buckeyes09
    Good luck, I salute your effort!

    I'm not really a procrastinator, but a person who needs to get over a mental leap in order to really do something well. I'm starting to write articles, and after I make enough from that I will quit my part-time job and work on article writing and internet marketing full-time (which if my articles start selling, it shouldn't be too long because of how little I make).

    You have think well thought-out and I wish you the best. With no other options, you may have you success sooner than later.
    Signature

    Christian

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  • Profile picture of the author Ofthemix
    Here's a vote of confidence. I got fired from my job at the beginning of February. My IM income has tripled since I've started focusing on IM full time . . . and I wouldn't even say I'm focusing full time. Still, the outlook is good. If you have a system in place that you know works and you're willing to work hard at it, then you have a good chance of succeeding.

    On the less cheery side of things, if you don't already have a system in place that works, you better get one fast. Desperation and information overload are not pretty when combined and could lead to a spiraling disaster.

    I wish you all the best of luck. Honestly, if I hadn't gotten fired I'd still be working at my old job. I love the idea of taking on internet marketing full time, but the uncertainty of an unfixed income is daunting. Your biggest enemy will be yourself and procrastination. Also, knowing what projects you should press forward with and knowing when to pull the plug on not so profitable ventures. These are things I've struggled with since going full time self employed, so I thought I'd share what little wisdom I have on the subject. Speaking of which, I'm procrastinating right now. 2 more hours of work left. :-p
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris30K
    No don't quit your job. Keep your job until your online income absolutely DESTROYS your job's income.

    I work two jobs. All the money goes to PPC, and I keep track of the PPC on my smart phone using apps.

    It's a fail-proof system.
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    Chic Fil A > McDonald's

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  • Profile picture of the author Adam Smith
    Hey Toniy mate.. I see your from Swansea - I'm from Merthyr, just up the road. Infact I studied at Swansea Uni

    I'd love to meet up for a drink with you some time, its hard trying to talk to friends and family about my SEO en devours as they dont really understand it lol
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  • Profile picture of the author anthony2
    I agree...

    Quitting your job could be a gift and a curse.
    If you are a newbie I wouldn't recommend doing that.
    But if you are making $1000 to $1,500 a month in IM income
    and don't have kids then it could be good choice on thinking
    about quitting your job.

    But doing that could be extremely riskly
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  • Profile picture of the author Derek Soto
    Toniy,

    What you have done is put the fire under your butt. The "if I don't sell, I don't eat" mentality will serve you well IF....

    YOU DON'T HAVE A BACKUP PLAN!

    That means, forget the "option" of moving back in with Mom. That is NOT an option!

    because if it is, it's likely that that's what will happen.

    But if it's not an option, seriously, if you are an extremist the way you say you are, tell your mom to not let you move back and make her promise you!

    Then work your ass off!

    find several warriors who will help you come up with a plan of attack and follow it religiously.

    You commit to this 100% by burning your "backup" plans and you'll have only one way out, ...success

    later my friend,

    Derek J. Soto
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  • Profile picture of the author Andrea Wilson
    Wow, I appreciate the fact that you did it! You are brave enough and you do believe in yourself. I doubt that I can do the same right now. No newbie should decide on quitting their job because it will only bring them nothing.

    Andrea
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    • Originally Posted by Andrea Wilson View Post

      Wow, I appreciate the fact that you did it! You are brave enough and you do believe in yourself. I doubt that I can do the same right now. No newbie should decide on quitting their job because it will only bring them nothing.

      Andrea
      Andrea have a little more faith in yourself. If you follow the marketing plan you will make money. Most people want follow the plan.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tess D
    "We all know that success in IM comes primarily from action."

    You are more than half way there already. Good luck with your new venture!
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  • Profile picture of the author msmir75
    I hate my job too and very motivated to start making money through IM AND other things that I do that have nothing to do with IM so I can kiss my unsatisfying job goodbye. I am envisioning it... and acting upon it at the same time, testing law of attraction
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  • You can do it! Focus is the key! Learn 6 work 6 hrs.
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

    Also... don't take my advice.

    If only there were a disclaimer for posts as well..... no matter

    I don't want to be held responsible for other people's bankruptcy, just my own :p

    So getting to it... Yes, I just made myself unemployed. I did so knowing full well the situation I was getting myself in to.

    I face bankruptcy, but fortunately I have no assets, no children, no wife... I rent and I have a good relationship with my parents so worst comes to worst, I live with Mum again :p

    I know my character... I know myself very well. I can't be given an alternative, otherwise I'll tend towards procrastination.

    I know that the only way I will be happy is with the Internet Lifestyle. I also know that the only way I'll achieve this is by working full time on it.

    The reason I can't do an hour here and an hour there is because I procrastinate. I'm also an extremist so I like to focus all my energy on one thing. And when most of my energy is taken up asking 'Have you had any credit cards taken out before 2007?' all day to strangers on the phone then I know I need to change something.

    We all know that success in IM comes primarily from action. The speed and magnitude of success comes from knowledge and effort. Now I know a fair amount about IM to be honest with you... from a theoretical standpoint. I could pass any test / quiz on IM, however practical application is only now on the cards.

    So I now have a deadline... bankruptcy. I know it's a big risk but I also know that it's the only way I'll do what I have to do.

    I think everybody would be the same... you cannot procrastinate if your life depends on it. Eliminate procrastination by giving yourself no other choice.

    Not an ideal situation and certainly a dangerous one... but I know success is only a few weeks away.

    All I need to do is make enough to cover rent and credit card repayments, and the rest can go on the plastic. I have around 5 months to begin turning a profit, functioning this way.

    The end is in sight and I'm excited

    Once again... don't follow my advice

    Wish me luck if you like... but don't follow my advice
    Whoa... Now, I don't know how many people have already said this or not, I just saw your post, and did not read anything else in the thread.

    This has to be the dumbest thing you could possibly do.

    Internet marketing isn't just about putting things into action. Lots of people put things into action, not many actually get results.

    To be completely honest with you, I don't think you could possibly do something more idiotic. Your reason for doing this, is because if you have a job you won't do it? That has to be the most senseless logic EVER. I doubt you will do it anyway.

    If you couldn't dedicate 1 hour a day to it, how can you dedicate 12-16 hours a day? It isn't all fun and games. It takes a LONG time to be able to have multiple streams of income, and not wait on the next payment to come before you can pay bills.

    Not only that but you mention you just need rent and credit card repayments.... and the rest will go on plastic. So you will be charging basic expenses, paying 20-30% interest, ruining your credit(which you WILL ruin your credit), and not having a single dime coming in for sure.

    Go and beg for your job back. I can't encourage something so ludicrous and irresponsible. I'm not trying to be negative here, but you're setting yourself up for failure.

    I got into this because I lost my job, not willingly, this was my only option and I was able to get by. You really shouldn't even consider doing this full time unless you have at LEAST 6 months of expenses saved up. Sometimes it takes money to make money.

    You might have seen a ton of success stories, but I assure you, that isn't for everybody. There are many people who aren't even registered here yet and still lurking around because they are trying to "get it". There are people that are spending a LOT of time trying to make more than a couple hundred a month.

    Fact is, if you don't have the discipline to dedicate an hour a day while you have a job, then you don't have the discipline to actually do this yourself, 8+ hours a day.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kezz
    Hey Toniy,

    I just wanted to drop in and back you on your decision. There are always jobs and you can always go get yourself another one any time. There's nothing to fear about not having a job and like you said, you have a worst case scenario plan for essentials and that's all that really matters.

    I'll tell you something, 5 years ago (I think it was, or thereabouts) I stood up in the middle of a staff meeting and declared:

    "You can consider that my resignation!"

    ...then walked out of the office and never went back. It was the most liberating moment of my life.

    I made the decision that I deserved better and that I would go out and get it.

    I had absolutely no plan. I had no idea where money would come from, not the foggiest. I didn't even know about online opportunities back then. I just believed in myself and I knew that one way or another I would find a means to succeed.

    I swore I would never ever again do a 9 - 5 job, and I never ever have.

    Now I'm not going to gloss it over, there have been some extremely difficult times. That goes with the territory if you decide to take the plunge.

    But you know what? I went through every one of those hard times with my soul in tact, my independence growing steadily, a sense of freedom even if under pressure, and the knowledge that whatever I achieved was all through my own efforts and all the reward would come to myself and my loved ones.

    And all the difficulties I have faced have put me through such a tremendously steep learning curve that I could not possibly have accelerated anywhere near as quickly by any other means. When you have no choice but to learn, oh boy do you learn fast.

    And in the not too distant future when I reach the goals I have steadily been climbing to these past years, people will look and say, "Geeze, I wish I could do that".

    Even now people say to me quite often, "You have the life don't you! Sitting at home all day with your partner in a comfy arm chair, no early mornings, no boss to deal with. I wish I could do that!"

    The truth is, anybody can do it - you just need to be willing to take a little risk, get out of your comfort zone and be fully prepared to roll with all the punches that come along the way.

    Yes, you will get hit and no, it won't be fun. But show me one champion boxer or MMA fighter who got to the top of the heap without taking a few bruises along the way.

    Determination, an absolute belief in yourself, and unwillingness to be stopped, a dash of stubbornness and an unshakable certainty in your own future is all you need.
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    • Profile picture of the author LiamP
      Win, lose or draw - it sounds like you're being (a) true to yourself (b) giving it an almighty heave. That's all that is required. Life is short, life is risk. You'll do great so relax, enjoy and keep us posted. And on the tough days, remember your dream.

      "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt
      Signature

      A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
      Robert A. Heinlein

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  • Profile picture of the author David Lamb
    Ed Dale wrote an interesting article on this topic. His take: don't do it.

    Burn the Ships
    Signature

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    • Profile picture of the author Michael D Forbes
      Ever the contrarian, I am.

      I was laid off 2 weeks ago from a job I rather enjoyed. It just so happens that said job taught me a fairly good deal about IM but I had never put it into practice. I had a blog that earned .37 in AdSense, exactly 1 click (which I haven't got to spend yet because I haven't reached the payment threshold).

      I was self employed a number of years ago, loved it and was successful. I've been laid off so many times now I can hardly count. I'm sick of it.

      Soooo, I says, "Wife, do you mind being broke for a few months?"

      She says (along with many other things), "Do you think you can do it?"

      I replies, "I have no question I can".

      She rejoinders, "And what if you don't?"

      Me quips, "I go find a job."

      The lovely woman kisses me on the cheek and says, "You can do it honey!"

      So here I am, nine days later, with $89 in Clickbank sales in the last 24 hours, my very first (3) sales.

      I know what made these sales and I know how to do the last two weeks as many times as I need to until I reach a level of comfort. I'm pretty jazzed.

      No, not everyone can do this. But I have a plan, my risk is highly calculated, and I refuse to fail.
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  • Profile picture of the author aheil
    Working hard. That's how you succeed!
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve L
    i was able to make the leap. i've been working from home exclusively for the better part of the last 14 months. it's been awesome!

    i managed to land a client that i did internet marketing consultation for. this after years of attempting affiliate marketing. i'm ready to start dabbling in info publishing again though.
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  • Profile picture of the author RockinBosslady
    I'm giving my two week's notice on Friday. I work a high stress job for the world's worst boss and I'm MISERABLE. I've started a little business (not IM related) and I've got a few clients. I just don't have time to grow my business while I work for someone else. I started looking into IM to supplement the business, but I have a feeling I'm going to wind up splitting my time between both.

    I am married and my hubby is employed. I've also saved up 3 months worth of my own salary. I've done a budget and if it has to, I think that 3 months of salary can be dragged out a bit longer.

    I'm scared to death, but if I don't do this now, I don't think I ever will.
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    • Profile picture of the author Toniy
      OK... so here's the update.

      WHERE AM I NOW?

      I've started writing. As you can see in my signature at the time of writing (and that's the last active promotion I'll do in this thread), I am now a freelance writer.

      I offered out my services to 6 (in actual fact 7) clients in exchange for testimonials and the feedback was incredible. The work is tough, but infinitely more enjoyable than what I have been doing.

      I have also found my first paid work (made $200 so far, while only publishing my 'FREE' service :p) and managed to secure a handful of long term clients as well. Yes... I'm quite good

      All joking aside, things are looking up. I've used the first part of my week to write up my ad copy and keep up with clients. I've also looked into my procrastination, which is something that I'll cover in a moment. Finally I've managed to set myself up in a diet that I'm actually going to apply successfully at last!

      Everything is looking up. I have around 5-9 weeks to get my funds up together and at this rate, it's more than possible WHILE leaving room for my other projects... and talking to you guys!

      Perhaps I'm lucky to have a skill worthy enough of employment, maybe it's my business philosophy, maybe it's just that I've done enough good in my life to deserve a break, but so far I feel as though I've landed on my feet.

      WHAT'S NEXT?

      Write. I'll be writing a lot for the next few weeks and I'll be further establishing my client base. I'm also getting some assistance from a very kind gent in applying to an online publishing house to ensure that there's always at least some work there.

      I have 3 or 4 other projects that I'd like to see make it to fruition... one will provide a passive income between $470 and $9,400 per month (from my calculations ), the other will build a brand, and another will be a healthy mix of the two.

      Lessons Learned So Far

      You have absolutely GOT to defeat procrastination. I hadn't as of starting this post and thankfully I seem to have now. Not completely, but enough to be optimistic and I'm getting better each day.

      It's all about getting the right idea about what procrastination really is... which is a huge subject worthy of 5+ hours of pure listening, but I'll type something up another time once I've got it fully internalised.

      For now, all I'll say is PLAN and INCLUDE your fun activities in your daily schedule, and make sure that everything you do is on your terms, one way or another.

      For example, I write because I want to earn money. I watch a film because I want to relax. I go for walks because I want to get in better shape. The thing is, even though I'd like to do one more than the other on occasion, I strike a happy medium between work and play. And I know that the work I CHOOSE to do, when I CHOOSE to do it is leading me onto what I WANT even more.

      Mix up your work with something fun every few hours, and you'll stay motivated, knowing that you're getting a lot done, your attention is always high and keep on keeping on! Coming fresh from an hour's break on a work day leaves you actually WANTING to work!

      When a lot of people say they work 16 hours a day... how much of that is actual work? If I WORK for 5 hours now, then that's pure work. Ever read the Solitaire Study?

      I stay happy, sane, relaxed and productive, in all endeavours.

      It's scary not knowing when the money will come, but it's comforting knowing exactly how it will come and that I'm doing everything right to expect it.

      I'm procrastinating less, not altogether finished, but the situation is so much more improved it's ridiculous. I could have spend all last week writing, but I didn't. I did some writing, some emailing, some walking, some reading of a specific diet book, and some listening to the procrastination tape. All of this was productive and in some way conducive to my success.

      The writing makes me money.

      The emailing creates an environment to take on more work, and grow my talents, to make more money.

      The walking makes me feel like I'm still active and that makes me happy.

      The reading reminded me of the set up of my chosen eating plan to lose some weight and that will makes me happy.

      The listening helped me realise that doing all this is the right thing to do, even if it isn't directly profitable. It's an investment in my time.

      Previously I wouldn't have even finished the book. In fact, this was my fourth time trying it and this time I succeeded!

      Ultimately you don't have to do anything. You choose what to do. The power is with you. Sometimes you choose to work because you're being mature and know what the right thing to do is, for you. You work because you want to earn because you want better happiness. Equally you play because that gives you happiness right now. Mix the two, don't neglect either.


      Now that's a horribly simplified version but I've covered the parts that were an epiphany for me.

      I was previously in quite a substantial rut. Even upon starting all this, I was miserable and doing nothing conducive to good health or happiness. I got in an argument with my girlfriend (my fault) and realised... wow, I'm not happy.

      So I took some time to be introspective and figure out exactly what was wrong. I found it, and looked for a solution. I applied the solution and now my life is different and back on track to incredible success and happiness.

      And if I'm happy, I work better. Simple as that.

      The final thing I've learned through reading the replies from you guys is that even though I harp on about taking action, taking the risk, believing in yourself... there really is a MASSIVE point that I glanced over.

      YOU NEED TO HAVE A PLAN.

      That plan needs to take you from where you are now, to cashing your cheque, with every single process in between mapped out so you are then essentially painting by numbers.

      Then you take action

      So I find you now, feeling optimistic, having seen some success, and about to embark on something huge.

      Look forward to speaking with you all again,

      Wish me luck,

      Adam

      (Oh hey check my signature... I'm hustling )

      (No more of that...)
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    David Lamb - Interestingly enough, my initial foray into Internet Marketing was driven my Ed's 30DC... and it didn't give me nearly a complete enough picture to success. So when he says 'I've never seen anyone on the 30DC succeed with this approach'... well, I think that's enough said. Now I WOULD like to say that I learned a hell of a lot from the Dale, but it just wasn't enough. So I have to give thanks to him, but don't agree. Interesting post though

    Micheal D Forbes -
    That is beautiful. And I love contrarians (when they share my contrary ) I partly wish I had a partner as supportive as you do, and congratulations on that. On the other hand, proving that pretty little thing wrong may prove to be the greatest day of my life! Well played sir...

    aheil -
    Beautifully said, thanks!

    Steve Longoria -
    Fantasticto hear Steve way to go! I'm looking forward to getting up and running enough to dabble more in my other projects as well!

    Rockinbosslady -
    Way. To. Go Lady. I'm finding myself more and more supportive of people who take the plunge like this, but I really really want to know for my own peace of mind that you know exactly what to do to make your success! You already seem like you've found some success so hopefully it's just a case of refine and replicate! BEST of luck, and thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author Joewriter
    I think quitting my day job would be suicidal I am not ready yet !
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    • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
      Originally Posted by Joewriter View Post

      I think quitting my day job would be suicidal I am not ready yet !
      Then you'll probably never be ready
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      BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

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  • Profile picture of the author WebPen
    Ever heard of a dude called Mike Geary? Creator of The Truth About Abs?

    He talks about this a bit (especially starting at 5:50)

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  • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
    Great interview - but odly enough there was not one mention of affiliate marketing which is what REALLY has taken Truth About Abs into the stratosphere...seems kind of odd that it wasn't mentioned.

    Jeff
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  • Profile picture of the author celente
    great interview, i think there really is not secret to quitting yoru job.

    Just hard work and perseverance nothing more nothing less.

    I guess over the years i have found that when you put more hard work in, you quickly learn that it is about working smarter and not harder and leverage is the key to the game.
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  • You are either really stupid or really smart. Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author mccartyjess
    Thank you for being so honest! I wish you the best! Sometimes extreme is the only way to go!

    Jess
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  • Profile picture of the author uleesgold
    Banned
    some people forget that getting fired CAN be a blessing.

    it can be a window of opportunity.

    But in your case, you quit a job without having anything in particular lined up. Good LUCK because you'll probably need some TRUE LUCK.
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  • Profile picture of the author saiyid
    all the best dude.
    try and try until u succeeed
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    • Profile picture of the author edlewis
      Over the years I've been a member here at the WarriorForum, there have been several posts like this...with strong opinions on both sides of the argument.

      Personally, I think it is a decision that is different for everyone.

      Some people have to give themselves no other options in order to succeed....while others can't deal with this sort of pressure. They need stability and security in order to succeed on their own.

      Everyone is different.

      So far, it seems like things are going well...

      By reading your posts, I think you probably made the right decision.

      It seems like you KNEW you wanted to write and knew you could make money doing it...and the job you HATED was holding you back.

      That's much different than some of the people who make these kinds of posts.
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  • Profile picture of the author terrencewan
    Hi Toniy,

    I really admire your courage and determination.
    Wish you all the luck and may you succeed soon.

    As for myself, i am doing property as an agent full-time,
    i am also doing IM.

    Property as an agent is for me to earn my living,
    as for doing IM is for building my future retirement funds.

    I would suggest you can find some freelance work to do,
    so at least you are not so pressurise if you can't get any
    sales from IM, and as we all know, IM is no different from
    an offline business, it takes time to see it bears fruits.

    Nevertheless, not all people are alike, so do whatever is
    best for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Elliott
    From my experience (mostly affiliate) most companies wont pay you until 3+ months after you made the commission, even Google has a 45 day delay. You should keep this in mind as you may make money now but wont get paid until months later. You should consider outsource everything you can asap, this allowed me to manage most things rather than work on everything.
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    • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
      Originally Posted by Aaron Elliott View Post

      From my experience (mostly affiliate) most companies wont pay you until 3+ months after you made the commission, even Google has a 45 day delay. You should keep this in mind as you may make money now but wont get paid until months later. You should consider outsource everything you can asap, this allowed me to manage most things rather than work on everything.

      yes, but there are hundreds of products that you can sell with instant commissions paid via PayPal - available at rapmall.com or rapbank.com for starters...there are others, as well.

      He can make instant money creating and selling his own product too.
      Anyone can make money online within a week or less. It's not hard.

      Again, I strongly suggest that Toniy focus on "can-do" rather than "can't"
      and listen to positive people who tell him to go for it.

      and that goes for anyone else who's reading this thread. Don't listen to the dream stealers who tell you all kinds of reasons why you shouldn't start your own business. You will never have freedom unless you work for yourself and you'll never be rich by making someone else rich (your boss at your job) And being rich doesn't just mean having tons of money. Being rich is having the freedom to do what you want when you want, and living the life of your dreams. Money is just the tool.

      A true entrepreneur is not afraid of risks and is not afraid of failures. Failures are lessons, and if you give up because you've failed once or twice, then that is really a shame, because sometimes it takes many failures before you make it big. (ask me how I know, lol)

      Live large and dream big!
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Forster
    I ended up finding a great job 3 days a week so I could spend the other two days on my IM and othr projects.

    I highly recommend it as a strategy as it's about as good as two worlds who don't want to live together can.
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    Cheers, Stev
    Products & Services
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    • Profile picture of the author Toniy
      Joewriter - It may still prove to be!

      Ayoungmillionaire -
      That was very cool... I know exactly how he feels "Don't quit... don't quit.... well I actually quit" I get what he's saying though... have a job to tie you over, give yourself all the support you can get. I feel that my two month buffer is enough!

      Jeff Elia -
      I'm really glad to hear that Jeff, for both you and your friend. To be honest, I may not have quit my job had I been able to conquer my procrastination beforehand... but I didn't, so here I am!

      jbsmith -
      True... but considering they were about to hit the slopes (unless they were just going for a ride...) and also considering they only had 8 minutes I guess they had to pick their topics carefully. And there's a good chance he's bored of talking about AM by now!

      calente -
      I've heard that phrase... work smart, not hard. I think that's a similar thing to what I've realised just recently too. Prioritise your work, figure out what's most important to you and choose how you spend your time carefully. Being a procrastinator is very similar to being a workaholic... neither knows how to manage their time the right way!

      multiplefigureincome -
      I've been called both before, though never in the same sentence... thanks!

      bpollina -
      Thankyou kindly... You are 100% correct, without self-development I wouldn't be where I am today and I certainly wouldn't be able to make stupid decisions like these! :p Ever since I realised that there was a way of improving and bettering who you are and how you live, it's been basically smooth sailing ever since.

      ramone-johnny -
      Probably being the operative word there Johnny Give the poor guy a break, he'll come round!

      mccartyjess -
      Thankyou Jess, it's very rarely I get thanked for my honesty and that means a lot... it's the only way to fly in my opinion. Hey even if this goes horribly wrong I'll admit it... of course the trick is, it won't!

      angelosayson -
      Crazy Toniy is how I made most of my friends today actually I've started documenting the journey actually... I think it was when I read your post last time that I started, so thanks! And also that video was one of the best things I've watched for ages! ... until I saw that kid in a tank top, what was that about?

      uleesgold -
      I don't want to sound like an asshole in an action movie... but I believe we make our own luck. Still I'll take anything that's going!

      saiyid -
      Thankyou, sir! I plan to

      edlewis -
      Ed, thanks. That's probably the best summary of this whole thing I've read so far! I haven't got myself into anything I'm not prepared for... I see the world differently from most, I admit that and I'll put myself in situations that would stop most people sleeping. But I have faith Or I'm a delusional :p

      terrencewan -
      Well said Terrence and congrats on your choices! I'm making my basic living with freelance work where I can but I won't stop developing my skills at any point! We all get in this for our own reasons.

      Aaron Elliot -
      Man I would love to have the spare cash to outsource at the moment but literally all I can afford right now are my $20 WF bumps! Also, I need to be earning straight off the bat, so my freelancing is my launch pad. It's the perfect start for me personally, just need to refine and repeat!

      Steve Forster - I can't help but feel that you bear a slight resemblance to Bruce Willis, Steve! It's not a bad idea to be honest... I actually considered the possibility at one point of getting my old waiting job back for three days per week to cover the bare essentials... I just sincerely hope I don't have to consider it again!



      On a side note, I've made a small investment in my skills using my credit card.. that'll knock about a month off of my medium term bugger but it should also have me earning a great deal more in a much shorter space of time!

      Being able to manage my time effectively now means that I can develop and produce at the same time. If you can't do this then you shouldn't even consider leaving steady work or going into business for yourself at all in my opinion.

      For example I've written a thread on how to provide a 5-star rated service / thread... of course the repurcussions of having question threads, service threads and this thread may lead people to think 'Oh man... THIS GUY??'

      On the other hand... I'm doing everything I can to make sure I learn everything there is and provide the best of my abilities to my clients. Value over and above what's expected is what I aim for and it should be the same for any business I feel.

      I'll leave it there less I start marketing myself again... :p

      Stay well friends,

      Adam
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  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    This is such a load of crap. When I started my web dev company back in 1994, I worked a full-time job. I intentionally took a job at Kinko's copy center so I would have healthcare and also access to all the production equipment to help me with my marketing materials, my proposals, etc... I worked for 2 years at that job... working 3rd shift overnights to leave my days free to work on my own company. I built sales to over $2,000,000 before leaving that position because I hired others and paid them first before taking a salary for myself. In doing so that kept more liquidity in the company instead of forcing me to take cash out to survive on during the critical early stages. It was a lot of hard work and long days and nights, but it was all worth it when I sold the company for 8 figures 6 years later.

    So anyone who insists that someone adamantly must become some destitute broke joke before becoming successful is simply shooting off with their own opinion. The only thing that I sacrificed was social hour.
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  • Profile picture of the author carcrazy
    Until I start making some money, I wouldn't even consider it. Even if it takes me longer or slows me down, I still need the security of a job.
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  • dude i quit my job today too! but i was kind of forced to. the boss was playing games with payment.



    but i know what your saying. for some reason i cant stop smiling
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    • Profile picture of the author Toniy
      MichaelHiles - Woah... Michael, you seem upset? Not a single person here has advocated going broke... in fact everyone here has either said 'Don't do it, it's nuts and irresponsible', 'It's not what I'd do, but good luck' or 'Yeah I did it and it went ok'. I personally made a POINT of telling people not to follow my lead because I know how dangerous it could be. I have a plan, that's why I made this decision. I'm happier. I also don't plan on setting up a web development company, I don't have employees, I don't require copy machines and I don't need healthcare or any other securities companies provide. Our businesses and our situations are completely different, so I'm not sure exactly what it is you're getting at? To be honest, at this stage I'm not even setting up a business... I'm providing enough money for myself to live and enjoy my life without having to work somewhere that makes me want to die. So as it happens... I suppose in actual we agree On a side note, I've tremendous respect for what you've done there... fair play sir

      carcrazy - A lot of people do it seems... you're certainly not alone! And it's definitely the smart thing to do. Personally, I'm impatient and impulsive and constantly striving for happiness. If your work makes you happy then you have already found more success than I have. Regardless, best of luck with whatever you choose to do!

      Newtoebookswriting - It's a great feeling to wake up on the monday knowing you don't have to get up and go to work... of course it's another feeling completely knowing that you are truly and honestly taking care of yourself now... there's nobody keeping you safe and secure, it's all on you! Make the best of it bro ... Also I thought your name was 'New Toe Books Writing'... New Toe is a catchy name
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  • Profile picture of the author Zabrina
    *fist-bump*

    Sometimes, a job is necessary to pay the bills, feed the family, and support an enterprise. You sacrifice sleep and get the biz started before quitting.

    Sometimes, holding the job stops you from fully committing to the business. Some people disagree with this, but desperation can be a great motivator.

    My own goal has been pushing me to take real action and reduce my learning-action ratio to 1-5 hours. Amazing what I've managed already, and the momentum is building.

    Keep taking action, over and over. When you find something that works, tweak it to work very well. And avoid shiny bullets at all costs. This committed focus is what will drive you to succeed, I believe.
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  • Profile picture of the author SuspectZero
    I hope it all works out for you man!!

    I agree that a 9-5 job doesn't allow you to focus on IM enough but as another warrior said I wouldn't consider leaving my full time job (which is in IT anyway) until i was making at least what I earn there in IM.

    But I admire your courage and wish you luck I will keep an eye on this thread.
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  • Profile picture of the author KatyaSenina
    Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

    I know that the only way I will be happy is with the Internet Lifestyle. I also know that the only way I'll achieve this is by working full time on it.
    Same here, I just can't live the 9 to 5 life that others are living, just makes me feel like the walking dead. Lifeless. Miserable.

    I can't be in a job, come home and be happy... A job tends to hold me in it's grip and keeps me in permanent depression even after the workday is already over.

    Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

    I think everybody would be the same... you cannot procrastinate if your life depends on it. Eliminate procrastination by giving yourself no other choice.
    True... But what is your plan? I'm just curious.

    Care to share a bit on what you're about to do to meet the deadline in just a few weeks? Are you going to focus solely on online marketing or offline marketing as well?
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  • Profile picture of the author Claire Sharp
    Is there anyone can guarantee me that quiting from a stable work can make me succeed?
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    • Profile picture of the author tkboy101
      Originally Posted by Claire Sharp View Post

      Is there anyone can guarantee me that quiting from a stable work can make me succeed?
      ME ME ME!! I CAN!!

      Just kidding... the only person who can guarantee that is yourself.
      And I don't even recommend it. It works *sometimes* as you'll
      hear in some success stories. But overall, not good for the general
      population!

      Peace.

      Luke
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  • Profile picture of the author herb44
    good luck friend. Been there done that and it blew up in my face. Internet marketing is funny like that. It took a lot of hard research to figure stuff out in im while working as job but when i didn't have a job i was screwed!. Couldn't afford the software mnf-couldn't buy domains and as my savings went -it was either food or im -you choose. until i built up my im money stash i was hurting. Looking back i should have built up a bigger nestegg. Hey man-hope this helps
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  • Profile picture of the author BDubC
    Wow, thats a big decision, but you know what if I was in your position I would probably do the same thing.

    But I have a wife and four kids so, I'm not going to take that risk, but that helps with my procrastination. My goal is still to end up doing IM full time, but im not where I want to be yet.

    Well anyway I will try to leave you with some words of advice. This is one of the biggest things I learned in IM that really changed my whole approach.

    Traffic is not Converting.

    They are 2 completely different arts. Of course you know to get relevant traffic, don't rely on: "if I can just get 1000 people a day to see this page" I will make money, because this will not happen.

    And I know you have read and studied to build relationships so make sure you do that. Converting is an art "traffic" will not just buy stuff from you if you sell golf clubs and they play golf. No matter if you get 1000's of visitors. So make sure you learn every thing you can on buyer keywords as well, use exact product names, and use brand names, and review other brand names similar to your products.

    I notice a lot of people get so stuck on traffic and visitors and they forget the most important part, meet your visitors and give them a home they should know your name and you should know theirs.

    Just my 2 cents, anyway best of luck Toniy I really want you to succeed, don't worry you can do it stick to your list, and build one as well , work a lot of overtime.
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  • Profile picture of the author Clara H
    Good luck to you! I agree with your disclaimer - don't follow your advice, haha. It is always reccomended to be making a steady income in IM first! That being said, I've also done the same thing you have and my last day of work is on Wednesday.

    I wasn't going to leave... people on this forum advised me not to and at first I listened to their good advice. However, it became too much. I have narcolepsy and my 9-6 job makes it so much worse... I couldn't even work on my IM stuff because I couldn't stay awake to do so. I was not moving forward. I use to enjoy my job, but the narcolepsy, the moral issues (working with animals), the frustration of not being able to do any IM, I started to dread every single day I went to work... one day a month ago I just decided to tell my boss that I'll be leaving.

    At first I thought, "What the heck have I done?!" Risk is scary. But there is no success without risk, discomfort, pain or fear. Now I'm excited. Now I'm HAPPY.

    I know I have a long road ahead. Since deciding to quit my IM stuff is growing rapidly. My risk is lesser because I still live with my parents (there's no way my current job was earning enough to move out... again not moving forward) but I still need to pay board and other things. My wage was so low it will be easy to replace and go beyond it.

    I sincerely hope we both find success in the path we've chosen.
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    Frontiergold - Thanks very much! I wish the same back to you... Subconscious roadblocks are common, but if you can get over them then you'll be much better off, even if your realise that the blocks are there for a good reason! Best of luck with the business

    Yogini -
    Thanks again Security does mean different things to different people... I have all the security I need right now, and all I have is my laptop, internet connection and my skill set. I used to be a paper writer like your friend whilst at university, but that was pure procrastination and you can (and should, in my experience) get that sorted. The exhaustion from 'normal' work is a real important point as well, nice one. I used to want to work in the evenings at my job, but by the time I got in I just wanted to curl up and die. Yes I could have forced myself to work, but I'd never have done the work well if I knew I had to go back to the office in 12 hours!

    TKBoy101 -
    That might be the single scariest avatar I've seen... well played! But yes, Profitsforall did make some really good points. And he was totally right about procrastination. If I hadn't dealt with it then that would be me over with... fortunately it's all sorted and I do realise that there were other reasons I needed to leave work. For me, there are too many people there to say 'I told you so' and THAT is my biggest 'anti-motivator'. Finding focus and seeing any one thing through to the end though, is possibly the single best piece of advice you can give a beginner, nice one!

    SuspectZero -
    Thank you kindly, I appreciate the admiration Sincerely. As I've said before, I would have chosen to work a day job and IM at the same time if I thought I could... but all things considered it simply isn't the way I'm built. And I can earn what I used to earn at my earlier jobs now anyway... the ability is there, now I just need to market it! But not in this thread :p

    KatyaSenina -
    I feel your pain Miss, I really do but one rule in this thread... no sad face! :p Happy faces only I'll share an overview of my plan in the post following this one and if you want any further advice then please feel free to PM me. One piece of advice that I think would serve you well is to find ONE method and follow that through, and keep asking for advice on the forum. Make sure you know enough ,but don't stray from what you're doing...

    Claire Sharp -
    Well no... there isn't. I can't even guarantee that it will make ME succeed... but I know that it will. There's a difference between knowledge that comes from faith and belief, and knowledge that comes from facts and figures. You're the only person that knows whether or not you'll make money leaving your job. And until you DO know... don't do it. So get to work on your plan! Most people that try and fail don't have a plan, lack the necessary knowledge, or lack work ethic, resilience and confidence... I don't think there's anything else that would impede success.

    Magnates -
    Thanks man, that's very very cool. Very kind words, that's great. You're right though, my worst case scenario to me simply isn't that bad a case. I could handle that, I know many have. What's better is that I know many have and still found success. It's in my cards, just a matter of when. The when, I believe is very very soon as well, if not now. I could have already started success! That's a cool feeling... I'll write a little on procrastination in the post after next

    Herb44 -
    Oh man, that's a grind I'm sorry to hear that! Still... you've got the quality of resilience, so success is only around the corner for you, if it hasn't found you already! Fortunately my plan involves something relient on fewer factors... they simpler the machine, the less likely it is to break down! All the very best of fortune to you though Herb buddy! (Also... I'm aiming to lose a few pounds anyway so not being able to afford food MIGHT just help a little :p)

    BDubC -
    2 cents there that are worth a dollar I think something that I'd wager holds true for the rest of your business, thanks for the tips! Conversion is actually something I've been looking at quite recently so that post was eerily relevant... and funny thing is, I feel like if I had a wife and kids I'd do as you do! No procrastination either!

    Clara H -
    Hey... last day tomorrow huh? Big day... best of luck Miss! A relatively unpopular (for a good reason) way of looking at your situation would be "Hey if you've got nothing to lose then give it everything you got!" I'd say you're in the perfect position to start so absolutely give it your all! Success will be with you shortly

    Thanks again guys!
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  • Profile picture of the author WebSmith
    Thanks for your advice, It really means to me lot.

    Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

    Also... don't take my advice.

    If only there were a disclaimer for posts as well..... no matter

    I don't want to be held responsible for other people's bankruptcy, just my own :p

    So getting to it... Yes, I just made myself unemployed. I did so knowing full well the situation I was getting myself in to.

    I face bankruptcy, but fortunately I have no assets, no children, no wife... I rent and I have a good relationship with my parents so worst comes to worst, I live with Mum again :p

    I know my character... I know myself very well. I can't be given an alternative, otherwise I'll tend towards procrastination.

    I know that the only way I will be happy is with the Internet Lifestyle. I also know that the only way I'll achieve this is by working full time on it.

    The reason I can't do an hour here and an hour there is because I procrastinate. I'm also an extremist so I like to focus all my energy on one thing. And when most of my energy is taken up asking 'Have you had any credit cards taken out before 2007?' all day to strangers on the phone then I know I need to change something.

    We all know that success in IM comes primarily from action. The speed and magnitude of success comes from knowledge and effort. Now I know a fair amount about IM to be honest with you... from a theoretical standpoint. I could pass any test / quiz on IM, however practical application is only now on the cards.

    So I now have a deadline... bankruptcy. I know it's a big risk but I also know that it's the only way I'll do what I have to do.

    I think everybody would be the same... you cannot procrastinate if your life depends on it. Eliminate procrastination by giving yourself no other choice.

    Not an ideal situation and certainly a dangerous one... but I know success is only a few weeks away.

    All I need to do is make enough to cover rent and credit card repayments, and the rest can go on the plastic. I have around 5 months to begin turning a profit, functioning this way.

    The end is in sight and I'm excited

    Once again... don't follow my advice

    Wish me luck if you like... but don't follow my advice
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    THE PLAN

    Ok so... due to popular (one influential person :p) request, here's an outline of what I'm doing to make my money.

    Step 1 - Find one person to sell one thing to

    I start from the very bottom... I find and refine a skill that other people don't have, could use and would pay for. Personally, I'm a great writer. I then refined the skill by learning SEO to perfection. I now offer a service (currently on hold) writing SEO articles, or review articles that encourage people to buy something, or a mixture of both. That let's people move up in SERP position and earns them more money and / or can increase their conversion.

    If you make one dollar, then you can make a million.

    I say this is starting at the bottom since you need nothing else other than your skill and a little bit of basic business knowledge. You can pick all that up in a couple of weeks. It is also starting at the bottom as it's so SIMPLE. It's just you and your laptop. You get a client, you get paid, you provide.

    So I have the service and I sell an article to one person. I ask them for a testimonial if they're happy and I move on to the next stage.

    Of course it isn't just about the service... you can be the best writer in the world but if you don't do what your competitors do to get an edge then you'll get nowhere.

    Step 2 - Scale it up

    Now like every other successful business, I have to position the service, market the service, refine the service and provide the service as well.

    I have enough time on my schedule so I need to build my client list. The bulk of my time will still be on providing the service, so nothing more complicated than Step 1...

    However I also need to find the clients. So I create an ad and post it here, or on Digital Point, or on Craig's List, or on eLance or apply to a publishing house... just to get the word out there.

    Here it's worth learning a little about writing copy and test your methods. You may want to hire someone at this point but I'd suggest still taking care of everything yourself to get a better understanding of things in the future.

    Market your service and provide to the best of your abilities. More clients mean more work and more money.

    Step 3 - Branch out

    So you now have your business. You provide a service and get paid, and with some decent money management, this will earn enough to step things up and build more passive and lucrative income streams. That's when your business turns to more traditional Internet Marketing (rather than Freelancing).

    Whether you enhance your own business (outsource, upscale the marketing and sit back) or start up a new venture, you are on your way. Pick something that piques your interest and move with that... content sites for adsence, product creation, CPA marketing... whatever you LIKE. I emphasise like because it should be fun. Otherwise you go get a job.

    This requires doesn't have to require much money to set up, but to do it right you usually need a bit of cash and a lot more information and knowledge. This takes a while longer to learn the ins and outs... on and off for about a year seems about average, though you could do this much quicker. It's all up to you... the trick is to learn to things you don't even know you need to know! That comes with time and experience. More importantly... it comes with FOCUS. I said pick ONE thing remember :p

    You'll reach conscious and eventually unconscious competence (knowing that you know) once you know exactly what steps to take from start to finish that lead you to earning that new first dollar every time. Once again it then becomes a case of refinement and replication.

    Once you've got a few passive income streams working for you, it's on to Step 4...

    Step 4 - Do whatever the hell you want!

    Once you're confident in your ability to make money online you should aim (if you so choose) to essentially automate your business so you're simply the figurehead and decision maker. You decide the project and you can have others work on it for you.

    By this point you should be outsourcing since your time is better spent setting up new income streams. You might even have a permanent staff... a legitimate business with employees of your own! A reliable and skilled team is awesome to have.

    It's all stepping stones and that's my plan in a nutshell. But the first thing is to make your first dollar. I earned mine as a pack of 20 for writing my first online article and it was an incredible moment... from there it was just a matter of refinement and replication, as with everything IM

    Step 5 - Really, do whatever the hell you want

    Go on holiday. Start a family. Travel the world. Buy a car. Buy a plane. Learn to fly the plane to get you to a little island where you can go deep sea diving. At this point I don't want to have to be anywhere at any one time so that I can LIVE my LIFE... the whole reason I quit my job in the first place, remember?

    Hope this helps a little, even if only to settle a scattered mind

    I know I've oversimplified things to an almost insulting level, but remember that all I'm doing here is providing an overview... giving someone an idea of where to start.

    I remember that that was the biggest hurdle for me to overcome... simply not knowing WHERE to begin. So here's where I began!
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    WebSmith - Hey man I'm just happy to help. It means a lot to ME that I'm able to enhance someone's life just a little. After all, Dale Carnegie said himself that no man can get rish without enriching others... which is a really nice pay off at the end of the day

    EDIT: It was Andrew Carnegie :p
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    • Profile picture of the author coalminer
      Toniy..
      Good on you butt like inni... (sorry, Rhondda accent)
      I have moved from there now so I got to stop that nonsense dribble
      I think sometimes that all I need is a good couple of months off work to really get my online plans fully going... although its going pretty well with a full time job at mo...
      Be nice to catch up and go for an IM mastermind walk along the Gower coastline maybe 1 day.. I'm working in Port Tennant so not far away..
      Really though, awesome what your'e doing, nothing better than being your own boss eh...? I can't bloody wait... nice
      Nicky
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    PROCRASTINATION

    Time for another horrendous over-simplification but something that could serve to benefit others.

    Procrastination was for me, something that lead to a brief period of mild depression. I wasn't looking after myself particularly well, I got fat, I got in arguments with my loved ones and nothing was happening to enhance my position in life.

    Fortunately I got so down about it I reached the point where I HAD to change. That's a phrase I'm very fond of as well by the way... "Nobody changes until it hurts enough."

    As depressing as that sounds at first, it rings true to many and provides some hope as well.

    Anyway, I found a program called 'Conquering Procrastination' by Dr. Neil Fiore. I believe he also wrote 'The Now Habit', but that's enough plugging.

    Essentialliy the program has turned my life around and I'm now losing weight because I don't have a problem with not eating in a way that makes me fat, I'm happier because I have got my relationships back in order and I'm making money because I'm not putting off work!

    So how did that happen?

    Choice.

    I realised that procrastination is simply the conflict between the side of yourself that says 'I want to do this' and the side that says 'I have to do this'.

    For example, you know that you HAVE to go to work or finish that assignment, but what you WANT to do is go eat ice cream and play outside.

    Let's say you want to lose weight... you'll be told that you HAVE to exercise or you HAVE to eat this certain way ALL of the time.

    What you want is to lose weight and feel better about yourself. The way to do this is to eat a certain way 'some of the time', don't feel that anything is restricted, but always keep in mind your end goal. And go for a walk when you feel like it because it's a really nice day. And now and again, have a bit of cake. Don't worry, you're doing well, you've made a start and a commitment and now it's just a matter of time.

    So we procrastinate because of the conflict... you can either do the stuff you are 'supposed' to do and be miserable, or put that misery off and never get to where you truly want to be.

    And it isn't a matter of willpower... it's a matter of balance and understanding.

    Using the example of IM... let's say you know what you are supposed to do.

    Let's say you know that you are supposed to buy that domain, install wordpress, schedule the content for publishing over the next month, SEO the site, ping it for the search engines and build some backlinks. All in all that should take maybe 2-3 hours.

    So you think "I've got 3 hours of crappy boring work and I'd rather watch the first season of The Sopranos again... I can do that work later... I'll always have 3 hours". This turns into doing it in the evening, which turns into doing it the next morning, which turns into the day and the week after. By which point somebody else has nabbed your domain :p

    So how do you solve it?

    You make the choice to do the work. Because you know you can watch The Sopranos in between and after.

    You make a small start on the work, take a break and come back to it later.

    You acknowledge the things you WANT to do and respect that they are valuable and integral to your well being and sanity and happiness. Everybody (should) wants to watch The Sopranos sometimes.

    You also acknowledge that the work needs to be done... so you put the two together. Which leads me to...

    The Unschedule...

    You plan out your day AROUND the things you WANT to do... So you get up in the morning and you want to have breakfast and go for a walk and get your groceries for the week... so schedule that in for 9-12 and you can start work after that, in the afternoon.

    However you then realise that the first part of the project, buying the domain only take a couple of minutes so you fit that in after breakfast... you can check your email at the same time

    So you buy the domain and wait for the nameservers to cross over from GoDaddy to Hostgator... may as well go for that walk you wanted!

    By the time you get back, you're feeling good and check the status of the domain... cool it's all set... wouldn't take long to install wordpress, the themes and that can come later. So that's step two done and you go do your grocery shopping (and buy yourself a treat for doing so well so far).

    So you're back and you have lunch... that was scheduled for 1pm and you're a half hour early... so you've made some time. You watch the Pilot for The Sopranos and once 1:30 hits, you get back to the computer. You've scheduled in the next 2 hours for content scheduling, with an hour of Sopranos in between... that only takes you to 3pm since you didn't need the Sopranos break and were working quicker because you were all refreshed and happy!

    That's the bulk of the work done and you watch the Pilot. Then you check over the SEO and ping it to the search engines as well, because it didn't actually take that long (it never does). You watch one more episode, plan on making it two but you just feel like you NEED to do a little more work... it's almost done! So you do some backlinks for an hour or so and you're done. The rest of the evening is spent eating that special dinner you bought earlier and catching up with Tony and the Gang, because your goal for the day is done!

    Or having sex or something, it really doesn't matter it's your choice!!

    So you see, even though you COULD get it all done in three hours... spreading it out into smaller tasks that you can 'start on' throughout the day means you never have to lose a great deal of your day to something you don't WANT to do... and the work is only ever an hour or so away from what you DO WANT. This means you have more energy, commitment and motivation to get high quality work done.

    Try it out... I've attached the Unschedule that I used and designed for myself. I've included a first sample day to give you an idea.

    The idea is to give yourself a to-do list, a want-to-do list and a break. You CAN do both... people that say they work 16 hours a day generally don't WORK for 16 hours a day. Ever seen Office Space?

    Don't beat yourself up for not working 'perfectly' because the fact is, the most productive people in the WORLD take more vacation time than anyone else. They know how to balance their time for happiness and success. Do NOT procrastinate on life and don't you dare feel guilty about wanting to spend time on the things you want to.

    For example, I scheduled in making three big posts in this thread today... initially I thought "man, that's gonna take a while, I'm hungry... but I'll just make a start and reply to one post since I'm already at the laptop and I finished my last task and I'm feeling productive". Now I've written almost 3,250 words (I'd get paid $162.50 for that... that's value folks!!) did my 3 big posts, I'm looking forward to dinner (which I might put off for a bit to do a small bit to another project I have first) and I've got another task out of the way, which means more time for movies!

    Balance and choice... Try it out, if you like

    And look into getting Dr. Fiore's program 'Conquering Procrasination'. He'll explain it better than I can.

    Oh hey look... no affiliate links! I missed a trick there... :p

    Take care friends,

    Adam
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  • Profile picture of the author Ronalds
    All this is very true, but do not try to fly without wings, good luck to all and for me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    Well I'm not sure what else to say... for now, leaving my job to pursue my plan has been an incredible decision for me and my life and relationships and everything is just growing and growing.

    I'm building my client base almost to capacity and I love my work

    Targets are now met and it's only been a couple of weeks... I've got the rest of the month to profit

    Thankyou everyone for your interest, advice, support and *ahem* criticism

    Take care everybody... I'm here whenever you need me. Just drop me a PM

    To our success,

    Adam S.J.



    (Oh and hey, if it goes horribly wrong, then I'll let you know :p)
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  • Profile picture of the author davidfstyles
    Hey Toniy,

    Woah, that's a massive thing you're taking on. I did it a few years ago now... quitting my professional career and it was a pretty big step to go F/T into IM.

    There were a few things that really helped...

    My first mentor had the saying 'Ready. Fire. Aim.' ... rather than 'Ready. Aim. Fire.' What he was getting at was to just do stuff rather than analyze everything. It worked for me.

    Also make sure to 'plan your work and work your plan'. I find if I can see it on paper then I know it's possible if I follow through with the plan.

    The other awesome technique I learnt was the 50-10-50-30 minute routine... I work for 50 min, rest for 10 min, work for 50 min, rest for 30 min. Repeat. I find I do megga productive work this way.

    Just my 0.02 worth and hope it helps.

    David.
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  • Toniy,

    I want an advice from you , please let me introduce myself, I'm Alan.
    OK, the situation like this, when the time I'm at university, I was working like hell to get paid and then get my freelance photography project to do and it is OK by that time. After I graduated, I also worked for over some 5 months and then quit. Next, I being introduced to the internet marketing world, there is people said starting as affiliate marketing or as eBay dropshipper seller so on , so I setup myself with a laptop with loaded info.

    So the question is, since I have no job right now, and I decide to proceed on IM world even with obstacles from my parents, which keep on yelled at me and ask me to go find a job. I have desire on making passive income, but should I get another job to support the family or keep follow my journey just start the IM without doubt at all cost ?

    Thank you and your advice is really mean to me for the future.
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    • Profile picture of the author ladywriter
      Originally Posted by Alan Chin The Sniper View Post

      my parents, which keep on yelled at me and ask me to go find a job.
      I'm not Tony, but I know about unsupportive family members.

      The first step is to show your parents you can make money. So provide a service--making webpages/designing logos/providing backlinks/whatever. You can get clients on Fiverr or through classified ads. This way you will have a little money to show your parents and some income. You can keep working on the passive income while you do this.

      People don't appreciate something new until they have someone to show them that it works. Working in IM is similar to telling people you're going to fly in an airplane--in 1901.
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      • Originally Posted by kstark View Post

        I'm not Tony, but I know about unsupportive family members.

        The first step is to show your parents you can make money. So provide a service--making webpages/designing logos/providing backlinks/whatever. You can get clients on Fiverr or through classified ads. This way you will have a little money to show your parents and some income. You can keep working on the passive income while you do this.

        People don't appreciate something new until they have someone to show them that it works. Working in IM is similar to telling people you're going to fly in an airplane--in 1901.

        OK, so if said, I'm totally interested in affiliate marketing and I want to share my passion and information to everyone and make commission by helping others. So, is good too ? Although starting affiliate marketing quite slow, because in 100000 of affiliate marketer , I guess about 100 can success. And mostly I don't know how crazy they are, one night can fire up over hundred bucks of commission while other have to wait 2 weeks can see their first sales coming up bit by bit.

        I'm quite see a lot of IM niche competition here. But offering something which I passionate of , I guess I'm quite happy with it, but just where to start and how to drive traffic only.
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  • I was in your same scenario: single, no major commitments, having pennies (literally) in my bank account, and pretty much seeing IM as my only way forward, so I went into it full time in a desperate attempt to find MY path...

    It was the best decision of my life, I will say no more...
    Sometimes in life, when things are not looking bright, it takes courage to take much-needed risky decisions. But make no mistake: when things are indeed not looking bright, you MUST take risky decisions.

    Let's be honest: No glorious redemption will come if you trench yourself behind a comfy 9-to-5 desk, and if you're single, no kids, etc why the heck shouldnt you give it a try!? what do you have to lose, an averagely-paid job? screw that! I say you go for it man I did, and never looked back.
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  • Profile picture of the author chui
    I am in the exact same situation. Am trying to look at the pros and cons of leaving my job. But good luck man, without risk you can never really succeed.
    Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author lingo
    Mate im in the same boat as you. Didnt quit my job but my contract ended so i decided to give my online stuff a go before jumping on the next job.

    Some days i question why i am not in work, will the big space on my CV look bad to pottential employers, am i losing my tech skills by not working in my previous tect jobs etc.

    But then i get a day where the amount earnt for a few hours to a days works just beats any job i have done. I enjoyed what i created and love the results i can get. I just need to get it steady and build a process.

    Tips from my experience:
    Try to eliminate distractions,(time sucking websites, phones, im/skype, errands etc)
    You need to find processes that keep you working when motivation is low,
    And try to stay healthy and get exercise or even to get out now and then.

    Hope it goes well matey.
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    coalminer - Hey nicky, absolutely friend I used to work at Verdi's so I'm sure I could swing us a cheeky espresso It's a risk that's paid off, though I still wouldn't recommend it to anyone who doesn't have a fool proof plan you know? No hard feelings about the accent by the way Glad to hear you're keeping along with the job though, it's a luxury I didn't have! Let me get the thing rolling hands free and we're on!

    ronalds -
    Good luck absolutely, and well said. You gotta have the wings, that's a much more poetic way of saying what I said just then... which is worrying considering I'm a writer :p

    emmndi -
    Thanks emmndi, it's interesting how the buffers change for different folks. Some like to have double the income, others just equalling the income, and other more foolish types don't need an income at all!

    ryan kole -
    I really, really hope he made a ton of money If you can remember his name or where to find the story I'd love to read it some time. Ballsy though At least I have a house... of course he didn't have to pay rent :p

    davidfstyles -
    David... that was an incredible post and I really really know where you're coming from. Who was your oh-so-wise mentor if you don't mind sharing? Every one of those points is the way I'm working now as well... so yes I would say that's excellent advice, nice one

    alan chin the sniper -
    Hey Alan, thanks for writing. I hope my reply isn't too late! It's hard for me to give solid advice to anyone in regards to this kind of decision. My honest advice would be to get yourself a job as well but MAKE SURE you have ENOUGH TIME to work on IM as well. I don't want you to be so exhausted or drained of energy from your job that you can't bring yourself to work on what you love. But if there is a family to support, I would say that that should be your main responsibility, and if you can manage both, then you are a better man than me. I with you all the very best of luck with this and hope you find fortune and happiness. One other thing though, if affiliate marketing is the way you choose, then it will take much longer (probably) to make good money. So get a job that is good for you and keep learning everything you can about affiliate marketing. There are great people here who can give you plenty of advice to get started. Even try to find a mentor. Once again, good luck! You could get money in faster as I do and as kstark suggested by hiring yourself out as a freelancer, providing a service.

    kstark -
    Superb advice I'd always suggest starting as a freelancer if you just launch yourself into full time IM. Make sure the service is top notch but don't burn yourself out either. It's amazing how much more support (if not yet full support) I got from people once I'd made my first $200. Hell, my first $20 probably did it.

    anonymous affiliate -
    I love that. Not just because it backs my corner, but it's just really well written. Truly inspirational and I have a lot of admiration for that. Congratulations, and thanks!

    chui -
    Hey chui, there are some who would disagree but I for one do not. I do subscribe to 'fortune favours the bold'. But weighing up the pros and cons is definitely a smart move. I did it myself believe it or not and the cons of 'no guaranteed money and possible disaster' were outweighed by 'I won't be so damn miserable'! Good luck, I know you'll do the right thing for you.

    gie grace -
    I for one, wish you all the luck in the world! Congratulations on realising that sticking to one method will get you there that much faster. I remember that Tim Ferriss of the 4-Hour Work Week suggested using an application called Rescue Time (Time Management, Productivity, & Project Tracking Software (Mac/PC) | RescueTime) to keep your 'unproductive' activity to a minimum. Might be worth a look

    lingo -
    Fella that was another dose of great advice. Especially the part about getting out an exercising. I question my decision sometimes, of course... and the worry of falling flat on my face is there from time to time as well. But then I just think about the alternative of being in a crappy job and I'm back to work with a smile! Very well done!
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    • Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

      coalminer - Hey nicky, absolutely friend I used to work at Verdi's so I'm sure I could swing us a cheeky espresso It's a risk that's paid off, though I still wouldn't recommend it to anyone who doesn't have a fool proof plan you know? No hard feelings about the accent by the way Glad to hear you're keeping along with the job though, it's a luxury I didn't have! Let me get the thing rolling hands free and we're on!

      ronalds -
      Good luck absolutely, and well said. You gotta have the wings, that's a much more poetic way of saying what I said just then... which is worrying considering I'm a writer :p

      emmndi -
      Thanks emmndi, it's interesting how the buffers change for different folks. Some like to have double the income, others just equalling the income, and other more foolish types don't need an income at all!

      ryan kole -
      I really, really hope he made a ton of money If you can remember his name or where to find the story I'd love to read it some time. Ballsy though At least I have a house... of course he didn't have to pay rent :p

      davidfstyles -
      David... that was an incredible post and I really really know where you're coming from. Who was your oh-so-wise mentor if you don't mind sharing? Every one of those points is the way I'm working now as well... so yes I would say that's excellent advice, nice one

      alan chin the sniper -
      Hey Alan, thanks for writing. I hope my reply isn't too late! It's hard for me to give solid advice to anyone in regards to this kind of decision. My honest advice would be to get yourself a job as well but MAKE SURE you have ENOUGH TIME to work on IM as well. I don't want you to be so exhausted or drained of energy from your job that you can't bring yourself to work on what you love. But if there is a family to support, I would say that that should be your main responsibility, and if you can manage both, then you are a better man than me. I with you all the very best of luck with this and hope you find fortune and happiness. One other thing though, if affiliate marketing is the way you choose, then it will take much longer (probably) to make good money. So get a job that is good for you and keep learning everything you can about affiliate marketing. There are great people here who can give you plenty of advice to get started. Even try to find a mentor. Once again, good luck! You could get money in faster as I do and as kstark suggested by hiring yourself out as a freelancer, providing a service.

      kstark -
      Superb advice I'd always suggest starting as a freelancer if you just launch yourself into full time IM. Make sure the service is top notch but don't burn yourself out either. It's amazing how much more support (if not yet full support) I got from people once I'd made my first $200. Hell, my first $20 probably did it.

      anonymous affiliate -
      I love that. Not just because it backs my corner, but it's just really well written. Truly inspirational and I have a lot of admiration for that. Congratulations, and thanks!

      chui -
      Hey chui, there are some who would disagree but I for one do not. I do subscribe to 'fortune favours the bold'. But weighing up the pros and cons is definitely a smart move. I did it myself believe it or not and the cons of 'no guaranteed money and possible disaster' were outweighed by 'I won't be so damn miserable'! Good luck, I know you'll do the right thing for you.

      gie grace -
      I for one, wish you all the luck in the world! Congratulations on realising that sticking to one method will get you there that much faster. I remember that Tim Ferriss of the 4-Hour Work Week suggested using an application called Rescue Time (Time Management, Productivity, & Project Tracking Software (Mac/PC) | RescueTime) to keep your 'unproductive' activity to a minimum. Might be worth a look

      lingo -
      Fella that was another dose of great advice. Especially the part about getting out an exercising. I question my decision sometimes, of course... and the worry of falling flat on my face is there from time to time as well. But then I just think about the alternative of being in a crappy job and I'm back to work with a smile! Very well done!




      I'm fully understood your advice that you gave me, ya, and yet, I also roaming around on many kind of IM world , or even eBay makes me get interesting on it. Recently, I always thinking either go for affiliate or eBay, and which is the best I can do and then make it as a test for me in the route of entrepreneur.

      Perhaps, when there is monthly money support , there is online money coming too. I'm truly honoured from this conversation. Thanks !
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  • Profile picture of the author dslfarms
    you need an outsourcer or 2 or 3.
    thats what i did and now my hair is growing back! (no more hair pulling)
    never get caught with too many irons in the fire.
    i use iwowwe,com/dsl to make free video emails.
    works great for showing and communicating with out sourcers.
    thanks for all the good reading.
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  • Profile picture of the author paintbrush4u
    Tony... a pretty bold move....

    But desperate times call for desparate actions....

    I wish you all the very best...
    If I can help please dont hesistate.

    Thx
    -PB
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  • Profile picture of the author Jamie Drew
    Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

    Also... don't take my advice.

    If only there were a disclaimer for posts as well..... no matter

    I don't want to be held responsible for other people's bankruptcy, just my own :p

    So getting to it... Yes, I just made myself unemployed. I did so knowing full well the situation I was getting myself in to.

    I face bankruptcy, but fortunately I have no assets, no children, no wife... I rent and I have a good relationship with my parents so worst comes to worst, I live with Mum again :p

    I know my character... I know myself very well. I can't be given an alternative, otherwise I'll tend towards procrastination.

    I know that the only way I will be happy is with the Internet Lifestyle. I also know that the only way I'll achieve this is by working full time on it.

    The reason I can't do an hour here and an hour there is because I procrastinate. I'm also an extremist so I like to focus all my energy on one thing. And when most of my energy is taken up asking 'Have you had any credit cards taken out before 2007?' all day to strangers on the phone then I know I need to change something.

    We all know that success in IM comes primarily from action. The speed and magnitude of success comes from knowledge and effort. Now I know a fair amount about IM to be honest with you... from a theoretical standpoint. I could pass any test / quiz on IM, however practical application is only now on the cards.

    So I now have a deadline... bankruptcy. I know it's a big risk but I also know that it's the only way I'll do what I have to do.

    I think everybody would be the same... you cannot procrastinate if your life depends on it. Eliminate procrastination by giving yourself no other choice.

    Not an ideal situation and certainly a dangerous one... but I know success is only a few weeks away.

    All I need to do is make enough to cover rent and credit card repayments, and the rest can go on the plastic. I have around 5 months to begin turning a profit, functioning this way.

    The end is in sight and I'm excited

    Once again... don't follow my advice

    Wish me luck if you like... but don't follow my advice
    Mate, I just want to wish you all the best of luck! I admire your spirit and your thought process. You assessed your own situation and realized the only person you need to support is yourself and took the leap of faith!

    Never mind the nay sayers, but don't mistake sound advice for nay saying. I believe in "ask and you shall receive", therefore I have belief that as long as your plan is solid you can make it no doubt. It may not be easy, but if you're persistent and positive about it then there can only really be one outcome I believe.

    It's kind of the situation I find myself in right now. Although I didn't quit, I was made redundant. I'm 23 and still live with my parents and don't have any dependents, so in a odd way I'm kinda lucky. I just felt like your story is quite a bit like mine and wanted to give you all the encouragement in the world.

    By the way, I'd bookmark this thread or subscribe to. That way when the going gets tough, you can always come back here for a little bit of support and inspiration.

    Good luck and all the best my fellow Brit!

    Jamie D

    P.S. "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
    Winston Churchill
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  • Profile picture of the author omk
    well, if anything, I know you'll be motivated!
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  • Profile picture of the author wannabetechie
    Hi Toniy,
    Its great that you are in IM fulltime. Bold move!
    My problem is that I would like to convert my fulltime job into a part-time job, but that is not possible. I guess eventually I will have to decide which choice is more worthwhile.
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  • Profile picture of the author moredeals2011
    There is alot of good advice here. For the fun of it, I will add mine.
    Get Safe eyes or some other site to keep you from surfing ie. procrastinating, etc.
    Get an accountability partner to hold you to your plan.
    Find that partner at some local IM meetup meeting then agree to report to your partner daily on the progress to your plan. Make a pact that if you don't meet your daily goals you will send out a resume that day for a "real J-O-B"
    I love the independence that IM gives me but there are consequences if I don't focus on my plan and keep making progress.
    Good Luck Nato1
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Then the leader insisted that they burn the ships. Now they had no choice but to win or to die.

      Guess what? They won.
      It's the perfect time for you to TAKE a risk if you want to.

      You are only responsible for yourself right now - and you aren't relying on parents or others to support you. You also have a disaster plan as you can move back home if it comes to that.

      As you mention procrastination several times (a problem I have as well) keep in mind that once the initial excitement has settled down you will tend to keep the same traits you had in the past unless you work to change them.

      A job takes up your time but also keeps you on a schedule. Get used to working on your own (flexible) schedule so you don't go back to procrastinating after a few weeks of working on your own.

      kay
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      what it is instead of what you think it should be.
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    • Profile picture of the author trini
      Good is The enemy of great and

      The safe comfort of a salary when you can wing it, call in sick or get paid to surf endlessly on the WF :p

      - can be the enemy of getting focused and moving from great ideas to money in your wallet from your IM efforts.

      Ultimately, while your choices may be scoffed at by those near and dear to you, YOU must be brutally honest with what you do with your time and your ROI on your im efforts and activities from here on in.

      I too have wrestled with the wily procrastination beast myself and took my share of time sucking defeats.

      On those days that my goals have survived, I find that it is little corny systems, structure and short term conseqences and rewards that shaped the moment by moment and eventually weeks and months of
      continued frustration or breakthroughs from one success to another.

      On a practical note, now is the ideal time in your life to make these bold moves- when the family comes along, leaving that golden chain of a salary will be much, much tougher, if not impossible.

      Be Blessed. On On.
      Stay Sunny

      Michelle B Williams
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  • Profile picture of the author NickFarina
    Just over a month ago, I was at a crossroads. I was in a fairly well paid job which gave me a comfortable life but situations changed at work and I felt at the time that I was treated very badly and began desperately wanting out. Luckily there was an offer for severance pay on the table which would keep me sweet for a few months but not a massive amount.

    After chatting it over with my wife, I decided I would take the severance pay, leave my job and launch a career in internet marketing. I officially left my job just over 2 weeks ago and initially found it hard to get motivated with procrastination and distractions getting the better of me.

    I have, however, this week actually come up with a structured approach, with daily goal and task setting which has definitely made me feel better and less overwhelmed about tackling everything.

    I have a clear idea of what I want to achieve and how I will go about achieving it. Without a full time job as a distraction, I do not have any excuse not to make a success of this. Failure is not an option and to be honest is not a thought I have entertained at any point.

    Although I agree in principle that success can come about quicker by people who do not have the distraction of a full time job, it is not that easy for a lot of people. I was just lucky that I got the money to give me a few months to make a real go of it.
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    • Profile picture of the author thriftgirl62
      Originally Posted by Wealthyclark View Post

      Everyone that's against this is correct but the one's that are for it are also correct. ..... I'm a firm believer of the saying anything is possible, especially when your willing bet everything on your achievement.
      The only thing impossible is unreasonable. You just have to recognize it instead of wasting time "because rich people never give up" which is B.S. Rich people NEVER QUIT giving up on crap that doesn't work. They find what does work for them or they wouldn't make any money, would they?
      Originally Posted by ramone_johnny View Post

      Youre doing EXACTLY what I did 4 years ago.

      The best advice I can give you is eliminate the negative people around you. This is absolutely VITAL. Anyone that says no, cant, dont, too hard, or job - cut them out of your life.

      Go for it dude. You can acheive whatever you want.
      TWO MORE KEY POINTS ABOVE! Back in the day I heard this so many times, I started to believe it: "The first thing you do when you decide to start your own business is get a divorce. Saves a lot of time and money to get it out of the way now instead of later." __Old Boys Club
      Originally Posted by Will Edwards View Post

      Good luck to you Toniy.

      Will
      Mr. Edwards! Still Love your website after all these years!!
      Originally Posted by sdentrepreneur View Post

      I left 18 years of owning gas/petrol stations in 2007 to become an Internet Marketer, earned $3K my first month and never looked back.
      Don't get me wrong...it has taken hard work. In 2007, I learned to become expert in Google Adwords and sold Internet Education online. When Google started slapping people, I had to learn new methods and become an expert in other fields like Social Media Marketing and Video Marketing.
      It also requires a different mindset that not many people can grasp. You have to believe in your heart and mind you can do this. I have a short paragraph that I read 100 times every morning that keeps me focused. Don't feel I should share it here but if PM me, I will send it to you. You can adjust it to your life/goals.
      This success story is from the mindset of an OWNER with enough drive to succeed because he knows who he is - a business owner, not an employee. You must THINK like an owner to succeed with your own business.
      Originally Posted by Joe.Mc View Post

      I tried this and it was the best decision I ever made career wise... but not for the obvious reasons.

      I left a job I absolutely hated to try and make it online but after 6 months and very little profit I realised I would have to go back to a "real job". Got some temporary work for 2 weeks through a friend and that quickly turned into a fulltime job with great pay and a really interesting working environment with room for career progression and possible even working abroad in the future.
      . . . . .Anyway, good luck!
      You didn't just not like your job...you "absolutely hated" it!! That's why you used starting an online business as an excuse to quit that detestable job you hated daily with a passion. Congratulations on finding exactly what you wanted - it's got a future, great pay, interesting work. You got everyone wants, proving your own business is not the only option for doing what you want.
      Originally Posted by Guru_Marketing View Post

      Great discussion!

      I start doing IM with having that part time job at the restaurant. However, I seemed to be distracted by the NEW way of thinking about business.

      I just had a job, and trying to build a business. Both worlds seem to conflict with one another, so I decided to move back to my parents house, where I do not need to worry about bills and rent, and work the hell out of it, to make this IM business work.

      Many people get stuck in having a job. I remember Robert Kiyosaki did a funny statement a while ago about jobs.

      J.O.B. = Just Over Broke

      You have a choice, if you want to do something better with your life, make a decision to start an online business.

      Cheers,
      Chris D.
      JOBS and running your own business do conflict with each other and anyone who doesn't learn the difference will eventually fail. You can't be an owner and an employee unless you hire someone to run the business for you while you do whatever you want.

      YOU OWN IT. You can do that now. You can do whatever, whenever you want but first make sure your business is being run properly by you or by someone you hire. No leader = no results = no money.

      SMART CEO's hire someone or even a team of board members smarter than he is and let them run the business while he takes a personal interest in the health and welfare of the most important assets any company has. PEOPLE.

      Put the owner (even a cranky owner) in the trenches with the workers and treat them like adults with rights and that company will prosper. That is the ONLY way you can be both an employee and an owner at the same time. SEMCO is one company who treats employees like grownups and so does BLUE HOST which is one of the biggest reasons they are so popular.

      One little problem with that idea: if you find someone smarter than you to run your business, chances are they won't want the job! You will have a tough time with that part but it sure sounds good, doesn't it!!!!

      btw - I like the way you acknowledge everyone's comment. I can't tell you how much difference that gesture makes to your profit margin due to the results even a small ripple effect makes over time. Ask Marlon Sanders, Michael & Sylvie Fortin and lots of others who "know".

      Knowing WHY you WANT to do something is more important than WHAT or HOW. People respond to WHY you do something not WHAT you do. And if your reason is "make money" so you can have a better life, forget about it. Nobody cares about you making any money or everyone would flock to affiliate links all day long!

      That's why GURU's make sure we get the right idea about their products - they sell products for one reason - to help US make money because that's what we care about. We buy what we care about and we want to know why we should buy what we want from YOU and not the guy down the street. Shortcut: audience optimization!

      You'll love this video: http://wealthlpp.com/realsecret
      ..
      Signature

      I retired in 2005 at 43 and now I give away websites like these for FREE [hosting excluded]

      When you make at least $100+ per month, we split the profit 80/20 and YOU get the 80% Until then, you keep 100% and I'll help you drive traffic, get backlinks and put the domain in your name too!
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    • Profile picture of the author paulie888
      Originally Posted by NickFarina View Post

      Just over a month ago, I was at a crossroads. I was in a fairly well paid job which gave me a comfortable life but situations changed at work and I felt at the time that I was treated very badly and began desperately wanting out. Luckily there was an offer for severance pay on the table which would keep me sweet for a few months but not a massive amount.

      After chatting it over with my wife, I decided I would take the severance pay, leave my job and launch a career in internet marketing. I officially left my job just over 2 weeks ago and initially found it hard to get motivated with procrastination and distractions getting the better of me.

      I have, however, this week actually come up with a structured approach, with daily goal and task setting which has definitely made me feel better and less overwhelmed about tackling everything.

      I have a clear idea of what I want to achieve and how I will go about achieving it. Without a full time job as a distraction, I do not have any excuse not to make a success of this. Failure is not an option and to be honest is not a thought I have entertained at any point.

      Although I agree in principle that success can come about quicker by people who do not have the distraction of a full time job, it is not that easy for a lot of people. I was just lucky that I got the money to give me a few months to make a real go of it.
      When you've been working at just about any job for a while, it can be difficult to transition from an employee to employer type of mindset, and when you're quitting your job cold turkey without any experience or income buffer, it's going to be far from easy to become successful at IM (but not impossible).

      I can see that you have thought your situation through quite carefully, and you should do well as long as you don't get distracted. Since IM is essentially going to be your career now, focus on getting into a regular schedule where you do predefined and productive IM tasks every day that will get you closer to your income goals. As long as you treat this seriously, you should start seeing results fairly quickly.
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  • Profile picture of the author Xavier Tan
    I believe we shouldn't give up on the things we are doing now (college, job) until we have earned enough money online to be confident that we can rely on IM alone. To give up on our job without having earned a stable and comfortable income online is suicidal.
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  • Profile picture of the author ricoramiro
    I'm with you brother. Think positive. Always. Things may not happen right away but they will happen.
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  • Yep I have just done the same thing! I have been working a mixture of nights and days at a tv company. I used to be allowed to work on my business whilst working there. The day they told me I couldn't do that was the day I typed up my TWO MONTHS notice and then a further week of contemplation before I handed it in!

    I am not making enough money to survive just from IM but everything is just coming together now and I am starting to see some income. However I still have my old contacts from before this job where I was working freelance for various different companies.

    I know I just need to be able to but in the hours to get everything running smoothly! I have a great group of people around me that are constantly pushing me to achieve more and guiding me in the right direction so that really does help!

    My only thing is I haven't told my parents what I have done yet.... They will be shocked but I know in myself that I will be making enough money by the time I finish my last day at my current job (end of June 2011)

    I really can't wait until I am full time IM and my mentors/mastermind groups are equally excited as they somehow seem to think I have more dedication than they had at my stage in this business!

    I know this is a MASSIVE risk but the night shifts are draining me and some of the people I worked with were a constant negative influence on me. I just had to get out of there and the final straw was being told that I couldn't work on my business any more!

    Here's to all of us succeeding and getting to where we want to be!

    Good luck to us all (although I don't really believe in conventional luck)

    Lets nail this!
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  • Profile picture of the author bmcgoff
    Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

    Also... don't take my advice.

    So getting to it... Yes, I just made myself unemployed. I did so knowing full well the situation I was getting myself in to.

    Wish me luck if you like... but don't follow my advice
    Hey man,

    Good for you! I know that a lot of people say this is reckless, but it really isn't when you have no kids or mortgage. I did the same thing to run my music business last year...I kept it up for about 8 months and then took an offer that was too good to pass up. BUT, I learned so much during that 8 months and had a blast.

    I plan on "quitting" the rat race again, this time to focus on IM because, unfortunately, there's no money in music right now. Since I've already taken the leap once, I'm waiting until I have 1k/month passive before leaving my full-time job.

    That said, don't let the haters bring you down...go for it! The way you describe yourself reminds me a lot of myself. I think it's great that you recognize your shortcomings and realize the power of a forcing function (such as the need for food and shelter ).

    Good luck, dude! Keep us updated!


    -Brock
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    Sudeep - That's actually a really sweet thing for you to say Sudeep, thanks! (I hope so too!) The same goes for you, best of luck!

    dslfarms - I've actually been thinking about outsourcing for a little while. It seems unopposed that in order the grow your business then you need to outsource. You simply can't do everything you need to, there literally isn't enough time in the day. Can you imagine Richard Branson or Donald Trump picking up the phones in reception and holding client meetings, while searching for prospects continuously without burning out? Hell I'm not sure that even needed an example, it's pretty self evident. At the point I am at, I'm operating as a sole trader, with the work load and organization of a sole trader. When I'm ready to build it up... well yeah I think I'll have to start outsourcing. I think that's a skill in itself though. Thanks for the great post and I'm glad you've enjoyed yourself so far!

    bjgran - I think we most probably followed similar paths! As long as you've got the skill and the hustle, I think you'll be alright. We're living testament to that it seems... although I don't know your situation inside out and I'm still in my early days! Also my housemate buys the dog biscuits... Congrats though and thanks!

    paintbrush4u - Wow, PB... that was just a really magnaminous statement there. No questions, no conditions... just there to help. I really appreciate it. Hopefully I won't need to, but I will MOST certainly keep that in mind. In fact... you even just inspired an idea in me. Thanks (and they were desperate times!).

    JameD87 - Jamie... incredibly well said, thanks! I think we are both in very fortunate positions in only having ourselves to look after when it comes down to it. And I totally agree... with a good plan, positivity and determination, success is just about guaranteed. The only risk of it NOT going well with a good plan is simply a horrendous 'Act of God'. The trick is, getting a good plan. And some of the folks who have opposed my choice here really have given some decent advice. The point they hammered into me about procrastination for example, pushed me to get that issue sorted. And my entire LIFE is better for that! I hope you use your 'severence package' for the best there mate, nice one!

    OMK - Oh yes... most certainly motivated at the least I've actually surprised myself at how resourceful I can be!

    Alan Chin The Sniper - I'm really glad you've found some use in our advice Alan, and I'm honoured that you came here and asked. Just remember that the one thing that will get you some success sooner in your case, is picking ONE method and seeing it through until the end. Personally, I think Affiliate Marketing has much more to it than eBay dropshipping so that's where I'd suggest you at least start, while learning more about Affiliate Marketing and then do both! That's just my advice if you haven't made a decision yet. But ultimately, it really is your choice! You can do anything.

    wannabetechie - Yeah it really is a tightrope walk on a razor's edge. That metaphor is either brilliant or crappy, I can't tell :p You'll know if you need to quit and go fulltime by the feeling of dread when you realise you have to go back to work and the feeling of elation knowing that instead, you could work on your IM plan. Without a plan, you can't quit your job. Without that dread / elation combo... you SHOULDN'T quit your job. If you get to the point where you have a step by step plan as I do to earn enough to meet your basic needs, and really really really hate your job... then maybe it's time to 'consider' leaving. That's as far as I'll push it

    moredeals2011 - Hey Nato1... that's actually... really good advice! I like that a lot. I've tried the concept of 'accountability partners' in the past with other things, but made the mistake of using people who loved me but also and didn't see why I should be doing what I was doing (so they didn't really make me face any 'consequence'). But it might be worth looking into again from a more distant partner. Send them the resume so THEY submit it instead of me saying 'oh ok... I'll totally do that now'. Hopefully I personally won't get so behind that I need to bring in more extreme measures but sir... that was great advice, and I hope you had fun giving it!

    Kay King - You're very right there Kay... my procrasination did seep back in after a a couple of weeks went by. Fortunately, as I've mentioned a couple of times (and using the basic info I put up on Page 3) I've got it handled. I keep making progress and I keep getting better and better at what I do! Very good points though, thank you.

    Trini - Michelle, if I may say, you seem like a real cool lady... One of the things (wait... Caribbean... it's 'tings' ) I remember about my job was the overwhelming GUILT they'd put on your for calling in sick or asking for time off. I'm LEGALLY entitled to it, but they still give you a hard time and in some cases even say 'no, someone else already has that day off... you can't'. WHAT? I came off my motorbike one day in the snow and the ice and they wanted me to get a bus. That's when I realised I'd be leaving. But you're right... being your own boss really does mean you have to be the firm hand sometimes as well. Fortunately once you get into it you know when you can do with a slap on the wrist or a pat on the back. Hey if you're still over there in a couple of years (or sooner, hopefully) then your paths might cross! I'm dreaming the big dream and heard good things about Anguilla...

    NickFarina - Totally agree. Working for yourself is NOT easy. It's harder than having a full time, or even a part time job. The rewards are bigger, but you've now got to take on the roles of sales, marketing, ops, finance and HR as well! It can seem overwhelming but at the end of the day... it's not. Just stop, breathe... and go back to your plan. If you've got a structure, a plan, a schedule... any kind of list with the steps you need to take in order to make enough money that you can check off. Then just finish the first step and go have a cup of tea before moving on to step two. See you at the finish line... And good luck, you seem to have it all in order!

    thriftgirl62 - That was... actually quite a difficult post to reply to! I'm not sure what to say thrift but that was quite something. Value packed, may be the term I'm looking for. Or maybe just 'cool'. I think a lot of that info might go over people's heads until they're in the position for it to apply DIRECTLY to them and where they are in their lives while they're reading it. It's one of those cool pieces that might mean a little to you now and a LOT a few months, or even weeks from now. So thank you for putting that in this thread. A couple of those points spoke to me, especially at the end there. One of the best pieces of good business advice I think a person could receive. And yes... that video was loved.

    Xavier Tan - Totally agree with you in theory. And if the job itself is bearable, then certainly. The only points I'd raise in opposition to that (since I obviously DIDN'T go with that theory :p) are a) If you have a good plan, it isn't suicide (however a good plan is hard to find... and b) If you had someone at your job every single day slapping you across the face and giving you a new and unique insult, then eventually that could lead to suicide as well. I'd like to point out that 'b)' was not the situation I was in obviously but just serves as an example. Misery is a dangerous. On the whole though... Yeah, Xavier I agree with you.

    ricoramiro - YES! Thanks buddy, I love these pick me ups. Always so timely too Interesting point though.... doesn't happen right away... but it happens. Nice!

    Paulie888 - I feel as though I should have read this before making my reply... you said that much better than I did. Fair play, sir! (If it helps Nick, this was totally what I meant :p)

    simondoddmarketing - You know I was reading that and thought 'I'm gonna say 'you're gonna nail it Simon''... seems you're on the same level as I am so TOTALLY yes, let's nail it! Limiting personal freedom is probably the main thing that got me most about having a job. Just not something I can accept. Go for it buddy! To our success!

    bmcgoff - Brock... thanks I'm sure I've said it once but it really feels good to talk to like minded people... especially ones that say 'you remind me of myself when I was younger' in the good way! Shows that they succeeded and I'm made of the right stuff, essentially! Funnily enough, the trainer at my last job used to work in music... successful apparently too... of course now he's a trainer for a shady sales firm in Swansea. So yeah, I guess there's no money in music right now!

    And as a quick update (thanks for the encouragement Brock) I've decided to, rather than 'grow' my business in scale or diversify my activities... I'm 'enhancing' by business instead for the time being. I'm looking into how I can ply my skill as a freelancer to other mediums and adapt my talents (with a little good coaching) to higher paying arenas. I'm also planning on a series of free WSOs just to establish more or a name for myself outside of this humble little thread. So.... exciting stuff

    Thanks again guys, speak soon!

    (probably sooner than last time... it's getting harder and harder to only use 10 smilies... wink)
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  • Profile picture of the author bbeathea40
    Good luck to you sounds very risky too me! Boy I wish Icould have the guts to do something like that. IM is a very tough business my friend. What type of Im are you going to do? What will you do for money? Sometimes we need to take a break from the everyday ratrace. You will be ok!!
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  • Profile picture of the author tdj
    I think it will work for you. You have nobody to support but yourself. The worst that can happen is you might have to go find a mundane boring job. What have you got to lose? You have way more to gain. Keep on til you get there!
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  • Profile picture of the author clslaw
    I'm envious! I am married. I have a kid. They like living indoors and moving in with my folks - or wife's folks - ain't no option.

    So, you've "burned the ships" and you're pursuing your ambition. Good for you. If you fail, you do so without the regret of not having tried. If you succeed my hope for you is that you find fulfilled contentment.

    Congratulations on taking the plunge!
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  • Profile picture of the author Gregg
    I have done the same thing as of Feb. Left a job making six figures to go full time with IM. Now, to be honest, I was making a pretty good living part time so I have a bit of a head start.

    I would not recommend starting from scratch and quitting a job, but working it part time to build it up and then make the break can pay big dividends.
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  • Profile picture of the author joeysbusiness
    wow ....talk about forcing your hand. Now that you made that decision dont look back. I wish you well.
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  • Profile picture of the author tonnele
    I hope this inspires you!There is a difference between earning money and making money. When someone earns money what immediately comes to mind is a person toiling at a unfulfilling 9 to 5 job for a fixed hourly wage or salary.

    At this J.O.B. (just over broke) you are simply swapping hours for dollars, living check to check and heading nowhere fast because the salary or hourly wage is usually capped per position. So it doesn’t matter if you advance, there are only so many levels to advance to and your usually grey and old by the time you reach the top of the pyramid and that’sif you didn’t hit a career bump and get capsized or
    downsized in the process.

    At a 9 to 5 job, your like a hamster running in that little spin wheel placed in its cage, running fast but going nowhere and not realizing the reason why your not going anywhere is because well, your in a cage. A self imposed cage imprisoned by the bars of limitation.

    The only way to get out of this prison is to elevate your thinking coupled with specific actions that will lead you to making money.

    Making Money -Making money is an extraordinary concept.It involves having money working for you rather than you having to work for it.

    So Go Make Some Money!
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    bbeathea40 - The two things I love most about that post are the fact you said 'You'll be ok' and that you edited for grammar I'm starting off Freelancing (I'm gonna plug the hell out of it in a minute ), I write content for websites and other IMers who aren't too hot on how to write SEO or pure content pieces and for those who just have better things to do with their time. I've always had a talent and passion for writing so it seemed like the natural progression. It's gone well so far and I've just opened up the books again (thus the plug, thus the new understated signature :p). I also look around various offline magazines and papers and submit work to them for a much higher fee. I'm also dabbling in content locking sites for a passive income and I'm going to put together a couple of WSOs in the coming weeks. I'm also working with one of the best copy writers in the business at the moment, he's teaching me a thing or two as well. He's a good man. Thanks for asking though man. (You took 3 of my 10 smileys there by the way... tongue).

    tdj - YES! Absolutely A well deserved massive smile there. You're right though... I'm facing a rocky road, but with some creative financing, good advice and a fortunate skill that people are willing to pay money for... I'm going to make a damn good go of it. Never quit for good!

    clslaw - That was a beautiful post, clslaw, thank you. A quiet, subtle but exceedingly sincere smile for you I think To be honest I envy you back, wife and a kid is wonderful. Overall at least! They were very kind words though, thanks again it means a lot.

    Gregg - Man I absolutely agree. I've said it a few times now but I really felt like I had no option but to leave. Fortunately every time I ask myself the question 'why did you quit and not just do it part time?' I get a firmer answer each time as well. Either that or I grow more delusional day by day! The misery and drain of energy were too much for me to handle anymore. I just needed to light a fire...

    joeysbusiness - Hey Thanks Joey... And I'm host to your first post, I'm honoured! There's no looking back believe me... except for every now and again I think 'thank god I'm not there anymore...'

    RogerAderholt - You know what's nuts Roger? I started reading your post and I thought 'Man I like this guy... Thailand? I gotta get my ass over there one day'. You're on! And you're totally with it man too... Freedom and Life Is Too Short... I don't know why I haven't been saying that more... thanks

    tonnele - I hope you'll be pleased to hear that yes... that did inspire me. That was wonderfully said, thank you. You draw up some important points there. I remember working in what was probably the most prestigious job I had at Hewlett-Packard here in the UK a couple of years back... I started working as hard as I possibly could earning the basic salary. Then, as I slowly realised that even as I was working harder, my pay remained the same. I also realised I was being told off for doing the things that made me happy. That was the final realisation... I'm not happy being an employee. Can't do it. So I did it for a few more years :p And now I'm out!

    im1217 - Glad you asked Let me clarify a little more on what I wrote above.

    Basically I've spent my time writing articles for folks here at the WF and elsewhere too. I've worked with some awesome people so far and learned some incredible things as well. I've literally just opened up my books again to take on a handful of new clients, which I'm hoping to get exclusively here (I prefer Warriors to the other folk...).

    If I don't fill my books then I'll work on some of the WSOs I have planned. They'll be free and just my way of giving a little something simple back, using my talents as a 'communicator' Also, obviously it builds my reputation more than if I charged for them as well, which will work very well for future releases.

    I've been learning elite copy writing from an incredible coach as well, so once my name is being called in the streets of the Warrior Forum, I'll be offering my services as a copy writer... probably exclusively because it's so much fun!

    And the money can be incredible if you're good enough, which I'm (modestly) shaping up to be.

    The plan is to work only a couple of weeks a month with a hands on approach, producing content, ad copy and a couple of WSOs and spend the rest of the month chilling or working on my passive income methods...

    And as always... I heard good things about Anguilla

    So all in all things are going really well and it seems as though I made a great choice. And I was about a second away from spilling some secrets there!! Next time maybe... I've ran out of smiley faces... TONGUE WINK!
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  • Profile picture of the author sisoma123
    Hey buddy.

    Great post! I admire your determination and i wish you success on your IM.
    I too am new to IM, i am technical so that a advantage for me. But you hit it on the head when you said to stay focus. There is so much information out there that it is hard to absorb, everyone telling you that there is better then other. At the end of the day it's about Finding One Course Until Success - FOCUS!

    Cheers to your success buddy.

    Hopefully the next time we will be elite IM's

    Peter
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Harper
    I'm not going to tell you NOT to do it because everyone is different.

    However, I would suggest that you AT LEAST prove to yourself that you can turn a buck or two in IM before making the leap.

    As far as procrastination ... listen, I have a full time job and am the primary caregiver for my 4yr old. Even with that, I still manage to do copywriting and IM. It's doable. You just have to be focused and machine-like.
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    • Profile picture of the author Richest
      I'd love to quit my job. Since it's very exhausting and consume a lot of my energy. But before I can find some freelance jobs on internet, or at least offer something in fiverr, I would not quit. Too afraid to do that, since I got stacks of bills to pay :p
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  • Profile picture of the author athanne
    Please learn to do one thing at a time until it is at a position where it leave some time for something new
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  • Profile picture of the author eguynth
    im still struggling to take time and do my personal work. I can only spend few hours at home doing it. Good luck with your work!
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  • Profile picture of the author Neoglitch
    Toniy, in something I agree with you: It is a lot better to work on this IM business full-a$$ed than just half-a$$ed here and there... but most people don't have that option.

    So you are living with your mom now? I'm in the same situation too. I'm 22, being maintained by my mother, and wanting to make this whole dream possible. You know, that's an advantage that I think very few people have: Having someone that maintains you while you work on your IM business.

    But well, most people that I've read about have full families... so they MUST bring cash home NOW. I guess having a "classic" J.O.B, or even an online J.O.B (oDesk, anyone??) and working on the IM business during "free time" is the most common option, and the best for people that need to support their families.

    And yeah... procrastination is a very tricky beast. Even when you are working on what you desire, and in order to forge your own freedom... fear, lack of energy or just the desire to engage in Internet entertainment and instant gratification many times throws you off the track. I'm currently struggling with that... and the "comfyness" of being maintained doesn't help either.

    Finally Toniy... I will not wish you luck. Luck is for mediocre people.

    I wish you success.
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  • Profile picture of the author mavmav
    That's a bold decision you have taken Tony. I hope you have taken all aspects into consideration and as someone rightly pointed out its a risky path you have chosen. I wish you all the luck and success.
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  • Profile picture of the author ashleysmith12
    Yes I agree with this..
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  • Profile picture of the author dagaul101
    Nice life advice "You can't procastinate if your life depends on it" hope it all pans out well for you
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  • Profile picture of the author butcher57
    LOL it could be a great incentive to make more efforts as IM...
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  • Profile picture of the author windso0
    wish you have a good luck~~haha
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  • Profile picture of the author Richy Burns
    Hey man,

    Nice going! If thats what it takes for you to succeed then you made the perfect choice one thing iv learnt, and its still hard, but you can learn anything you want and listen to sound advice all the time but the decision that makes it all count must come from you. Your heart is the main ingredient with everything else simply being a helping hand or catalyst.

    cheers and the BEST of luck

    Rich
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  • Profile picture of the author BryanC
    This idea that you will stop procrastinating once you are unemployed is a production of your procrastination. You are procrastinating from taking action on your IM career while employed by telling yourself, "Once I'm employed I can really get this thing to take off so I can hold off for now on fully applying myself".

    It's what procrastinators classically do. There's always an A that can be waited on before B really needs to be done. It's a mechanism that is used to allow themselves to procrastinate while not feeling guilty about it. It's the same thing alcoholics and drug addicts do. They can always just wait for so-and-so before it's time to get help.

    Anyways, I realized that is what I am doing. I've also been heavily pondering quitting the cube thinking it will sky rocket me into IM. Reading this thread has really made me reconsider and has given me the epiphany (lol) above.

    So what happens when you're done working and you wake up on the first morning of unemployment? What then becomes the milestone you can wait for before taking action?
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    sisoma123 - Hey there Pete! Man I still find myself looking at well written headlines and thinking 'hell... yeah I could totally do with $400 with no work, that's great!' but I fortunately realise what I'm doing and stay the path. It's not easy and there is a ton to learn, but if you ever find yourself in need of some fast cash, then you could hire yourself out using your technical skills with no problem. More people think they can write than do technical things so you're in a good position I'd say If you've got something keeping you tied over though, just keep absorbing everything you can, find what you like best and go with it. To our success indeed!

    amreen - I did not know that... nice one amreen, always nice to break from the main subject for a moment or two to reflect on something awesome (totally glad it was a real thing as well! Otherwise it's like the first time you realised Arnold used steroids...)

    ramone_johnny - There's literally nothing I can say to that but I always enjoy talking to you anyway buddy! Afternoon breakfast is correct, sir.

    Daniel Harper - That would have been the smart thing to do. I didn't make my first $20 until after I'd stopped going into work, fortunately my latest WFH offer seems to be setting me up for $400 in the first few hours. I'm starting to think my real problem with procrastination really was staying in a job in place of doing IM. It certainly looks that way on paper, but like you said everyone is different. Tremendous respect to you though, it's the way I'd like to be... no 4 year old yet though

    Richest - It would be wildly irresponsible of me to tell you to do otherwise, you're doing the right thing. The thing is though... I have a feeling freelancing on fiverr is going to set you up as being in the low end of the market. Writing for peanuts is surefire way to burn yourself out. Think about maybe pricing or developing the service to charge what the more expensive services do here in the WFH section. There's no difference between you and them. You just gotta strive to be and believe you are among the best. Which you are. But I wouldn't call it afraid, I'd call it sensible

    athanne - Correct. Seeing something through to the end is probably the best piece of advice past 'take action'.

    eguynth - Thanks! It is a struggle and I couldn't handle only working on my projects for 'a couple of hours a day'. I wanted to go full on, but for most people that isn't really what they want and certainly not what they need. Just keep putting in those few hours here and there and you WILL build something amazing. Congrats.

    Neoglitch - I like your style. I'm not living with my mum at the moment, I still pay rent on my house in Wales where I live with my best friend. However, I am currently writing from her place at the moment because with the freedom I have now working IM, I can visit whoever I like, whenever. I've seen my family more in the past two months than in the past two years possibly. It's good. I will say though, that even though I've said before that 'I can always move back in with my parents'... I can't, there's no room and I sleep on the comfy sofa. But having someone to support you is SUCH a huge help I can't even begin to describe it. It's not always an option but while it is, make the most of it. I mean make the very best of it to show your appreciation. One day you can turn to your Mum and say 'I couldn't have done it without you'. She'll love that You make some very insightful points on procrastination there as well. Finally, from me... yes, to our success. I can tell from your post that you'll find it. We're anything but mediocre

    mavmav - I took every single consideration into mind before making my decision. It felt impulsive at the time but I think that's just because of the nature of the decision. It's reckless and foolish But the fact is, I knew the risks, I had the plan and I wanted the rewards. It was the write decision for me and thank you sincerely for your good wishes.

    ashleysmith12 - I'm very glad

    dagaul101 - Yeah I suppose this really does extend to other areas of life... You'd be surprised at JUST how close some people need to come to rock bottom before they stop procrastinating temporarily though. I actually got things sorted quite early on. It seems reckless but I had quite a few safety nets in place. Others really subscribe to the philosophy 'nobody changes until it hurts enough'. A great saying but not something we need to live by.

    Butcher57 - Regardless of what I just wrote... yes, it really does serve to be quite the kick in the ass! Maybe it's just the fact you've made such a huge commitment to yourself though. There could be something to that.

    windso0 - Thanks man, I hope I have a good luck too, I've always wanted one!

    richard burns - I like that a lot. Heart is what counts. You're right though... it all has to come from the individual. You can have all the good advice in the world, but it's not the source of the advice that benefits from your actions, it's you. Likewise it isn't the source of the advice that puts the work in either... it's you. Some people (myself included) feel indebted to their mentors, as they should do. But everything you earn, you've earned yourself. That's one of the reasons I got into this... I don't want my success to be handed to me. I want to have created it.

    BryanC - That is so, so right! You've really described procrastination beautifully there and pointed out something quite spectacular and unnoticed by procrastinators over the world. Once they realise they procrastinate, they try to cure it. Great and rightfully so. However... they then procrastinate on the cure. Spectacular. That's what I meant earlier when I wrote 'temporarily stop procrastinating'. Until it's dealt with entirely... then it isn't dealt with at all. Man I love epiphanies. I'm glad this has made you see sense Bryan, sincerely. I think you'll nail it once you've got your procrastination squared away though. My quickest piece of advice would quite simply be the thing to answer your questions there at the end... 'when you get around to it' (ideally before quitting :p) draw up a schedule that you'd WANT to stick to... if you haven't already, read my post on procrastination on page 3 (I think) and download the attachement. Focus your time on things you want to do and fit in the 'work' around it. This morning I even got off my ass to do a piece of work AS I was about to schedule it in for a couple hours time. It's a beautiful thing, being procrastination free... we should make a word for it

    All the best friends,

    Adam
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    • Profile picture of the author oDigger
      Another option is to get a part time job that you hate. Bussing tables, painting and/or cleaning come to mind. This would give you a little financial insurance, free time and perhaps even more motivation to succeed than if you didn't have a job at all.
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  • Profile picture of the author ptlamen
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    • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
      Toniy,

      I wish you all the best success...from your posts in this thread, I can tell you are going to be very successful. You have the right attitude. Take care to surround yourself with positive people as someone else mentioned, and drop everyone who tries to bring you down.
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  • Profile picture of the author ahmadbasyir
    Thanks Toniy, we're in the same boat.. But now I need to find some alternative ideas how to convince my family about Internet Business. Yes, some people think offline job is more have secure income than online job.
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  • Profile picture of the author GenerousBoy
    I thought that was funny. Reminded me of my self when I was younger. When I could afford to be extreme. Everyone's starting point on the entrepreneur's journey is different. And I think everyone here would agree, unless you were born rich, it's an arduous route ahead, involving many sacrifices... and perhaps staying with your mum for a while
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  • Profile picture of the author richgrad
    Well I only succeeded after I quit my job, not before... but you have to assess your own situation... if you have a wife and kid and aging parents to take care of... maybe you should keep the job and work on your IM until it generates a consistent profit that can replace your job income
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  • Profile picture of the author mahedi
    Every man can touch the highest point of success if he/she want.Because i believe if you want to fly you can fly.So start hard working for success.
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  • Profile picture of the author blueorca17
    I'm totally the same way OP. It wasn't until I quit my job that I started taking IM seriously, because I had no other option. My only option was to succeed....and that's exactly what I did. When you feel comfortable and at ease it's hard to realize what you're capable of, because you don't push yourself. It's only when you're pushed to the limit (stressing out with no money) that you can realize you full potential. You realize that you're capable of way more than you ever thought. I've been EXACTLY where you are, and have achieved EXACTLY what you set out to achieve. It's possible...you can do it. Stay focused and don't lose sight of what you want- you'll get there.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeremy Banks
    Good luck bud! When I quit my job I was making $2000 a month from my job and about $1000 a month online

    8 months later and I am making almost $10 000 per month online! If you work hard and hustle your ass off you will succeed!
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  • Profile picture of the author Ant Marshall
    That's a hell of a gamble. Good luck brother.

    Ant.
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    If you haven't made money online yet then just send me a PM and let's see what we can do together.

    Did my post help? Click thanks! ->

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  • Profile picture of the author sme
    Toniy,

    When I started I was also completely bankrupt. I didn't have a job and like you I had good relationship with my parents. They were very supportive of me so I stayed with them for one year and invested all my profits back in IM. Now, I have moved out of my parents house and am making a decent full time income and living a great lifestyle.

    Like you, I knew I had to give it my 100% if I wanted to succeed. Which is the reason why I never bothered to find a job. I just came out of college and was DESPERATE to start making some money. It took a lot of time and hard work before I saw the fruits of my labor but it did pay off.

    I am sure you will do great Toniy. All the best.
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  • Profile picture of the author kfugere
    I remember setting the date for when I was going to quit and when I was going to start my new venture.

    The first day in your lonely office you often feel lost, asking yourself "Now what do I do?" But if you stay at it is certainly worth it.

    This begs another question. Can anyone do this if they have the courage or is it a "Quality" only a few posses?
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Franklin
    I applaud you for taking such a bold move...Security ultimately comes from within.

    Here's an article that definitely is worth your perusal....10 Reasons You Should Never Get A Job

    I always tell people to refer to this article when they are they own boss and it has been months since they took their leap of faith and now self-doubt starts to creeps in!
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    • Oh, the stories I could tell.

      I won't. Because you won't listen. You're in love with the romance of it all. You're like a young girl who falls in love with a bully and abuser -- everyone else can see him for what he is but oh no, not her. It's so romantic! He's everything her parents aren't.

      Some others of you are perpetuating dangerous and foolish notions. All it takes to succeed is hard work! Let me introduce you to my friend, the MIT researcher who wouldn't give up on his business, even after he had to let the last employee go. No wait, I can't. The second heart attack got him. Cut anyone out of your life who doesn't support you! That's so stupid I don't even know where to start. Because, after all, you don't need anyone else, right? Especially the short-sighted ones who don't have stars in their eyes but love you anyway. Cast them aside.

      Rotsa ruck, buddy. You are genuinely going to need it.

      fLufF
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      • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
        Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat View Post

        Oh, the stories I could tell.

        I won't. Because you won't listen. You're in love with the romance of it all. You're like a young girl who falls in love with a bully and abuser -- everyone else can see him for what he is but oh no, not her. It's so romantic! He's everything her parents aren't.

        Some others of you are perpetuating dangerous and foolish notions. All it takes to succeed is hard work! Let me introduce you to my friend, the MIT researcher who wouldn't give up on his business, even after he had to let the last employee go. No wait, I can't. The second heart attack got him. Cut anyone out of your life who doesn't support you! That's so stupid I don't even know where to start. Because, after all, you don't need anyone else, right? Especially the short-sighted ones who don't have stars in their eyes but love you anyway. Cast them aside.

        Rotsa ruck, buddy. You are genuinely going to need it.

        fLufF
        --
        With that mindset, you'd make a perfect employee.
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      • Profile picture of the author adionline
        Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat View Post

        Oh, the stories I could tell.

        I won't. Because you won't listen. You're in love with the romance of it all. You're like a young girl who falls in love with a bully and abuser -- everyone else can see him for what he is but oh no, not her. It's so romantic! He's everything her parents aren't.

        Some others of you are perpetuating dangerous and foolish notions. All it takes to succeed is hard work! Let me introduce you to my friend, the MIT researcher who wouldn't give up on his business, even after he had to let the last employee go. No wait, I can't. The second heart attack got him. Cut anyone out of your life who doesn't support you! That's so stupid I don't even know where to start. Because, after all, you don't need anyone else, right? Especially the short-sighted ones who don't have stars in their eyes but love you anyway. Cast them aside.

        Rotsa ruck, buddy. You are genuinely going to need it.

        fLufF
        --
        This is proof that even on a forum like this you will find people who will want to bring you down. The scare tactics made me laugh. Careful a heart attack will get ya!!! :p

        Anyways, there are obviously risks. Expect the best and prepare for the worst. You have to be willing to work harder than you did on your 9 to 5 for little to no money at first. You need to stay disciplined and determined and you need a backup plan. If by a specific date (Set this date for yourself) you're not making progress(MONEY) then it's time to get a 9 to 5 until you can make the run again. This isn't admitting defeat this is making sure you have food and shelter

        Anyways man, keep it up. Stay focused, stay driven. Best of luck!
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        Giving up is not an option.
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  • Profile picture of the author allencole
    I hope you have better luck than I had when i quit my job 3 years ago, without a solid plan and boy dint i suffer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daws0n
    Well, with a lot already being said in this thread what all i can say is "Good Luck" Tony
    Just to let you know, i used to be a Manager in some Software M.N.C where my job was to sell their packages to corporate entities. i quit the job almost a year back and still not earning a full time income from I.M but what helps me is my extremism. just like you and others i can't travel with my two feet in different boats. I chosen I.M to be my full time business and jumped into it without any good bank balance. after reading this thread i am feeling a bit relaxed to see that i am not the only one and there are people who really quit their job to jump into I.M

    Believe me its more then enough for me to keep giving my 100%. heads up for starting this thread and sharing your experience with us.

    Fred
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    I don't have a signature dude!
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  • Profile picture of the author nickchou
    Hi, Toniy,

    Thanks for sharing your story with us. Although I do agree that the decision to quit one's job is not for people with a faint heart, I believe you can do it because you have a direction and you know where you are headed. With that kind of determination and focus, almost anyone can eventually make it.

    Nine years ago I was in the same shoes when I was still in graduate school. I lost my scholarship and as a result my life support. I had no money, no car or any possession. My bank account has a negative balance due to overdrawing. What made it even worse was that I had to pay more than $6,000 for tuition each semester. I was concerned about my situation that my hair turned gray in several weeks.

    After nights after nights of toss and turn, I finally came up with a plan and decided to borrow some money so that I could afford a second-hand car, which would allow me to work on several jobs. Then I worked as a waiter and bartender in the town. I was working on 3 jobs. Everyday I would go to bed at 4am and get up at 8am and work for 18 hours non-stop. After 3 months, I finally saved enough money to pay for the tuition for the next semester. Two months later, I got a teaching job in my department and finally turned my life around.

    It was during that same period that I started my own Internet business and my life would never be the same. After 8 years in the business, I am proud to say that my experience was actually a blessing in disguise.

    So Toniy, keep up with your faith and good luck with your endeavor!

    Nick
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Richardson
    Fair play to the OP! Good luck with it bro, hope all goes well.

    See I'm at the point now where i genuinly enjoy putting my IM knowledge into practice - therefore sticking to my 9-5 as i do work on this stuff every night (Even though it makes me a bit tired for work... YAWN).

    Different strokes for different folks though. I wish you all the best!
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Ames
    Cortez continued up the coast. On April 21,1519, he landed near the site of Veracruz. There, to prevent all thought of retreat, he burned his ships. Leaving a small force on the coast, Cortez led the rest of his men into the interior. A warlike tribe of natives attacked his party. The Indians outnumbered the Spaniards 300 to 1
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    Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. -Winston Churchill

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  • Profile picture of the author NoviIM
    Great post my friend!

    Quitting my job a few years ago was the best thing I ever did. I didn't have much to rely back on after I quit my job, but I had a drive and desire to succeed in Internet marketing.

    With some hard work and luck ofcourse my dreams came true....

    I know it was a difficult step for you, but you made the right decisions to pursue your desires!

    Good luck and I wish you nothing but the best!!


    Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

    Also... don't take my advice.

    If only there were a disclaimer for posts as well..... no matter

    I don't want to be held responsible for other people's bankruptcy, just my own :p

    So getting to it... Yes, I just made myself unemployed. I did so knowing full well the situation I was getting myself in to.

    I face bankruptcy, but fortunately I have no assets, no children, no wife... I rent and I have a good relationship with my parents so worst comes to worst, I live with Mum again :p

    I know my character... I know myself very well. I can't be given an alternative, otherwise I'll tend towards procrastination.

    I know that the only way I will be happy is with the Internet Lifestyle. I also know that the only way I'll achieve this is by working full time on it.

    The reason I can't do an hour here and an hour there is because I procrastinate. I'm also an extremist so I like to focus all my energy on one thing. And when most of my energy is taken up asking 'Have you had any credit cards taken out before 2007?' all day to strangers on the phone then I know I need to change something.

    We all know that success in IM comes primarily from action. The speed and magnitude of success comes from knowledge and effort. Now I know a fair amount about IM to be honest with you... from a theoretical standpoint. I could pass any test / quiz on IM, however practical application is only now on the cards.

    So I now have a deadline... bankruptcy. I know it's a big risk but I also know that it's the only way I'll do what I have to do.

    I think everybody would be the same... you cannot procrastinate if your life depends on it. Eliminate procrastination by giving yourself no other choice.

    Not an ideal situation and certainly a dangerous one... but I know success is only a few weeks away.

    All I need to do is make enough to cover rent and credit card repayments, and the rest can go on the plastic. I have around 5 months to begin turning a profit, functioning this way.

    The end is in sight and I'm excited

    Once again... don't follow my advice

    Wish me luck if you like... but don't follow my advice
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Toniy,
    Hows it going dude? Any juicy updates?
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  • Profile picture of the author efwebm
    95% of people fail at this. If you face bankruptcy within 6 months, you probably just shot yourself in the foot.

    If anyone else is considering this kind of action, do yourself a favor and at least have some success so that your only limitation is the time to ramp up. If you haven't found what works for you, more of the same isn't going to help.

    But good luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
      Im really amazed at some of the responses in this thread. I guess it just proves how many people are driven by fear.
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  • Profile picture of the author jrodriguez315
    Good luck Toniy, there is nothing more exhilarating than taking the plunge head first. Hopefully you'll swim and swim and swim!
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  • Profile picture of the author abigailmarketing
    Same here, I am unemployed now from my (9-5 day job). But I'm working at oDesk to earn income. I'm now focused on Internet Marketing since I believe that I will be more successful in Internet Marketing than my regular 9-5 day job.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jouvan Johnson
    I love this post I just posted the same thing. But I plan on doing it after my holiday at the end of June. I know me very well too and I'm losing my mind doing this job I have only been here 2 months. I left uni to start focusing on me.

    Uni was teaching me how to become a good employee and i KNOW i was not looking to be that long term so there was no point in me being there,lol.

    Good luck man and I will see you there in a few weeks.
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  • Profile picture of the author Cloudzz
    All the best! hope it all works out
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  • Profile picture of the author Edie47
    Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

    Also... don't take my advice.

    ...The end is in sight and I'm excited
    In 2005, I quit a long-standing job with good pay and benefits because I was totally burned out from working fulltime. I took early retirement, moved cross-country to a state I had never even visited (Arizona - loved it!), but now live near family members and take care of my father and my grandson, while also working online.

    Won't say it's been easy, but it's been quite a trip. I got a chance to do some quality traveling around the US that I wouldn't have been able to do if I was still working.

    The one thing I love the most is that I have plenty of options every day as to how long I work and what I do. No one is standing over my shoulder telling me what to do. If I succeed that's great! If I fail, it's on me, I can't blame anyone else.

    The bottom line is that although I don't make the money I used to or have the great benefit package I enjoyed, my freedom means so much more to me than anything else.
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    • Profile picture of the author Toniy
      mahedi - I would love to fly, although I have a wierd thing about falling so perhaps not so much. Hell if I do it enough I'm sure I'll have fun... let's start working on a WSO for Daedalus wings

      blueorca17 - Another wonderful success story with infinite value, thank you The cool thing is that I've set stages of my success... At the moment I'm at stage 1 where I can live and get by. The next stage is to get to a point where I exceed the income I would have had alternatively. After that we're looking at luxury living and after that it's travel and adventure. Writing that was great motivation to get back into it and reach that next stage of success!

      Jeremy Banks - YES!! It is ALL about the hustle And I love it. I'm fortunate in that my skill set revolves around being able to write good adverts (which thanks to the help of a great mentor is only improving), so I'll throw up an ad, get some work and hustle to see if I can work on retainer. Sometimes it works, other times not so much but in that case I just throw up another ad! Still, $10,000 a month, dude... way to go!

      Anthony Marshall - Cheers Ant But I'm no different to anyone else here bro, I just found a skill, worked on improving it, absorbed as much information as I could and kept trying and trying and trying. It didn't feel like a gamble to me because I saw the path ahead. But that only comes from experience, which invariably comes from failing!

      sme - Thanks sme that was really cool. That's the sign of a true independant mind, sacrificing a little bit of pride in order to do what is necessary to succeed. Giving 100% isn't really even that hard when it's something you love

      kfugere - That's a real interesting question. I believe that anyone CAN do it, but most people don't have the 'quality' to do it just yet. Some people may never do it out of choice or limiting beliefs. Others will and will succeed. Some may take longer than others. Ultimately this is a skill. Making money, learning markets and selling are all skills. Tougher to learn than tying a shoelace but just as intuitive in the end. But yeah... the lonely office can be a bitch Gotta get outside, gotta keep moving, gotta keep stepping forward.

      Michael Franklin - Wow... that was a really great article I especially loved number 6, and the inbred social circle was an interesting one. I do kinda miss the little 'family that's not family' vibe but equally I remember thinking 'I would not hang around with these people if I had the choice'. One tricky part of living and working alone though IS that there's a tendency to think if you're out socialising and having fun, then you're wasting time by not working. That's an awful mindset to have and will lead you to burnout. I got close to it myself, but now I've made a promise to myself to get back out there and meet new people. Work still gets done and life still gets lived
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    Oh man, I left this thread alone for way too long! Things have been crazy for me lately but here goes, once more into the breach

    I might break this up into two posts so I can use more faces...

    oDigger - I actually considered this as another worst case scenario / plan B... it wouldn't require the whole week, it would probably cover my minimums and it would be something I hated enough to want to leave as well... would not have been a bad idea to be honest.

    ptlamen - I really liked that PT, especially the pain and strength thing. Being able to take pain and transform it into strength is a very powerful thing indeed. Well said.

    Karen Blundell - That's really sweet of you to say Karen, thank you It's a great feeling to have someonen just tell you 'you're going to be great'. There's a sincere lack of that in the world for one reason or another so yes, thank you. I've done my best to limit negative thinkers... they aren't gone altogether because some of them are pretty fixed but hey, do what you can right?

    Troy Broussard - That's true. I've a few secure clients that make up my minimums each month now but I still need to decide on what to do with the rest of my time. Expand and grow, or take on more work? Take time off, but is it too much? Lots of decisions that don't get made for you and it isn't so easy. However it is what I'm happier doing. And starting by providing a service really is the best start I think, since the money is transferred then and there. The investment isn't so great and you can chop and change tactics all the time. Take some time to learn and develop a skill and hire it out for people who don't have the time or inclination to learn and develop it themselves. Also working with different clients in different businesses can teach you a lot as well. Making contacts is invaluable.

    ahmadbasyir - They're generally right too, not all the time of course, but mostly I think the best way to convince them of the good of online business is to simply show them your bank balance once you're making a decent income... numbers never lie! Good on you man, good luck!

    Karen Blundell - I like that as well A true dreamer, it's wonderful. I have failed several times at several things, but it all gathers experience and now I'm here succeeding. The business will grow as I want it to and I'm always careful not to take on so much that I'll burn myself out. That's a freedom you wouldn't find as an employee either.

    GenerousBoy - I love that; When I could afford to be extreme To be honest my 'extreme' nature hasn't really done me a lot of good in the short term before... well I assume that, I couldn't say for sure. My point is that generally I find a more moderate approach to things would have been better in hindsight... however so far this is going quite well! Interesting...

    Bodiddley - I see where you're coming from but I figure that a WSO could be anything if it's of value. Doesn't all have to be methods, and even if it is a method, if he doesn't do it, that doesn't mean it wouldn't be worthwhile for someone else.

    DanThor - Again, better advice than what I took myself (my own :p) Fortunately I knew somehow that what I was going to be doing was going to make me an income and just recently I've managed to get it up to a fixed position that earns me what I need while giving me enough time to grow the business too. I might be one of the rare cases, or maybe what I 'knew' I actually knew!

    richgrad - I agree with this entirely. If your only priority and responsibility is yourself, then you know what the best decision to make is. If you have other people to think about, you need to take them into consideration as well and minimise the risk to them. That's just basic decency I think.

    astauffer - Thank you kindly I'm glad you had the support and the resource to make your dream come to life, it's a great thing. Doesn't matter what kind of advantage you have, just so long as you make the most of it and don't waste it, it's just as valuable as anyone else's path. Congratulations!
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  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    fluffythewondercat - Wow... for such a cute and cuddly name that was a really depressing post Yeah I see where you're coming from and you've balanced out the thread quite nicely there. But I think you've taken it all a little bit too literally. The whole concept doesn't revolve around blindly following your idea. I've had to chop and change constantly, even in the first few months of 'knowing' what to do. Adaptation, not stubbornness is the way forward. And do you think any of us here really have the time, space or inclination to write up EVERYTHING that's required to succeed? Because personally I think they opt for overarching themes and 'sound bites', then allowing people to think for themselves and learn what there is to learn, with just a little bit of hope too... Not to burst your bubble but it's going quite well for me.

    Ramone-Johnny - And the balance has been restored once more Cheers buddy

    allencole - I tried it once without a plan and only blind faith and lost a couple of grand. I tried and failed because I didn't know enough. This time, I know a lot and I have a plan. Of course I didn't have the experience back then to realise I needed a plan so hey... Hopefully it's started to look up for you now though...

    Daws0n - Hey Fred, thanks for that buddy! I'm glad you included yourself. Yeah I mean for some it works, for others it doesn't. I think that purely depends on how many times you've messed up in the past or just how thorough you've been in your research beforehand. Personally I'm extreme and impulsive and I had to go the failing route, but I did keep learning and researching as well. Eventually, you get there

    nichchou - Hey Nick... thanks... It's an ongoing saga You're right... just about anyone can make it (just depends on how much they can change, grow and adapt... some people just don't, and they'll never reach success. Not that they can't... they just won't). And Jesus... that is one hell of a story! I don't feel that what I've had to do was any kind of great struggle... it's be