13 Responses to “Why Some People Will Never Make Money Online”

1. 

   Michael December 12th, 2009 at 9:01 am

   Steve,

   I believe that mindset is as important, or more so, than hard work.

   What you explained is your value system. Maybe you do not value working at the music business as much as you do working at other things in your life. We work at things that we value. Just because we have a dream or fantasy about being, or doing something, does not mean it coincides with our values.

   We have needs that shape our values and from these values we set our actions or goals in life.

   Thanks for sharing this personal information,
   Michael

2. 

   Judson Solomon December 12th, 2009 at 9:22 am

   Hi steve
   It’s very impressive post.

   When I started Online research finding opportunites to work from home, I have come across your video.
   The two words you have mentioned, which are in the videos, still sounding in my mind.

   “It is NOT Easy” and “Go and get education.” I was very impress that I had heard the truth of online business which was coming out from your mouth.

   Now…..again. one of the word you mentions here will be sounding in my mind forever…..
   “work as hard as I could.”

3. 

   Daniel December 12th, 2009 at 9:51 am

   Steve, This is definitely a topic that is worth getting out there. Good on you for sharing, occasionally when freelancing I come across people who are pretty much hoping to outsource their entire operation without even putting the slightest bit in or understanding the principles beforehand. To an extent you can educate these people on a few things but usually at this point you can tell there are some who just will not put in the effort and then wonder why they have tried “so hard” and got nothing out of it.

4. 

   Jim December 12th, 2009 at 10:02 am

   Hi Steve,

   I’ve thought about this for a while now, why so many people do not succeed. I think that human nature isn’t always easy to decode, but I come up with a slightly different take on what you present here.

   I think that typical human nature is to pursue the easiest (least painful) path. Most dream that an all empowering solution will suddenly land nicely wrapped – “ready to go” – at their front door. So their dream is truly just a dream, they are lazy about making it really happen. Also, basic human nature seems to follow the leader (gurus). The mass of men/women (95%) are dreamers, with no concrete plan to reach their objectives. They are also followers. I realize that sounds ugly, but is purely an observation.

   I agree with you to some degree that innate talent helps rise people to the top. But Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, Steve Jobs or Bill Gates… succeeded mostly due to backing some inherent talents with a pure “earth shaking” drive to reach exceptional results. I think it was Elgin Baylor who said, “I expect MORE from myself than anyone else could ever expect.” There are hours and hour and hours of training and preparation that finally turns the seed of potential talent into clearly recognizable talent. I would not conclude that Larry Bird was naturally gifted like Michael Jordan. There are so many people in life who succeed due to a burning desire, even though their talents seem to suggest that they should take up another line of work. Larry Bird really mastered the mind game of Basketball. He wasn’t graceful and smooth like Jordan, but he was a similar force to be reckoned with.

   So here is what I would say is essential: “as you believe, so you shall receive.”

   I think most people subconsciously hold onto a set of “beliefs” that either empower or dis-empower them in achieving things they are trying to obtain. It is not what you say outwardly, but what you “truly believe deep down inside” that determines “fate.” If you truly believe lack something, then something will haunt you in your pursuit. But if you truly believe the end prize is meant for you, you will back it up with a plan, re-adjust as needed, and continue down the path to achieving the imagined results. You even dream about it daily with actions backing those images in your mind. You have already claimed it as yours, and continue each day with positive expectation. Of course that means working through the inevitable ups and downs, which are part of the learning process no matter what one pursues.

   I would suggest that something spurred you on to succeed with IM. You probably treated music more as a hobby (in your subconscious mind too). For example, maybe your parents told you song writing shouldn’t be taken up as a real career, so you lived out that deeper belief. Of course, only you really know for yourself, so pardon my stab at it.

   I appreciate what you contribute to IM – Thanks!

   Cheers!
   Jim

5. 

   Steven W Johson December 12th, 2009 at 10:11 am

   Well said, Steve!

   I am increasingly convinced, however that there is another factor – the E-factor – discussed so eloquently in Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Just like the futile effort of trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, trying to morph a E-mindset individual (employee) into a B-mindset (business/entrepreneur) is NEVER going to happen. You either have it or you don’t. Maybe it’s even genetic.

   B’s don’t know the meaning of “half-hearted” or “sort of” – only TMA (take massive action) or my favorite alternative meaning of FTP: FLOOR THE PEDAL. As for talent, if you aren’t an IDIOT, whether it’s online or off, you can delegate it.

6. 

   Cheryl December 12th, 2009 at 10:32 am

   Steve – You’re on the money as hard as it hurts. For three years I spent every extra minute and lots more taken from my kids, too, to learn and apply skills in this business. For me it was lack of time because I had the drive and even the knowledge to do this business right. But when “Payday” came, I found it wasn’t worth it for all the time I took from my kids (being a homeschooling mom of 9). So, I talked to that person in the mirror and “we” decided that the kids are far more important than the money. I don’t think I failed, though, when I chose the kids. And maybe when they are grown and don’t need me as much – then I’ll have the knowledge to really give this business the time it needs to make it work.

   For the record, you and two others are the only “profs” that I stay subscribed to. Thanks for being real.

   Cheryl

7. 

   Douglas Hendricks December 12th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

   That’s real life.
   The only way to prove successful is to set a goal and be focused on it.
   Attach your blinders and keep straight on.
   When your project is accomplished you may tackle the next venture.
   And show yourself quit plainly: never give up!
   It’s as simple as that…..

8. 

   Gail December 12th, 2009 at 1:27 pm

   You are exactly correct. I have built and sold several businesses. At that time, failure was not an option and I was willing to do whatever I had to do to reach success. Looking back, I find it hard to believe what massive action I took.

   You see – I’m a computer geek from way back. I’d rather sit behind a computer than go out and meet people. So working on the Internet is a natural for me. I’ve come to realize that when I’m in technical mode, I can’t sell and when I’m selling, I can’t do technical work. For me, it’s one or the other.

   Fortunately, I have experience outsourcing work and realized that’s what I needed to do in order to build this business. After all, if I’m doing all the technical work – there won’t be any customers!

   You have to be hungry to reach success; nothing else matters. Unfortunately, other things may suffer along the way unless you can address those issues to stay on course.

9. 

   Jeff Henshaw December 12th, 2009 at 1:38 pm

   I must say that this article is “vintage” Steven Wagenheim.

   It’s open, honest, succinct – and has value.

   This short post has woken me up to what I have suspected for a while now; viz., that I am not putting as much work and effort into my business as I could.

   Thanks for the wake up call.

   Keep up the good work.

   Regards,
   Jeff Henshaw.

10. 

    Arun Pal Singh December 12th, 2009 at 1:55 pm

    I am a firm believer that everything can be learnt and mastered. If you have a natural inclination to do things, you automatically get ahead in the learning curve. But otherwise also you can learn the craft.

    All skills including business skills can be learned. The difference is in amount of hard work that people need to put in.

    Your article draws a kind of ceiling. Many people who have potential to develop business may give up up soon by categorizing them in the group that will not make money.

    Have a look around. All over the world, it is not talent that is running the show. It is the hard work. Doctors learn the craft with years of practice. So do engineers, academicians, scientists.

    Everywhere, a lot of hard work has to be put in before you can see the results.

    I agree with your hard work point. Most people do not pour enough sweat in business before they say I have failed.

    Hang on there people. We give 12+3 years to our studies that would involve 3-6 hours of study per day and lot of money in fee before we can get equipped enough to get considered for a job.

    How much input do you think would be enough for financial independence.

    Do not haste and do not give up. You may be less skilled now. But everything can be learned and evrything can be mastered.

    Provided you have will to do that.

11. 

    Sonni December 12th, 2009 at 7:10 pm

    You are so right Steve, it all boils down to doing whatever it takes and if you’re not willing to do whatever it takes you may not make much of it. I still haven’t made much online, but I still hang in there writing for different sites. The money seems secondary to what I want to do, which is be a better writer.

12. 

    Paul December 12th, 2009 at 9:01 pm

    Wow…what a gut wrenching post. Soooo many people who “don’t do quite enough”! Millions of folks who really want to become successful with their passion but can’t quite get there because “They didn’t do enough”. So Steve what is the answer? What is it that makes others do enough but not others?

    Paul

13. 

    Leila December 13th, 2009 at 5:37 am

    Thanks for sharing these ideas Steve. Adding to the comments above I would say that one of the reasons some people do enough and others don’t is because the ones who do are dedicated to one thing only. It is in their thoughts constantly and every little glitch is considered and improved upon. Failure is not an option because as I read somewhere else – how often would you expect a baby to try to walk? Btw I like that FTP idea. I could work on that