The Drug of Easy Money

With the explosion of business online, there is an endless supply of opportunity awaiting anyone who wants to own their own business or be their own boss. After all, it is the “American Dream”. But somewhere along the lines, the reality of building a business with hard work and even more determination has been replaced with the ideals of sipping margaritas on a Caribbean beach while dollars automatically roll into an offshore bank account. Popular books like “The Four Hour Work Week” read like a roadmap to achieve this seemingly unattainable success. But how realistic is that dream? Especially when it sounds so easy.

Catch phrases like “Put your business on autopilot” and “I earned $30,000 in one week, and You can too!” are written to do just that, catch our attention, even for just a moment, to ponder if there really is an easier way. Reading further down the typical infinitely scrolling sales page may likely compel you to pull out your wallet and buy the latest ebook for $97 that’s guaranteed to transform your business. Because, if you don’t, you’re left feeling like you are the only person not privy to the burning secret everyone else will know: Everyone who is off making millions while you struggle to pay the mortgage.

The information the gurus are selling may very well be valuable. But the question is, “Does it fit within the objective of your business plan?” or is the information just another distraction that will keep you in the trap of searching for the magic button instead of building a real and sustainable business. There’s nothing worse than a budding online entrepreneur caught in someone else’s buying cycle.

The reality of building a business still takes hard work and dedication. As the old saying goes, “If it sounds too good to be true, it is.” So the next time you are tempted to slap down your credit card in exchange for information on the next greatest business opportunity, just say NO!