To me, there’s far too much talk about money when it comes to online business.
Every sales letter promises a different monetary figure… a different level of income that you could obtain by using it’s all powerful methods. And particularly when you’re getting started, the money means alot.
“What if I could make $5k a week?” IMAGINE that!!
I’ve got a secret to tell you…
I can promise you with full confidence that when you DO make $5k a week (or whatever figure it is that you’ve got in your head):
1. You won’t know what to do with it.
2. You’ll realize there’s only so many things you CAN do with it.
3. You’ll realize that money wasn’t really what you were wanting all along.
In this post I’m going to share with you 5 big reasons why pursuing an online business is a worthwhile goal, completely aside from anything financial.
Here goes…
Number 1: Time Freedom
It’s an unfortunate reality that the condition called Time Freedom is one that the overwhelming population of even the most developed nations will NEVER in their lives experience.
Getting up in the morning and having the CHOICE of what you want to do with your day?!
We take it for granted because we hear about it so much but that capacity is in my mind one of the richest gifts a human being can receive. Furthermore it’s the RIGHT way for FREE human beings to live… not subjugated to an arbitrary authority that steals the hours of their life through wage slavery.
As sad as it is, most people will never know what it’s like to wake up like that but by being an online business owner you CAN have that freedom, every day, for the rest of your life if you wish. How AWESOME is that??
Number 2: MORE Time
If the ability to CHOOSE what you do each day isn’t cool enough, consider the reality of having MORE time to make choices with!
Not having to work 8 hours a day, or even 2 hours a day (if you set your business up like that is) to survive is quite literally akin to adding years and years onto your life!
The things you can DO with that extra time when you don’t have to sell it to someone else are mind boggling.
You can spend time on things that you’re more passionate about, learn a new skill, spend more time with friends or family, travel, have adventures, or just relax and enjoy being ALIVE for once!
This again is an ability that not even the wealthiest CEO’s can brag about. Mention working 2 hours a day to a Fortune 500 company CEO and tell me how badly they laugh in your face.
But THAT’S what online business can give you!
Number 3: Work Anywhere
I’ve never even seen this mentioned as a “benefit” of online business in any sales pitch ever…
But think about how cool and empowering it is to be able to work from ANYWHERE in the world (that has an internet connection).
This isn’t even a luxury that most high paid CEO’s have. Sure they can take a holiday (albeit shortlived), but to physically pack up and move somewhere else if they want and KEEP THEIR JOB in tact? No board meetings, no suit and tie, no one looking over your shoulder? Noooope, not possible.
Online business allows you to work anywhere in the world if you wish. And with that comes the ability to take “permanent holidays”! When you can work ON your holiday… your whole life is a holiday! Seriously think about that in comparison with the reality of most working people!
Number 4: International Friends
When you have a business that’s global and serves people in so many countries it’s pretty hard not to develop connections and friends from all over the world.
I’ve been so fortunate in my time online to meet so many special people from all over the world. I was actually thinking the other day that there’s not many english speaking countries I could wish to go where there’s NOT a cool person that I know through business that would happily show me around, even put me up at their house.
(shout out time…) Khai Ng and Jimmy Chen showed us fabulous hospitality in Malaysia; Dylan, Stuart or Edmund I’m sure would show me around Singapore next time I’m there; David Cavanagh would spot me a few baht in Thailand if I needed it; Craig Desorcy would put me up in Japan at a moments notice; our writers would (and did) show us all around Manila in the Philippines; Dee Ferdinand I’m sure would make sure I didn’t get into much trouble in Indonesia; our coding staff would have my back in China; Firepow support ace Shruti would have me at his home in India; Ladan might even give me a little tour of her city in Iran if (when) I get there (something I’m REALLY hoping for some day); Matt Garret will have another beer in London when we’re there next, and Canada and the US are lists that I won’t even bother starting.
There’s no way I say this to brag, but instead to highlight the obvious fact of: HOW would I have been able to say that if I’d worked at some desk job the last 5 years?
Number 5: Meeting Amazing People
Another list too big to start is the number of truly special people with unique outlooks on life who have inspired and influenced me during my time online.
Needless to say when you’re frequently meeting people who have all of the above number 1 to 4 in THEIR lives too, it makes for some fascinating conversations, in depth learnings and unforgettable experiences.
Not only that but having people around you constantly that are doing big things in their lives inspires you to be and do more with your life. You can’t help be infected by their enthusiasm and driven by their desire.
Conclusion
These are the REAL reasons you should be pursuing an online business and the internet lifestyle because I can assure you that any one of them will lead to infinitely greater fulfillment in your life than any numbers on a bank statement.
I hope this post also gets you to reassess your goals for your online business. Even if you only REPLACE the income from your job… even if you ONLY make $5-600 a week from your online business it can still lead to a life of freedom and happiness beyond your wildest dreams.
To your success!
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Nothing much to comment cos’ you have already mentioned all the benefits besides just money.
I lived in Singapore as well. I hope we can meet up for your next visit!
…and Josip Barbaric would gladly show you all the “must-see” places in Croatia!
Great post, Andrew!
Dude I will DEFINITELY take you up on that. Elysia actually JUST mentioned Croatia to me then because a friend of ours has just been there and it looks amazing! It’s on mate!
Excellent post! Most affiliate marketing posts are about money (to a lesser or a greater extent), so this is an incredibly refreshing change.
I’m guessing you haven’t had a 9 to 9pm job before – I’ve worked in a big investment bank before becoming an affiliate marketer and to this moment, despite not working less than before (still relatively new – so I work way more than 2 hours a day), I treasure every moment that I can select what I do. Tomorrow I’m going to a movie – I could NEVER have done that before, just decide on a whim to see a movie, in the morning, no less. The people in the community are incredibly friendly, I think it comes as part of being a marketer.
So, I agree with every word. However, I’ll also add this is not as easy as it seems. The people who have reached this stage have earned it, and have taken a big risk. And still do – the next time Google changes some of its rules we may all be out of income. So I see this as their, and my, reward.
Hey Udi,
I do know what ya mean mate. I did actually have 9-5 jobs (wait… not 9-9 like you mentioned)…
Before marketing online I worked in a factory… (yeah, that’s not fun)
And then as a telesales rep… (hard to say which of these two is worse)
And there was a time when I had 4 jobs simultaneously so during that time I probably did work about 9am-9pm lol
It surely is hard to get to the point where working online represents this level of freedom… but no harder than slaving away at a factory or working a 9-9 job like you said. It’s only a shift in mindset.
Andrew
Exactly. I don’t mind working crazy hours (my record at the Investment Bank was 18 hours one day.. and 8 hours during a vacation day – worked until 4am), but it’s different when *i* choose the time and *i* reap the rewards. In an IB you’re a drone. A tool to be used by the higher ups, who are tools themselves. Regardless of the money, it’s just not a way to live your life. I worked there during 2008 and the entire year is fuzzy in my memory, I remember meetings, and some support calls, but nothing of value. Oh yes, I remember *a lot* of stress.
These days I work most days until 4am, but am free to do what I want, and enjoy it. And significantly less stress. More fun. And way, way, way cooler people
Time freedom and work anywhere… they are the two things that motivate me day in and day out.
I’ve only made about $400 in the 3 months I’ve been doing this properly (I still work at a ‘proper’ job 3 days/week).
It’s finally dawned on me that I actually, truly have to ‘work’ at this!?!?
But oh I will work my butt off, because:
1. I actually get a bit of kick out of IM
2. I LOVE being able to do all this at home. Today I managed to do 2 loads of washing, the vacuuming done and cleaned the bathroom. May sound like I’m not actually focused but the thing is, I can do all my chores at those times when my brain is about to explode and I just have to have a break.
I look forward to when my husband and I can work here in Australia or in NZ (where I’m from) or where ever we want and keep both sides of the family happy.
Andrew, I’m sure you don’t need a tour guide here in Sydney, but if ever you need someone to have a beer with while sitting in the perpetual sunshine, overlooking a perfect harbour view… you know who to call.
DEFINITELY keen to catch up when I’m in Sydney next Michelle, thanks for the offer
See ya on Twitter!
Well if you ever hit the sunny central coast of NSW give me a buzz. Hahaha…. I’m sure thats on your list of exotic places to visit
Glad I’m not the only one who used to hold 4 jobs at once! Aargh those were the days… well at least it teaches you what you DONT want to do in life.
Hi Andrew
I think I would like to make the money first before I can say I am not just doing it for financial gain. I do agree with the five points you made.
Neil Swainston
Internet Coach and Mentor
Dude, are you going to be in Singapore for the Asia internet Congress? It’s happening end October.