RSS FeedFri 30 Jan 2009
This post could be considered my own personal version of “When Will You Get A REAL Job?” However, it is something that I have noticed quite a bit over the last couple of years and the skepticism is getting harder and harder to ignore. Sometimes I almost feel like giving in. I make no secret (especially on here) of the fact that so far I haven’t really made any money to speak of through my online endeavors and this only fuels the skepticism.
The timing of this post being so close to the publishing of the one I linked to above is purely coincidental. You see, I have recently began some preliminary work on accomplishing one of my goals for 2009 and building a new website designed to make money. However, in doing so, I have shared my idea with a couple of people and also spent a bit of time researching and planning so that I can start putting things together. A random sampling of the comments that I seem to get include:
Why would you want to start another website when you hardly have time for the one you already have?
Don’t you have other things you should be working on?
Maybe you should work on your homework.
What do you need another website for.
You spend all your time on the computer.
Why don’t you work on something that you actually need to do?
I never really know how to answer these questions or respond to these comments. Perhaps if/when I finally start making some money from these endeavors some of these comments will stop. Until then, I will just continue doing what I can to try and keep this site updated and make some money online and just keep hoping that things will work out for me. I’ll just keep believing in my self and persevering.
In response to the naysayers, I can only say this. I’m doing this because I enjoy it and I want to. I do it because I have committed myself to it. I do it because it’s a very small investment for what could turn in to a very nice return. I do it because I am learning more about these things everytime I try something new, things that could possibly help me in the future. I do it because it’s just something I do.
Do you ever get responses like this? How do you respond?
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So all i can say is that i almost cried when i read this post!
I get this quite often. My wife tells me to spend less time developing software that would get me the promotions I long for at work. Co-workers tell me to stop focusing so much on solving problems and just “ride it out” like they do. Family members tell me to stop trying so hard to accomplish the goals I set out to do. Friends tell me that I need to relax and “smoke some dope” to give my brain a rest once in a while.
But … despite all these people telling me to sit back and do jack all (like them), I will continue to push forward. I might have lived the first 30 years of my life out in mediocrity because I was not in the right place at the right time, and because I try too hard to do too many things, but it will not be like this forever.
On top of that, trying and failing is better than never trying at all. I’d rather fail and learn something than to always ask “what if…?”
Regardless of what anybody says to you, the only person who is key to your success is yourself. If you give up on your goals or ambitions, you’re giving up on yourself. Ignore the criticism. Because regardless of what you say to answer the negative questions, very few people will take the time to understand your answers
Wow, that’s an awesome response. Thanks for the encouragement!
If it’s something you enjoy, and it’s helping you achieve some of the goals you’ve set for yourself, then go for it.
However, you do need to ensure that other important things in your life don’t suffer as a result, such as time spent with family, etc.
I think it might be a bit tougher to make money online with the global financial meltdown…but we’ll just have to see how it goes.
The only true answer to this kind of skepticism is to keep doing what you believe in.
There are countless examples in history where someone has been made fun of and ridiculed because of his/her ridiculous ideas but when that person finally achieves success suddenly everyone will look up to them.
When I talk to people who don’t understand what I am doing and disapprove - I always think of myself as that person.
I get the “you should get a real job” talk quite often from my parents and I find that the best way to answer them is to show how much money I have made (only $100 total) and that this amount has been growing every month. If the growth keeps up - it will be less than a year away before I make enough money to never work again.
I have also set myself a deadline - if I am not making enough money online by the end of June I have promised to get a real job.
This deadline keeps me pushing myself and gets things done!
I have two things to say to this. One, why mention to people who aren’t interested in the same type of thing what it is you’re trying to do? I only talk about it with people who want to know; no one else gets a shot at messing with my dreams or aspirations, because I don’t need the negativity in my life. Two, why would you care what they think in the first place? The same folks beating on you now will be looking for a handout when you’re rich.
Follow your dreams; they’ll make you happy, and possibly make you wealthy also.
In response to both of your points, because the people in question are close friends and family. I’m not one to go walking around sharing my activities with everyone I know, but there are certain people in life who a person does share these things with and those are the ones I’m referring to in this post.
I guess I view friendship a little differently at this point in my life, as I’m assuming I have close to 20 years on you. I don’t share anything with anyone who doesn’t help me get to where I want to go; negative energy just drags me down. My close friends now would never crush any of my dreams; they would either try to help or wouldn’t comment at all, and then I’d know they weren’t interested and I wouldn’t mention it to them again. Same with family.
I just look at the statements you brought up and wonder why you’d put yourself through that, no matter who the antagonist was at that time. Then again, that might be the spark you need to show them how you’re going to succeed. If so, good luck to you.
Test - Learn - Repeat. Thanks for the link buddy.
I have never really gotten any negative feedback about my website. My husband supports everything that I do, what I believe in. I love my website.
In all fairness, I really havent told family about my website too much. I have mentioned to family and friends about my blog but nobody seems to be too interested in knowing about it. I have never gotten asked what the URL is for it. In a way, my feelings get a lil hurt because they arent interested in something that I am or lack of interest.
you must follow your dreams but make sure you have a life, family and friends still around when you reach them to enjoy your dreams with. Human contact and internet contact are two different things in life. You need the person to person contact not just internet relationships. Follow your dreams but keep realism in them as well. Dreams are what I live on but realization makes me keep things going in a postive direction. Setting goals is great but keep them realistic so you don’t disappoint your self and those around you. Time management is important and often people don’t have enough time to do all they enjoy. Sometimes you have to slow down on some dreams to reach another goal and keep your eye on the big picture. Keep praying about your life and remember family and friends may not totally understand your thinking but
would want the very best for you or they wouldnt offer any advise at all.
Sue
I would have to agree!
Well you’ve learned a lot writing creatigng this blog, no? Now it’s time to put this knowlede to good use and start a website that will start making money soon. I approve wholeheartedly.