Make Money Online “How to”

I had planned to write a blog yesterday but the day had a different plan for me.  It was an important plan, it was a reminder of sorts.  Instead I had a busy day that left me with no time to blog.  But it makes for a good story and an even better lesson to share with you.

I had signed up with and unknown and untested web host.  I spent the whole day working on a new site I was planning on launching.  First I set up the site using a wizard they provided, taking more then half the day providing all the needed information and pieces to get their template set up just right.

Then I installed the wordpress blog and configured it, installed the template and plugins.  Got it set up just right and spent an hour writing the first entry.

Strike one

Just as I was finishing up I got and unexpected message.  I decided to follow it up and look back at the control panel for the site. 

To my horror and surprise the site looked like it did when I first sat down at my desk first thing in the morning.  Every last bit of work I had done had been undone.

That is not what you expect to see at the end of a long but productive day.  After all I had spent over $200 dollars to have this site for the next year. 

Strike two

So I did what anyone would do, I used the fancy live chat option in the support area.  The person spent just enough time with me to realize it was over his head I guess and disconnected the chat.  Great customer service. 

Strike three

So I called customer service of the group that provided the web hosting scripts, they say it is the hosting company’s problem.  I call the hosting company and they say the site was setup by the web hosting scripts company and to call them for support.  Now I am stuck in the support loop from hell.

So three strikes and I am out, well kinda.

I am out of there, that is for sure. I nicely ask for my money returned and walk away.  But did I lose a full day of work? No not really.  Want to know why? 

A lesson learned along time ago when I was working as a computer consultant and director of software development.  The rule I would always tell my programmers over and over and over again.  It saved me. 

Rule 1, Backup early and often.

Yep, that is right, I had a full backup of the entire site, all the work, all the templates I had created. 

The best part is all the content and blog entries had been backed up. 

So was the time wasted? Nope.  Now I know first hand what product never to recommend to my valued customers.  After all, having the back up I can have the site back up and running in about 2 hours this time.  But it will be on my trusted host this time.  It is good to get a reality reminder every once in a while it keeps you from making big mistakes that can take you out of the game completely.

Well back to the normal posts tomorrow.

Until then… To your health, wealth and happiness.

Creating a vision statement will help you stay committed to making sure you have the best chance of success.

Most businesses that fail do so for one reason. They don’t know exactly where they want to go.  Businesses require planning and a laser sharp view of their goals and where they want to take their business.

Without this it is like being lost in the desert, you can wander around forever and still not make any progress.

You first task should be to sit down with pen and paper (better make it pencil, you will want to make changes along the way).

Start with the end in mind

First get a clear picture in your mind on what your business will look like when it meets your definition of success.  Now write it down.

Make sure it captures the following:

• How long will it take?
• How much with it be worth?
• What does it sell?
• How else does it make profits?
• How many people in the team?
• Are they Employee’s or Outsourced?
• Where is the business located?
• What does it look like?

Next think about it for a bit and make a list of your goals in making this business. Once this is done number them from highest importance goal to the lowest.  So if you have 10 goals your must have goal is 1 and the lowest goal is 10.

Take a good look at the goal numbered 1. You will sometimes hear this referred to as your “Big Why”. Visualize what it will look like when you achieve it.

Dwell on it for a few minutes and then below the goals start writing a list of things you are willing to do to make sure that goal is reached. This list should make sure that at least the following things are covered: time, money and energy. This is your commitment list.

The next part may not be comfortable but it really plays an important role in helping you to succeed. Make a new list of the  negative things that will happen if you don’t follow through on your “Big Why”. This is your consequences list.

Again dwell on this list for a few minutes and feel the pain of not reaching that #1 goal.  If it isn’t painful then your “Big Why” isn’t big enough.

Ok, now that you know where you want your business to be, why you want it there, and what happens if it isn’t. If you are still with me and haven’t give up already, congratulations you are off to a good start. Now there is one final step and that is to make your vision statement.

On the last part of the paper. I need to you write the following filling in the [blanks] with the information from above.

I am proud to be the owner of a successful business that makes [how much money] selling [product or services].  I have worked hard making this business because [Big Why] which I now enjoy.

Make sure to keep that paper near your desk and refer to it often.  My suggestion is frame it and read it daily.  Never let the vision or the vision statement out of your site.

There will be times when the business struggles and you feel you aren’t up to the challenge.  Then more then any other time, take this paper and review it again.  Use it to feel all the feelings again of why you started the business and what it will feel like when you succeed.  It will recharge your batteries and fortify you to head back into the game and fight for what belongs to you.

Congratulations and best of success!

Every once in a while you happen across a piece of information that hits home. This past week I had one of those fall right into my lap.

Jeff Wellman creator of the wildly successful LayOffYourBoss, sent out an email earlier this week that was right on target.  Once I read it I immediately urged him to make this email available as an article so I can share it with you.

Here is that article: http://www.jeffreywellman.com/recommends/lesson

I hope you get as much out of it as I did.

All the best,
Harry