Up until this point, we’ve essentially been covering the requirements and prerequisite knowledge necessary to increase your chances of building a successful online business.
Today marks a turning point.
It’s time to begin focusing on your personal situation, and to turn our attention to your future business…
(Watch this video…)
Main points:
Without vision, your business probably won’t succeed.
I describe vision as being able to “see” a clear picture of your fulfilled goals in your mind.
It’s like the box cover of a difficult puzzle…
You must begin with the end in mind.
Almost every success in my life has come AFTER having a vision for it. (For example, when I won the state championship, and every time I launch a product)
The successful business owners that I’ve known ALL have vision.
It’s kind of like looking at the world from 30,000 feet. You see the big picture, and not the problems.
If you lose sight of your vision, you lose hope. And if you lose hope, it’s game over.
As we progress in the lessons, we’ll keep moving forward step by step, but if you don’t start by getting a vision, further efforts could be somewhat futile.
If you set your target too low, you may hit it, but there is almost no chance that you will exceed it. On the other hand, if you set your target too high, you may fail, but you will be further along than the “low” target. Therefore it’s better to set your vision higher.
One of the biggest things I see holding people back is a “victim mentality”.
“Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop this picture. Never think of yourself as failing; never doubt the reality of the mental image. That is most dangerous, for the mind always tries to complete what it pictures. So always picture ‘success’ no matter how badly things seem to be going at the moment.” – Norman Vincent Peale
Many of us have taken on a “just get by” mentality.
The size of your vision will dictate the size of the result.
YOU are valuable. Don’t sell yourself short.
Here’s my “disclaimer” that I forgot to include in the video…. “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Prov. 16:9)
Action steps:
I want you to take a moment to tell me your vision for your business. The vision can involve other areas of your life too, but since we’re working on building your business, it should be focused on your business.
It’s important to write your vision down, so go ahead and post it in the comments below. This is YOUR vision, and there is NO wrong answer.
Focus on the big picture. Don’t worry about the details of how you will get there. We’ll worry about that stuff when we learn about goal setting and business plans, and I’ll be talking about those things in the next lesson.
As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below.
Have a great day!
Hi Eric,
My vision is to be be debt-free, travel in a beautiful diesel powered motorhome with my family visiting the the sights of our great nation. Maintaining our house and five acres, while my online business brings in an average of one million dollars per year.
My BIG picture vision includes making enough internet income so I could decrease my regular job down to part time.I work full time in the Radiology Dept of a hospital(last 14 years)with many overtime hours including 16 hour days…I’d like to cut 50-60 hour weeks down to about 20 hours with no overtime.
After more freedom being at the top of my list,I would like to be debt free and stress free(at least relating to financial stress). I’d also like to help my family by helping them with debts or other areas I haven’t been able to in the past because of limited finances. Also…(before going part time at the hospital)I’ve always wanted to donate to our Oncology Dept. as a rememberance of my father who died a very early age from colon cancer. Anything past this I would have to do some more thinking.
As for a vision for a first info product I’d like to create any information product that has to do with health,diseases,exercise,medicines,or anything in the medical field. Another info product ideal would include my passion and interest for anything technology,gadgets,videogames,and electronics of all the latest and greatest.Believe me(lol)…if you only knew how much I love all this stuff(I even have an extensive videogame collection that dates back to 1972 when it all started…we are talking about Mattel handheld collectibles,game consoles,videogames produced only in other countries..etc I must have 5 small storage areas in my collection…lol)
Anyways, I’m looking forward to putting some of these things into action.I didn’t put an actual amount of income as a goal but I’m sure this is VERY important as well(it’s just that freedom and no financial stress is priceless to me) I would like to set my long term goal at $200,000 a year.
Best Regards,
Gary Pettit
🙂
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That’s an awesome vision!
Great vision. I had no idea you worked in a hospital, that’s cool. And that’s a lot of hours. It’s going to be awesome to see you achieve your goals.
Hey Eric, just wanna say thanks for visiting my blog. Your comment really gives me a boast of confidence since Im a newbie. And your videos are a great help!!! Thanks for letting me backtrack to your page without asking you first. Sorry about that!
Hi Eric
Here goes! I would dare to suggest along with all the things you have mentioned in all of the lessons thus far another attribute required is ‘discipline’ and its this discipline I am working on as I hard as I am able to make real the vision I am to outline below.
This is a very brave decision to arrive at as for me I am literally opening my inner life to all and sundry but it’s something I feel will benefit me as time goes on. Not only have I posted this vision but I have used the quaint ‘old’ fashion method of pen and ink and wrote it down in my journal. I read it as often as I can so that I am always focusing my mind.
For some reason I enjoy helping others and yes I do also like the finer things in life.The jigsaw of my mind pictures and their associated commentaries have shown me the new places and people and things I will see meet and have.It may seem I am bent on some ‘do good’ vision. To me,to be financially free includes being a part of life and not hiding away behind walls of fear or to indulge just myself. Money is a commodity and is only of any use if it is ‘used’! So,what am I good at? Anything I truly set my mind on.What will be the means I use to make the vision real? A business, an informative or ‘pen and ink’ business given to the supply of information, in a good honest fashion that is presented in a professional manner. The area of information I will supply will concern the particular interests I have. Fundamentally this will include creating a curiosity of a group through a marketing process that will lead to sales. The process of which you, Eric, and the rest of the commentators in your blog will help me fulfill. All I need apply is my efforts determination and discipline. I have asked life for all that I desire and I will get it.I want to make a difference to others in a positive constructive manner and what better way than to provide a service that gives them the information they seek.
Paul
You’re very welcome, and no problem… I always like free links 🙂
We’ll have to get your blog setup on your own domain when we get to those lessons 😉
Hi Eric, thank you so much for your guidance and council.
Business Vision
My vision is of an online business that I will enjoy working on every day and learn new things each day to move forward. I get the most satisfaction from helping others achieve their goals. At my place of work, I was thought of as knowledgeable and experienced. New employees in our department, many times were placed near me so I could answer their questions and help them learn the job as quickly as possible.
My vision is to be in a position to help others learn and achieve their goals with their online business.
The monetary vision of my business is to earn enough money to become debt free so I can ease the anxiety of my family about adequate income and resources. I also want to be an inspiration for others to show them what is possible for someone that starts from scratch and makes good living with an internet business.
It will require about $100,000 + per year income over the next few years to achieve my monetary vision.
As a WAHM with kids aged 4, 1, and a third due in Feb, home and family are my primary focus. But extra income would be nice for family vacations, home improvements, etc. As for my vision, here’s what I have so far:
– work only a few hours a week
– utilize and challenge my mind (baby/preschool/housework just… doesn’t)
– set up income streams that are relatively maintenance-free
– find niches that help people and enrich lives
– write ebooks and articles (put my writing degree to use)
– do affiliate marketing for a while because it takes less time to get started
– eventually develop one or more content-based sites (one idea is food allergy resources, another idea is Christian ESL resources to use my grad degree in ESL – both of these I can envision as membership sites with list marketing opportunities)
– net $500 a month which may seem small but would be good pay for working a few hours a week
– expand to full-scale business when kids go to school
This reminded me a lot of Mark Joyner’s Simpleology program and his “Law of Clear Vision.” His “Major Focus” exercise requires writing down specific short term, medium term, long term, and life goals.
When do you post Lesson #14. I just went through all 13 prior lessons today and I ordered some of the books you suggested in lesson #12 since I come from an art background and not sales.
A couple of days ago, someone was trying to give me a hard sell in paying for lessons on how to build an online business and they wanted to charge a minimum of $2,000 and up to $10,000. It started out as a ‘get my book’ which explains everything you need to know about how to be successful as an internet marketer and ended up with a sales pitch over my land line. I’m sure I shouldn’t name names but I’m going to. I’m sorry I gave any information away to Rich Jerk.
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you for putting these lessons up for free! I heard Joel talk at a Break Out session at Tony Robbins Wealth Mastery seminar and ordered both the Internet Millionaire and AdSense program but the more I read the more confused I got as there is no step by step to go by. A lot of fabulous information but no system. I haven’t gotten into the Internet Millionaire one as of yet so I have no comment, except to say that it looks like a step-by-step system. I’ll keep you posted on what I think of it as I go.
Again, thank you!
Cidney
Hi!
When I was younger I used to climb Mountains, and I always aim to get in top. Sometime I did, sometimes I didn’t but trying I did the best out of me. I understand exactly what you have said to as all, you are 100% accurate and generous as well. I hung out with some fellow marketers for last 2 years; nobody was so considering and generous to share so deep advice as you do. Thanks Eric.
My vision for my business is to get out of the debt until the end of the year 2008, to earn enough to be able to put aside 2/3 of my income for the rainy days starting 2009. I want to leave on 1/3 of what I’ll make but this must be enough for a life without stress. I want to come back to my major pleasure in life: traveling. I want to help my mother to leave a life without debt and stress as well, and I want to buy a house for her.
Finally I aim to 100% financial independence which I want to reach in one year and a half from now!
Regards
Michaela
The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with his friendship.- Ralph Waldo Emerson
thanks eric
i really believe there is a hope
Hi Eric
Jim’s Vision
My vision for my online business centered around cooking & recipes for wheat free and gluten free people, and a JV online business site centered around chef’s and food service employees that are like me, no pension or 401k or retirement just work till…..
I plane to work around my family’s life and goals, around 40 hrs a week
NO WEEKENDS OR ANY HOLIDAY ON ANY CALANDER!!!!!
I will make 1 million a year at the minimum. I will enjoy the life we have planed for the kids
Our home and business will be on Martha’s Vineyard, our son will get all the tutoring he need and the girls will enjoy island life they deserve. Carol will run her business on line and help all the families she can with dyslexia.
Have the courage and the wisdom and the vision to raise a definite standard that will appeal to the best that is in man, and then strive mightily toward that goal. — Harold E. Stassen
Thanks Jim
My vision is something I have been working on for the last few months after deciding to find an online business to supplement and eventually replace my income. After spending some money on education (some good, some worthless but nonetheless a learning experience) I decided on information products. Here is where I am at (I think it needs to be more specific):
Build a variety of online businesses to provide income to take care of my family, as well as others, mostly through the church, be able to take vacations when ever and where ever we want, fulfill my aviation disease (I am a private pilot (20 Years) and that is my passion, just not a big enough market to make the kind of money I want to make online), and finally, provide help to those that need it most whether that be paying someones electric bills, keeping them out of foreclosure while they get back on their feet, or giving thousands to shelters that rehab people down on their luck. I might have an altruistic streak.
I see myself getting up in the morning, checking how my existing online businesses are doing, then searching for and thinking about new online businesses (websites) to start. The income I need to accomplish all of this starts at 10K a month (goal of reaching this in 12 months), followed by $1 million a year (goal of 3-4 years). Of course this comes with being debt free including the house, and paying cash for everything. Having been a debtor for 30 years, I don’t think Ineed to build any more credit.
Let me know what you think. I know everyone has their own vision/dream and success depnds on how specific the vision is. What I am struggling with is specifically what sites to set up.
Neal
Hi Eric..
I am starting out in Internet Marketing a bit later in my life than most. My career has had it’s ups and downs, but I’d do it all again. However, what’s lacking is a retirement plan. Mind you, I’m not looking to retire, I feel to young to even consider it! My vision is success as an affiliate marketer by raising my level of wealth from $0 to $a million dollars in 5 years so that, I may have “options”!
Wealth is fine but isn’t it all really just about having Options? I can picture the money in my Paypal, clickbank accounts…simply need to take the right turns in the road more often than the wrong turns. When the student is ready, a Teacher will appear! I’m ready….
Thanks Eric..
Bob Kimball
My vision is “financial freedom”. I no need to worry about the “price tag” while i’m shopping with my love one.I wish i can wake up whenever i want and do whatever i want. I work for my own and not for other.
To Your Success
Bryan Hee
Vision
I want to be able to help my family,(mum,dad,brother), and also travel the world before I start my own family.I also want to feel security, not to think about my bills every day.If I can have a child or not.I want abundance in every way.I think $100.000/year is my goal.It is realistic and achievable.
Hi Eric
My vision is to make up for the (financial) mistakes I have made in the past like bad investments,trusting the wrong people, complacency etc. and to make myself financially comfortable as I approach my retirement years. That way I can give my wife the life she deserves but which until now seemed out of reach.
With your help and encouragement I believe I can make my vision a reality.
Thanks
Ralph
My vision is to be the artist people will go tobecause I am the best out there.Just look at my samples of pencil portraits,the technique is flawless.Make enough to support my family without any money problems.Be able to do what I WANT AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THE EXPENCE INVOLVED.
Hi Eric:
I can’t thank you enough for what you are doing, you walk the talk. My place of employment just sold to it’s strongest competitor, putting 50 employers out of work.I am 63 yrs. young so finding full time employment is very difficult. Sense I have been learning your lessons to the best of my ability I have had a vision of being financially free to be able to help my family and thoes less fortunate than me. I have a blog set up but I don’t know how to work it.I also have an acct. with Click Bank and getting nowhere with that. I have tried everything to make it productive.I have a hard time grasping how to execute these sites. There are so many people trying to sell this and that it’s mind boggling. So my vision is to earn 1,000,000 annualy through online marketing I can’t pinpoint an exect product. I know that isn’t a lot these days but I would be able to help my family and live a less stressful life financially.
May your days be prosperous
Gus
My vision is to see myself out of debt soon and
and start making two million rands per year. My only satand back is a credit card I have been black listed by the banks here and doing business on the internet a credit card is a must, but I am keeping my guards up.
every single day i recieve calls from creditors i am US$40,000,00 dip in debt but my goal is come out and support my family
shine on RICH
THANKS
My Vision…..
To have a successful home-based business that will be Automated as much as possible,but not in any way resulting in poor customer service.
My mission is to help as many people that are willing to accept my help to also be successful,by providing the products,systems,information,and support that they will need to be successful.
The end result being debt free and financial independaent,which will allow me to enjoy life,help the needed,and to be able to spend my life in my own way.
To obtain this I will remain focused
Top stuff here Eric,
We need to be reminded of our truth and power over and over again until we start to live it.
Keep reminding me buddy! : )
Your good karma is flourishing
Hi Eric,
Firstly, thankyou so much for these videos.
My vision is to find a topic that I can base my online business around, and in doing so, earn at least $10,000 mth. At this point, I have no idea of what subject to focus on. But I want to be proud of my business and proud of how I have worked to build it to the point of financial freedom. I’ve long dreamed of sharing my success with my family and helping others less fortunate. Of travelling in our new motorhome. Of being financially free.
Marion
This is my first time to post but I have been reading each lesson as they arrive. I took my website out of the box because I didn’t want anyone to think that was the reason I was posting.
I am a retired teacher and still a newbie at IM. But I have put together a site for beginners that is allowing me to help others in their journey in a small way.
I read everything I can get my hands on — at least the things that are free or inexpensive. There is so much hype out there and certainly not as much help. That is how I came across Eric. Reading!
I have found it helpful to read all of the things (even though they are hype) for inspiration, ideas, and solidification of my current opinions or ideas.
That explains my reason for leaving out my URL. I don’t want anyone to think I am prowling this site trying to “steal” readers.
My vision is very simple.
My grown son has climbed mountains to be the fine young man he is. His passion is music. He is a drummer. My first dream would be to allow him the two or three years needed to chase this dream. Doesn’t have to be in a fancy car or a life of luxury — just the freedom to be able to eat and afford the necessities of life.
My other goal is to achieve a dream I have had for about 25 years. I have made small inroads on it but very small.
I would like to develop a small “community” on my land in the country for women in their senior years who are living on very limited incomes. I have the non-profit set up, I have the land and I have a double wide that could serve as the central facility. What I want to do next is construct small 1 bedroom/bath cabins that would be occupied by the women with them paying and helping in the projects according to their abilities.
In many ways I want the project to be self sustaining before I reach the point in my life that I can no longer be as active as I am now.
I also want to document this project as a model to be used around the USA (dare I say world).
Women outlive men, often have no working skills outside of the home and many times are forced to enter the work place at a time of their life when it is not possible to earn a decent wage (especially in light of today’s economy).
Presently, I am supporting two on disability and a third will be here within the month. They have a small check each month (both under $700 per month)but as all of you know, this is nothing. I am fortunate enough to have a retirement check and a social security check that allows all of us to live somewhere above the poverty level. ALL of my savings of any kind (including a nice home)were lost in my efforts to “rescue” my sister from a huge crisis — something that I did willingly without a second thought.
Enough of my ramble. It just helps me to focus on my dream from time to time.
Carol
My vision is to never worry about how I will pay for my daughters education, their wedding day. To have food, shelter and more importantly time with my family. The vision of becoming successful is firmly planted in my mind, but sometimes it gets greyed out with all the scams, lies and garbage that has been played out in the Internet Marketing World.
Today…it has become much clearer again.
Thank you Eric.
Dear Eric
Thank you for your step by step advice. You are so right.
My vision is as follows:
I am sharing a celebratory dinner in Melbourne, with my family, having just enjoyed the mens final of the Australian Tennis Open Jan, 2010. We will be celebrating my very successful online marketing business which has enabled me to achieve the first of my many lifetime goals.
As part of the celebration I will be wearing a
gold coloured outfit with all the trimmings (‘bling blings!)that denotes financial success.
We will toast our blessings as a family and give thanks to God Almighty for his guidance and for bringing us together.
We will toast the success of my marketing business which will have reached my goal of $500,000 by Dec,2009.
We will also be celebrating my retirement from teaching for the past 40 years.
This celebratory dinner will be the first of many.
Following the trip to Melborne the goals for 2010 will be:
* to continue to grow the business to $600,000
* to assist each of my children (3) to purchase their own homes
* to take my family to Disneyland and on to New York to the US Tennis Open. As you will have guessed we are tennis players/fans.
* to give my own home a complete ‘makeover’ both inside and out.
* to have a part-time gardener to maintain my gardens, especially my roses.
My vision for 2011 will be:
* to take my marketing business to the $1,000,000 mark
* to attend the Rugby World Semis & Final in NZ
* to purchase/build a new but smaller low maintenance home and rent out my present house
* to take my family to Europe to the French Tennis Open
* to begin to invest money into an Education Trust Fund for the tertiary education of my grandchildren and great grandchildren etc
I could go on but think I’ve said enough for now. Time to get busy reading and doing !
Will see you all courtside
Hanna
Vision 2k8
Hello, my name is Shane Hale it is really funny I put my vision on my blog the other day after reading Rich Dad Poor Dad I am addicted to Kiyosaki.
I saw where you posted Cash Quadrants and remembered My mom bought me the original Rich Dad, Poor Dad series. I finished that 2 weeks ago and I am on Chapter 9 of cash Quadrants. Enough about that now time for Vision! I am close to having a vision near or close to Eric. I work as a Network Engineer for a major ISP/Telecom and make decent money.I had a vision to get there from working in construction to driving on a trash truck selling vaccum cleaners and driving cabs. I obtained a Network Engineer job without ever finishing college. Sorry, I get off in tangents. My vision is this grow my Web hosting reseller company with residual memberships supplement it with selling How to Ebook products and software. Selling and writing scripts to support Internet Marketing and other niches. Make 30,000 a month but really want to make 100,000 or more a month. I want to set a goal but don’t really want to limit myself. I want to move in the B&I quadrant. Once I obtain my short term goal of making money I want to give back in missions and pretty much start up my own non-profit organization to help children in need here and anywhere in the world. Eric thank your for your encouragement and insight into the business.
Hi eric, thanks for your in depth explanation of
what a vision is and you are right our mind were bounded by our past experience… our past failure and current situation and get used to it… we afraid to think of a bing picture or just think we can’t have the big picture..
so we really have to jump out of our old mindset and get into the new one. anyway my vision is very simple earn on average $2000 per month in the coming year at the beginning and set up my own office selling seo or social networking stuff as a service. that’s what I have it mind at moment
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Hi Erik Hope it stays this good.
My vision is to create a sustainable online business that develops other businesses as a bi-product. Thus ensuring a life style for myself and others that we have feared to dream of. Where money is just a tool and not my every waking worry.
Regards
Mark
Eric, my vission includes several streams of income online, and off. First, my internet business includes 400 websites that serve markets such as fitness, weight loss, helth and wellness, personal growth, coaching sites, membership sites for all of these areas, blogs, adsense sites, and I have several partners who I’m involved with. I will have a mixture of information and affilaite products. I will also have websites that buy and sell real-estate as well. Income from all of these internet websites add up to $5,000,000 per year. Secondly, my off line business is in the private lending arena with secured and unsecured loans. This business is generating $3,000,000. My husband and I have several business associates who are prominent in the money and real-estate world. We support several of our favorite charities, one of which is an outdoor program that teaches blind people the exhilerating sport of cross-country skiing–our favorite winter sport. We fly only first class. We are so blessed to have superb health, and we have the best health care and the most innovative personal trainers to support our goals of staying lean… We are blessed to have fantastic friends and get to enjoy awesome luxury. Whoo! Thank you for encouraging all of us to participate this way. Kathy Strahan
My vision is to create a website that will take small home repair businesses to a new level. Our website will help thousands of the one/two man operations out there get respect in their community, while teaching them how to give the very best service possible.
Hi! I did my VISION, I have now a personal question, how you can get a picture in these responses, somebody can tell me!
Thanks
Michaela
Hi Eric
My vision is to be successful as an internet marketer. This means creating a real business with employees, vitual or existent, that will accomplish those things which I am not good at so as I can focus on developing what I am good at.
I want to work from my home and no more than 50 hours per week. I will earn $1,500 per day because I know that I can.
I want to keep my business vision simple. Simple things get done!
One of the most satisfying things my family and I have done in the last couple of years is donate $9k to set up a micro-enterprise Community Bank in Cambodia through World Vision. It took a while to get to a position where we were able to do it but it was definitely worth it – we’re planning to visit
Cambodia next year to see our investment in action; but a one time investment is not enough!
My vision for our online businesses is to build, over the course of the next 5 years, a US$1 million a year income that more than meets our needs – sees the kids through university and beyond, sets up my wife and I for an active retirement… early! and enables us to invest in people (mostly through church) and projects (in partnership with established charities) at home and around the world while we are achieving our goal – not just after we have reached it.
Eric, your transparent generosity of spirit is an inspiration. Thankyou.
John
My vision is to start out with Affiliate Marketing to establish another source of income. I want to have my site running by my birthday in Sept. I will have my AA degree in business accomplished in 2009. I will be certified in web graphics by 2009 or sooner. Our site will eventually be a review site, based on a yearly membership. By the time we retire we both will have successful working websites established and all of our debt paid off. Then we are going to travel anywhere we want to, bringing the biz with us.
Thank you for all of your help Eric
Kathy
Eric, Its Danny Your faithfull follower, it says Franklin but I go by Danny. You have touched on something that has been in my head for a long time. I am 49 yras old. You have reconfirmed all my thoughts. You replied to one of my comments in lesson 11 along with a couple of others. As I had said I am more than very determined. Your thoughts on seeing the big picture, seeing the ball be the ball approach is exactlly what I do all the time even when I am trying to start my Honda CR 500. You will not get to just jump on for the ride of your life, first you have to have a lot of patients kick starting it. It got so frustrating, one day I had kicked it over 25 times. I was burnt out. So I decided to see me kick the bike, see it follow all the wat thru, hear it fire off and most of all see the smile on my face as I finally get to pull on the track. Bingo it worked. From that point on that was the only way I would start that bike. Determined, I say so, I had to sell that bike because of my determination to start an online business and when I passed it on I also passed on the technic. The guy thought I was joking. He had to find out the hard way. Yesterday was a big failure, I was humbled, the wind was blown out of my sails. Even theough I see the big picture, I have limitations. Two months ago, I closed the doors on my Home Repair business to follow a vision. My mistake was thinking it was going to happen as quick as I wanted it to or was lead to beleave it was all just that easy. When being hit in the face with reality most people will tuck tail and run, for me it only pushes me harder. It is important to have plan B and C ready. Hopefully I never have to use plan D but it is there. I am computer literate to a certian point then I hit the wall. I have used computers for a long time in all my careers but this level throughs me a curve. So as always to further my knowledge I study. I am graduating from the school of Hard Knocks. Haha. I contacted a family member that is a Geek and that is when I realized I was in over my head in this part of my vision. It would take me a years of schooling I need to accomplish my goals. When I asked my questions, and they were to the point, she gave me the answers and it was then that I realized this was going to take longer than I expected, remember I have just about sold every toy I own, and I own a lot , to make this happen. I do not cry over spilt milk because I already now, in my vision, I have some new toys on the way. My defeat only makes me stronger, Failure is good. It makes you think, fail and walk away you in the sane rut or try harder and suceed. When I had my dreams crushed yesterday, I did not walk away, I just concidered it another obsticle. I sat and I thought about it. Move to plan B – Outsource. Although I am a mmaster in the Petrolium Industry I lack in the knowledge I need at this point. Plan B means out sorceing. Out sourceing means spending money, Money I no goto, hahaha, I am laughing at myself. So I decided to offer my Geek some thing better than cash in hand, bigger cash in the future. You see she has several sites she is making money on, but she lacks my drive and determination. Sales and Marketing is also instilled in my past. So If I work with her and utilize her knowledge and apply them to my goals, dreams and visions. I will help myself and her to hit a higher benchmark. So while others may see it as a stopping spot I see it as a positive. Negative is good, it helps me open my mind and try harder, explore my options and in reality by realizing I am in over my head, it is now going to save me time that I was killing to apply it in a more usefull way. For myself and her it is a win win situation.
One other thing that I would like to say to any one that is reading my comment. Except your failures, move on, build off of them, you will be stronger and it will help you open you eyes. Get creative. That is what it takes to succeed.
As always Eric you and your Tips are inspiring. I hope one day when I succeed in my Vision we can meet so I can show you the little engine that could. hahaha, I make me laugh. Later !
Eric,
Excellent LESSON #13: Getting a Vision for Your Business. Thank you, again. Below is my Action Step for Lesson #13.
My vision is to become a successful online marketer in my business, which I will continually strive to dominate. My successes in this effort will supply my family with a minimum residual and passive income that has no visible boundary. I will work (if it is to be termed “work”) when I want, where I want and for as much or little as I want. This business success will afford me more time to devote to my family and to teach my two young son’s life’s lessons. That is to say, humility, humanity and honesty first, will be the foundation. The experiences and exposure I will give them and they will pass onto others, is the driving force in this endeavor.
Hi Eric,
I am so glad to see you covering the most preliminary basics. I spent thousands of dollars to learn these thing. Cheers to you for a great, well researched blog.
Hi Eric,
My vision is create Great income generating websites to improve my way of living. In Michigan the auto industry is laying off thousands of workers. I would like to generate income working out of my home with an Internet Marketing. I am creating my first Membership Site On World of Warcraft. Even though I do not know much about. I have taken a big step in the right direction. To find what products customers want. Like keyword research on this. I have listen to Justin Brooke quite a bit. But I am ready to start promoting my business now and focus on creating content for my World of Warcraft. Yes, Eric I believe everybody needs to have a vision to succeed. Just like the video I was watching the other day on The Secret. I believe that the Law of Attraction does apply. That you envision yourself living wealthly. I believe alot of problems come with the Ego. Like Echart Tollie says in the New Earth. The ego gets in the way of you progressing. What you do is not you doing it, its your ego. So you have to be conscious of your ego. Control it and you will have gain mastery of it. I envision my self in Rome where the ancient warriors fought. I have always wanted to travel but have never went. But I envision traveling alot and seeing the sights of the world with the money I attain in my business. I feel your information is priceless and I enjoy the proverbs in your videos and articles. This must be mean your are very wise and to start a business you have to make wise decisions. The key to any business i s Focus. I was listening to Willie Crawford say that most people bounce from one thing to another with out accomplishing the one task to the fullest. This is the problem with the internet too much Information Overload. If you prefect the one website before going on ten at one time. You will become to perfect whatever you are working on at 100%. Be simple and direct. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. I was reading Zen and the Martial Arts. Draw two lines. One line is bigger than the other. What does that mean. Well increase your line of knowledge rather than trying to cut someone’s else knowledge down. This is the way of any successful business person.
Hi Eric,
Thank you so much for these tips. I’ve done the 30 Day Challenge for three years, yet somehow never twigged to the Think Like A Marketer aspect!
My vision is much like your sample one. I want financial independence with a short work week and a clutter-free home so I have time, space and resources to make this world a better place. Yes, I’m an idealist. I’m sure you understand.
Specifically, I’m crazy about knitting and would love to earn money from that passion. My bigger vision is to make the world safe for women. After all, that kind of world is pretty comfortable for everyone.
Thank you so much. I’m beyond eager to proceed!
Karen
First of all thanks for this series – of all the blogs etc that come into my mailbox yours is probably the first one I check for. Well done!
Now for my vision. In one respect I am perhaps a little different to many of your readers in that I have been running a successful publishing/information business for 12 years. So why am I looking at something new? Several reasons but probably the main one is I want a new challenge and the end result of it for me will be this:
– an online information business focussing on a new niche
– a business that provides satisfaction and will be of benefit to other people
– an income that will provide my family with our daily needs and then as much surplus as I can generate that I can channel back into my other great passion the Lord’s work and spreading the Gospel. Obviously this latter one is limitless – the need is so great. This to me is the greatest vision of all.
Looking forward to Lesson 14
David
My vision is to live in South America, to escape the everyday rat race, to be accountable to no one but myself, travel to exotic places, to help those less fortunate, while my online business brings in more then a million dollars a year.
Hi Eric,
Thanks so much for this course. The lessons are great in that each lesson gives me time to absorb and understand everything you are teaching, and I anxiously look forward to each next lesson.
I am a single mom of one child, 11 years old. I work shiftwork as a Nurse, primarily nights. My goal is to stop doing this in the next year.
My financial vision is to be able to create extraordinary income for my family so that I can travel the world with my son, and give him the education that kids don’t get in traditional school.
My personal vision is to become an expert in this field, like yourself, so that I can help others achieve the same goals, both personally and financially.
I love the concept of internet business and I can clearly see the potential for creating a very successful online business. To be able to do what you do and be very good at it is my primary goal.
Thanks again,
Erika
Hi Eric,
My vision is to produce successful websites (affiliate & Adsense marketing), articles and ebooks. I want the multiple streams of income from these sources to allow me to live and travel in comfort around the world. Within the next three years. My spouse and I want to experience all the great places in this world, and an internet based income will make that possible. We want to be able to choose where and when to visit, without worrying about the cost. “Comfort” is vital, since I am restricted by pain etc. I won’t aim as high as “luxury”, simply because it probably doesn’t exist in some of the places we want to visit; but I’ll gladly take it, if it exists! Comfort, great people/food….and an internet connection to keep up a steady income and an avenue of expression.
And Eric, thanks for these lessons as well as all you have done in the past. You are a gifted teacher.
Colin
Hi Eric, lesson 13 is great for me. Thank you. On July 4, I was 60 and on august 1 I retire. In the last months I was busy with Internet marketing, but without a vision. The pension I receive is not enough to realize my wish: together with my wife I want to overwinter in countries where is a warmer climate. I live in The Netherlands, you see. Our winters are cold and wet. My vision is to make a business on Internet so I can pay the costs to overwinter. I consider to create an ebook about financial housekeeping (first in Dutch and a little later in English).
Thanks and regards,
Theo
Eric, I love what you are doing for all of us!
Vision:
I see myself sitting at my computer looking at the receipts of my Pay Pal account and seeing average daily sales income of $3,000. My self-help online ebookstore provides topics that help all those seekers/buyers wishing to improve their lives in every area, including how to set attainable goals and hold to their vision.
At the community level I am exercising my experience as a public speaker, networker and personal coach to help others communicate with each other and realize their dreams through building their own businesses.
I work my online business full-time, when I want to, and I see that continuing even through my success because it is my passion and I love doing it.
All of my goals for my business are happening now and will culminate in rich success by the end of September, 2008 or before. This or something better please. Thank you.
Hi Eric,
I appreciate your tips very much. A little of my story before my vision. My day job was recently eliminated in a corporate down-sizing. Fortunately I have a small severance package that is allowing me to refocus my life and goals. I am looking for another day job to meet my immediate family needs. But I am primarily using this time to improve my health my mind and my future. I have been a longtime student of network and internet marketing. Now I am in the process of putting what I have learned to work. My vision is to help others find what they are looking for in the way of a online business to fulfill their dreams. By helping others I am confident that I will in time be able to provide a lifestyle for my family which will far exceed what we have had in the past. It is my goal to have an income of at least $15,000 a month by the end of 2010. I will do this by finding a Network marketing program that I believe in. I will use marketing tools available online to locate people with similar vision, goals and dreams. In this way I fully intend to help others find and meet their goals. I absolutely believe that by helping others realize their goals, my path will be made clear to realize mine as well.
Keep up the great work Eric.
Best regards,
Rick
Eric,
Here are my goals
1. Generate 100k per month
2. Walk my 2 1/2 twins to regular school EVERY day.
3. 3 month vacation every year to one of the top 100 destinations in the world, with my kids(http://www.hillmanwonders.com/index.htm#_vtop)
4. House on the beach
5. 5 fun cars
I have many more that are personal or professional, but that is the giest of them.
Thomas
Since I tend to intellectualize most everything, I don’t actually see a future, but I do have a plan.
I am continually building and expanding my website with the goal of it becoming a trusted resource for the many people who struggle to earn money on the internet.
I am continually creating an online presence through social sites, ezine articles, blogs, forums, etc. (Eric asked that we not describe the process for achievement, but I don’t know how to separate process from the goal). In addition to public social site memberships, I have created a private social site and newsletter.
I want visitors to recognize the value and integrity of the information on my site and to understand that the product and service recommendations I make there will help them; that these products and services assist them in achieving their dreams while keeping them safe from hucksters and identity thieves.
I see myself averaging (after taxes) $4,200 a month in steady income. That money will support our disabled daughter. Eventually, I hope that she will recover well enough to take over the business.
If the business were to go beyond that point, I would consider endowing scholarships.