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!
Thanks so much for this opportunity and encouragement! Very special indeed!
We have begun working on our vision, started a website that connects travel hosts in various countries to travelers. We concentrate on culturally interesting places, encouraging friendship and cultural exchange.
This travel style keeps funds in the local communities and encourages cottage industries. We have worked really hard and everyone is happy except…We are still working full time in our daily jobs and this is not sustainable so…
Our vision is to develop multiple online income sources that will sustain us and allow us to travel and develop more host sites. Then travelers can immerse themselves in the culture of the area and learn. The internet also allows those who cannot physically travel to benefit from cultural information presented. Hopefully, we will add many more interactive features to the website to encourage online cultural exchange!
We would also like to develop an import-export arm of the business to facilitate cottage industry crafts in our host communities, providing a means to more people’s livelyhood and creating jobs in our unemployed home state of Michigan.
We would like a house in Michigan big enough to hold our kids and their families, Moms, friends and critters. We would like to travel 4-6 months of the year. We need funds enough to support good living wages and benefits for all employees and funds to support development at the host sites in various developing countries. I think 1-2 million gross per year should give this a good start! Still have to do the math.
Cool vision 🙂 Hey I just checked out your site and noticed this…
http://worldstogethertravel.com/belize/quiche-host.htm
That’s very close to where I went in Belize, in fact I drive through San Antonio village, which is where your host was born.
My “VISION” is a lofty one. It’s to help others by providing them with solutions to their problems. One of the problems I see as major is providing a good home and environment for all living creatures. My vision is to find ways I can be of service to others and their offspring by providing help for their problems and their living environment. In finding those ways – Ill be answering their questions according to my best experience, Ill be providing the best solutions I can, which they can use to their benefit. I’ll be providing my family with a good life because in helping other people, I will be rewarded. I’ll be making the world more sustainable and transferring knowledge that will contribute to this sustainability. I’ll be providing solutions which also help the planet to survive and it’s ecology to continue to exist and to thrive. This is for the comfort and joy of all living creatures, not just for humans, and because the world has evolved and should continue to evolve without wars and destruction.
That’s my broad vision – to concentrate on helping people achieve their visions and to help them to survive in an age where we need to learn how to exist harmoniously instead of destructively with the systems we have been blessed with and inherited. Our cultural, environmental and social systems – I plan to try and maintain and continue these systems for all to enjoy, benefit and to sustain their lives with! That’s my vision for my business.
It may mean I have to make big changes in my life but that’s the way I see my vision for the future.
Hi Eric,
Great messages & repeating listen to this one really make sense to us.
We intend to succeed on this Online business as to make real monies as much as we can & will share this ideas to the community as to help them to success & live with no more poverty.
Ths, regards
Hi Eric,
My vision is to help people to reduce their energy costs through the use of available technologies which have thus far been suppressed by the government.
I will measure my success by the number of people whose lives are greatly improved by using these much more efficient and eco-friendly products.
Feel free to visit my site for shocking information regarding the truth behind rising gas prices, there is nothing for sale there.
MY BUSINESS VISION
PRIMARY BUSINESS (here on earth)
As a Christian, I would like to help in proclaiming God’s good news to every citizen of this WORLD so that we can finally be in the “mansions” that God had prepared for each one of us! – I want an online site that will focus on my “PRIMARY” business that will send different literatures to the utmost part of the world!
While doing God’s work, I also look forward for a commercial business that will focus on selling vegetarian and wellness products for a healthy, Christian lifestyle. 🙂
Thank you very much Eric for helping us to reach our visions and may continually God bless us here at ericstips!
Hi Eric,
My business vision is to earn a minimum of $25,000 per month using your proven techniques online… and that’s minimum what I mean. I believe other luxuries accompany automatically and any extra income would further boost me to set higher goals. Of course, philanthropical interests are always there in my agenda to do precious little for my brethren of this planet earth. And I hope you will steer me towards this realizable goal(Hope I’m not greedy Eric!)
Regards and god bless Eric!
Murthy.
Dr. Mark,
Have you visited the EricTips Forum? If not, please do. I might have some interesting information for you.
http://www.ericstips120forum.com
or you can email me at info@thepowerofdna.com
Mary Jenkins
Dear Hewlitt,
Very interesting, but how do you come up with such an equation? Thanks for commenting….
All the best,
Bonnie
Katherine,
How did you come up with the company/capital for your ventures???
All the best,
Bonnie
I wondered about your location in Belize. I was surprised to hear that an orphanage was necessary as everyone seemed to have such a strong sense of family and responsibility there. Do you have a place where I can read more details on your mission (I already read and contributed on this Eric’s Tips Video site)
By the way thank you so much for sharing your expertise. You can see how many lives it is touching!
Hi,
my vision for my blog is just to replace my dayjob income – $10,000 a month. I am a musician, and for me the point is to be able to play/record/create/travel/perform without worrying about paying rents etc etc etc. I have a blog started, and I want to built it up to the point where it’s got at least 1,000 regular visitors and an active forum and many co-contributors and a few volunteer moderators so I only have to spend a few hours a week on it.
Then I can concentrate the rest of my time on my music and my family…
aaaaahhhhhh…
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My vision is to succeed online and to be the best marketer possible. To own and operate several niche websites. The goal is to make a comfortable living at home so that we no longer have to work for anyone but ourselves.
One of my visions is to earn a Grammy award.
I am from South America,but I want that Grammy.
I see myself clearly getting this award.
I am extremely busy now with a kids CD and I will launch this CD in august both on and off line.I tried to get some sponsoring,but I hate begging,and explaining so I started. I know the kids of my country needed new songs so I wrote them. I have a daycare and preschool,and know there have not been written new kids songs in Suriname for more than twenty years.Everything is working out fine just like I planned.
My goal is to sell 100.000 CD,s
I will also build a big play center for the kids of Suriname,because every time we want to go somewhere with the kids,of the preschool its a problem,because there are not much kid friendly places.
Everything is possible,I know that!
Hi eric, My vision in life would be to be debt free, travel the world, and quit my day job. I have raised my two children and now have granchildren. I am now divorced and want to make a new life for myself. My vision would be to have the best online businesses that I could possibly have. I already have two business up and running. One is sandysbears.com and the waldropenterprises.com. I am using dropshippers for both businesses. I am hoping with your guidance you can help me make these the best they can be. I have followed your advice and lessons. I have never done anything on the internet before.I figured it is now or never and to jump in with both feet!I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping us newbies.
Thanks for the post Dick, it’s an honor to have you as a reader.
That’s great, in fact I appreciate the recommendation! Thanks
That’s very cool, and I love how you visualize it.
Absolutely Cel… now you’re starting to think bigger 🙂 You need to look at the glass half full. Based on your very thoughtful reply, you obviously have a very smart half a brain, and you have the BEST half of your life ahead of you. When you free your mind and rise above those doubts, you will enter a more fulfilling life, regardless of how much money you’re making. You can do it!
Thanks for sharing your journey with us 🙂 I hope we can help you take the next step…
Good vision Peter, and keep up the good work for the kingdom.
It’s posted now, thanks 🙂
I’m glad to hear that this lesson really hit the nail on the head for you 🙂 Thank you!
There is a strong sense of family, but also a lot of poverty and unwanted children in some areas. http://www.lolministry.com/
I’m going to be helping them with their website and will be updating it soon with new information and a video I’m making.
Wow, that is cool! What is the song on your home page? Is it one of yours?
MY VISION: To empower single mothers to be successful. Inspiring single mothers to create and manifest the life they desire. To enjoy financial freedom making at least 100,000 in 90 days but more like 330,000 from my internet marketing, allowing me flexibility and finances to parent my children in the way I want and find my divine soulmate.
Hi Eric,
Thanks for your Lessons,They are
inspiring as you expect them to be
and very educational.
I realize the knowledge and experiences
you are sharing are sold by some for a
very high price. Thanks again for not
Charging us because most of us Cannot
afford to pay the value in Cash.
My VISION is to inspire people who thrive
to be successful on line and help them realize
their Dreams in Life.
By doing that I see myself Taking my online
business to a level of realizing my Goal
reaching a residual income of 1 Million a
year and beyond.
I have always enjoyed giving needy people
when ever I could and I am dreaming to be
able to share with needy people more with
my increased income as well as the knowledge.
Hi Eric, I’m 60 now ,have three beautifull daughters one grandchild,and another comming these days. Was part of a family business, but due to economical situations in my country lost everything some years ago and now “my vision” is to be able to help my daugthers too buy a house each so they can raise my grandchildren in “their own house”.I owe this to myself!!!
My vision on this business is to launch a successful online business to market informational product, primarily “how to”, success personal growth, health & well being, real estate such as investment properties, discounted notes, mortgages RE in coastal areas of Central & South America.
To have affiliates that are in accord with my ideas and principles. My business will generate at least 25,000 a month and it can be managed from anywhere in the world.
The success information products I plan to offer will also be in Spanish & Portuguese to fight poverty in Latin America, since I believe poverty is a state of mind more than anything, once a person stops thinking that is poor (welfare mentality)that person can be what they want. Myself have been broke many times but never poor (I was fortunate to learn this from my parents who were big thinkers). I have learned to be a possibility thinker (like Dr Shuller says) and want to pass this on to the less privileged and I cannot see any other better way than to do it online.
I will learn and apply what I learn to build a business which makes £100,000 profit by July 2009.
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Hi Eric
My vision would be what ever product I am related to will help thousands of people to have a better life than they have now. That I will wealthy enough to do what I want when I want with out having to think about. That all my time is not taken up by my business I can still have a life.
Eric
My vision is for my wife and I to work 20 hours per week, spend 6 months each with grandchildren in CA and OK, spend time helping others in Celebrate Recovery and other ministries helping men. We want to earn at least 10k a month.
Hi Ruth,
A plain well done on your achievements and a ‘keep going’ on your vision,thank you for sharing your thoughts and talents.
Paul (UK)
Good Evening Eric,
I m very happy today. Your Lesson #13 has given me a roadmap which I have been missing for a very long time.
I work with an Advertising Company, and my focus was always around what I see close to me. I never realised the importance of the “BIG PICTURE”. Your lesson has changed the way I think. Thanks Eric.
Julius’ Vision
To Start my own offline Advertising company with my own capital from the Online Business world.
To Understand my niche business, make a constructive plan and build it over a period of time. ( I have earlier attended lots of seminars, and internet programs…But Eric, What I have learnt here “@erictips” for FREE is worth a million dollars).
I intend to reach a sales figure of 1 million dollars by mid December. I want to donate a huge amount to needy children, so that they can celebrate this christmas, with a smile.
Thanks
http://www.communicatetoriches.com
Hi Eric,
Great Video.Very good self improvement stuff.
Very inspirational.
I will listen to it more often.
My vision is to earn 10k per month.
Thanks for sharing.
best wishes,
kannan viswagandhi
http://www.growing-self.blogspot.com
mY VISION IS TO GET PAID FOR MY PASSIONS WHICH ARE:to introduce everyone I come in contact with to the Lord Jesus; & to teach all how to have good health & be free of pain. I wasn’t interested in wealth when I chose these & they are very competitive with very small remuneration. Perhaps I’LL CHANGE MY GOALS TO INCLUDE WEALTH TOO. God bless you.
Mary
HI ERIC,I AM NOT A WIMP WHEN IT COME TO MIND-FIXATED- ON- SUCCESS.I HAVE SUCH TENACITY OF PURPOSE SUCH THAT IN COMPARISON A BULL DOG GRIP IS LIKE THE GRIP OF A DAY OLD BABY.MY VISION IS TO HAVE AN INTERNET BUSINESS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR ACHIEVEMENT IN IT JUST A BEGINNER’S EFFORT.
Wow! If I’d have known any better, after you mentioned all that, I’d have guessed that you were one of my previous managers! Just about the only thing that seperates you from him is that he has a young boy. (His name is Neal too.)
Sounds like you’ve done it all in the IT field and if I know something of that, I can see why you’re ready to move on. Requires alot of time, analyzation, studying, etc.
Good luck with everything you’re doing from here forward. Hope all your dreams are realized.
Take care.
Hello Eric and everyone,
It’s Prakash here. I come from the island of Mauritius, I doubt you may not have heard of my little island. Well I can say with confidence that it’s the best place in the world. Not so developed like America but you can get everything here and lead the most peaceful life that you have ever wanted.
I am a student,22 years old and a newbie to internet marketing and I want to make the internet the tree of cash for me. I have lived so far a very modest life and I really want to get rid of all these and live a life where money is not given importance at all and the problem here is that to lead such a life, unfortunately money is needed.
My vision is to be someone who has money to help everyone I can who are in distress financially,my parents my friends and everyone who I know. I want to live with my two grandmothers, to look after them and give them whatever they want as in old days there is no one here for them.
I always want to be my own boss and work in my own pace and time and with your lessons I can see the ray of light coming day after day. I am ready to work more than 80 hours per week to reach my goal and get 50000 per month.(one tenth of it will be ok),well that’s my vision after all,
My passions are music, technology and I want to provide to people good stuffs that can enhance their life in a better way,whether be it on health, wealth and peace.
Thanks a lot for the wonderful help that you are giving Eric
Prakash
My vision is to create massive wealth that will allow me to help a poverty stricken area(my girlfiends country) which I am currently living. Also more exact is to create 2 million dollars a year in the next 12 months and start a disabled childrens school for disadvantaged which my girlfriend is currently going to school for.
P.S. Am a former 15 year insurance agent and Zig and Norman are my favorites!
I am 21 years of age, a Registered Nurse and wanted to pursue…
MY ULTIMATE VISION:
1) To establish my online business focusing on B2B, Dropshipping and later on the International Trading gaining clients in different countries around the globe.
2) To find other ways in earning multiple streams of income that is genuine, effective and reliable, earning $100,000 at least a year for a start and consistently growing…
3) To build my own foundation, helping young brilliant but unpriviledged children to study and help them become successful, and do various medical and dental missions, feeding programs, livelihood projects, lifestyle awareness seminars, special children outreach, youth empowerment, care for the abused (women and children), disaster relief etc. and donate to other charity foundations.
3) To live in a beautiful tax haven country with 0% tax interest rate.
4) To buy my own house and car, as well as for my mom and let her enjoy life travelling to beautiful and exotic places in the world.
5) To secure my sister’s future as she wanted to pursue Naturopathic Medicine, focusing on traditional medicine, which is wholistic approach for health and wellness.
Actually there’s a lot more…
But i have just written the primary…
TO OUR MENTOR ERIC:
I am truly grateful to have this course online. It’s very informative, challenging, motivating and inspiring as well.
I guess I can consider all these not just a turn key, but I love to use the word “paradigm shift”. Again, a million thanks! (^_^)
God bless and more power!
Eric: You know–you are something else–you are special to many people and they do not realize it at this point in their life.
My Vision is to provide assistance to individuals with substance abuse issues, as I have for the past 10 years, only now I see a minimum of $3,000,000.00 a year as the operating budget. They need more and better fcilities to assist them in turning their life around. Thank you for your wisdom.
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Highly inspiring.
My vision is to access financial freedom, help people by giving, educating and sharing experience. I want to help my religious commnity greatly, accomplish a great lifestyle, travel the world and inspire people. And i want to start by creating an online empire around education and coaching people to get what they want in life.
My vision is to make enough money on the internet to get completely out of debt. I want to be able to give my family the things and the time that they deserve, before the kids are all grown and gone. I want to be able to help other people instead of always being on the receiving end. An I want to be able to travel. Africa sounds good!
Hi Eric,
My Vision is a large one:I give myself one year to be making 1 million a year in my on-line business.After the second year is up the sky is the limit 2,3,4 heading to 10 mill. a year in my on-line business,one of my ventures will be plus size lingerie.I see myself telling my my boss,I am turning in my 2 weeks notice at the plant I work,and start to build my dream home,this will be the first house I have ever owned.Buying a new car,I have never owned a new car,going to walmart and picking up the tab of complete strangers who look like they my need something to make them smile,being able to send my daughter and son to collageand letting them learn without the worrie of money, also donating to my church,my vision is to be able to do these things in a year from now.I have a little work cut out for me!I am looking forward to making my dreams come true and finally living a life without money trouble.
Thank You For Your Help Eric,
Yvonne
Eric my vision is to expand 1. seafood restaurant franchise business nemos seafood. also to continue to build my other11 streams of income 1.internet business 2. my motivation book 3.motivational cd 4.cosulting business 5.buy more properties through my GCR properties company 6.get my movie ideas brought to the big screen 7.get my 4 other restaurant franchise concepts to market 8.sell my ebooks ive written online 9.get my two magazine ideas to newstands 10 .start my realty company specializing in commercial properties.11.get my equity company off the ground so i help other people finance their dreams….then use my finances to help my church build and finance a new church the citys eminent domain is forcing us to move so time is of the essence to learn , build create and duplicate through all this i want to employ over 300 people giving them the opportuniteis to run some of thes companies THATS ALL
Hi Eric,
My vision is to motivate people to reach past their own self image. I will prosper by helping others to prosper. The vehicle, ie… the internet is perfect. Every person has their
own unwritten book within them. I got that book thing from you. Thx!! I will have 10 sites mininum with ebooks to purchase, as well as info for free, like you are doing. I said it before, and I am still waiting for the bill from you!!! We do understand there are no free lunches. I along w/all the others appreciate you. You’ve got me moving!!! I have never written down my vision. WOW WOW WOW!!! You have lit my fire. I will take it from here, with your help, And to God be the glory for sending a person like you for us. Some need doctors, some lawyers I needed a Visionary! You be him. (Ebonics)
See you at the top!!! (Zig)
Thanks again,
Tim