Success Doesn't Equal Free

Now that I've got your attention, Let me explain.

When I'm talking about the "F" word, it's got nothing to do with swearing, nor the word that gets kids giggling when they overhear it in conversation, or perhaps on the TV. But the effect it can have on your home business opportunity, mlm or other venture can be just as shocking.

The word is "Free".

Sure, there are obviously those that have made huge amounts of money using free stuff, but my personal experience has shown that my success is a direct comparison to the depth that I've dug into my wallet. Why is this?

Well, for starters, we say that we're looking for a business. Whether its a turnkey home business for moms or a home business for baby boomers, doesn't really matter.

Now I've been self-employed for the majority of my life, but I have never owned a business, online or offline, that has been free. And, quite frankly, I wouldn't want to. It's the investment - cold hard cash - that ensures you keep to the right path.

It's the cash that you depart with that ensures that you treat your venture as a business, and not a hobby. It's the bank manager breathing down your neck and treating you like you should be Rumplestiltskin, spinning his straw into gold.

My experience tells me that its got a lot to do with how we value our money. I don't know if you relate, but I've found that the online ventures that I have participated in that have been free seldom held my interest for long enough to get anything out of them.

Free systems, tools and methods have surely contributed to the JFPTP syndrome some of us suffer. And what is that? I'm pretty sure you'll know it when I explain it. Its the "Jump From Pillar To Post" Syndrome.

The incessant dabbling with any and everything that passes into our inbox, in the vain attempt to find the legitimate make money online ways that are going to fill our bank accounts and allow us to work at the kitchen table in our underwear. Although, for many of us that wouldn't be a very pretty sight anyway.

Once you invest in something, there's this little voice we have that makes us justify our spending, so we doggedly carry on as long as we possibly can before we even think of giving up. Many is the time that I've found a residual income home business and spent more than I intended to, but this seems to be one of the reasons that I stick like glue and get as much out of it as I possibly can.

There's self-esteem at risk here, I don't want anyone to think that I've flushed my money down the proverbial toilet. So I carry on until I'm spent, departing with my tail firmly tucked between my legs, but with my integrity and dignity intact.

And I have also found that it doesn't really matter what program you are following, it's not the program that decides whether you will succeed or not, it's the system that you use to make the program work. I guess what I'm saying essentially, is that the answer is in the marketing.

I know you've heard it all before, but it's worth of a reminder. Do you really think McDonald's makes the best hamburgers in the world? I think not. I'm sure you have a local small business that makes far superior hamburgers. If they could only plug into a marketing system like McDonald's use, they would have success spilling out of their every pore. It's the systems that create the success, or the duplication.

So next time you come across what you think is the next, best, latest, greatest thing to make you rich, spewing money like a faulty ATM machine, take a step back. Look outside the box. If it belongs to the four letter word brigade - it's free - that's giving you a pretty good indication of what it's worth.

Look for duplication. Your aim is obviously to get other people involved. Is this something that you can see other people getting value out of? Because that's what it boils down to. Operate your own home business opportunity, mlm or whatever venture you are involved with keeping in mind that your fastest way to success is by helping others.

Sounds cheesy, corny, whatever I know, you've probably heard it all before. But I just thought I'd repeat it again, because it's just so true, and maybe you just haven't listened properly yet.

I'll wait for you at the top......there's plenty of room!