Growth - Is Not Always Linear

In 1993 I left the US Navy.

My dream was to become a business person.

That was the goal.

It wasn’t something I just woke up and did.

And it wasn’t a pipe dream either.

Let’s not be confused - I HAVE spent a huge amount of time dreaming.

As a child, like ALL children, you included, I spent a lot of time dreaming of what life would be like when I become 16, 21, and beyond.

But my plan to become a successful business person was something I had in mind for a very long time.

So I began to devise a way to make it real.

"Stay True To Yourself And Listen To Your Inner Voice. It Will Lead You To Your Dreams!" - James Ross

I spent a lot of time researching the business I was buying into. Essentially I was purchasing a turn-key business.

The business model was proven to work. [You can still see it in commercials even now, over 30 years later.]

So, naturally, I convinced myself that I too could make a place for myself in this world of business.

I don’t think there was this cool word, entrepreneur, being used in 1993.

So I purchased this turn-key business, which cost me $14,000 at the time. I drove from Connecticut to Indiana to take possession of the hardware and software that together formed the foundation of this new business.

I was happy.

I was free.

And still…

I was scared!

I didn’t know it yet, but I would soon learn, that purchasing a business - even a turn-key business, did NOT make you a business person.

But I had a dream, and I was on my way.

Have you ever felt that way before?

So excited to get your future started as soon as possible?

I did some advertising.

I even spoke at some chambers of commerce meetings, hoping to draw some business.

But the sad truth is this…

Being in business is much more than just purchasing a product.

Online, some people are very good at luring others along this same line.

Purchase a course.

Purchase a membership.

Sign up for a Facebook group hoping to learn how to make money online.

Each one of these things, individually, is not bad.

What bothers me, and I suspect a few others too, is when people promote a doctrine of marketing that takes people along a dark path leading to nowhere.

For many years, I was one of those victims too. Though I did not know it at the time. I had thought I was following a path to freedom.

Why?

Because that was what was promoted. Still is today.

I tried program after program. Purchased a slew of courses, and memberships, and followed a bunch of gurus.

All it ever did was take away my self-esteem. And of course my hard-earned money.

And it began to make me feel as if I was the problem.

I didn't know if I was happy, sad, or in between.

The struggle was REAL.

It even made me quit on my dreams [a few times].

This is why it is important to understand, that marketing online is real, and it forces you to pay a price.

It took me many years to finally formulate in my mind what was missing from ALL these things I did.

What kept me from becoming successful?

What held me back?

What prevented me in 1994 from becoming a successful business person?

Both of these things were related.

BUSINESS PRINCIPLES

I could never become successful in business, offline or online until I understood business principles.

I needed to learn how to make money the old-fashioned way.

I was still young and foolish in 1993.

I had spent 15 years serving this country, and I thought it was time for me to make a change and begin a new life.

I did succeed in both of those things.

I did make a change.

And, I definitely begin a new life.

However, it was not the change, nor the life I had envisioned.

But I’m still here, years later able to share with you the understanding that took me years to learn.

I am not complaining about the path I had to lead. But I would like to help prevent others from suffering the same fate.

To be honest…

If I had known what I know now, back then [before 1993], well, I probably would have finished out my military career, and retired.

But that would be a different story and a different life.

I am content with all the struggles I endured. They took me to the point I am presently at.

I do still have more growing and more learning before I hang up my spurs and six-guns. It’s still a Wild West show out here.

But for you out there, still learning and suffering through trial and error…

Let me tell you, it will not always be this much pain.

Learning a new skill can be frustrating. It seems like the twists and turns never end.

But learning is part of what you signed up for. Just do it the right way.

Learn what you need to know, to allow you to finally make some money online. Use some of that money to invest into even more skills, to propel you up to YOUR next logical level.

Just getting to the point of making $1 online is a huge accomplishment in itself. It takes systems being put into place, the right way to do that.

Sure, anyone can go on eBay and sell things to make a buck.

But as soon as you must get people's attention, and not just anybody’s attention either, the right people, the ones that need what you have, so you’re not spending more money on advertising than it requires; now you need a system that works for you.

You need skills that allow you to build this system. Not that they are all that difficult to learn. But they must be learned. That’s the point. It will take work on your part.

You cannot just buy something, plug it in, and expect dollar bills to flow out of it.

But you can build a system that SORT OF does just that.

It’s a bit complicated, but with enough time and effort, it can be done.

It is part of your training.

It is just a mountain you need to climb.

Climbing mountains is hard work, but the view from the summit is spectacular.

Don’t ever give up on your dreams. [Like I did]

No matter how long it takes.

You are worth it.

Thanks for coming along on another podcast episode.

I’ll see you…

Next week.

I’ll see you then.

James "Still Growing" Brown

P.S. - In the event, you DO find that once an episode has been produced and posted, that YOU really would like more information, just let me know. Use the Podcast Questions link, click on the link here. Or you can just leave a voice message here.