I’m writing this to anyone who’s read about a cool program or course and genuinely could not afford it.
I’ve received a few emails as a result of offering mentoring for the first time.
YouTube - Is Ed Dale Finally Doing A Mentor Program?
Admit it, your reaction will sit on a spectrum of zen like acceptance to “Rage against the machine”
But before I get into this.
A little bit about location.
I’m writing this on a Macbook Air (don’t get fixated on the machine, a netbook would do…) in the waiting room at learningland, at 11 o’clock (that’s cool Jack Bauer location speak , not time) Annabelle is belting out the Annie Apple song.
At 10.00 o’clock some of the kids who have “older” siblings in the class are trying to recreate the epic 1987 WWF cagematch between a returning Hulk Hogan and a young up and comer.
Bless their little cotton socks.
My Chair is “Mommy Bear” soft and it’s bloody hot.
BUT
I’m still typing.
Trust me - I still struggle at this every day. EVERY DAY!
However, the difference between people who are a success in their on-line business and those that fail is, for somewhere between 30 mins and two hours each day, they sit on their ass in a chair and type (or write, or record, or photograph etc, etc, etc)
If by some miracle you’re still here, dear reader who can’t afford that rocking course, the past paragraph contains the key to success.
Now, let’s go back in time, to the dawn of the nineties. A near bankrupt and paying back to the people he owed money to, Ed Dale, had managed to scrape together 90 bucks to spend a day with this new motivational speaker on the scene.
A guy called Tony Robbins.
I’d read “awaken the giant within” and it had really turned me around. I HAD NO IDEA that you could actually do courses outside of school to better yourself!!!
I know, IRONIC.
So I rock up to the Melbourne Entertainment centre with 4000 or so of my closest friends and do this one day training on Sales.
It was brilliant.
Then the thing before lunch happened…
Just as we were winding up the session, Tony launched into a brilliant presentation on this three day course - the Unlimited Power Weekend.
It just sounded AWESOME!!!
But not two minutes into the pitch, my stomach started to knot, “unless this thing is free, I can’t go, It’s in Sydney and I’m worse than broke”
When (the magnificently price justified) amount of $397 was written out on the laminex projector with removable pen I was screwed.
It may as well have been a million dollars.
I didn’t have it, was not going to have it, it was not going to happen.
Now, if you’re expecting one of those “if you believe enough “secret” style, things happened” and I manifested the $397
You’re not at the right blog.
Check out www.disney.com - much more your style.
Nope, there was no happy ending. I tried to figure out a way (and I was pretty resourceful) but I was snookered.
“No, UPW for you.” said the Seminar Nazi.
BUT
I didn’t take it personally, it wasn’t Tony’s fault. I didn’t rage against the machine (Nowadays people can “socialmedia” their upset and bitterness and wallow with fellow rejectees)
I learn’t a lot from that day and I started to apply it, not with laser like precision, you wouldn’t see my work efforts over the 90’s featured in some action movie montage.
BUT
By the end of the decade, I’d achieved some success.
I did that by doing the bare minimum of work which actually creates something. BARE MINIMUM. If I was like, disciplined - who knows where I could go!!
I’m not.
The cool thing is, most of the super successful people I know are also in the “barely disciplined” category.
The difference is they spend 30 minutes to a couple of hours doing stuff that matters.
Every Day….
Well, at least five days a week…
With some Holidays…..
The difference between you and someone is the number of “stuff That Matters” hours they do compared to you.
Another cool thing.
It doesn’t cost money to do it, it’s not about the gear!
I still use a pen and a yellow legal pad (which has the side benefit of reminding me of Halbert every time I write P.T.O) to do my brainstorming and design.
Yes, I’m using a Macbook Air now and damn straight I’ll be using an iPad in 45 days from now.
But it would be no better (or worse depending on how well I edit this) if I wrote it on stolen photocopier paper from the church photocopier at nine o’clock and then walked down to the Moonee Ponds Library, typed it up and posted it on the blog - Using free google docs for storage.
(Please don’t steal from your church photocopier - I’m sure the pastor would not only give you the paper but probably throw in a pen as well just like that priest did in the opening scene of Les Miserable)
When your broke you have one valuable resource and decision. How you spend your time.
Most broke people confuse reading about cool techniques that make you money or make you a better photographer or a better dancer in the Touring Thai Man Boy troupe with DOING something.
And all affirmation bust-a-moving aside - that’s the difference between broke and not broke - we are talking NO MORE than a couple of PRODUCTIVE hours a day.
EASY FOR YOU TO SAY - YOU”VE MADE IT AND HAD THE ADVANTAGE OF STUNNING GOOD LOOKS TO GET YOU THROUGH.
It’s true, I’m totally beautiful.
BUT
Beauty is no substitute for a couple hours a day of regularly taking action on stuff that matters.
You can choose to be bitter about it - broke people still have the power of choice, you can “socialmedia” yourself into a frenzy of jealousy and blame.
Or.
You can sit on your but, “borrow” the paper from the church photocopier. Write something. Put it in your pocket. Take it out the next day. Correct the obvious stuff, walk down to the local library, type it into your free google docs account. Open a free posterous blog. Post your article and then spend twenty minutes, bookmarking it and participating in the forums.
Then you do it again the next day.
And the next.
Wax On
Wax Off
Or you can watch “Jersey Shore”
It’s YOUR choice.
Ed
Ed and All those who Responded,
My “Wow” is for everyone here. Ed you have been an inspiration to me time and time again. And this article, as well as its many responses, is very tender to me.
I have been “on and off” diligent about developing my online business for almost two years now. The times that I have wavered have been when I’ve listened to those voices that said “you can’t really make money on the internet” and “why don’t you just find a job” etc etc. All of it on top of raising a family, dealing with aging parents, blah blah blah.
Yet of course, no excuses (though as you can tell, it’s tempting). Because something in me knows that excuses don’t really create anything but misery. I see my personal hurdles to overcome- lack of focus and self-discipline along with a certain amount of self-pity.
It’s different now than it was when I started — way different. Then we had the financial resources that allowed me to take my time, spend a little on my “education” and not feel pressured. Since then with changes in our economy we have lost much, more than I want to report.
But what amazes me is that even though I face foreclosure, bankruptcy and huge bouts of depression, I keep coming back to the one thing I think will ultimately be the answer, “reasonable” or not– making money online. It’s truly what I love, what I find fascinating. I guess for good or ill, I got hooked. So between the resume writing and job counseling to appease those voices (always getting closer and louder) I look constantly to produce evidence — evidence that it can be done, that I can do it — and make a decent income with my online efforts.
Thank you for the reminder of how important diligence is, and for all that you give so willingly. And I appreciate this online community, where we can cheer for each other. I know you do that Ed, and I am so grateful.
Lois
Thanks Ed lived the last 18 months living on a dream (and the bank!)
All over now.
Took action via the 30DC,early days yet but on the way back.
I owe you an (inexpensive) Lunch.
You are freaking hilarious. That is all.
Have you noticed something here? Everyone KNOWS all that and those who don’t DO, DO, DO, every day may be broke but they are by no means just lazy. It’s more than just what people “don’t” do. It’s really about what they WON’T do, not even for money.
People who don’t WANT to do something, won’t. Being broke is the preferred choice when faced with doing something you’ll never be very good at because you don’t like or enjoy it. There’s no money in mediocre.
They key is finding something you LIKE to do. Then you WANT to do whatever that is every day. That’s called fun and anything you enjoy doing is never a waste of time. Plus you’re more likely to become a highly paid expert now…but even if you stay broke, at least you’ll be happier doing what you want. What would you rather be called? Lazy or crazy? How about eccentric?
Wow, Ed. Love your post! And the comments. Just what I needed today.
I HAVE been taking action, but sometimes it doesn’t seem to produce enough, and it can be easy to get discouraged.
But, like someone wrote on a wall on the Frankfurt Uni campus many years ago — only action brings satisfaction, except they wrote it in German (Nur die Action bringt Satisfaction). Spelling adjusted to make for easier reading.
And while I agree with the Pompano Beach Chiro above that prayer and meditation should definitely be allocated some time as well (it’s amazing how much they help), focusing on doing something productive — in the right direction — and adding to it, and adding some more to it, and then promoting it etc. really does bring results.
Just the other day, I felt really overwhelmed because I had gotten what seemed like hopelessly behind in my to-do list, and it was really catching up with me. So I hunkered down for a whole day and just “did,” working on one project after another, and was amazed how fast I could do some things that I thought would take me days (and normally would have).
I’m going to do some powerfocusing again, today, and over the weekend, and work off the rest of that backlog, and then start making more of an effort to NOT get that backlogged again.
Thanks, Ed.
P.S.: I think I’ll post a link to your blog post on MY blog (the self help blog).
A friend told me its better to try to find ways to make more money than save money. I thought I was broke too. I looked at cutting expenses, then I realized already spend money on things like eatting out, xbox live for a year, all these annual type expenses, I figure why not invest in a domain name and some hosting, then you’ve got a year to put stuff up. That’s 365 unique chances to post up something everyday that could be something someone else needs or wants, at the very least sharpen writing skills. So I feel I’m sort of where you were at, not neccessarily able to afford a confrence in Aussie town, but definitely can afford a domain and some hosting. Thanks for all the good posts and info, imho this one is one of the best,
H247
Thanks for the reminder ED.
Yes we all have the same 24 hours in a day regardless of what side of the planet your on. What we do with those 24 hours sure makes a difference in every aspect of your life. Now I have about 48 hours left to promote my http://www.MySweetValentines.com
Ed, you’ve inspired me to get rid of my sumdoku/killer sudoku books on freecycle - sob!!!
But they’ve got to go - THEY’VE GOT TO GO.
If you’ve every been to a 12-step addiction meeting you know what I mean!
http://www.freecycle.org/
Ed, thank you xxx
Hi Ed,
Thanks for the reminder. It means a lot coming from you.
[...] Ed Dale “On being broke” [...]
This line totally slapped me in the face: “Most broke people confuse reading about cool techniques that make you money…with DOING something.”
I think it has to do with confidence. I thought I had to read EVERYTHING in order to be successful because I wasn’t confident in my abilities. It wasn’t until I forced myself to start taking action that I started to see results and feel more confident. But it’s easy to think you’ve done “enough” and slack off.
Thanks for the reminder that it has to be a daily (or at least 5 days a week) thing. Brilliant as always!
That was rich!! An article that has personality and humour is so much easier to read than bland textbook style articles. Good job on the motivational speaker talk, but mostly on putting on a clinic on how to write a blog post! I don’t even need the mentoring now!
Ed, that was a great article. Thank you so much.
Good stuff as usual Ed. I am working my way through the 30DC for the second time. Amazing how much I missed the first time through. Starting to see some results and look forward to continue learning from you all. Have a blessed day!
GREAT post Ed!
I couldn’t agree more…people often confuse ‘activity’ with ‘productivity’. Building an online business IS work -but fortunately it never feels like work!
I’ve been doing this about 2 years now and things are really starting to pick up NOW….but I’m in it for the long haul.
And the conferences? There will ALWAYS be another one.
Thanks
Kim
Yes, there is a lot someone, who is broke, still can do and one thing is not giving up. But, even though someone being broke works almost around the clock, there seems to be sth which is, as if the whole world is against him. Reaching tens of Thousands, getting several tens of thousand clicks, but no one buys. Making a new web-page, a new blog-entry, a new article, all seen from quite a number of people, but no one buys.
Hi Ed,
I know the feeling well - have been there with annoying regularity. It wasn’t the earning that was the problem, it was the managing of the earning and of that there was precious little - oh heck, none! When opportunities be they courses or a neat show appeared the bucks just weren’t there.
My “doing” was to learn how to manage the income, to find additional sources and to build enough so that I can sit at home and put in the time to do what I love to do - this whole internet marketing thing. I have been at it seriously now for a whole year. The money truck hasn’t rolled in yet. At the end of 2009 I did a review of the year that had just passed. I was pleased with the progress made. I am confident that this year my efforts will begin to pay consistently - big time would be nice, but for now “pay consistently” is the operative term. The foundation has been laid. The progress is faster these days.
Crushing my excuse matrix is soooo uncool. Today I was all set up for “moving crap around in my junk room,” but NOOOOOOO, you had to squash my dreams of ineffectiveness and make me take action. Ah, there is always tomorrow to postpone something…unless you decide to make this a daily habit…ahhhh wait, that is MY job.
Wow, Ed, what an honest and inspiring post! Like a previous poster mentioned,
confidence is a huge factor. Reading and learning is good, and necessary, but
doesn’t take the place of ACTION.
That’s where I’ve been stuck. Not having
confidence that I will succeed at making a living online.
Thanks for the motivation to do what’s important for a couple hours each and
every day. Looking forward to being “not broke” in the next…..however long
it takes. Getting busy NOW doing the important stuff.
Ed, you are so right. Because you get to the point where there is nothing left except what is inside. I did your 30DC last year and watched all the youtube videos in seven days. I spent a grand total of $17 on domain name and hosting. All the rest is free. SEO, the social media matrix, AdSense, Amazon. I made my first $1 this year! It is about honoring the voice inside, writing articles, and simple traffic getting routine actions. I write a one page article everyday and post regardless of my self-critical voice that wants to shut it all down. Thank you Ed for your encouragement. This is exactly what I needed to read today. It is so fulfilling to look at the analytics search phrases and recognized that other people actually find my stuff.
Wow, total revelation for me! I (and EVERYONE else) am never broke. I always have TIME to invest. As a matter of fact, that makes me as rich, or poor, as everyone else because we all have the same 24 hours each day. It just depends on how I invest it. I can still learn from the best by reading their blogs (like this one), listening to podcasts, teleseminars, etc. And if I choose to also invest money, I can get more training with them. My choice. Always MY choice. Thanks, Ed! My investment of time was well spent today.
I AM the pastor, really, and I just took the paper :-). Great stuff! Thanks for the reminder!
Ed,
What you are describing is how I got started in the business online, a few years back when I got sucked out of the Mortgage Business in good ol’ Orange County California. What you aren’t saying though, is like your 30DC every year, doing the available and FREE courses being offered by the likes of individuals like yourself, anyone can get started and eventually, with work, get that 397 needed for their next level - should they so choose.
Good post. It doesn’t take purchasing a Nike Pair of Shoes to borrow their slogan of “Just Do It” when replacing TV with activity at the end of the day will get you to where you’re going to want to go online.
-DK
I like your style Ed direct to the point, tell it as it is. Now I have to take a reality check and get my butt into gear and do some work. Thanks Ed
Dear Ed, I have spent money on tutorials, info products, seminars, and yes, I would love to attend more, but I simply am not making enough money at present. But I’m persevering and my sites are gaining recognition and I feel that I’m close to some real success. I have followed many gurus in my life, well, I have studied many courses and enjoy learning from various sources, Tony Robbins being one of my all-time favorites. I did his Unlimited Power course in the 90s, also. I’ve never met him. Now I have streamlined my email a bit and only click on certain people. You are one of them, I really appreciate your candor, photo skills and knowledge. Thanks for all your help.
1000 Blessings,
Susanna Jade
Dale,
The thirty day challenge was so amazing for my new website that I created on the challenge that I am now incorporating it into the sites I had before the 30dc. I am already looking forward to this year’s challenge. Thank you.
You are so funny!! I love it! You are so right. What is the expression? “if there is a will there is a way” I am retired and gave up my car because of economy. I live alone and so I thought what am I going to do the rest of my life. I am house bound most of the time. I have this laptop. What can I do with it? So, I started learning about cyberspace……….do they still call it this? I work everyday to educate myself and now I am about to take the next step. I want to see if I can bring in an income online.
Jeannine Washington USA
Awesome post Ed! Unfortunately I am where you were back in the nineties…extremely short on funds. I do not even think I will be able to afford the Market Samurai and Traffic Bug.
But I have come to realize that that is ok for now. Everyone has to start somewhere and whether or not I can get the best software or programs, there is still the old fashioned way, so to speak, of being successful online. It’s like you said, it’s all about taking action and what we do with our time that determines our success. Thanks for offering such an awesome program as the 30dc and now mentoring. Cheers to your continued success.
Thanks, Ed.
What you didn’t mention, though I assume it must be the case, is that those legendary internet successes (of which I am NOT one) must also manage somehow to focus their energies during those hours they spend at their computers each day.
Because I am definitely putting in the time daily but am still not seeing the results; I think it’s because I keep trying one thing after another, always without success.
Ed, you’re singin’ my tune. And it pi$$es me off. ‘Cause I need to be packing for my Ecuador trip - leaving Sunday - and after reading your blog post, I had to make a post to my blog and send an email to my list.
Just had to practice what I’m preaching and what you’re preaching.
Thanks for the jolt.
Natalie Hill
So true! It’s difficult in the very beginning of any home based online business venture - so much to learn and often so little financial resources to invest - but dedication and persistence - j.f.d.i (just f***ing doing it) - is essential. If you don’t do, you can gaurantee you will not succeed - if you try - and genuinely try and give it a go, then its just a matter of time before you improve, and with that small improvement comes hope and lets you know you are on the right road to success.
Thanks for taking the time to write!
Peace and much love
lara
Hi Ed,
I never really heard of Tony Robbins, but one of my sons had, and last year, they told me I was going to Italy and how much I needed a month to get there. What a weekend! At the moment I am still broke but working on it. A pic of a Maclaren 12C is above my bed! Like to go again this year. If anyone out there has the chance to go to one of Tony seminars go.
One of these days I will have enough to go to Eds as well, what ever it costs.
Can’t thank you enough for the 30 day challenge Ed! all the planing and organising that must go in to it. Looking forward to this years. By the way, I am doing my 2 hours.
Terry
Thanks Ed for another great kick in the pants!
Ed - Thanks for the inspiration. As always. BYT The Economist has Melbourne as #3 most livable city in the world. It’s amazing what the 30DC has done…wish I could be there.
Claude
Hi Ed,
I turn 64 this month and I learn something new everyday…this was a good day.
Thanks.
Regards,
Jim
This will probably get buried but here goes anyway.
My largest success came from not being able to afford a certain product that I knew would make me more money by making my life easier.
I searched for an alternate way to do it, created a tutorial, and it now gives me a small but significant monthly income.
The moral is, look outside the box for solutions. I’m not where I want to be at, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I have 4 products on the burners that will only increase my income.
As a result, I will definitely attend that seminar I couldn’t make last January.
Don’t cry about your circumstances, work on changing them, little by little.
Hi Ed,
I agree wholeheartedly with some of the other comments…you are hilarious! : )
Thankyou for making learning fun…I love this post especially, as I would have loved to come to the seminar, it’s only a few hrs drive, so I was disappointed not to have the spare cash. Thanks for the pep talk.
Have a great day
I can’t agree w u more. A lot of times the “Secret” won’t do good to me. I think a lot of people feel overwhelm with a lot of things need to be done, but it’s actually taking a small step one day at a time. Another problem is not many people are patience enough. That’s why they want to do a lot in a day to make the success comes faster. But they can’t sustain the long hour long enough to see results and then they quit.
So, thanks for writing this post.It’s kinda reminder for me too : )
Chetz Yusof
Well, you hit that nail on the head! I’m not broke, just badly bent and so very grateful that my son referred me to the 30 day challenge. I’m only on day three but have learned a tremendous amount and looking forward to learning more. Hope to buy you a dinner sometime. Thank you
Hi,
This does seem to be a bit of a dilemma. If I had spent the time reading all the great comment on this blog, watching half hour videos etc, how would I have any precious time left to post stuff to my blog?
Ed. This is why you are my favorite Internet Marketing “guru”. I really like your honesty and your care - but not coddling - of people still struggling. Thanks so much for the inspirations.
I’m currently at a very, very tight point in my life because I quit my job and moved to France and then the dollar fell and the market crashed. So, I wish I could take your mentor course, but that will have to wait. I’m not writing this to moan and groan, but just to say that even though things are so tight, I know it’s just a point before the turning point. I’m writing an e-book right now that I think will sell well. I spend an hour or two every morning writing it.
Hey, I made $29 yesterday off some merchandise from my newsletter. It’s not a lot, but it’s a beginning. I can see if I keep plugging, keep adding items, keep getting followers, this will start to multiply.
Thanks also for the inspiration on writing. It’s really hard! I keep reminding myself of what you said in another post on how at the beginning it will seem like vomiting on the page.
Thanks Ed for the continuous inspiration. Like so many people I have wasted a lot of time and money on the next “silver bullet” every few months.
After my first 30DC in 2007 I started a simple project in January 2008. It was not very successful for affiliate sales but I put up some Adsense and kept adding articles and backlinks every now and then.
Since it was not my favorite subject matter I started investing some of the income in ghost writers.
After two years it is making over $600 in Adsense every month and this is the result of doing simple tasks on a (semi-)regular basis.
I still like reading too many blogs and watching videos. But taking action and working smart is what get you great results.
So from the heart - we like that (well most folks do, I did get one unsub this week saying too many I’s in this month’s newsletter)!
I finally got David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” last year, which Ed recommended sometime ago, and when I follow his suggestions it does help.
I find my resistance is usually coming from a task that I don’t want to do because I don’t see the pay off - now or later. And since we all know IM is chock full of tasks, I just move on to one I don’t have resistance to.
Too many I’s?
Well, anyways, thanks again Ed for telling the truth.
Hi Ed,
This is a great lesson and you might not realize that you are teaching the “secret”. This is the second part of achievement (most people people just love too much the first part and forget the second).
1- Think in a certain way and 2 - ACT in a certain.
However the second part without the first won’t do you any good too.
If you act 1 to 2 hours a day without a definite purpose (or “desire”) you won’t get anywhere.
So ha a definite “desire”and act on your desire 1 to 2 hours a day
Ed,
Your words ring so true for me. Been there, done that. And to not have the “I found the money” speech that I’ve heard and have given so often it makes me want to blow lunch was more than refreshing but what I have come to expect from you and your team. You absolutely hit the nail on the head. Most people I run into just don’t do the work - I have spent lots of money on lots of trainings and it doesnt’ mean a damn thing if you don’t apply it daily. Consistent effort is what it takes and thanks for bonking me on the head once more to remind me of that as I sit buried in 2 feet of snow feeling sorry for myself. I needed this today. Thank you. Now if only I could get my television reception back - 2 episodes of Jersey Shore is way too much to miss
AS always ed Stating what we know is true but putting in words and right in our faces, lets get moving people still alot of time left this year to get stuff done!
Nice one Ed
Insight of the day!!!
Tony Robins recons to overcome the fear of rejection, go out and achieve massive amounts of it.
I choozded to go door to door sales to try get out of my financial hole and overcome my own fear of rejection.
My boss has a great saying, “You can either make MONEY or EXCUSES, but you cant make BOTH”.
How true.
How True,
Well Ed you did it again, it really does not matter where you are today but if you want change then YOU have to change. You can always sit back and do the blame game but I prefer to keep trying. Failure only happens when you give up. Success in really failing to fail when you think about.
Looking forward to the Melbourne event.
Take Care
Fred
This post hit me hard. In my pursuit of Internet Marketing I enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree program in Internet Marketing at Full Sail University. By the time it is over I will be in debt to the tune of $45k US dollars. As part of my degree program I received a Macbook Pro, iWork, Office 2008 for Mac, Adobe Master Collection, and a pretty decent Logitech Headset. On my own I purchased Screenflow a few months into the program. I have a ton of tools to create content but that is precisely what I have not been doing. I need to use the resources I have been given and create great content on a consistent basis.
Thank you Ed for giving me the kick in the ass that I needed.