Lindsey Rainwater

We all need a "duh" key, I think.

. . . at least make sure something SMART is going to come out of it.

I was thinking about this for a few reasons.

The train of thought got started because of a comment on Pinterest. I won’t mention the pinner or the exact topic, but she mentioned a controversial topic, saying: “Actually, there’s no dispute when it comes to ________. It’s wrong no matter how you look at it!”

Wait for it . . . *FACEPALM!*

Well, apparently YOU think that because YOU have decided that there’s no dispute, the dispute will simply vanish. Is that it? Even though MILLIONS of people disagree with you. Huh.

Sorry, but that just won my boneheaded comment of the month award. If getting rid of disputes was that simple – the world would suck. But the point is that she opened her mouth and basically made an idiot of herself by claiming a highly controversial topic had no debate because in her opinion it was “wrong.”

Moving further into the realm of online business, this made me think about an email that I got awhile back after I sent out a mailing about a product that had just come out. I wrote in the email “There’s no way you CAN’T make money with this!”

When I say something like this, I’m assuming that you actually DO something with the product once you buy it. It isn’t going to make you money just because you bought it and it is now sitting on your hard drive. But somebody on my list apparently felt the need to write back to me and say, “I’ve never made money with anythig online.” (Yes, typo and all.)

Umm . . . ok? What on Earth? That wasn’t an accusation, a request for help . . . that was nothing. That was a comment that this person took the time out of their day to write, and got absolutely nothing for – because I deleted it. If it had been an accusation, I still would have deleted it. But if there had been a question or inquiry there, I would have done my best to get this person onto the right track. But no. They wasted their time by sending me a pointless comment.

Thankfully, from their wasted time I decided to create a learning moment and “teachable” moment – as seen in this post. : )

There are so many times when people would save so much time and frustration by just thinking through their comments, or would do a little research. (Case in point: people who ask the same question that has been asked on EVERY webinar in a series because they didn’t watch the introductory video, or attend the other webinars, or read the welcome letter . . .)

Consider whether you are about to make an intelligent comment. Ask yourself if your input is going to enrich the lives of those who are listening, or lead you to information that will enrich yours. If not, re-evaluate the comment before you let it fly! And don’t waste people’s time. That is the one finite resource we have – and nothing irritates people faster than you wasting it.

Being one of the few people who stops and thinks about what you say will impress people, and even if they don’t always agree with you (or they hardly ever do) they will RESPECT you – and respect is hard to forget. In online business, internet marketing, or any other kind of money making, respect is critical.

– Lindsey Rainwater

Why must you ask such asinine questions about my home internet business?

The latest installment in the Online Business FAQs series . . .

#4. A Common Exchange (Not really a question, per se.)

Them: I want to make enough money to replace my income as well as my spouse’s, and I want to do it quickly. What do I need in order to do that, and exactly how long will it take?

Me: (Already wanting to throw my hands up and run around screaming.) Well, that depends on what you want to do. But you’ll either need to invest a lot of time or a lot of money.

Them: I can’t invest a lot of money.

Me: Then clear your schedule for the next six months and roll up your sleeves.

Them: Did I mention I don’t want to invest a lot of time either?

Me: Then this is going to be awfully difficult. You have to choose one or the other – this is a business after all.

Them: But what should I do to make money online?

Me: There’s a lot of options. You need to do your research and find something that will work for you.

Them: You’re supposed to know all this. You tell me what I should do.

Me: If I told you to start a website specializing in gasoline powered turtleneck sweaters and glow-in-the-dark sunglasses, would you do it? I can’t make that decision for you.

Them: Having a business is too much work. (or, even better:) All make money online things are a scam anyway.

Me: (Throwing my hands in the air and running around screaming.)

Choosing between what is right, and what everyone else does.

Yeeeees . . . I’m launching into cynical mode again. Some more . . . something like that.

Lately I’ve been looking around myself at both strangers and people that I observe on a regular basis, and have been wondering why people act so stupid sometimes. This is NOT to say that they ARE stupid – merely that they act like it more often than seems necessary.

As a matter of fact, I’m convinced that most people are quite bright. Maybe not geniuses, but we don’t all have to be geniuses to lead full, balanced lives that aren’t riddled with idiotic moments.

People make mistakes. People have bad days. I understand and embrace that. Goodness knows that I make mistakes that cost me time and effort. A family member of mine owns a business where they make physical, edible products and sell them, and one day managed to ruin that day’s work in one fell swoop. Things like this happen to the best of us on occasion, so please don’t think I’m crucifying those who make mistakes.

What I’m talking about is the pervasive lack of thought-process that seems to plague our lives sometimes. Really? You have no idea that trying to text at stoplights is not only dangerous, but wastes your time as well as the time of those people behind you?

Really? You think you have the right to be righteously indignant that your new shingles don’t match the ones you bought over a year ago, and so you’re going to put a hold on everyone’s work (and paychecks) so you can make a point – even though it isn’t going to miraculously make the discontinued style of shingles appear at the store?

Seriously? You are unaware that wasting 15+ hours a week in front of the television is exactly that – WASTING time? And then you’re going to complain because you aren’t living your dream life?

Two of the main types of idiocy I see most people engage in are general obliviousness (which usually turns into being inconsiderate of others,) and wasting time. This isn’t to say that we can eliminate all “scattered” moments, or that we should never watch T.V. or use Pinterest (which is evil in its own way because it is too much fun.)

But what I am thinking is that our lives would be so much better is we all put a little more effort into acting intelligently! THINK about how your actions are going to affect those around you and dependent on you. THINK about whether your “mutitasking” (a.k.a. texting while doing absolutely ANYTHING else, or similar dumb things) is actually going to save you time (here’s a hint: no.) THINK about whether what you’re doing for the majority of your free time is improving you, moving you closer to the life you want, or improving your relationships.

The only way to be intelligent is to actively use and exercise the smarts that you have now. Brainpower is like a muscle – the more you use it, the better it gets at what it does.

THINK about thing – as many things as you can possible consider and try to improve. You might be amazed at the results.

– Lindsey Rainwater

Image Credit: Blitzkrieg

Hey everyone – sorry for the long silence. Stupid busy here. : )

I just wanted to let you know that I have FINALLY completed the long-overdue task of getting the GASP plugin on the blog. This also means I merely skimmed the comments, trashed a few, and spam-foldered the rest.

If you were somewhere in there, I apologize, and heartily recommend you post again. This time I won’t have a hundred crap posts waiting for me, and I can pay a little closer attention.

I look forward to hearing from you guys, and not having to sift through piles of garbage to get to your comments. : )

– Lindsey Rainwater

Reality can be a real bitch - especially when you let it sneak up on you.

(If you missed part 1, refer to this link.)

So what started this whole set of blog posts? Something that happened a few days ago.

It was kind of a long, involved thing – but it culminated in someone we see regularly making the comment of “Well my business isn’t doing what’s it’s supposed to!” In a very whiny, defensive tone. They defended their still having a job that they HATE (and complain about CONSTANTLY) by saying that their business isn’t doing what it is supposed to.

They also wielded this as a reason why my husband shouldn’t work at home, and should keep the job that he hates, and that barely supports us as-is.

I. Was. Stunned. Not to mention furious. (And NO, I don’t care if this person reads this post.)

In my last post I mentioned that your business is your animal. You train it, you groom it, you control it. In fact, “animal” is a poor term too. That still denotes an intelligence of its own.

Nothing happens in your business unless you make it happen. If a business thrives, it is the owner’s doing. If a business fails, it is STILL the owner’s doing.

Some people have argued with me about this, saying “You can’t always know if something will work! What about the bad economy?”

What about it?

It isn’t the economy’s fault you picked a fair-weather business plan. It isn’t your family’s fault that you aren’t following through. It isn’t the weather’s fault that you aren’t networking. It isn’t your reflection’s fault that you aren’t getting sales. It isn’t your pet’s fault that your costs are more than your income.

Anything that happens – good or bad – is YOUR doing.

On top of this, your business isn’t a living, thinking thing! (Hence why the “animal” comparison is bad.) This person spoke of her business as if it was a wayward child, or an unruly pet. It isn’t doing what it’s supposed to be doing. Seriously?

It may be better to think of a business less like an organism and more like a puppet, or a car. It’s a tool of your creating. If you don’t pull the strings, turn the key, bend the joints, push the pedal . . . nothing will happen. It will sit there and deteriorate.

If your business isn’t doing what it is supposed to, it is YOUR FAULT. It isn’t going to pick itself up and make you money while you complain about the job you hate.

Think about it. Remember the first rule of leadership, and work your business. If you do that, you’ll be just fine. If you don’t . . . *shrug*. . . nothing will change. (And nobody wants to hear you complain about it.)

If you need more internet business ideas, then check out my products page. There’s something for everyone.

– Lindsey Rainwater

Are you blaming everyone else for your lack of online income?

Ok, so the title of this post is a little weird, but bear with me.

Have you seen the movie “A Bug’s Life?” Cute animated movie about ants who live under the tyrannical rules of a bunch of grasshoppers. There was a line in that movie that stuck with me from the very first time I watched it. It was right after the hero-ant lost all the food that was for the grasshoppers, and the next queen was trying to explain to the evil Hopper who’s “fault” it was.

Hopper interrupts her by saying “Ah, ah, ah . . . First rule of leadership: EVERYTHING is YOUR fault.”

This is massive. This is huge. And it came from a kids movie. It may not be “fair” or “right,” but when you take the mantle of leadership, everything becomes your fault.

Believe it or not, this can be a GOOD thing – it keeps you on your toes, it keeps you watching those who work for you, it keeps you making sure everything is running smoothly. You weed out problems early, because no matter who or what caused them, they’re YOUR problems – because YOU are in a leadership position.

When you run your own business, you are the leader. This is a nice place to be. I say that from experience, mind you – and it isn’t stress-free.

Right now, I’ve got a husband getting ready to come home and work instead of having a j.o.b. anymore. If I don’t find something for him to do that will take our business further, guess what? MY FAULT. I know what needs to be done – not him. If he doesn’t work, MY FAULT. So I’m extra motivated to get him specific daily tasks.

I’ve also got business partners who are crazy busy and who aren’t getting things done as quickly as they need to get done. If these tasks don’t get finished on time? MY FAULT. I’m still responsible. So I’m extra motivated to make sure I’m getting them all the help and information that they need so that they have an easier time of getting things done.

But I’m still the boss, and I like it that way. : ) I hold myself responsible for everything in this business, and that makes for better business with my partners (at I least I feel that way.) They don’t have to worry about me saying “This is YOUR fault!” because it isn’t. Whatever it is, if something goes wrong, I should have done something differently.

So my first point is that you need to take full responsibility for your business. It is your animal to control and train.

More on that in part 2 . . .

If you want to learn more about online money makers and how to manage them, make sure you check out my products page.

One of the more annoying exchanges I have regularly . . .

#3. (With conviction:) All make money online things are scams. (Without conviction:) Aren’t they?

This one makes me want to vanish for at least another 2 weeks. Or wish I hadn’t reemerged into the world yet because these people are still hanging around.

My response: “You tried to make $40 an hour with surveys, or listened to the sales letter with a Ferrari and diamonds on it, didn’t you?”

Normally this either turns them off because they are embarrassed, or they get defensive – “Well there was a photo of a Ferrari! You can’t just get a photo of a Ferrari! They don’t post those on stock photo sites or anything like that! Explain the Ferrari!”

Occasionally someone will admit they did something stupid (which I think everyone who’s been trying to make money online for more than a day has done, so don’t get all bent out of shape) and ask what they did wrong. But this group is very, very . . .  very . . . small.

Nothing like it.

Once you reach that point where you know sleep isn’t going to play nice. The sandman apparently took the night off (for the third night in a row). So why not go get a cup of coffee? Makes you more interesting to talk to.

Ok, maybe once I reach this point I just feel like I’m more interesting to talk to. Not like there’s actually anyone willing to be awake at these weird hours to talk to me. : )

But as annoying as insomnia can be sometimes, when all I really want is to cuddle up in bed and drift, I take moments like this as blessings.

Why?

Because I can drink coffee at 1 in the morning.

Because I don’t have to get up in the morning and drag myself to a j.o.b., regardless of whether I’m awake enough to drive safely.

Because I can decide whether it is a night for product creation, idea generation, or just learning.

Because I get to write random blog posts like this, and there is someone out there who WANTS to read it. (I’ve been told I’m entertaining. Still trying to decide whether that’s a compliment.)

Is my life peachy all the time as I ramp up my online business and slowly but surely get it to the point where it will support us? No. But I still wouldn’t trade it for ANYTHING.

If you’re wondering how you can get to where I am (making money online, not the whole caffeinated insomniac thing) check out my products page. Yes, I actually use that information. Get yourself one and FOCUS on it.

Back to whatever I was doing . . .

I was thinking about online businesses today. Gee . . . wonder why.

Yeah, yeah – I know making money online is something I think about all the time, and for good reason, etc.

BUT the focus of my thoughts had to do with how so many people think that you need tons of time or tons of capital to make real money online. Yes, having some cash to invest is helpful since it can allow you to get advertising and tools. Yes, lots of time is also helpful since you have to have time to get things done. But honestly, if you have DEDICATION to your online business, you can still make it work.

So what do I mean by that? I mean if you have an hour a day between other things, or you can work during the baby’s naps, or you’re willing to lose an hour of sleep, or you’ll consent to cutting out an hour of television or gaming per day, and actually use that time to work on your online business, you could make awesome progress.

The problem is that many people think you have to commit a full-time schedule to your online business right away, and if they can’t do that they will never attempt an online business. (Or they think that sounds too hard and never make the effort – in their case, oh well. More money for the rest of us.)

But think about your life. Is there an hour or two a day that you could commit to a website and list? If the answer is yes – if you are willing to make a little sacrifice and carve out those minutes to improve your future, then you can start making money! You just need a little dedication!

For those who don’t have a lot of time or money to put into their online business up front, I would recommend 7DayJackpot.com. This course will teach you everything you need to start seeing a real income online, and it goes in 7 day increments, so it is easy for anyone to follow. Check it out, get your copy, and USE IT. An hour a day can make a big difference in your finances . . .

7DayJackpot.com

– Lindsey Rainwater

I’m back! Over the holidays I went to Vegas, partied with my best friends (which I didn’t think I would get to do, so SCORE!), got my second cold of the season, released a new product, and decided that I think most people are pogosticking blindfolded through their lives.

You may be wondering what the hell that means – so just visualize it . . .

Have you ever been on a pogo stick? (If you haven’t, you need to go to a classic toy store RIGHT NOW and get one. Forget the Wii – your family needs the masochistic thrill ride that is the pogo stick!)

You bounce around on wild springs, and the only thing you have to land and push off of is this little rubber foot. Lean the wrong direction and you’re going to be rocketing into the nearest brick wall, or practicing your crash roll on the pavement.

It takes a lot of work to get good at staying on a pogo stick, but it’s killer exercise!

The thing about this toy is that once you master it, you can really get somewhere on it (if you have a good one.) You can make huge leaps and bounds with it!

(Don’t believe me? Google something like “pogo competition.” I accept no responsibility for what Google spits out at you though!)

Now imagine what would happen if you blindfolded yourself on one of these hopping monstrosities of terrifying glee. You’d be bounding along with no clue where you were going or what might happen. But you’re going somewhere damn it!

That is how I see so many people. They’ve got this wild, super-fun, super-effective, slightly (majorly) dangerous mode of transportation which is the pogostick made of their efforts, dreams, skills, support system, and goals. But instead of focusing on the direction they want to go, and using that bounding power to reach heights they wouldn’t be able to without all these wonderful things, they basically blindfold themselves and go zinging away.

Why do they do this? I’m not sure. Stubbornness is often a factor, as is denial, and a heaping helping of no-freaking-plan-itis.

Guess where they end up? In a wall. A thorn patch. Torn up on the pavement. Hurled in front of a theoretical bus called their bills or life in general.

Nowhere nice, basically.

And then they can’t seem to figure out what happened. They went somewhere, didn’t they? They used their bounding power, right? They should have gotten some kind of great result.

The problem is that they blinded themselves in one way or another. They didn’t look to see where they were going, and they certainly didn’t make sure that they had some sort of outline for success before springing off into the sunset.

The worst part about this is that after the inevitable crash, most people don’t have the will to get back on the stick and do it again. In fact, in real life most kids won’t touch a pogo stick once they’ve had a bad fall.

And what a shame! So many kids have a great time on the pogo stick – scars and all. Likewise, successful people get back on their stick and start bouncing again, scars and all.

Also, the theoretical stick might be broken after a blindfolded crash. You used your resources, leaned on your support, mangled your dreams, and now they’re gone – and most never try to get them back.

You must create your pogostick. You must build it strong so that it can launch you to ever-new heights. Then you have to learn how to use it, taking the spills in stride.

But the most important thing is to plan where you’re going, take note of the rocks and curbs that could trip you up, and keep your eyes open.

That’s the only way you’ll know if there is a higher ledge full of rewards ahead that you will need to jump a little harder for, or a pothole (or tree-branch) that is going to smack you down.

Pogosticking blindfolded never got anyone anything. Except a hospital bill and some shattered plans.

If you want to start building some real plans for making money online, check out http://plrclass.com/ On this site I’ll give you a free video course on picking a method and using PLR to make real money online.