Why do I live this life?

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jon_xx_x

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I have been making a living online for 17 years. I started when I was 16. I've had some really good times (mid six figures), and some really low times (couple grand a month, some would be happy with that, but when this is your career and you have a family, it's not very good). I rely on an income, even if $10k+/month, that I never know what's going to happen the next day. What if Google makes an update and wipes out everything I have again? I live in a small house, so it's never been an issue, but with two kids, I need a new house. I'm on the computer constantly, it's probably more so an addiction, or a habit I got into and stayed into. If I'm sitting watching TV, I'm thinking I'd rather be on the computer. Don't get me wrong I spend a lot of time with my family, but that's all I do, 12-14 hours on the computer and rest with family. Repeat. Sure it's nice I can take a break and hang out with my kids when I want, but what if I had a 9-5 job and just shut down once I'm at work. Get home at 5, have dinner, then don't even go on the computer at night. Sit, watch TV, hang out with friends, family and go to work the next day. Don't have to think about business, customer complaints, how to improve business, etc etc.

The rail is hiring where I live. Sit on a train, and zone out all day. Conductors make $100,000/year, and $65,000/year pension when you retire. Our cost of living is some of the lowest in the country, so that $100,000 is even better here. It's not 9-5, but when I'm home I can just shut off, not worry about anything else. Where as now I can't shut off, something is always on my mind. I'd know where I'd be in this job in 20 years, and I have a great pension when I retire that I know will be there. I hear it's not the best job, but the security is there, and the salary is great.

But instead I sit on my computer busting my ass like a lot of people here. Busting my ass on something that may not even turn profit for all the work I put in. Something that may get penalized and my months of hard work I put in, wiped out. Maybe a competitor does negative SEO on me? Maybe a competitor has deep pockets and spends ridiculous money on a marketing team and I fade away.

So why do I do it? Why do you do it? Why don't I just take the easy way out, work for the man, let them deal with the complex problems while I just do my simple task, collect a paycheck and have job security for the rest of my life?

I'm in the process of creating a pretty big site, and I'm sitting here second guessing myself. Thinking of all the things that have failed, or rules have changed or Google has changed, and things went down hill. At times I'm so pumped for the idea, I can't wait to launch it, and other times I'm like this.
 
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jon_xx_x said:
I have been making a living online for 17 years. I started when I was 16. I've had some really good times (mid six figures), and some really low times (couple grand a month, some would be happy with that, but when this is your career and you have a family, it's not very good). I rely on an income, even if $10k+/month, that I never know what's going to happen the next day. What if Google makes an update and wipes out everything I have again? I live in a small house, so it's never been an issue, but with two kids, I need a new house. I'm on the computer constantly, it's probably more so an addiction, or a habit I got into and stayed into. If I'm sitting watching TV, I'm thinking I'd rather be on the computer. Don't get me wrong I spend a lot of time with my family, but that's all I do, 12-14 hours on the computer and rest with family. Repeat. Sure it's nice I can take a break and hang out with my kids when I want, but what if I had a 9-5 job and just shut down once I'm at work. Get home at 5, have dinner, then don't even go on the computer at night. Sit, watch TV, hang out with friends, family and go to work the next day. Don't have to think about business, customer complaints, how to improve business, etc etc.

The rail is hiring where I live. Sit on a train, and zone out all day. Conductors make $100,000/year, and $65,000/year pension when you retire. Our cost of living is some of the lowest in the country, so that $100,000 is even better here. It's not 9-5, but when I'm home I can just shut off, not worry about anything else. Where as now I can't shut off, something is always on my mind. I'd know where I'd be in this job in 20 years, and I have a great pension when I retire that I know will be there. I hear it's not the best job, but the security is there, and the salary is great.

But instead I sit on my computer busting my ass like a lot of people here. Busting my ass on something that may not even turn profit for all the work I put in. Something that may get penalized and my months of hard work I put in, wiped out. Maybe a competitor does negative SEO on me? Maybe a competitor has deep pockets and spends ridiculous money on a marketing team and I fade away.

So why do I do it? Why do you do it? Why don't I just take the easy way out, work for the man, let them deal with the complex problems while I just do my simple task, collect a paycheck and have job security for the rest of my life?

I'm in the process of creating a pretty big site, and I'm sitting here second guessing myself. Thinking of all the things that have failed, or rules have changed or Google has changed, and things went down hill. At times I'm so pumped for the idea, I can't wait to launch it, and other times I'm like this.
Click to expand...

It's threads like these that help me understand how lucky I am to be young (I'm only 19) and still able to live rather comfortably. There have been tough times obviously, I have been out of my parents house since I was 16 and only recently found IM; there were even weeks where I wouldn't eat for a few days in a row because I had to pay the rent (thank god I only had to worry about half).

I guess what I'm trying to say is count your blessings OP, you may feel bored and somewhat "depressed" from being on the compuer so much, but don't sweat it. You have an income that is somewhat steady, if I made a couple of thousand dollars a month I honestly feel like I would be set for the next 20 or so years.

Then again I'm incredibly "necessity-based" as a person, so it's whatever.

Cheer up!

- A
 
If your making a decent amount of money, you can always bank your money.
You can also spend it on a degree and actually learn something, so in-case of anything - you can always get employed.
Apart from that, get an insurance.
BTW, where the fuck are you from that conductors make 100 grand a year?
 
You really need to diversify into other areas other than online. As you say, if Google decides to release another algo which destroys everything that you build then you are sunk, but if you have a hand in other businesses, (offline) you'll be okay.
 
I guess you are living in UK/US and similar high cost countries, i am not sure if this is even appropriate to suggest this but this might be a way for you.

You can move to some South East Asia countries, with 10k a month, i am pretty sure your children will have decent education and your family will have a decent life too.

This idea is not going from nowhere, i had many friends doing it, they chose to work in SEA with 2x lower salary but 10x cheaper living cost. While being IM, your income is pretty much the same everywhere, i would definitely going back to SEA in the future. :)
 
If hes focusing on making more money he wont need to move to a lower cost countries
peterngo91 said:
I guess you are living in UK/US and similar high cost countries, i am not sure if this is even appropriate to suggest this but this might be a way for you.

You can move to some South East Asia countries, with 10k a month, i am pretty sure your children will have decent education and your family will have a decent life too.

This idea is not going from nowhere, i had many friends doing it, they chose to work in SEA with 2x lower salary but 10x cheaper living cost. While being IM, your income is pretty much the same everywhere, i would definitely going back to SEA in the future. :)
Click to expand...
 
Have you thought about getting a small office (co-working might be a good option) shared with some other entrepreneurs? You might find separating work from home life will sort out your work life balance a little and spending time with like-minded entrepreneurs will stop you second guessing yourself about getting a 9-5.

Also sounds like you need to get something sustainable going. If all your income is reliant on Google, maybe you should diversify a little. I know I sleep a lot better at night knowing that my business isn't reliant on Google or anything similar.

I personally do it as I'm not very good at taking orders and don't like the idea of my hard work benefiting someone else.
 
OP, I'm in the exact same boat that you're in. I'm thinking of family, security, new home, etc. I too have had to deal with ups and downs. I am currently looking for work elsewhere and contemplating a new career. However, I have no intention of leaving internet marketing.

I think the best way to be successful in this field is to not rely on it. You can't rely on google for the rest of your life to operate how you want it to. That's not a viable option.

I'm thinking of getting a part time job at a local college teaching design and advertising. I think it would be best if a normal guaranteed job paid the bills in our house and the internet advertising was supplemental. That way you don't have to rely on it.

Just know other people in this world feel your pain. This industry isn't easy - and in no way is it reliable no matter what anyone says.
 
because you don't have to answer to ANYONE. There's no boss or condescending manager to report to. You're in charge of everything and you reap the rewards of your own hard work. You're not working for someone else. You're probably wary from the high risk/variable cash flow that comes with ecommerce. You could use a long term money plan and start saving up to invest in something more stable like real estate so that when google hits you with an update, at least you'll have rental income coming in.
 
I know how you feel op, is not that i achieved that level but having a business can never put a peace in anyone mind. Rich will continue to want to be rich, it is a never ending cycle. Sometimes the question is where to stop? Even now, its midnight in my city and im still thinking bout my business 24/7.
 
Op,

Everyone is living this life. Some just don't realize it.

The idea of absolute job security is a myth. Ask anyone that gets hit when there's an "economic downturn" or when the economy is good but "downsizing" starts because a company made some bad choices.

Diversify. It doesn't matter if you are doing IM or working as a conductor. It's just as easy, if not easier, to put all your eggs into one basket when you work a 9 to 5 job. What happens if you get fired or the company goes out of business? Government jobs are not immune, either.

Save. Get as much saved as you can... long-term investments, tax-sheltered retirement plans, and good ole' savings accounts.

Learn. The more skills you acquire, the more true security you'll have.

Go launch your site. You know as well as I do that the only thing that's guaranteed is that your site won't succeed if you don't launch it.
 
Can't handle it, heh?

Become a big dog, stop whining like a puppy.

Living a few years of your life like most people won't so that you can live the rest of your life like most people can't.

If you want to build a big site then I believe you're on a good road. And get rid of any negative thoughts, there's so many amateurs in this industry you can't believe.

Now close BHW and come back later to tell us how you hit big with the site ;)

Also, since you're a veteran, feel free to PM me for ANY help.
 
It is better to build something of your own instead of breaking your back building an empire for someone else to profit. There will be plenty of times that you will doubt and feel discouraged. You must keep pushing forward during these times. Try listening to motivational videos or audio to keep you going. There are plenty of things that will keep you motivated but it all starts from within. Good Luck.
 
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