Are You Living the Greatest Lie?

Are You Living the Greatest Lie?

Have you ever felt like your life was a predetermined sequence: attending school, graduating, securing a stable job with a reputable company, building up retirement savings, and then finally using those savings to do everything you’d ever wanted to during your retirement? If that’s what you’ve grown up expecting, you may be in for a big surprise. Only 5 people in 100 who follow this route can look forward to a comfortable retirement. Are you shocked?

This means that an astounding 95 out of 100 diligent individuals who pursue this path will end up depending on insufficient pensions, social security, and support from family to live out their golden years. Not a happy picture. Just take a look in your community to see how few retirees are financially independent. If you know any that are truly financially independent, then you’ll probably find they did it on their own.

The Harsh Reality

So, if you want financial independence, what are your options? You could pray that you’ll be one of the 1 in 180 million people who hits the lottery, or you could inherit a fortune when your aged maiden aunt checks out. Another way could be a life of crime, but I warn you that your chances of reaching retirement age, let alone enjoying it, are really slim. In reality, there’s just one way you can ever be financially independent: you have to do it on your own.

The Shift to Self-Employment

I recently came across some intriguing statistics regarding age and self-employment. Recent studies reveal that 22 percent of men and 14 percent of women over the age of 65 are self-employed. In contrast, only 7 percent of individuals in other age groups are self-employed. According to a Vanderbilt University study, the number of entrepreneurs in the USA aged 45 to 64 will grow by 15 million by 2006. That’s compared to a 4 million decline for entrepreneurs aged 25 to 44. And: Self-employment among American workers increases with age, with the most dramatic jump occurring at age 65.

Embrace the Online Revolution

Don’t worry, help is at hand. With the rise of the Internet, a vast new landscape of opportunities has emerged, providing an equal footing for everyone. Remarkably, the size of your business doesn't matter. With over 500 million potential consumers online, a solid plan can empower you to achieve financial independence through your own online venture.

Overcoming Common Objections

Objection 1: I Lack the Intelligence to Start My Own Business

This is unlikely to be true. Successful businesses are run by people with vastly different capabilities. Running your own business is about solving people’s problems, not about how smart you are.

Objection 2: I Lack the Time Needed to Establish or Expand an Online Income Stream

Unless you’re already working 80 hours a week, you can probably find time to start building an online business. You’ll probably need to find 2 hours a day (14 hours a week) to successfully build your business. It’s really all about organizing your time. Why not use your commuting time to jot down and develop business ideas?

Objection #3: I Don't Have the Money It Takes for a New Business

The cost of starting your online business needn’t be expensive – certainly less than starting a real-world business. I managed to get going for about $500, but believe me, I have wasted some of that.

Objection 4: I'm Not an Expert at Anything

Regardless of your background, there's likely something you know that others don't. This knowledge makes you an expert in their eyes. Just do some research and before long you’ll find that there’s something that you can teach others.

Objection 5: I Have Nothing to Sell

An online business typically revolves around two main components: the product you offer and the demand for that product. You have the option to either create and sell your own products or market products created by others (just like in the real world) if you know what people want.

Objection 6: There’s Already Competition in My Field – Is It Worth Trying to Compete?

Of course, other people are already doing the same thing, but that’s true in the real world too. Just do it better. If there aren’t others doing the same thing, you probably can’t make money out of it. Competition indicates that there is a demand for your product or idea.

Objection 7: Only Those Selling "How-To-Make-Money" Advice Seem to Profit

When you start on the Internet Marketing route, you’re desperate for information and in finding it, you sign up with everyone offering to help you – these are the guys (and girls) offering their services as business advisers. They aren't the sole players in the online business world, but they are the first ones you'll likely encounter.

Objection 8: I've Tried Plenty of Business Opportunities with No Success -- It's Just Not for Me

Maybe it's not, but chances are, your failure is from chasing different business opportunities, instead of building your own business from the ground up.

Objection 9: Achieving a High Search Engine Ranking is Essential for Success, But It Feels Nearly Impossible

Search engine positioning is not the be-all and end-all. There are alternative methods to attract visitors and acquire customers.

Objection 10: The Myth That You Need a Huge Advertising Budget for Success

That’s simply not true. The ‘Net is the perfect place to do business with a small budget.

Exploring Lucrative Opportunities

Let’s explore some key terms and opportunities that can pave the way to your financial independence:

Start Online Home-Based Business

Starting an online home-based business allows you to work from the comfort of your home, reducing overhead costs and providing flexibility. This could be anything from freelance writing, graphic design, to selling handmade crafts or running a blog that generates ad revenue.

Retirement Business

A retirement business is an excellent way to supplement your income during retirement. Many retirees find joy and financial benefit in starting a small business, whether it's consulting, tutoring, or selling products online.

Start Home Business

Starting a home business means you don't need a physical storefront. This reduces costs significantly. You could offer services like virtual assistance, online coaching, or even pet sitting. The possibilities are endless.

Online Business Coach

An online business coach helps aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of starting and running an online business. They offer guidance, strategies, and support to ensure success. If you have experience in a particular field, becoming an online business coach could be a lucrative opportunity.

Home Business Coach

A home business coach focuses on helping individuals start and grow their businesses from home. They provide tailored advice, resources, and mentorship to help clients achieve their goals while maintaining the balance of working from home.

Conclusion

The biggest myth perpetuated today is that working tirelessly in a good job for four decades will guarantee a golden retirement. The truth is, financial independence often requires thinking outside the box and taking proactive steps. By starting an online home-based business, considering a retirement business, or even becoming a business coach, you can create a sustainable and fulfilling path to financial freedom. It’s always possible to seize control of your financial destiny and craft a life that aligns with your personal vision.