Hi again, I’m Nicole Dean, and I’m your guest expert for the week, writing about “Big Mistakes you might be making in your Online Business”. Today I’d like to wrap up this series by talking about one of the hardest lessons that I’ve had to learn.

Mistake #5: Listening to Nay-Sayers Instead of Successful People who Can Help You

Do you have people in your life, perhaps a spouse or friend or sibling, telling you that this “Make Money Online” thing is a scam and doesn’t work?

You know, I can’t fault your loved ones. Their intentions may be good. They might honestly believe that it’s all scams and feel they are protecting you by voicing their objections.

But, before I get into who you should listen to, I have to make a big time disclaimer, because sometimes your loved ones are right.

When to listen to your loved ones…

When you are investing large sums of money into your online business without seeing any profit. Or spending significant sums of money when your finances are tight and the money should be spent on things like groceries. If you are, then I think your loved ones have a right to be upset. Don’t buy another course until you’ve implemented the courses that you’ve already purchased.

When you are sitting on your keister in front of your computer, getting overweight, depressed, and obsessed about your business to the exclusion of everything and everyone else. If you are… then get off your bottom and go on a walk with your loved ones and reclaim your life.

When you’re unemployed and passing up job opportunities to pursue this online thing, while feeding your children bread and butter and waiting for the “get rich quick”.

Assuming you’re not spending gobs of money that you don’t have. And, we’re assuming that you’re not totally obsessed and ignoring everyone that you love and acting like this is some cult that requires you to be unshowered and gain weight and stare at a screen for 12 hours per day in a dark room. Right?

And, assuming you’ve talked to your loved ones and found their greatest concern is protecting you from us charlitins…

Then, it’s time to surround yourself with people who WILL support you and who do understand what building this business means to you in the long run.

I can relate. Been there. Done that.

I can’t imagine where I’d be today if I had actually listened to my much-adored husband when I first started off. He’s a brilliant man, honestly, but a very sceptical one. His degree is in Physics, and he’s a scientist through and through. He’s the “I’ll believe it when I see it” type.

Example: He didn’t fully believe that I was pregnant until a baby came out. I don’t know if he thought the doctors were all in on the scam and it was a big party trick and I gained weight for fun or what, but he is that sceptical. I’m dead serious. Could I make that up?!

Back to my online business. He said “Honey, it’s all scams. You’ll never make money online. I just want to protect you from wasting your time and being crushed when it doesn’t work.”

Well, guess what? Less than 5 years later and he now works for me. Well, actually a better way to say it would be that he works for our company which is run by me. And, what does our company do? Internet Marketing! It’s a combination of active and passive income, and it is most importantly FUN. I get to make the internet a better place, meet fantastic people who are taking risks to become better people, and help moms and dads and grandparents to keep a roof over their heads in a scary time. What else would I want to do other than this?!

Back to you. I’ve learned one thing over time that has been the most shocking to me about business in general.

 It’s not what you know. It’s the game in your head that’s the most important.

 If you sit at the computer and feel defeated, you will be.

 However, if you tackle your business with the gusto, confidence and finesse of someone who is playing to win – and knows she can, you will win.

 Ask any of my coaching clients or listen to my podcast. I share this story all the time.

 Would you like to know what I struggled with the most on my journey to success?

•  Article marketing? Nope.
• Outsourcing? Nada.
• Affiliate marketing? Not even close.
• Sales copy? No.
• Techology? Nah. I just outsourced that part.

 The thing that I struggled with more than anything over the last few years?

 Confidence.

 I’m not just standing on some soapbox talking out my ear. I’m talking from the experience of a person who has shed tears of frustration because she desperately wanted to build a successful online business.

 So, here’s how you can get your head in the game and start earning the big bucks, too.

1.  Find someone who inspires you. Sign up for that person’s lists and absorb everything that person sends you. For me, that person was Jimmy D. Brown. I just felt HOPE every time I listened to him and I felt confidence. You need to fill your spirit as much as you need to fill your mind. Amazingly, Jimmy does both, but the person who you choose is up to you. However, I do recommend you check out Jimmy’s blog if nothing else to see what he’s about. He’s one of the good guys.

2. Absorb success stories. Every week on my podcast, I interview someone who has become a success online. I hope you’ll come by and listen because I ask questions like “Have you ever fallen on your face and had to get back up?” It helps to show you that building an online business may not be easy but it is doable. Also, I never edit my shows. I want to be as real and genuine with you as possible. It’s just me and I’m a work at home mom. Sometimes things go wrong during the episodes. My dog might throw up or I’ll get interrupted by my kids. Big deal, right? Life happens. Even if you’re wonderfully flawed like I am, you can earn a good living online. So, swing by my Online Success Podcast to listen to past episodes. You can also find me on Itunes. I also sell a great guide called Full Time Work at Home Moms for $15 that includes written interviews with 22 work at home moms.

3. Join a mastermind or coaching group. I’ve been a member of MomsMastermind.com since 2005 and I really enjoyed learning there, especially when I was just starting out and had a ton of questions to ask. I’d been to the free forums and asked questions, but I wanted people to answer who actually knew what they were talking about. Going to forums online where anyone and their brother can hop on and give advice is dangerous. I recommend a closed group if you can possibly swing it.

4. Go to offline seminars. Getting in a room with people who are also doing what you do, but more importantly understand your passion for your business – PRICELESS. Run, don’t walk, to the nearest one you can find. You can find pictures of me with awesome people like the NicheProf, Lynn Terry, and Bob Jenkins on my blog – all from attending seminars. If you follow me on Twitter, I normally announce where I’ll be next. I try to attend a seminar at least every few months, if not more, just because it pumps me up and gets me energized – plus I get to meet amazing people and travel. AND, it’s fun!

5. Read personal development books. Set aside some of the marketing ebooks and audios for a bit and take time to absorb several personal development books instead. I loved Conversations with Millionaires: What Millionaires Do to Get Rich, That You Never Learned About in School! . It’s fascinating.

6. Get Personal or Group Coaching. Of course, I have to give one more plug to Leslie’s coaching. She knows her stuff.

Well, that’s it for me. My week here is done. Keep posting your comments and I’ll choose a couple of winners. Leslie will announce them on Monday and we’ll set you up with your prizes.

Thanks so much for following my Blog World Tour. I’ll see you at my next stop.

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

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