Finding meaningful employment in today's economy is difficult on anyone. However, if you are like me and live in rural America, you understand that it is incredibly difficult to secure a job that will provide sufficiently for you and your family. In April the unemployment rate for rural America was 9.4% as opposed to the urban unemployment rate of 9.3%. And actually, that statistic surprised me. I figured it to be much higher for the rural areas.
You see, living in an isolated part of this country can make obtaining and maintaining a financially sufficient job almost impossible. Where I live, there are no major industries or companies. There are no Fortune 500 companies to employ my peers or myself. The large corporations have never been here. So how have we sustained? The men have farmed or worked in the oil field. Women have stayed home and worked menial secretary positions. For my fellow rural Americans, you know exactly what I am talking about.
I decided to change this cycle for me and for my daughter. Approximately 18 months ago I began to study and investigate the "secretive" world of online business opportunities. Initially, I was overwhelmed after filtering through all the options of working from home. I googled, yahoo'd, and MSN'd until I couldn't keep one program from blurring into another. I submitted my email and cell phone number until my email account and voicemail box couldn't hold another message. I spent $25 here and $37 there. I tried the programs for a month or so, but it all felt too cumbersome. I felt like I simply couldn't do the world of online entrepreneurship.
I walked away from the idea of working for myself for a couple of months. But I kept receiving emails and I kept getting drawn back into the thought of really being my own boss and being financially free. In my mind, I kept telling myself that thousands of people make their living everyday from the internet. I kept telling myself that thousands of ordinary people, just like myself, have achieved an income that has sustained them and provided more than needed. I kept telling myself, "If they can do it, so can I." And that's when I figured out four key components to making a living in small town America.
First - maintain a positive attitude about the adventure of establishing your own business (and yes, it is an adventure). With any change in life, there is the feeling of apprehension and concern. But when you have a positive attitude about what you can and will achieve, the sky is the limit!
Second - allow yourself to fall and stumble. When we make mistakes, we learn what NOT to do again. Take the education of a mistake and turn it into an opportunity. What so many people do is run from their mistakes and never venture out another time. The greatest failure is not trying again after the mistake.
Third - it truly takes money to make money. And in the world of online entrepreneurship, you will have to spend a small amount to get started. When I finally made up my mind to move forward, my initial investment was $150. I was able to make my $150 back within the first 9 days.
Fourth - Follow all of the directions your program provides to you. If you decide to "wing it", then you will absolutely fail. The individuals that provided my training had been working in the online world many years before me. I had to take advantage of their knowledge and allow them to guide me through this new process. These individuals had the experience I needed to implement my new business. I couldn't have made a penny had I not followed their instructions.
I write this article specifically for those in rural areas but feel it can apply to anyone looking to start afresh and new. Be positive, make mistakes, invest a little money and follow the directions and you are sure to be successful.
Marian is a licensed professional counselor by trade but found another way to make a living through becoming an online entrepreneur focusing on the needs of rural America. Find out ways to make money from home by visiting http://www.athomeitis.com/ where you can start the same free step-by-step video series today.
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