This article is about information overload and regarding the moment you realize that you already know enough…
Again and again I am seeing that many people get into a trap or “loop” of buying ebook after ebook, software after software and course after course looking for the “magic formula to success”. And after they have purchased them, these items are collecting digital dust on their harddrives.
Why is that the case…?
I honestly believe most of it stems from pure laziness. We think this online stuff should be easy… So we search in vain for the easy formula. After all, there are so many products coming out from the left and the right which are promising us “instant overnight riches”. “Yes, you can make $10,000 in 48 hours” or that kind of crap. And newbies believe it!
Instead of implementing what we have read already, we hop on this next best opportunity and procrastinate with the things we should be doing because we think there’s still more to it. Where again is that magic button which we need to push?
Until one day we realize that the formula to making money online is never simple and that we already know how to be successful online but we never took action. You have been reading ebook after ebook and then suddenly, you are realizing you know all of it already.
Congratulations – you have just discovered that it takes hard WORK to become successful! And even though you read about it a few times, you simply couldn’t believe it. Because you never took action and you were always afraid to make a start in the first place!
I’ve seen people who have spent 1000s of dollars looking for this “magic bullet”. But they never find it. Why? Because there isn’t one. Or when one emerges it doesn’t last long: The market becomes saturated with people running after the opportunity and overnight, the opportunity loses it’s power.
When are these opportunities released…?
Most of the times, these products are being published AFTER they’ve lost their pulling power. And in order to make the best out of it, the “smart” marketers who have been using them in the past are publishing their old strategies which have stopped working for them and try selling them as the “holy grail” of Internet marketing.
This is why I think it is very important to hang out in forums and also read the newsletters of your favorite Internet marketers and read all the free stuff out there and then choose a path that is suited to YOU, first. After you’ve decided what path is best, then buy a few eBooks/softwares related to just that path and don’t let yourself become distracted… because it’s all about focus.
Commit to it and don’t be distracted just because you see everyone else running to the “New Big Thing” – the next great opportunity. There will always be something new out there!
Everyone’s going to be selling you something. All of them will convince you it’s the next best thing but they are just SELLING something.
I’m not saying don’t buy anything. I am selling products of which I think they could be helpful to you, too.. ;-). I only am saying focus on a specific area (e.g. Adsense or Clickbank affiliate marketing) and get to work. Don’t get bogged down by purchasing every new thing that comes along… (Affiliate Rockstar anyone..?). This will never stop. There will always be new products to google over…
You need to know when to stop. It’s a bit of an addiction, but admitting you have a problem is the first step:)
So take a look at what you have. Take a look at yourself and make a decision to start acting. Start putting your money into your business (e.g. advertising in ezines or doing PPC) instead of info products.
Start today!
Detlev
That was an excellent and well thought out article. Focus, Focus, Focus!
Thank’s!
Excellent!
I do agree with you. I have also been hunting for the right thing, but I guess I’m different. I’m not in for just the money. Most for the fun. And it’s ok to make some money now and then, but I don’t see myself as an internet millionarie. The best part of this is what I learn. I’m testing and testing and loose some money, but at the time it goes around. And I’m satisfied with that. I know that if I sat down and did what the “gurus” tell me I could have made more money. Instead I go shopping and sell it to my list. I’m not earning that much, but it’s enough for me, and I can by other things and sell it again. The silly thing is that I buy something for $10 and sell it for $5. Two sales and I’m even. Three and I’m in profit. And somebody else are happy. They have got a good deal. That’s me. Thanks.
SteinP
Detlev,
Like many, I used to buy too much stuff that just ended up collecting dust. Then I decided enough was enough (actually, my credit card was maxed out so I had no other choice! ;o)
I unsubscribed from many lists, stayon on those that did provide useful info and focused on one thing only.
I focused my attention.
Now, whenever the latest and greatest “magic bullet” is released in spectacular fashion, I ask myself, “Do I need this now? Does this help me in any way on what I’m working on?”
Usually the answer is “no”.
I still follow along with the launches because it’s a lesson in itself. But now I don’t buy because of the excitement. I buy if and only IF it helps me move forward on what I’m working on.
Now I’m less distracted… and more focused.
Thanks and keep up the good work, Detlev.
Mickey
I think another factor that causes people to buy e book after ebook is that they think that there is some secret knowledge that makes people successful at affiliate marketing.
Looking for the magic bullet so to speak.
I must say initially i fell into this trap but soon found the contents of these books to be repetitive.
Now if i buy a product, iuse all the methods learned from that product, find out what is missing and look for a product that fulfils my need.
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