If I Had To Start Over. . .

[lisamariemary]

The true "secret" to succeeding online is YOU.

Love this, too, Alan!!

[David Jackson]

Ahhh, David, you had to go and bust my bubble! Now what will I believe in?

All joking aside, Steve, while you may not necessarily believe in magic wands, etc., there are plenty of marketers who do. My response was directed specifically at them.

David Jackson

[lindastacy]

What I suppose I am saying is that some people have it and some don't - and the 'it' is what we all want to have and maybe even need to be a real success. And people who have 'it' will tell you that everyone can have 'it', but if you don't, it is darn illusive.

I completely agree with that! And as someone else said, we are each presented with a unique set of life circumstances that can make it easier or harder to succeed in business. Of course obstacles can be overcome, but I honestly don't think everyone is cut out to do it. I think there are people who should get and keep a job (or at least at times in their lives they should).

And I also think that the answer to "starting over" question, sometimes comes across as overly-simple even though I know that's not how you intend it. For example, I think most of the starting over answers include, "write content." If you've already been practicing that skill for 5 or 10 years it seems so much easier to you than it would be to someone who hasn't written anything at all during those same years. Starting over with just $100 and all the skill you developed in your last endeavors isn't the same as starting with $100 and little skill and experience.

Anyway... for the most part, I think we all agree... Strong desire, hard work, and perseverance can work for many people. But I still think there are people who just don't have "it" and never will.

[Lynn Terry]

So let's define "IT"...

I liked your points Jan & Linda, about the starting over conversations. It's true that successful entrepreneurs would be starting over with skills already learned. Heck, I had a real life "start over" several years into my success - that was even worse than my original start-up year.

Mark Mason interviewed me for his MasonWorld.com podcast last week and he asked me if I believed anyone could do this. I said YES, if I can do this - anyone can. He said "but you've had 13 years experience - can someone brand new really do this?"... My reply? I didn't start out with that 13 years of experience. I started out exactly where everyone else did. With none.

I had no money, no credit (I couldn't even finance a pizza!), no college education, no real job experience - nothing to give me a head start. And I had 7 mouths to feed at the time (husband, 4 children, father-in-law all under one roof).

Back to that "IT" - what exactly do you think it is?

[StephenT]

Lynn jumped in while I was writing, but, my post is still what I want to say!

Anyway... for the most part, I think we all agree... Strong desire, hard work, and perseverance can work for many people. But I still think there are people who just don't have "it" and never will.

The question I have then is, can one develop "it?"

[lindastacy]

So let's define "IT"...

Back to that "IT" - what exactly do you think it is?

Not sure I can define "IT", but here are some of the qualities present in people who have "IT":

• A certain level of intelligence
• Energy
• Healthy enough
• Some level of tolerance for risk
• Either being the sole decision maker or having a family who supports (or at least tolerates) the situation
• Perseverance
• Ability to get up and get going again after failure

[lindastacy]

The question I have then is, can one develop "it?"

Sorry to say, I don't think so. I think you can improve on "IT" if you have the basics or some minimal level, but if you don't have "IT" all you can't get "IT."

I also think it's probably hiding inside many people who think they don't have "IT."

[carlos123]

I had no money, no credit (I couldn't even finance a pizza!), no college education, no real job experience - nothing to give me a head start. And I had 7 mouths to feed at the time (husband, 4 children, father-in-law all under one roof).

I don't know if you have done this already Lynn but that would make for a very interesting and inspiring story. Have you ever put that to paper anywhere as in written an ebook or other to tell your story? From flat broke and 7 mouths to feed to where you are today?

Carlos

[StephenT]

Sorry to say, I don't think so. I think you can improve on "IT" if you have the basics or some minimal level, but if you don't have "IT" all you can't get "IT."

I also think it's probably hiding inside many people who think they don't have "IT."

I think I somewhat disagree with you. Maybe not. Anyway, I think everybody can develop IT if they try. Now, sure, everybody will have different results depending on their circumstances and, most importantly, their desire to make the change. IT isn't easy at all!!! IT can be the toughest thing you might ever do. I know, I'm proof of this pudding and still working on IT.

I may be wrong, but my hope and prayer is that people can change and can develop IT.

[jkgourmet]

And since "IT" is different for different people, I'd tend to agree with you Steve. Know what you are good and and DO IT. Work on your weak area(s) until you are go AT IT.

That's "IT" to me.