Being proud to be an American, I often think about what a great country we live in overflowing with opportunities everywhere I look. Hundreds of years of independence for the good old U.S. of A. Our freedom and independence to become the country we are today; the country we are still yet to be is what keeps that intangible but palatable “American Dream” something every American, and those who flow across our borders daily, hope to attain. That dream is as different to each American as the number of Americans! And there are just as many ways to get there - if you truly have the desire, the passion, the commitment.
“Wealth is the product of man’s capacity to think.”
~ Ayn Rand
This country unlike any other gives us the opportunity to become whatever we choose to be - or not be for that matter. But make no mistake, you do choose what you make of yourself - personally or in business - you do have control over what you can or will accomplish. Based on your choices, your work ethic, how you live your life. What a wonderful place to be born; a wonderful time to be alive! Technology, Freedom, Independence - what a combo! Technology effects our freedom, our independence differently - individually - based on each person’s chosen set of attitudes and perceptions. You choose the attitude you will have, you choose the information you seek (or do not seek) to base your perceptions on. You have the freedom to make those choices.
“The last of the human freedoms is to choose one’s attitudes.”
~ Victor Frankl
The addition of Technology to the American Dream’s recipe really makes becoming successful and attaining that “piece of the pie” within the grasp of every person who has the desire and commitment to just reach out and grab it. Literally! Never at any time in our history are there so many opportunities available for each individual so inclined to succeed. Technology has broken down the barriers and made information, education and resources available to those who merely started with the desire to seek it out. What freedom of knowledge! No longer can one sit back and say they “can’t” get involved in Technology. If someone isn’t involved, for the most part it is because they don’t want to be out of fear, intimidation, frustration or just plain old lack of interest. They have the freedom to make that choice.
Even those who do not yet own their own computer have the local library with computers that can get them online to access the rich wealth of information that makes the “Dream” within reach. Cypber/Internet Cafes are popping up in the smallest rural towns. If there is a will, there is a way! Why then with all this opportunity are so many unable or unwilling to take advantage of it? While we all “want” the house in the country, financial independence, 4 figure toys, why are so very few open to making the choices and sacrifices necessary to make their dreams come true? Attitudes (I can’t, I won’t, I don’t want to, I shouldn’t have to.) and perceptions (It’s too difficult, too expensive, too time consuming, not worth it.). Could it be lack of work ethic or lack of education? Lack of personal commitment or unwillingness to sacrifice for something worth having?
“Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.”
~ George Bernard Shaw
I don’t believe that the majority of Americans actually believe that Technology is a “right” or should hand them opportunity or success on a silver platter. Have we really become that spoiled as a country that we are no longer willing to work for our dreams, no matter what that entails? Especially with Technology making the “Dream” easier than ever, more accessible than before, more available to many, more opportunity than most know what to do with!?
“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”
~ Thomas Jefferson
If you were to interview any of our country’s founders about how easy many today think success should be, what little effort should be necessary, what little investment one would prefer to make in it to reach unrealistic goals - you would likely be put in shackles in the local jail house until you were thinking straight! You most probably would have been laughed at by the likes of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln for having such silly thoughts because they knew anything worth having, that you believe in, is worth unending commitment and sacrifice. Why should success be any different? You have the freedom to make these choices.
What I think our predecessors would find surprising is how few are up to the challenge of using Technology to make their dreams a reality. They would scoff at the fact that people were unwilling to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed because it takes too much time or work. They would gasp at the thought that many believe any goal worth pursuing should have no cost or responsibility involved. If they were here today, they would be disappointed and probably insulted that many current citizens of this fine country which they helped build with their ideals and sacrifices would actually prefer to believe that everything is a right, everything is a given, whatever one wants should just happen without effort, accountability, sacrifice or commitment.
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”
~ Robert Francis Kennedy
They would quickly point out that to reach ones goals you have to work harder than you ever thought, sacrifice more than you could imagine, invest as necessary to reach those goals - do what is right! Only those that do succeed. Technology is opportunity, for those with the freedom to choose what to do with it, those who will work at it, those who will learn and invest and learn some more. They will succeed. The rest, well they’ll just be on the sidelines - and they have the freedom to make that choice.
“I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
With Technology, entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes have the ability to communicate and connect with vendors, customers and markets that even a few years ago were impossible. Even the smallest eCommerce sites can produce a handful of orders a day from across the globe for minimal investment combined with ongoing dedication and commitment. Small marketing sites can attain new clients, service current customers, provide marketing materials and product/service data 24/7 - once unheard of for small startups. But there is only one road to travel.
“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.”
~ William Feather
By doing things the right way, (which may not necessarily be your way) investing as needed and acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge, the sky really is the limit! I know that if someone wants to succeed with technology, I can take them there. I give each new client my personal guarantee in that regard. But they have to make the right efforts in the right areas based on the reality of what is necessary in order to lay the groundwork for that success which then produces financial freedom - part of the American Dream we all strive for. Are you up to this challenge?
“Many an opportunity is lost because a man is out looking for four-leaf clovers.”
~ Anon.
Take the Technology Challenge below to see if you have what it takes to make Technology your stairway to success. Technology is not for the weak of heart. Rate each question based on a 1-10 scale with 10 being you agree with the statement 100%.
- Without spending the required time learning and practicing the skills necessary to use technology properly, my chances to succeed are extremely diminished.
- Knowledge acquisition will be an ongoing challenge to keep up with Technology as it evolves and I am prepared to be on a continual learning curve and deal with the frustrations that will bring.
- There will be a new set of unwritten rules and guidelines which are part of the Internet “culture” that I will need to make myself aware of, practice and hone in order to be most effective and perceived as favorably as possible.
- An ongoing program implementing the basics of running a organized and successful business is important to my level of success with Technology.
- With very little to limited knowledge about Technology, in general, I realize I need to choose my partners carefully so I have proven experienced professionals on my team to trust and rely on for the best possible ROI (return on investment). This requires I not choose partners solely on price alone, claims of ease of use or instant results.
- Technology is evolving daily requiring ongoing updates, changes and new directions that I will need to embrace and implement on a consistent basis in order to keep in front of my competitors.
- Information Technology means that I will need to review all data and information available and provided to me on a regular basis in order to truly understand where I am coming from and where I will need to go to succeed.
- 1-3 hours online minimally per day will be necessary for me to answer e-mail, network, market and organize my online activities and opportunities.
- Online success is there for the taking if I make the right choices, efforts and commitment. This includes realizing that success doesn’t just happen - I need to work at it, possibly harder than anything I’ve ever worked at before to make it happen!
- An open mind and a little ego are imperative in order to be able embrace the ideas and information, the recommendations and advice given by those with the experience to help me reach my goals. To override relevant data, recommendations or advice based on my very limited knowledge, without any other solid business reason to do so, will hinder my potential success.
Anything less than a score of 100 points indicates you may not be up to the challenge or have unrealistic expectations of what Technology will demand of you to succeed. That doesn’t mean I can’t get you there - it just means we need a bit of reality check before we begin. (BTW, this “reality check” is included when becoming one of my clients! ;-))
Technology doesn’t wait or molly coddle anyone no matter how great your idea is, how pretty your site is, how much you “think” it is a good idea. Some try to kid themselves either based on stories from friends or hype on some Web site that the above level of commitment really is not required. They have the freedom to believe what they want; they have the freedom to make their own choices.
Wouldn’t you rather use your freedom to seek out the reality of success and then make it yours? Technology is a challenge for everyone who plays - even those of us who participate in Technology for a living are challenged on almost a daily basis with some new concept, trend or data that surprises and many times perplexes us which demands we react, rethink, redo. Realize that online - nothing is a right or a given.
“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”
~ Anon.
If you want to play and succeed, there are things you will need to do, hills you will need to climb, decisions you will need to make. It won’t just happen - YOU need to make it happen. You have the freedom to make these choices. Use your freedom to make the choice to be successful, to do what it takes, to rise to the challenge! This is the U.S. of A. and we are celebrating over 225 years of freedom and independence. Isn’t time you stepped up to the plate and claimed your right to succeed and use your freedom to learn, your independence to make your own choices and stand by them until you reach your goals?
“We are told never to cross a bridge until we come to it, but this world is owned by men who have ‘crossed bridges’ in their imagination far ahead of the crowd.”
~ Anon.
So stand up straight! Shoulders back!! Get that complacent look off your face and change your attitude! Technology (as with life) isn’t easy - nor is it cheap in time or expense! But then, neither is success. What do you think our founding fathers would do given the opportunity such as you have right now?
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