Avoid going around in circles

Bob and Jim are sitting at their local bar, where they meet once a week to have a few beers after a hard days work. Their conversations are mostly the same, how they hate their boss, what's going on with their families and many times about how they wish they had more money.

There are a few people sitting around having their private conversations when some guy walks in, hands a wad of cash to the bartender and tells him drinks are on him the rest of the night.

All of a sudden, the bar is hopping and everyone, including some very attractive women, are buzzing around this guy.

Bob turns to Jim and asks: "Who is this guy and where does he get that kinda money?"
Jim replies: "That's Johnny, he's a NASCAR driver."
Bob: "NASCAR driver? What's that?"
Jim: "He drives around in circles really fast."
Bob: "That's it? Drives around in circles really fast? That makes money?"
Jim: "Tons!"
Bob: "Hmmmm..."

The following week Jim is sitting at the bar checking his watch, wondering what happened to Bob. Forty five minutes after they usually meet, Bob shoves the bar door open and heads straight for Jim.

Jim: "Hey Bob. What happened to you?"
Bob screams: "What happened to me? I had to walk here, that's what happened to me!"
Jim asks: "What happened to your car?"
Bob replies: "That whole NASCAR thing you were telling me about is a big scam!"
Jim: "Scam? What are you talking about? What does that have to do with your car?"
Bob (still fuming): "This past Saturday I spent hours driving around in circles as fast as I could and I didn't make a dime! Then some cop pulls me over, gives me a pile of tickets and impounded my car!"
Jim asks: "Are you serious?"
Bob: "Does it look like I'm joking?!?!?! I'm going to sue you and NASCAR for getting me into this mess!"
Jim: "Sue!?!? Hold on a minute. Calm down. Let me ask you. Where you going clockwise or counter-clockwise?"

This scenario seems ridiculous but this happens many times each day with people who start investing their time and money into something they don't fully understand.

Even though something seems easy to do, it doesn't mean you can go into it blindly. Research what it is you want to do, see if there are others doing it, find out what works for them and what doesn't if you can.

In the end, you're responsible for your own actions. You need to do your homework so you don't end up like Bob.

When I was growing up, I remember talking to a few older people who had immigrated to America many years ago. More than one told me they literally were expecting to come here and find gold just laying on the streets, waiting for them to pick it up.

While there were better opportunities, it wasn't as easy as they were led to believe. The same is true for trying to make money online.

There are many resources on the Internet that can help you learn more. A lot of them are free. People who have found success taking the time to share their knowledge.

Others want you to pay for their information. They usually claim they have some sort of "secret" but for a fee they are willing to share it with you. There are no secrets to making money online, don't get confused by the scores of eBooks out there trying to convince you otherwise.