The Dirty Little Secret Successful People Don’t Tell You… But I Will

| Come in closer… i want to tell you a secret… It’s about that guy on Facebook who always posts how he is “killing it” with his business. It’s about that gal bragging about her new super-exotic car and vacations on the beach. It’s about that person who never seems to have a bad day because their business is so amazing. That guy may be killing it. That gal may have the fast car. And that person may have an amazing business. But here’s what they aren’t telling you… The rest of the story. Why not? Because no one wants to live the rest of the story. Trust me… you don’t want to. It’s ugly. And I’m going to share 3 points from that side of the story. 1) Don’t confuse appearances with success. It doesn’t take much to give the appearance that you are successful. Rent an expensive mansion. Rent an expensive car. Hire some professional models. Dress nice and shoot a video where you speak with great authority. Bam. Instant appearance of success. Don’t believe everything you see. Because even if  all of that “beautiful” show really is that great, it comes with a price tag. Sometimes, a very hefty price tag. 2) When someone brags about how much money there are making, they often frame it in a way that is most favorable to them. In 2015, Amazon.com processed about $107 BILLION in sales. That’s $107,000,000,000! Would you be surprised to discover that their NET income was just shy of $600 million? That’s because once you take away the cost of goods sold, staffing, support,  affiliates and all other expenses, there’s not always much left. On a scale that is more relatable to you and I, be wary of the marketer who says he made $1,000,000 with his sale. After expenses, that marketer is fortunate if he walks away with 25% of that as net income.  Still, it’s a nice payday. But it’s not as large as it is being sold. 3) And the real hard truth is this… Have you heard of the guy who had his most trusted employee embezzle from him, not only costing him time and money, but also emotional anguish? How about the guy who hired a smooth-talker to run his business, only to discover it was being run into the ground? And what about the guy who invested six figures into a new technology only to fail miserably at marketing the product and having to flush his investment down the drain? You actually know that guy, because that guy is me! It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, my friends. It’s not all money and fast cars. It’s the reality of doing business. And it can be hard. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you. They just want your money. RUN from those people! While I would definitely alter some of my choices if I could (and I can’t), I wouldn’t trade running my own business for anything. In my last entry I asked if you had “vision” for what your life would look like with your own business? Now I’m going to ask you another question. Do you have the stamina to fight for what you want? Will you push through the difficult times and make a decision to continue pursuing your dream even when an employee steals from you… when a friend betrays you… when you fail at a task that you were certain would succeed? If so, then you may indeed be prepared to break free of the chains that bind you and live your dreams. Keep reading my blog because I’m going to tell you how YOU are going to do it. I’ll reveal what is selling like hotcakes RIGHT NOW, and how you are prepared to take advantage of it. |




Love this Joel. Thanks for your transparency. Looking forward to you next posts.
Sorry to hear you have been back-stabbed by what you presumed was a close friend. You have been a tremendous inspiration to so many people online, so that person deserves to experience what a bitch karma will be – one day his actions will be repaid, with interest.
It is, however, good you are cool about it, and still find an opportunity to inspire even when facing the occasional storm. Best of luck to you, Joel! You deserve the best.
Great story. Many ups and downs with business. The strong survive. Many times I want to quit but I took a break and came back. Thamks for the inspiration. It shows you are not alone.
no.2 – so true, Joel!
I have always wondered how these people always show themselves as taking the vacation, driving a porsche.
And like you pointed out, most of them were speaking on how easy they make money. And all of them at the end asked to sign up to their mailing list or purchase a product. I remember one video in youtube where one guy was pretending to be a college goer. He stopped his car, went out and came back. When he rejoined the conversation, he flashed a bundle of notes and told that this is the money he made yesterday via his online business.
It’s good to see an authority figure like you mentioning about behind the scene techniques of these so called internet millionaires.
Yes, appearances are appearances and nothing more. And it’s similar to those who always feel the need to tell you how authentic they are. Really? Isn’t that exactly opposite of the very definition? It’s about the warts and all. And those who share and show the ugliness or, worse even, the “regularness” of it all, those are truly the ones to pay attention to. Thanks Joel. This is a great and real article!
It’s so conforting. Thanks.
#truthbomb Good advice! Blood, sweat, tears, and failure are not pretty. But they’re entirely necessary, and make success that much sweeter.