Rick Schwartz recently sold Candy.com. I bet he is thinking to himself the initial investment he made in that domain. I reflect on good sales and websites I made in the past. What about you? What are the best investments you have made in domains? Were they websites? Did they have traffic or revenue?

Forget the above. You should be looking in the mirror. The best investment you will ever make as a domainer is in yourself. Entrepreneurs have learned to step over several mental road blocks known as the "I CAN'Ts" and "BUT I'M WAITING ONs". If you are waiting for the perfect time to quit your full time job and jump head first into domaining, the perfect time will never come. If you are waiting to reach the perfect income bracket before becoming an entrepreneur, it might not happen if all your energy is sucked away at a 9 to 5 job. You do not have to figure out HOW but you do need to believe in yourself.

Just a few years ago I was working a full time job in addition to providing freelance web development, going to college and being a single mother. I worked my ass off but through blood, sweat and tears I was able to make the transition to entrepreneur. It was a temporary sacrifice. Yes, there were times I wanted to give up. Yes, there were times I doubted myself. But I would have robbed myself of so much reward had I gave in to the fear of failing.

Today, I get to enjoy spending time at home with my daughter, I have flexible working hours, I have flexible income, payday is any day and I look forward to making the daily short trip to work.

Entrepreneurs are human. They doubt themselves at times. They reach hurdles. They reach conflicts. But they learn to persevere: put one foot in front of the other and take it one day at a time. They learn to kick the excuses in the rear, ignore negative criticism from doubting friends and family and they learn to focus with a laser mind. Did you notice two reoccurring words? THEY LEARN.

What you invest in yourself is more valuable than any domain you could ever purchase or sell. Learn something new today: a different perspective or a different skill. Do you know how to install WordPress? You can learn how here. Did you know about the .tel domain extension? There is a guide here. Etc. Take time everyday, even if it's only an hour to invest in yourself. It adds up. But it won't begin unless you make that commitment to invest in yourself right now.

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." ~ Calvin Coolidge

RESOURCES

• You May Not Have to Quit Your Day Job
• Persevere Quotes

Comments (7)

Scott Alliy June 04, 2009

Well written article Tia. Bein an entrepreneur is a bit like scratch-off tickets. You scratch and scratch and if you are lucky you will win the big one. Well ok maybe being an entrepreneur is a little more work LOL. Congrats on your own success and of course congrats to Rick for blazing the trail and raising the bar for all entrepreneurs and domainers.

Tia Wood June 05, 2009

Thanks, Scott. Luck almost has nothing to do with it. Sometimes we have to create our own opportunities.

Fred Gill

Tia, an inspiratonal and motivating posting. One makes their own "luck". Learn from the masters, read the blogs, watch the videos, (at least of Frank Shilling, Dr Ham)and daily the blogs of Rick Schwartz, Ron Jackson, Frager, Sahir, Elliot, Wizzbang. I rarely leave without an actionable idea...

Tia Wood June 05, 2009

Fred, funny you mention that. I was just at Frank Schilling's blog a few days ago and reread the last post he made last year. It's one of the best: http://www.sevenmile.com/2008-03/everybody-sells/ . I do wish he were blogging again.

Jonathan June 05, 2009

Nice article, Tia. You should add bit more about difficulties you had. Without them, people will think you are just lucky

Tia Wood June 05, 2009

Jonathan, "...full time job in addition to providing freelance web development, going to college and being a single mother. I worked my ass off but through blood, sweat and tears..." "You should add bit more about difficulties you had." I could have but I believe it would have steered away from the point of the article. I think the above pretty much sums it up. Somebody once said "luck" is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Chris June 06, 2009

Many people see this industry as a brreding ground for slackers and workshy layabouts, which it is. This in itself presents opportunities for those who are prepared to invest the time to become the best. The most important change I ever made in my life was to stop saying 'I can't be bothered' whenever something demanded a daunting amount of effort- it is rarely as bad as you think when you get stuck in.

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