Since the early
1980's, I (johnny2k) had a deep desire to work from home, and actually
made several attempts at it. (See
johnny2k's
Previous Experience) I tried sales, bookkeeping,
desktop publishing, even video editing. However, I
found that marketing through the
traditional advertising media (newspapers, magazines, radio, TV) was financially impossible, with the traditional shoe-string
budget of a self-employed-work-at-home-startup. And marketing through
referrals worked great, but it was not a process that was able to
get me to a positive cash flow position before starving to death. I was forced to raise the
white flag. Yes, I had to surrender, and return to the traditional
work force. (At least I didn't put my hand out).
And I learned, and
I gain valuable experiences... But I knew I didn't fail. Failure isn't getting knocked down. The only
way to fail is to get knocked down and not get back up. Everyone gets a second
chance, if they take it.
The
day came again, when I had to consider the option of working at
home. This time, though, it appeared to be the only option I
had. My wife became ill, and I couldn't afford to have
someone at home with her while I was at work outside my home, and I knew if I
stayed home, I would have to do something to provide an income. A
few dollars here and there wouldn't do it, either. A larger income
was needed to be able to afford huge medical expenses.
Fortunately,
I had time to develop my web design skills before it came
to a point where I needed to spend a majority of my time at home
with Connie. I had accumulated the web skills and
other computer knowledge over the years that I would need to put
all of this together. But there is something else I need
Belief.
After all that has happened to my wife and I, and my previous
less-than-prosperous self-employment experiences, is was easy to
have doubts. However, though doubts may cross my mind occasionally,
I am aware that doubts only slow me down. When the doubts
come creeping in, I transfer my emotional energies to
concentrating on what I am doing, and continuously building on my belief
in what I am doing. And the motto I have on the wall is "Though
my choices are few, I believe in what I do".
Faith.
A very important ingredient in the process of believing that
everything will work out, is the need for FAITH.
In fact, without faith, belief is impossible.
