Jun 11
Why Do People Gotta Be Hatin’ on Me and Entrepreneurship
I’m not sure if I have said it in as many words to you (all of my party people), but I work pretty diligently online in order to form a more perfect union (for myself) so that I don’t have to work in my cubicle anymore. I’ve made great strides on this front, (in the very least from a knowledge point of view to a greater extent in a financial point of view [actually getting paid for some web design work]). So it’s just a shock to me when I speak to my friends and family about leaving my job behind with better living through the Internet and they just stare blankly back at me as if I said I was going to sell crack for a living.
Here’s what I think: From what I’ve gathered, I don’t think that most older people know how much money can be made with the Internet if you know what you’re doing. And I’m not just talking through Ads and Affiliate Marketing either. There are many opportunities to make good money by providing design, promotion and consulting services to anyone who needs them. I think there is a large portion of the population who just doesn’t get that the Internet is really it’s own industry and that money flows in and out of it just like any other. So that’s half of it.
I think the other half is that people have become so … BRAINWASHED through traditional schooling into thinking that the path to success starts with school and ends with a job. Now, I don’t necessarily disagree with that statement, but I think often it is believed and followed much too literally. As I’ve said before, I’m a big believer of Twain’s statement, “I’ve never let school interfere with my education”. In this world, a number of things can be credited for success. But I’ll say at least financially, education is pretty important. (And I’m not talking about being able to take the limits of f(x) as x approaches Infinity). Education is a vast and limitless thing, encompassing so many different facades of life, financial and otherwise. School is one way to attain education and expose oneself to different experiences. It’s also the way to attain a degree which many professionals use to judge someone as to whether or not they are qualified to hold a position in their company. Still with me? SCHOOLING leads to a DEGREE which should lead to a JOB which leads to MONEY. And that’s the only way A LOT of people see it.
I and many others see the whole thing as EDUCATION leads to a MASTERY which should lead to a PROFESSION which leads to MONEY. It’s basically the same thing as described above and I think it’s what school is supposed to do, impart you with knowledge, which it does and doesn’t, let’s be honest. But I think there’s one fundamental difference between the above and the below which is mindset. One who thinks of the cycle as SCHOOLING leading to a JOB see only that. They know that they will work for someone else, and they’re fine with it. They believe that a job is security and if they have a degree, they’ll have security for the rest of their life. So when people like myself say, “I don’t want to have a job I want to work for myself…” They basically believe that you want to be homeless or have the government take care of you.
I guess here’s the difference in the thinking…Those who believe that EDUCATION leads to a PROFESSION often can’t stand having someone else in charge of their life. They believe (myself included) that JOBs have no more security than not having a job since having a boss means you have someone who can’t take your job away from you anytime they want. Furthermore, they believe bosses dictate when you have to be at your job, and how much you will be paid.
*ahem* This rant has gone on way too long. Look, I’m not saying one is more right than the other, but please don’t look at me like I’m crazy if I say I want to work for myself. Okay friends and family? Sure it will take more work, and will be harder to start than handing in your résumé to an employer but I have to believe it’s worth it…and doable.
So yeah, this has got to be happening to more than just me right? Are there those of you out there who have experienced this and now lead a double life with your friends and family only telling them what they’re prepared to hear? Because it’s fast approaching that for me. I guess I’m just kinda at a place where it’s easier to not say anything and just say I work for a decent company with decent pay and good benefits. *shrugs*
(I’m sure I’ll edit this post later once I have some time to look it over and collect my thoughts a bit better).
June 11th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
Don’t edit the post. It’s perfectly written. The funniest part of all is when they look at you and say “what the hell is a blog?” haha.
June 11th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
I made that mistake ONCE. Never again. Now I just tell ppl if they want to see a pic of the baby or something, “Oh, just check out my personal site”. Much easier and I avoid getting the super nerd/political crazy guy stereotype. (#);D
And just as an aside, this site used to not be a blog, but it was turning into one anyway so it just seemed logical to officially make it one. (But I have more fun now on here anyway).
June 11th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
I know the feeling. Trying to explain PayPerPost, Google AdSense and SEO to people I think is worse than explaining rocket science. You think your getting somewhere and then another bone head question comes about.
I’ve taken a different approach though. If all goes well I will get my college degree in december and look for a job. However, it is in the back of my mind that I would like to retire as early as possible and live off my internet ventures.
June 11th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
I’m glad I’m not alone. Ha ha And GL to you with the degree apex. I’m sure everything will go well, so don’t stress out tooooo much!
June 13th, 2007 at 3:50 am
Amazing read Bush. Be proud of what you’re accomplishing. It’s a long uphill climb to becoming a good online entrepreneur, but keep at it, you’ve definitely got the right mindset.
June 13th, 2007 at 5:14 am
I completely agree on this subject, well written.
June 13th, 2007 at 6:28 am
Glad you liked it guys and thanks for the support!
June 15th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Well said! Completely agreed on this. You’re not the one in this situation. You can count me in too
June 15th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Thanks for finding my little place on the web Benedict. Wasn’t that the name of one of the leads in Much Ado About Nothing? Great play and Great film.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
World is so small another proof
Now, I will back here more often! Yes, it was but a slight variant name Benedick 
June 17th, 2007 at 4:22 am
I can relate! Wait until you start working for yourself and people think you have all the time in the world. I ranted about that last week.
I agree it does appear that some within the older generation don’t understand how you can possibly make a living virtually.
Initially, my parents drove me nuts but when they saw that I was not only supporting my daughter and myself but buying “extra things” they stopped yapping about it.
The traditional way is not the only way you can make money. I did the traditional thing for fourteen years. I would rather work for myself.
June 17th, 2007 at 5:25 am
Right on Opal! I think I may have to go with a proof is in the pudding technique too. Before that though, I’m just gonna lay low. (#):)