Producing Income Might Not Be As Hard As You Think

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 4:15 am

Over the last couple years the economy has wreaked havoc on everybody’s finances. Since “financial security” is up at the top of the list for most human beings, the hardship families are facing as their net worth plummets is creating feelings of desperation.

There are approximately five-million die-hard entrepreneurs in this country. Even though living the up and down financial roller-coaster of creating your own income, comes with the territory, the economic downturn instantly eliminated many thriving businesses. Many an entrepreneur has had to change direction, alter their lifestyles, and start from scratch, in order to survive. But that’s what entrepreneurs do. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, comfortable, or without stress, it’s the natural course of things.

Then you have two hundred and twenty-million people who have never ventured into what seems to them, the risky and unstable life, of an entrepreneur. The lifelong employees, professionals, and career-minded individuals who now find themselves without the ‘financial security’ they built their lives around – the weekly paycheck. They’ve done everything they know to stabilize their unexpected financial situation. They’ve eliminated non-essentials and basically reduced their lives to a shell of what they once were. And, they still aren’t making it. The fixed payments created in better financial times, combined with inescapable obligations and responsibilities, have them pacing back and forth, wringing their hands, wondering what to do.

Regardless of which category you fall into, it’s time to get creative. It’s time to expand the boundaries of what you know and what you think you know, and consider some new possibilities for getting yourself back on track financially. Let’s translate that into practical advice you can dig yourself out of a hole with.

First off, don’t disillusion yourself – “quick buck ideas” are not a permanent solutions for what ails you. They might put out an immediate fire, but they never solve the problem for long. I remember about 5 years into our marriage when we were going through some really tough financial times, we sold pretty much everything we owned, a piece at a time, just to get by. Some of it was irreplaceable, but in light of not having food or a place to live, it wasn’t a necessity. I wish I had understood then, like I do now, the unlimited possibilities that were there for me to tap into.

You don’t need any additional skills, or deep pockets to create an income producing opportunity for yourself. Here’s what you do need though –

1) You need to quit thinking YOU, and you alone, are the answer to your problem – The majority of the people around you are in the same position you are. They too, are looking for solutions. Remember what John Maxwell said - “All of us are smarter than one of us”. By limiting yourself to only what you can conjure up in your own mind, you stifle the real possibilities! Besides, if you had the answer, you’d be doing it already. Right?

2) You need to be CREATIVE! – you don’t need any additional skills other than what you have when you combine forces with one or more other people who all bring something different to the table.

Everyone is experiencing tough financial times, including businesses. EVERYONE is looking for creative ways to create more income for themselves, business and people alike. Get one other person, or a group of people together for a brainstorming session.

Here’s one idea – think how you can mix and match different businesses together either locally, or on the internet, to create “package deals” that offer services people need. If you come from a large city, perhaps you can create “Night On The Town” packages. Put together different packages with different price points. Call businesses like – limo services, restaurants, clubs, spas, hotels,…that would love to participate.

Let your imagination go wild with the ways you can get paid. A fee from the client. A referral fee from each business included in the package. And don’t just think in the realm of offering your packages one-on-one to clients, offer them to businesses looking to reward employees or drum up some new clients for themselves. To non-profit organizations for raffles. The possibilities are endless.

You see, just a little brainstorming, combined with an active imagination and some creative thinking,…can be all you need to get yourself on solid financial footing!

To Your Growth and Profit,