Chapter 1: The New Breed of Entrepreneurs

We all have that one entrepreneurial friend who avoids the 9–5 grind yet still craves a steady paycheck. Or perhaps, we are that friend.

It seems the online economy has birthed a unique type of entrepreneur unlike any seen before. This is the individual who leaves their job to venture into business, only to settle for a reliable income. And don't even get me started on their grumbling about algorithms and the importance of owning an email list.

One particular notion I find puzzling is the advice urging people to ensure they control their audience. I can’t help but cringe at the idea that having an email list equates to owning your audience. While it may give you some level of control, that control is only as reliable as the servers and service providers backing it. Unless you have your list printed out or securely stored, claiming ownership feels precarious at best.

Nothing sabotages your entrepreneurial success more than those who dangle the promise of shortcuts to financial security in front of you. I genuinely believe many of them mean well—I've even penned articles about that—but it's challenging to trust their intentions when they seem more focused on filling their own pockets.

However, everything comes at a cost. You can pay for their services, which may or may not deliver significant value, but if you don't, your attention is what they seek—your "eyeballs"!

They bombard you with daily emails, often including your name in the subject line to make you feel special. I hope you realize that’s just a marketing gimmick. These are what I term "attention entrepreneurs."

Can I call them "attenpreneurs"? Perhaps that’s too soon.

Let me clarify: all businesses require attention; otherwise, they wither away. But there's a stark difference between needing attention and being in the business of attention. Companies like Amazon, Apple, and even your neighbor’s homemade soap business need visibility. However, the self-proclaimed guru in your inbox is likely more concerned with capturing attention than providing real value.

You can find all the information you need from books, YouTube videos, and your own efforts toward a meaningful goal. Sure, these gurus might occasionally inspire you with their successes, but when it comes to practical content, you’d be better off having just one or two voices in your ear—beyond that, you’re just paying a premium for distractions.

If you’re just starting out in writing, your primary focus should be on honing your craft. You shouldn't be preoccupied with constructing an empire before you even have a solid foundation. Anyone suggesting otherwise may just be trying to lure you into parting with your cash.

When you commit to writing consistently for a year, you will improve significantly. You'll become more adept at articulating your thoughts and providing genuine value to your audience.

If you’re eager to build an email list but lack the fundamentals of good writing, you risk damaging your brand from the outset. What’s the point of erecting a structure on a shaky foundation? Forgive the construction metaphors; I am a civil engineer, after all.

When your brand lacks substance, it’s akin to the waste you collect during a dog walk—worthless. Focus!

Block out the noise from the gurus for now; you’ll be much better off for it.

Since 2017, I’ve spent both time and money trying to follow various gurus. Does anyone remember Digital Altitude? People were making substantial profits, but I had no business being involved, and I ended up enriching one guru while I sank back into my previous struggles.

Multiply that experience by 26, and you have a glimpse of the number of times I failed. It wasn’t until 2020, after I stopped listening to these so-called experts, that I began to see consistent earnings—money I could actually use, rather than just enough to cover wire transfer fees!

You must realize that there’s no easy route. Even those seemingly secure paths promoted by gurus are fraught with challenges. When you allow yourself to be swayed by their recommendations, you dilute your focus and resolve.

Building a business is tough, but it's also a profound journey of personal growth. I could teach you how to create AI art that rivals Van Gogh's in minutes, but you would miss the essential lessons of patience and composition that come from traditional artistry.

This instant gratification can seep into other areas of your life, leading to detrimental consequences. The growth of any business necessitates learning valuable lessons to progress to the next stage.

In the early stages, your primary focus should be on your core product, making it competitive rather than distracting yourself with flashy gimmicks. Once you've absorbed these lessons, you can move forward, enhancing your knowledge and competitive edge along the way.

Those who attempt to divert your attention are just as significant an obstacle as any challenge you face in your business.

Focus! Leave the distractions behind.

Chapter 2: Embracing Side Hustles

In the first video, titled "Your Business Doesn't Have to be 'Full Time' to be Successful (Why Side Hustles Are AMAZING!)", the discussion revolves around the potential of side hustles and how they can lead to financial independence without committing to traditional full-time work.

Chapter 3: The Reality of 9 to 5 Work

The second video, "No One Wants to Work a 9 to 5...", delves into the modern sentiment surrounding traditional employment and offers insights on how to navigate the changing workforce landscape.