How to Make Money Online for Beginners

05/27/2025 by

If you’re wondering “How to Make Money Online for Beginners,” then read on.

Making money online has become easier than ever. There are many ways to earn extra cash from home, even if you’re a beginner.

You can start making money online by freelancing, taking surveys, selling items, or creating content.

These options don’t need special skills or big investments.

Freelancing is a great way to use your talents. You can write, design, or code for clients. Taking online surveys is simple and quick. Selling stuff you don’t need anymore can bring in some cash. Creating content like blogs or videos can lead to income over time.

The key is to pick something that fits your skills and interests. Start small and learn as you go. With practice and effort, your online income can grow.

Key Takeaways

  • Online money-making options include freelancing, surveys, selling items, and content creation
  • Choose a method that matches your skills and interests for the best results
  • Start with small, achievable goals and gradually build your online income over time

DISCLAIMER: This article presents money-making ideas which many other people have exploited successfully. However, there are no guarantees in life and you must do your due diligence on any specific idea before you make any significant commitment to it. Money can be made online, and plenty of people do, but you must proceed in a professional and business-like manner

Understanding Online Monetization

Making money online involves different ways to earn income through internet-based activities. It can be done part-time or full-time, with various methods suited for beginners.

Basic Concepts of Online Income

Online income comes from digital transactions where people pay for goods, services, or content over the internet. It often starts with building an online presence through a website, social media, or digital platforms.

Key elements include:

  • Digital products (e.g. ebooks, courses)
  • Services (e.g. freelancing, consulting)
  • Advertising revenue
  • Affiliate marketing

Beginners can start by selling items they no longer need on online marketplaces. This helps learn the basics of online transactions and customer service.

Popular Online Business Models

Several business models have proven successful for earning money online. These range from simple to more complex strategies.

  1. E-commerce: Selling physical or digital products through online stores.
  2. Print-on-demand: Creating custom designs for products like t-shirts or mugs.
  3. Freelancing: Offering skills like writing, design, or programming.
  4. Content creation: Making money through blogs, YouTube videos, or podcasts.
  5. Online coaching: Providing expertise in a specific field.

Beginners often start with freelancing or content creation as these require little upfront investment. As skills grow, many move to more advanced models like e-commerce or creating digital products.

Setting Up Your Foundation

A strong foundation is key for making money online. Pick the right platform and build a solid online presence to set yourself up for success.

Choosing the Right Platform

Selecting the best platform is crucial. Many beginners start with popular sites like Fiverr for freelance work. These platforms connect you with clients looking for your skills.

Social media can also be a great starting point. Instagram and TikTok are perfect for visual content creators. LinkedIn works well for professional services.

For selling products, consider marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon. They provide built-in audiences and easy setup.

Your own website gives you full control. WordPress is user-friendly for beginners. Shopify works well for online stores.

Building Your Online Presence

A strong online presence helps you stand out. Start by creating professional profiles on chosen platforms. Use clear, high-quality photos and write an engaging bio.

Consistency is key. Post regularly to keep your audience engaged. Share valuable content related to your niche.

Interact with others in your field. Comment on posts, join online communities, and network virtually.

Consider starting a blog or YouTube channel. This shows your expertise and builds trust with potential clients or customers.

Use social media to promote your services or products. Share behind-the-scenes content to connect with your audience.

Content Creation and Monetization

Making money online often involves creating and sharing valuable content. This can take many forms, from written articles to videos and audio recordings. The key is to produce high-quality material that appeals to a specific audience.

Starting a Blog

Blogging is a popular way to make money online. To start, choose a niche that interests you and has potential for profit. Pick a catchy name for your blog and set it up using a platform like WordPress or Squarespace.

Write helpful, engaging posts regularly. Focus on topics your readers care about. Use keywords to help people find your content through search engines.

To make money from your blog, try these methods:

  • Place ads on your site
  • Write sponsored posts for brands
  • Offer digital products like ebooks or courses
  • Use affiliate links to earn commissions

Build an email list to stay connected with your readers. This can help you promote products and services later on.

Creating a YouTube Channel

YouTube offers a platform to share video content and earn money. Pick a topic you’re passionate about and start making videos. Use good lighting and audio to ensure quality.

Consistency is key. Post new videos on a regular schedule. Engage with your viewers by responding to comments and asking for feedback.

To monetize your channel:

  1. Join the YouTube Partner Program
  2. Use affiliate marketing in your video descriptions
  3. Get sponsorships from brands
  4. Sell merchandise to your fans

Remember to follow YouTube’s guidelines to keep your channel in good standing.

Podcasting Essentials

Podcasts are audio shows that listeners can download and enjoy anytime. To start, choose a topic you can talk about for many episodes. Get a good microphone and recording software to ensure clear sound.

Plan your episodes in advance. Write outlines to stay on track while recording. Edit your audio to remove mistakes and add intro music.

Monetize your podcast through:

  • Sponsorships from companies
  • Listener donations via platforms like Patreon
  • Selling your own products or services
  • Offering exclusive content for paying subscribers

Promote your podcast on social media and other platforms to grow your audience. The more listeners you have, the more money-making opportunities you’ll find.

E-commerce and Selling Online

Selling products online can be a great way to make money. There are several methods to get started, from setting up your own store to using existing platforms. Let’s explore some popular options.

Launching an Online Store

Starting an online store is easier than ever. Pick a platform like Shopify or WooCommerce to build your website. Choose products that match your interests and target audience.

Create eye-catching product pages with clear descriptions and high-quality photos. Set competitive prices and offer various payment options.

Promote your store through social media and email marketing. Consider running ads to reach more potential customers.

Don’t forget about customer service. Respond quickly to inquiries and handle issues promptly to build trust and loyalty.

Utilizing Dropshipping

Dropshipping lets you sell products without holding inventory. When a customer places an order, the supplier ships it directly to them.

To start, choose a niche and find reliable suppliers. Popular products include clothing, accessories, and home decor.

Set up your online store and add products. Adjust prices to ensure a profit margin.

Focus on marketing to drive traffic to your site. Use social media, content marketing, and paid ads to reach potential customers.

Be transparent about shipping times and handle customer service professionally to maintain a good reputation.

Exploring Print on Demand

Print on demand is great for selling custom designs on products like t-shirts, mugs, and posters.

Create unique designs or hire a designer. Choose a print-on-demand service like Printful or Printify.

Set up your online store and connect it to the print-on-demand service. Upload your designs and set prices.

Market your products on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Show off your designs and engage with potential customers.

Consider offering limited-edition designs or collaborating with artists to keep your product line fresh and exciting.

Freelancing and Service-Based Earnings

Freelancing offers beginners a flexible way to earn money online using their skills. It allows people to work on projects they enjoy while building a client base.

Offering Freelance Services

Beginners can start by identifying their strengths. Writing, graphic design, and programming are popular freelance skills. Web development and virtual assistance also have high demand.

Freelancers should create a list of services they can offer. For example, a writer might offer blog posts, product descriptions, and social media content. Setting competitive rates is key. New freelancers often start lower to attract clients.

It’s important to deliver quality work on time. This helps build a good reputation. Happy clients often lead to repeat business and referrals.

Joining Freelance Marketplaces

Upwork, Fiverr, and TaskRabbit are popular platforms for finding freelance work. These sites connect freelancers with clients worldwide.

To get started:

  1. Create a detailed profile
  2. Showcase relevant skills
  3. Set up a professional photo
  4. Write a compelling bio

Beginners should apply to many jobs at first. This increases the chances of landing work. It’s okay to start with smaller projects to build experience.

Reading client reviews and job descriptions carefully helps avoid scams. Freelancers should only take on projects they can complete well.

Portfolio Building Tips

A strong portfolio shows potential clients what a freelancer can do. It should highlight their best work.

Tips for creating an effective portfolio:

  • Choose 5-10 top projects
  • Include a variety of work samples
  • Write brief descriptions for each project
  • Update regularly with new work

For beginners without client work, creating sample projects can help. A writer might draft blog posts on topics they enjoy. A designer could create mock logos for imaginary companies.

Freelance copywriters can earn between $19 and $45 per hour on platforms like Upwork. Rates may vary based on experience and project type.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a popular way to make money online. It lets you earn commissions by promoting other people’s products. This method works well for beginners and experts alike.

Starting with Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is easy to start. You don’t need your own products or services. Pick a niche you like and know about. This could be fitness, tech, or cooking. Research your chosen niche to find out what people want.

Next, create a website or blog. This is where you’ll share info and product links. Use a simple platform like WordPress to build your site. Make sure it looks good and works well on phones.

Learn about SEO to help people find your site. Write helpful content that answers questions in your niche. This builds trust with your readers.

Finding Affiliate Programs

Many companies offer affiliate programs. Amazon Associates is a good place to start. They have lots of products to promote. Look for programs in your niche too.

Affiliate networks like ShareASale and CJ Affiliate have many options. They connect you with brands looking for promoters. Sign up for free and browse their offers.

Check the commission rates before joining a program. Some pay per sale, others per lead or click. Pick programs with fair rates and good reputations. Read the terms carefully to know what’s expected.

Promotion Strategies

Create helpful content to promote affiliate products. Write reviews, how-to guides, and comparison posts. Be honest about the pros and cons of each item.

Use social media to share your content. Build a following on platforms where your audience hangs out. Pinterest works well for visual products. Twitter is good for quick tips and links.

Try email marketing to connect with your readers. Build a list of subscribers who trust your advice. Send them useful info and product recommendations.

Make your affiliate links clear. Tell readers when a link earns you money. This builds trust and follows rules. Use eye-catching buttons or banners for important links.

Track your results to see what works best. Try different strategies and improve over time. With patience and effort, affiliate marketing can become a steady income source.

Online Courses and Digital Products

Creating and selling digital products can be a great way to make money online. This method lets you share your knowledge and skills with others while earning income.

Creating and Selling Online Courses

Online courses are a popular way to teach others and make money. Pick a topic you know well and break it into lessons. Use video, text, and quizzes to help students learn.

Platforms like Teachable make it easy to set up and sell courses. You can also use sites like Udemy or Coursera to reach more students.

Think about what people want to learn. Popular topics include:

  • Cooking and baking
  • Fitness and health
  • Languages
  • Tech skills
  • Business and marketing

Make sure your course gives real value. Happy students may tell others, helping you sell more.

Designing Digital Products

Digital products are items people can download or use online. They’re easy to create and don’t need shipping.

Some digital product ideas:

  • E-books
  • Templates (for websites, resumes, etc.)
  • Printable planners or worksheets
  • Stock photos
  • Music or sound effects

Choose products that fit your skills and interests. Make them look good and work well. Quality matters!

Marketing Your Digital Products

Getting the word out is key to selling your products. Use social media to share tips and show your expertise. This can help people trust you and want to buy from you.

Start an email list to tell people about new products. Give away some free stuff to get people interested.

Ask happy customers for reviews. Good reviews can help others decide to buy. You can also team up with other creators to reach more people.

Remember, selling takes time. Keep improving your products and marketing. With effort, you can build a steady income from digital products.

Investing in Stocks and Cryptocurrencies

Investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies can be a way to grow wealth over time. These markets offer different opportunities and risks for beginners looking to make money online.

Stock Market Basics

The stock market allows people to buy shares of public companies. To start, open an account with a brokerage firm. Many offer free trades and educational resources.

Research companies before investing. Look at their financial reports, growth potential, and industry trends. Diversify by investing in different sectors to spread risk.

Consider low-cost index funds for beginners. These track broad market indexes and offer built-in diversification. Start with small amounts to learn the ropes.

Set a budget for investing. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. Be patient and think long-term. The stock market has historically grown over time despite short-term ups and downs.

Cryptocurrency Fundamentals

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that use blockchain technology. Bitcoin and Ethereum are popular choices for beginners. To buy cryptocurrency, create an account on a reputable exchange.

Crypto is highly volatile. Prices can swing wildly in short periods. Only invest what you’re willing to lose. Research projects thoroughly before buying.

Store crypto securely in a digital wallet. Choose between hot wallets (connected to the internet) and cold wallets (offline storage). Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

Stay informed about regulations. Crypto laws vary by country and change often. Be aware of tax implications when buying, selling, or trading digital assets.

Making money online has many options for beginners. There are ways to earn without investment and methods for regular income. Students can find opportunities too. Some strategies can even help you make $100 or more per day.

What are some beginner-friendly ways to earn money online from home?

Beginners can start with online surveys to earn small amounts. Another easy option is selling unused items on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

Freelancing is great for those with skills in writing, design, or programming. Platforms like Fiverr connect freelancers with clients looking for various services.

Can you make money online without any initial investment?

Yes, it’s possible to earn money online without spending anything upfront. Freelancing platforms often let users join for free.

People can also start a blog using free platforms or offer services like virtual assistance without any initial costs.

What are some legitimate methods for making regular income online?

Affiliate marketing is a popular way to earn consistent income. Bloggers and content creators can promote products and earn commissions on sales.

Creating and selling digital products like ebooks or courses can provide ongoing revenue. Subscription-based services or membership sites can also offer steady monthly income.

Are there any secret platforms that are effective for online earning?

There aren’t any secret platforms. Most effective ways to earn online are well-known. The key is finding the right method that fits one’s skills and interests.

Popular platforms like Upwork, Etsy, and YouTube are widely used but still offer good earning potential for those who put in the effort.

How can students make income through online activities?

Students can tutor or teach English online. Many platforms cater specifically to student tutors.

They can also do freelance work like writing, graphic design, or social media management. This allows for flexible hours around their studies.

What are some strategies for earning $100 or more daily on the internet?

To earn $100+ daily, people need to focus on high-value skills or services. Web development, copywriting, or consulting can command higher rates.

Creating and selling online courses or digital products can also lead to significant daily earnings once established.

Please share this post:

Did you find this article useful?

If so, then please share it on social media with your friends. When you share, everyone wins.

So go on, please share it now.

If you do, I will be forever grateful.

Other articles that might appeal to you:

Copyright © Mann Island Media Limited 2025. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Side Hustle Ideas, HOW TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Goal setting and how to achieve them

05/18/2025 by

Goal setting is essential if success is your aim.

Consider this. What’s life all about?

Do you ever ask yourself that question?

Do you ever think seriously about goal setting?

Paying bills and drifting aimlessly through life is not living; it is existing, surely?

I don’t want to live forever, but I do want to live life to the full while I have the chance. Don’t you?

A life well-lived should include some notable achievements if you are to realize your full potential and leave a legacy behind you. And leaving a legacy does matter too, in my opinion.

However, achievements require proper goal setting if they are to be accomplished.

This article explores goal setting and how goal setting can be translated into achievement. It’s by accomplishing goals that you’ll get a genuine sense of achievement, and you’ll feel your life has meaning.

Make Money

Goal setting:

Why are some people successful and others not so?

Successful people are generally no more intelligent than unsuccessful people. It is a fact that many highly intelligent people remain unsuccessful throughout their lives. It’s not about whether you’re clever or not.

Successful people know what they want, and they’re determined to get it.

Successful people set goals for themselves based on what they want, and they pursue those goals with determination and persistence.

You cannot hit a target you cannot see.

You cannot turn your dreams into achievements without goal setting.

However, goals don’t set themselves, nor do they accomplish themselves. It requires effort from you.

So get started, identify what matters to you, set goals, keep going, and achieve your aspirations.

Goals must matter to you:

The act of goal setting alone does not guarantee success. Many people set goals that they fail to achieve.

Why do you think that might be?

The simple answer is that goals often fail because the goal setter didn’t want the potential prize badly enough. They didn’t fully know their ‘Why?’

For a goal to be achieved, accomplishing the outcome must matter to you. If you don’t regard the outcome as being sufficiently worthwhile, then you won’t have the motivation to see your goal through to a conclusion.

The goal must mean enough to you if the extra effort required to achieve it seems worthwhile.

Make no mistake, any goal worth achieving will require a lot of determination, persistence, and hard work. Nothing worth having ever comes easy, that’s for sure.

To quote Napoleon Hill,

“Desire is the beginning of achievement.”

You must have the desire, and the outcome must matter to you.

Change your thinking; change your life:

How we think matters. You can’t achieve much with negative thinking.

A positive mind with a genuine sense of direction will take you as far as you want to go.

There are no limits for anyone with enough self-belief and a real sense of what they want from life.

Believe you can, and you will. Believe you can’t, and you won’t.

The way your mind is currently programmed may be getting in the way of you getting what you want, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can change your thinking, and if you do, it will change your life.

Dream lofty dreams:

Don’t be afraid to have a vision for yourself that is truly inspiring. Don’t be afraid to have dreams big enough to be just a little bit frightening.

It is on the edge of your comfort zone that you’ll begin to feel you’re living life to the full.

And your goals should be big enough to stretch you and inspire the desire within you. Be realistic, of course, but don’t make goals too easy.

Anything easy will not give you a sense of achievement, that’s for sure.

Revisit your inner child:

Children have no limits to their dreams. Most children believe they can achieve anything they want in life. They’ll tell you they want to be an astronaut, Olympic gold medalist, or whatever.

As children, we all had grandiose ideas about what we might be in life. Indeed, I did. Perhaps you did too, dear reader?

The problem is, as we get older, life takes its toll, and we all get a little bit more cautious and a lot less ambitious, don’t we? We fear losing face if we are seen to try and then fail.

Self-doubt creeps in, and before long, we’re adjusting our ambitions downwards. Perhaps we won’t become astronauts; maybe we’ll settle for being bus drivers instead.

As human beings, we often fear failure and the perception of any resulting embarrassment much more than we genuinely desire success.

We don’t fully appreciate that any minor embarrassment that might result from getting an outcome we didn’t want is a lot less painful than spending the rest of our lives wondering what might have been.

Never fear failure:

We fear failure, and yet there’s no such thing as failure, just opportunities to learn and start again.

So, goal setting starts with pretending you’re a kid again and believing that anything’s possible.

Just sit down with a notebook and a pen or possibly your tablet computer and start brainstorming right now.

Write down your list of your 101 biggest dreams and goals.

Now don’t think about whether or not they can be achieved; just write them down.

Then, from that list you’ve written, identify the items that matter to you most.

And remember this: if the goal matters to you, then you will find a way to achieve it.

Goals only fail when they don’t matter enough.

Remember, life needs balance:

Knowing what you want and why it matters to you will help you achieve your goals.

However, never forget that your goals should promote balance in your life too.

In setting your goals, they should benefit you, but they should also benefit your loved ones.

If your loved ones can understand the benefits to them as well as to you, then they’re much more likely to support you in the achievement of your goals.

And you will need their support. No one ever achieves anything in complete isolation.

Never, ever lose sight of your loved ones when you’re making decisions and setting goals.

The art of goal setting:

Start by deciding exactly what you want to achieve and then make a firm commitment to it.  You must feel genuinely motivated by your goals.

Your goals should be

  • Specific,
  • Measurable,
  • Achievable,
  • Relevant, and
  • Time-bound

This is the so-called SMART technique.

Once you have goals, you must write them down. This will make them feel much more tangible.

You must share them with other people, too, especially your loved ones.

This approach will have a subliminal effect on you and help in the process of achieving your goals.

Then you must plan the steps you will need to take if you are to realize specific goals.

The planning process will almost certainly result in a big goal being broken down into a series of smaller goals and activities.

Then, once you have a plan, you can cross off each activity as it’s completed.

6 Steps to Goal Setting:

To summarize the goal setting process I use, a goal must be:

  • Specific
  • Time-limited
  • Written down
  • Include a plan
  • Accept there’s a price to be paid
  • In your thoughts every day

11 reasons why goals fail:

If goal setting is something you’ve tried with little or no success, then you might feel it would help you if you had a better idea of why goals fail. Fear not, dear reader; help is at hand.

In the embedded video, Vic Johnson from Goals2Go.com provides some interesting insight into motivation and goal setting. His words are wise, and they’ll make you think.

It’s a fairly short video, but well worth your time if you aim to improve your goal setting technique and set goals that will result in achievements for which you can be truly very proud.

Please share this post with your friends:

If you found this blog post useful, then please share it on social media with your friends.

When you share, everyone wins.

So go on, please share it now. If you can do that for me, I’ll be ever so grateful, and you’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

Thank you.

Make Money

Articles you might also find interesting:

© Mann Island Media Limited 2025. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Self-Help Tagged With: , , , , , ,

What is grit and why is it important?

05/16/2025 by Leave a Comment

What is grit? I’ve heard this word a lot recently. And of course, the obvious supplementary question is, why is it important?

I’m referring to a term used in psychology to represent a positive, non-cognitive personality trait based on an individual’s perseverance of effort combined with the passion for a particular goal and a powerful motivation to achieve it. Allow me to explain.

What-is-grit
Make Money

What is grit?

Have you ever noticed that the smartest people are not always the most successful? Success can be defined in different ways, but for most people, their measure would usually revolve around money and prestige.

If we take money as the measure of success, then you’d think the smartest people would easily come out on top of that score, surely? Yet you’d be wrong.

We hear stories frequently about college professors who struggle financially, while at the same time, tradesmen like bricklayers and plumbers become millionaires. How can that be?

Surely the smartest people have a natural advantage? Well, no, they don’t.

The people with the real, innate advantage are those with this quality known as grit.

So, exactly what is grit?

It is an inner steeliness. It is courage and resolve. It is a strength of character. It is drive and desire. It is passion and motivation.

It is a willingness to persevere until the desired result is achieved. It is a determination to achieve a goal and a willingness to take calculated risks.

It is a fact that doing well in life depends on much more than academic ability and your capacity to learn quickly and easily.

Having those qualities is useful, of course, but in the absence of grit, you’d still be at a disadvantage.

Someone of average academic ability but with a shedload of grit will be better placed to achieve real success in life.

People with grit intuitively recognize that life is a marathon, not a sprint.

They’re willing to experience failure because they know that failure is a temporary outcome, not a permanent position. And they’re willing to fail and then start over using the lessons they’ve learned from the experience.

So what’s the key to success? It’s the need to get grittier!

Angela Lee Duckworth makes this point admirably in this excellent TEDxTalk video, and it’s well worth a few minutes of your time. It’s an interesting video, and I think she nails the point perfectly.

That’s what I think, but what is your opinion?

Could there be such an easy answer, or is it all much more complicated? I’d be interested to hear your views.

Grit: The power of passion and perseverance:

Please share this post with your friends:

Did you find this article interesting and useful, dear reader?

If so, then please share it on social media with your friends. When you share, everyone wins.

So please share it now. If you do, I’ll be ever so grateful, and you’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

Thank you.

Make Money

Articles you might also find interesting:

© Mann Island Media Limited 2025. All rights reserved.

What is grit? What is grit? What is grit?

Filed Under: Self-Help Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How to handle criticism at work effectively

05/16/2025 by

How to handle criticism at work? That’s a question most of us ask ourselves, at least occasionally.

Think about it. You’ve been working hard and trying to do your best, but someone still thinks it’s necessary, with a critical tone, to offer you some words of advice about the work you’ve just done.

Not a thank you; no recognition of the effort you’ve put in; just some caustic words about why they think your work is less than perfect.

Naturally, that makes you feel a little unloved, a bit defensive, and probably slightly irritated too.

Perhaps your critic lacks sensitivity?

Perhaps he or she fails to appreciate the value you’ve been adding to whatever you were doing at the time.

And of course, your critic may not have had visibility of the constraints you were working under or the pressures you faced at the time.

Regardless of the circumstances, it’s natural if you feel hurt when all people can do is point to something they believe is wrong, incomplete, or not as good as it could have been. If it doesn’t hurt, certainly it is irritating, in my experience. It can also seem overly harsh at times.

HOW TO HANDLE CRITICISM AT WORK
Make Money

The importance of criticism:

The problem when hearing criticism is that our defensive barriers tend to go up immediately. And once we’re on the defensive, we don’t tend to listen to the feedback we’re getting. We just concentrate on how we’ll respond in order to dismiss whatever’s being said.

This is unfortunate because if we did listen and reflect on what is being said, it’s just possible that our critic may have a valid point.

The importance of criticism is that it provides us with valuable feedback.

And how we react to any feedback depends on our attitude and how we choose to look at it.

We can get all hurt and defensive, or we can choose to give our critic the benefit of the doubt and assume that they’re genuinely trying to be constructive.

In other words, we can embrace criticism positively and seek to use it to our advantage. Certainly, this is the mature and grown-up way of dealing with any criticism we receive.

Honing our skills:

We must recognize that none of us is perfect and we’re all prone to making the occasional mistake. That’s human nature.

However, if our aim is to succeed, we have to become masters of our chosen craft or profession. We have to be very good at whatever we’ve chosen to do if we’re going to stand out in the crowd. We have to be the best.

Being the best requires the constant honing of our skills. That means we must learn from our mistakes and any inability that might prevent us from delivering the results required of us.

Learning is a lifelong process, and we should be constantly practising and developing our skills and improving on the results we deliver.

To do that, we must learn from our mistakes.

Some mistakes will be obvious to us, of course, but sometimes we’ll fail to recognize them. Fortunately, others don’t.

Criticism is feedback:

The underlying point here is that criticism is simply feedback, and feedback is essential if we’re to improve our skills and become masters of our craft or profession.

That’s why it’s important to listen. If we know where we fall short, then we can do something about it.

How to handle criticism at work:

If you find yourself on the receiving end of criticism, the first thing to do is to remind yourself that feeling hurt is quite natural. That’s simply an emotional response to a negative situation.

However, don’t take anything personally:

Criticism is rarely groundless, though it’s often exaggerated.

Give your critic the benefit of the doubt and assume their intention is simply to provide you with some valuable feedback.

Welcome that feedback. Don’t interrupt your critic with excuses. That will just make you look defensive. Don’t glower at them either because you might stop them from sharing that crucial insight with you.

The truth may hurt, but the sooner you hear it, the sooner you can fix whatever it is you’re doing wrong, assuming you are doing something wrong.

Listen and focus on hearing everything being said.

When your critic has made his or her point, say thank you.

That will show confidence, dedication, and grace too.

Then ask yourself honestly:

Is the point being made by your critic a fair one?

And you do need to be honest with yourself here.

If you conclude that your critic has a fair point, then you must embrace the lesson. Learn from it; resolve to do better next time, and be determined to improve.

That way you’ll go from strength to strength. You’ll gain the respect of other people, too, for your willingness to listen and learn.

If they are wrong:

However, remember this as well:

Critics are not always right.

If honest reflection leads you to the conclusion that your critic is being unfair or is just plain wrong, then just ignore the criticism.

Smile and move on. Never take it personally, and never let anyone discourage you from the pursuit of your aims.

Conclusion:

Criticism is just feedback.

Feedback is your friend.

Embrace it; learn from it; use it to your advantage, but never take it personally.

And if, following honest reflection, you think they’re wrong, then it’s perfectly reasonable to ignore it and move on.

Make Money

Please share this post:

If you found this article useful, then please share it on social media with your friends.

When you share, everyone wins.

So go on, please share it now. If you can do that for me, I’ll be forever grateful, and you’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

Thank you for your support.

Other articles you might find interesting:

© Mann Island Media Limited 2025. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Self-Help Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

5 ways to kill your dreams

05/15/2025 by

Today, I want to explore the 5 ways to kill your dreams if you’re not careful.

I’m sure you must have dreams and goals, dear reader. After all, most people do. However, how often do people fail to realise their dreams? How often do dreams and projects simply never happen? Why is that?

Well, in the thought-provoking TED video included here, Bel Pesce suggests how not to follow your dreams. She gives five reasons why you’ll fail if you adopt the wrong approach.

Bel Pesce’s observations relate to the beliefs people hold about how success is achieved. In her view, those erroneous beliefs are as follows:

5 WAYS TO KILL YOUR DREAMS
Make Money

5 ways to kill your dreams:

1. Believe in overnight success

We see someone successful, but we don’t see their backstory. Although they appear to have gained their success overnight, it was due to years of hard work mastering their craft first.

No one succeeds without years of hard work first. Nothing happens by accident. It’s all down to determination, grit, and an insatiable desire for success.

Opportunity may come overnight, but you have to be well-prepared to grab that opportunity when you see it. Being prepared means mastering your craft.

2. Believe someone else has the answers for you

It’s your life, and no one else knows you and your life better than you.

You need to find your own way, in your own time. In finding a way, it must be a way that suits you well and one with which you feel truly comfortable.

No one else has the perfect answers that will be a good fit with your life.

3. Believe you can settle when growth is guaranteed

It can be amazing just how many people will stop and settle once they’ve reached a goal they’d set for themselves. They get to a point where they think, it’s OK now.

And yet, OK is never OK.

When you reach a peak, you must find the next peak if you are to continue to grow and sustain success.

4. Believe the fault is down to someone else

If you have a dream, it’s all down to you to find a way to make it happen. You find a way, or you make a way. And you never accept “No” for an answer, unless, of course, that was the answer you wanted.

The key message is it’s all down to you. If you fail to achieve your dream, then it’s your fault, and no one else is to blame. Simple!

5. Believe the only things that matter are the dreams themselves

Having a goal is important, but life is not just about goals.

Life is a journey with a constant stream of experiences and interactions with other people along the way.

The real fun is in the participation. Achievement is just a bonus.

Achievement is a momentary experience, but life is not. Life goes on beyond the moment.

Dreams and goals in perspective:

If you’re driven by your dreams, then I recommend that you listen to what Bel Pesce has to say. It might just save you some heartache.

Please share this post with your friends:

If you found this article and the video useful, then please share this post on social media with your friends.

When you share, everyone wins.

So, please share this post now. If you can do that for me, I’ll be ever so grateful, and you’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

Thank you for your support.

Make Money

Other articles you might find interesting:

© Mann Island Media Limited 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Filed Under: Self-Help Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How will your life be measured? Here’s what matters most

05/11/2025 by

How will your life be measured? A philosophical question, perhaps, but an interesting one nevertheless.

Some time ago, I attended the funeral of someone whom I’d known quite well professionally but not at all socially. Someone I liked and respected, but I wouldn’t claim to have known them well overall. Nevertheless, funerals are a time to reflect on someone’s life. A time to consider the impact they’ve had on other people throughout their lives.

The funeral service was held at a large, traditional church in London, and it was crowded.

Listening to the eulogy and associated readings, I began to appreciate how much my late colleague had meant to so many people. It’s fair to say that she meant a lot to many people. The lives of so many people had clearly been blessed by her presence in them.

This experience made me think.

How-will-your-life-be-measured
Make Money

So in life, what matters most?

As human beings, we’re all driven to achieve and leave our mark on life before we pass on.

However, we do tend to measure our impact on life in terms of careers and money. With those things, it’s fairly easy to keep score, wouldn’t you agree, dear reader?

Careers provide tangible evidence of achievement, or so it seems.

So, climbing the greasy pole and increasing our wealth tend to be the measures we use when we consider the idea of success. Nevertheless, as I sat there listening that day, I had to ask myself, are these things the most appropriate measure of the lives we lead?

Anything we do that only has a long-term payoff, we tend not to measure because there’s no immediate evidence of achievement. We can’t see the immediate impact of the small things we do, so we don’t believe they matter much.

However, I realized that day that they do matter. They matter a great deal.

It’s all in the little things we do:

A random act of kindness might not mean much to us, but to the recipient of our action, it could mean the world. It could have had a profound effect on that individual. And it might prove to be a life-changing experience for that person.

So, how will any of us be remembered?

When our lives have passed, how will they talk about us at our funerals?

People won’t talk about the size of our house or our car, but they will talk about how we made them feel. They won’t talk about the importance of our jobs, but they will mention how we helped them at a difficult time in their lives.

Perhaps they’ll talk about how we mentored them and how they’re a better person because of the impact we had on their lives. Maybe they’ll say they enjoyed our company, and they’ll talk about how they looked forward to seeing us whenever we were around. Perhaps they’ll just mention how we made them smile.

When you think about it, why would we want to be remembered in any other way?

Material possessions are meaningless:

Let’s face it, material possessions are meaningless. Equally successful careers are as much a reflection of good fortune as they are of anything we did to justify them.

That’s not the case when it comes to the impact we have on the lives of others.

The help we give and the kindness we show are all down to us and our actions day-to-day.

So, how many people we’ve helped seems to me like a much better measure of success than the size of the car we drive or the size of the house in which we live.

Real success in life comes down to the difference we make. How we’ve touched the lives of other people.

Certainly, that’s how I think we’ll be remembered by those who knew us, however much we’re focused on careers, money, and material possessions.

How great would it be to be remembered fondly and with respect by all who crossed our paths during our lives?

How will your life be measured?

I remembered my thoughts that day at the funeral when I stumbled upon this video of a presentation given by Clay Christensen at TEDxBoston.

It offers a great perspective on how your life will be measured.

I recommend you watch this video, as it’s well worth a little bit of your time.

And after you’ve watched it, I would suggest you reflect on this question:

Should the measure of our lives be just about money and achievement, or should it be more about the lives we’ve touched and the people whose lives are better for us having been in them?

How do you want to be remembered, dear reader?

For me, life’s measure should be in terms of how I’ve touched the lives of other people and not money, career, and the size of my house.

Please share this post with your friends:

Did you find this article and the video interesting and useful, dear reader?

If so, then please share it on social media with your friends. When you share, everyone wins.

So please share it now. If you do, I’ll be ever so grateful, and you’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

Thank you.

Make Money

Articles you might also find interesting:

© Mann Island Media Limited 2025. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Wisdom Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

33 short sharp quotes to get you thinking

05/01/2025 by

If short, sharp quotes are what you’re looking for today, here are 33 that I am confident you will like, dear reader.

Enjoy them all, and please feel free to share them.

short sharp quotes
Make Money

Short Sharp Quotes (1-20):

  1. Never complain; never explain.
  2. Troubled waters make skilled sailors.
  3. Mistakes are just lessons to be learned.
  4. You’re never too old to do something stupid.
  5. Yes, I have a sleep disorder. It’s known as children.
  6. We live in the era of smartphones and stupid people.
  7. No response is a response, and a powerful one too.
  8. To understand politics, you must read between the lies.
  9. You can’t change the past, but you can shape the future.
  10. Sometimes you’ve got to be smart enough to play stupid.
  11. If you want to change your life, change the way you think.
  12. Life’s hard for everyone, but it’s even harder if you’re stupid.
  13. Wouldn’t it be great if everything were as easy as getting fat?
  14. One good friend is worth infinitely more than 1,000 fake ones.
  15. Some people serve as examples, whilst others serve as a warning.
  16. Test my patience if you must, but I must warn you, I’m negative.
  17. Don’t waste your words on people who deserve only your silence.
  18. On Spaceship Earth, we’re all crew. We all have a contribution to make.
  19. It’s not who you are that holds you back. It’s who you think you’re not.
  20. If it’s not right, don’t do it. If you can’t be sure it’s true, don’t say it.

Short Sharp Quotes (21-33):

  1. You can’t argue with a closed mind and a fixed point of view. So, don’t try.
  2. If you have a problem with me, then cry me a river and drown yourself in it.
  3. Being wise is not hard. Think of something stupid to say, and then don’t say it.
  4. Knowledge is like underwear. Nice to have, but showing it off is rarely a good idea.
  5. We’re all prisoners of the mobile phone. That’s why they’re known as cell phones.
  6. Watch what they do, not what they say. Talk is cheap. Results are everything.
  7. You’re not the dumbest person on the planet. However, you’d better hope he doesn’t die.
  8. Never confuse the people who are always around you with the people who are always there for you.
  9. We must learn from the mistakes of others. None of us will live long enough to make every mistake ourselves.
  10. Words spoken in anger tell you a lot about what people think. They offer a glimpse behind the mask.
  11. We come from dust, and we return to dust. So it’s probably best not to dust. It might be someone you know.
  12. Some people are only meant to be there for a single chapter of your life. Not everyone will be a constant in your story.
  13. Evaluate the people in your life, then eliminate any that are a negative influence on you. It’s your life, and you decide.
Make Money

Please share these quotes with your friends:

If you found these short, sharp quotes inspiring and interesting, please share this post on social media with your friends. When you share, everyone wins.

So go on, please share this post now. If you do, I’ll be ever so grateful.

Thank you.

Articles you might enjoy:

© Mann Island Media Limited 2025. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Quotes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

30 Best Quotes from Lucius B. Wack

04/26/2025 by

In a previous post, I introduced readers to an old friend of mine, Lucius B. Wack. Today, I offer you 30 of his best quotes about life and the human condition.

Affectionately known as Lucky, he’s someone who has greatly influenced my thinking of late.

So, I’ve put together these quotes as I think they might appeal to readers. I hope so anyway.

Grab a coffee and take a few moments to read some more of Lucky’s observations.

Please feel free to use any of these quotes. Lucky would be flattered to know he’s being quoted.

And please pass them on.

Best Quotes
Make Money

Best Quotes (1-10):

To believe is to accept as fact that which cannot be proven.

If you want your life to change, don’t make a wish list; make a to-do list.

Never be willing to die for your beliefs because you might just be wrong.

If you have a few loved ones and a special friend or two, you have all you need. 

Question the orthodoxy, and you’ll be dismissed as a bigot. That’s how the debate is shut down.

Anything can be yours, but nothing’s free. There’s always a price to pay, and it must be paid first.

You make choices, and you must accept the consequences. And there will always be consequences.

The only thing that virtue signallers achieve is a demonstration of their shallowness, vanity, and hypocrisy.

If you’re not hurting anyone else, you don’t need anyone’s permission to live your life in a way that suits you. 

Don’t just let life happen to you. Decide what it is you want, and then go out there and make sure you get it. 

Best Quotes (11-20):

When people try to curtail our way of life, don’t be afraid to push back. Who gave them permission to dictate how others should live?

Everyone has feelings, and most people are decent and doing their best. Remember that next time you’re inclined to be mean or spiteful. 

Arguing on social media with people you don’t know about things that don’t matter is my idea of a waste of time. Life is too short. 

Nothing matters more than our loved ones and friends. Jobs and careers won’t look after you if you’re ill or infirm. So, get your priorities right. 

Never be afraid to push back. You don’t have to accept the unacceptable. If you don’t push back, those with a more sinister agenda will win.

People are free to live their lives in any way they choose, providing, in doing so, their actions don’t conflict with the established rights of others.

Beware the caustic influence of cynics. They add no value, and they have no ideas for making life better. They just want to rain on everyone’s parade. 

You can be more than you are, and you can do more than you think. Add value by being the solution to people’s problems, and you can earn more than you thought possible. 

Those in power, and indeed those seeking power, don’t want you thinking for yourself. And if that’s not a compelling reason to think for yourself, I don’t know what is. 

We live in an age of shallow gestures. An age where people are constantly trying to make themselves look good through gestures they think are virtuous, when in fact they are just self-promotion.

Make Money

Best Quotes (21-30):

Being economically dependent on someone else means your life will be controlled by someone else. 

Death awaits us all. There’s no escaping it. However, before death, there’s life, and life must be lived to the full. 

Boldly go in the direction of your dreams. You may succeed, or you may not, but either way, you won’t spend your life wondering what might have been.

Do what you’re good at and you’ll do it well; do it well and people will notice. And once you get noticed, you have every chance of earning a decent income. 

Know your value. Employers will pay you as little as they can get away with. It’s down to you to ensure you’re being rewarded properly for the value you’re adding.

We live in an age where a caustic remark is considered an appropriate response to an innocent comment made on social media. Whatever happened to civility? 

In a democracy, everyone gets a vote, the votes are counted, and there’s a winner. And once there’s a winning outcome, we’re stuck with it, whether we like it or not. 

Criticize not those who make mistakes, for mistakes are an inevitable part of the human condition. Show me someone who never makes mistakes, and I’ll show you someone who’s never done anything. 

You’ll be easily conned if you let others do your thinking for you. Think for yourself and question everything. Never accept anything at face value. The new Puritans don’t have your interests at heart. 

Zealots see themselves as virtuous. They believe they’re doing good work, regardless of whether they belong to an organized religion or they just have a religious commitment to a cause. They see themselves as somehow superior to everyone else. 

Please share these quotes:

If you found Lucky’s best quotes inspiring and interesting, please share this post on social media with your friends. When you share, everyone wins.

So go on, please share this post now. If you do, I’ll be forever grateful, and you’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

Thank you for your support.

Articles you might enjoy:

© Mann Island Media Limited 2025. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Quotes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

19 quotes about change and why it’s important

04/22/2025 by

Today I’m exploring quotes about change.

One of the most fundamental human needs is the need for certainty. We all need certainty because we need to feel secure.

As a species, human beings are programmed to ensure we survive. If we don’t feel secure, then we are constantly on our guard, which drains our energy.

That’s why change can be an uncomfortable experience because it makes us feel insecure, and feeling insecure means we can’t relax.

Most of us can feel uncomfortable with change, at least to some degree, and that’s perfectly natural when you think about it.

However, change is important.

Through change comes opportunity, and if we can embrace change, then opportunity can be ours for the taking.

Most people tend to be slow in their response to change because it’s such an uncomfortable experience. However, if we respond quickly, we can grasp those opportunities just waiting for the fleet-footed.

Think about this: everything we take for granted today once didn’t exist.

QUOTES ABOUT CHANGE
Make Money

When change is ignored:

A good example of things that once didn’t exist would be computers. Today, most households have several of them in the form of desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Certainly, this is the situation in my home, and I’m sure that’s true in your home too, dear reader.

However, as recently as 1943, Thomas Watson, then chairman of IBM, said, “I think there’s a world market for maybe five computers.”

Well, there are more than five computers in my home alone, and there will be billions more around the world.

As recently as 1977, Ken Olson, then president, chairman, and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), the leading supplier of minicomputers at the time, said, “There’s no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home.”

We’re lucky that neither Bill Gates nor Steve Jobs listened to those gentlemen.

However, in business terms, these examples are even more significant.

Failure to recognize the changing nature of the computer market had almost catastrophic consequences for IBM as a business.

They did manage to adapt eventually, but not before their business went through a major wobble and at one point looked like it might even fold completely.

And where is Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) now? It disappeared long ago and is now nothing more than a footnote in the history of digital technology.

So my message to you today, dear reader, is this:

You ignore change at your peril.

Embrace change:

It’s better to embrace change, however uncomfortable it may feel, and be ready to grab those opportunities as they come along.

The most successful people in business are adept at exploiting opportunities brought about by change.

Change is synonymous with opportunity. It’s that simple.

Here are 19 inspirational quotes about change to help you reflect on what it means and why it’s important. 

Quotes about change (1-10):

  1. Change before you have to. ~Jack Welch
  2. Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change. ~Stephen Hawking
  3. To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often. ~Winston Churchill
  4. If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading. ~Lao Tzu
  5. If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. ~Wayne Dyer
  6. The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance. ~Nathaniel Branden
  7. The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. ~Alan Watts
  8. Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. ~John F. Kennedy
  9. Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. ~Barack Obama
  10. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. ~Reinhold Niebuhr

Quotes about change (11-19):

  1. There is nothing so stable as change. ~Bob Dylan
  2. There is nothing permanent except change. ~Heraclitus
  3. Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change. ~Confucius
  4. You must be the change you wish to see in the world. ~Mahatma Gandhi
  5. Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. ~Leo Tolstoy
  6. The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change. ~Carl Rogers
  7. They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. ~Andy Warhol
  8. You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of. ~Jim Rohn
  9. It is change, continuing change, inevitable change that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account, not only the world as it is but the world as it will be. ~Isaac Asimov

Please share these quotes with your friends:

If you found these quotes inspiring and interesting, then please share this post on social media with your friends. When you share, everyone wins.

So go on, please share this post now. If you do, I’ll be ever so grateful, and you’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

Thank you.

Articles you might enjoy:

© Mann Island Media Limited 2025. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Quotes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Absolutely guaranteed secret to success

04/13/2025 by

Looking for the secret to success, dear reader? You’re not alone. So many people seek the secret, but very few find it.

Well, here’s Barbara Sher with some common-sense observations about life and success.

This is just part of a presentation she gave at the “Big, Cheap Weekend Workshop” in New York in July 2010. So it’s a decade ago now, but her observations are timeless, and they’re just as valid today as they were back then.

This video essentially is a ‘taster,’ but if you’re not familiar with Barbara’s work, then it might inspire you to check out her other videos on YouTube and indeed her public appearances, should she appear at a venue near you.

Secret to Success
Make Money

The secret to success:

The Power of Personal Responsibility

Now here are my thoughts on success.

I believe that personal responsibility is the key to success.

If you’re drifting and waiting in the hope that something will happen? Let me tell you, it won’t.

Well, not unless you’re lucky and just happen to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right thing someone needs.

For most of us, that’s never going to happen.

For almost everyone, we must make things happen ourselves.

Let me share a secret with you. The magic ingredient to achieving your dreams isn’t luck or some mystical force. It’s you.

It’s all about you grabbing the ball and running with it.

What do I mean?

I mean, you must embrace the power of personal responsibility.

You are the captain of your ship, sailing through the sea of life. You can steer your ship anywhere you want it to go.

Yes, there will be storms and occasionally calmer waters, but ultimately, you decide which way to steer your ship.

Personal responsibility is about acknowledging that your choices, big and small, are the compass guiding your journey to wherever you’re going.

You must decide what it is you want out of life. You must decide the lifestyle you’d prefer to live. And you must work out how to get it.

Once you know where you’re going, you must set yourself some goals.

And then you must pursue those goals with determination and a willingness to work hard to achieve them.

Nothing worth having ever comes easy.

We all make choices in life, all the time, and we must accept the consequences of those choices.

In short, we must take responsibility for those choices, and if we pursue good choices, they should lead to the best outcomes for us.

If you embrace personal responsibility and stop making excuses, you will start to make progress towards the life you want.

If you become proactive rather than reactive, you will be knowingly steering the good ship “You” in the direction of your desired destination.

Today’s choices shape tomorrow’s outcomes. It’s that simple.

So, are you ready to take the helm?

Are you ready to grasp the personal power you have and own your journey to success?

It won’t always be easy, but at least it will be yours.

Trust me, the feeling of achieving something because you made it happen is amazing, and you won’t regret it.

So, embrace personal responsibility and achieve your full potential.

You can do it! It won’t be easy, but it can be done, and people do. So can you!

Please share this post with your friends:

If you found this article useful then please share it on social media with your friends. When you share, everyone wins.

So please share it now. If you do I will be ever so grateful and you’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience. Thank you.

Other articles that might appeal to you:

© Mann Island Media Limited 2025. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Wisdom Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Next Page »