Getting Started Online: The Two Things Most People Ignore (And Why They Matter More Than Any Fancy Tool)
Yesterday we talked about the best type of online business to start — the model that actually gives you a reliable, consistent income without requiring a small miracle or a second mortgage.
We also covered the essential tools you need to get moving.
Today we’re going to look at the other side of the equation — the part most people skip past because it’s not shiny, glamorous or “push-button”.
But here’s the truth:
If you miss these two pieces, nothing else works.
They are:
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Time
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Patience, Persistence & Mindset
Let’s break them down…
1. Time — The Thing Everyone Pretends They Don’t Need
Life is busy.
Ridiculously busy.
Between family, friends, work, your phone buzzing every four seconds, and whatever addictive mobile game you promised yourself you’d delete last month… it’s no wonder most people “can’t find the time”.
But let’s be honest:
If you want a real online business, you will need to make time.
Not 10 minutes here or there.
Not “when things calm down” (they won’t).
Not “someday”.
I’m talking about a minimum of one solid hour a day if you’re serious about building something reliable.
Will some marketers tell you that you can do this in 7 minutes while sipping coffee and scrolling Instagram?
Of course.
Will that build an actual business?
Of course not.
Here’s a quick exercise that works wonders:
Track how you spend your time for 2–3 days.
Write it down. All of it.
It won’t take long before you spot the hour you can reclaim.
(And no, you don’t have to cancel your entire life — just trim the low-value stuff.)
That one reclaimed hour becomes your “business building hour”.
Your future income depends on it.
2. Patience, Persistence & Mindset — The ThreeHorsemen of Actually Getting Somewhere
These three are the foundation of everything that follows.
Patience
Don’t expect overnight success.
Don’t expect your first attempt to be perfect.
Don’t expect immediate fireworks.
If you plant a seed today, you don’t come back tomorrow demanding a fully-grown oak tree.
Same rules apply here.
Persistence
This is a process.
Like anything in life that’s worth doing, the more you do it, the better you get — and the easier it becomes.
Most people fail not because the business model doesn’t work but because they stop too early.
Show up daily, even if it’s small.
Especially if it’s small.
Mindset
This is where the magic is.
You need to understand — really understand — that what you’re building has purpose.
You’re creating freedom, flexibility, and options for your future self.
Picture where you want to be.
Hold that image.
Then take the next step.
“Massive Action” vs. “Manageable Action”
Some marketers love to shout about “Massive Action”.
Does it work?
Sometimes.
Is it realistic for most normal humans juggling work, family, responsibilities, and the occasional need for sleep?
Not really.
What does work for almost everyone?
One small step every single day.
Do that long enough and it becomes a habit — a positive one.
And when you finish each step, don’t just move on…
Celebrate it.
Yes, seriously.
A little “Nice one!” in your head works.
A literal fist pump works even better — it anchors progress in your brain.
Now imagine:
One small step a day
= 365 steps a year
= a completely different business — and life — in 12 months.
That’s the power of persistent, manageable effort.
Success stops being a mystery and becomes a matter of time.
Ready for a shortcut?
If you haven’t looked through the side hustles yet, you’re missing a few simple ways to get started faster.
Check them out here:
https://mat1.com/hustle/