I’ve been blogging for roughly three years now. I can still remember my first official post on this blog (back in October 2008). Brings back memories. Mainly how little I really knew at that time about blogging, and marketing an online business. Things sure have changed since then.

I spent a lot of time learning and mastering various strategies, some of which have changed during the past few years. That’s what happens when the internet evolves – we must change with the times.

Reflecting back, there is a lot for me to be thankful for, both as a blogger and internet business owner, and as a person. I’d like to think I’ve matured and improved my personal development a bit, and I have. Running an online business and blog has improved my professionalism greatly. It doesn’t hurt to place other like-minded professionals in my life, either.

But honestly, I’m still a kid at heart. I like to joke around a lot (ask any of my close friends). It’s just who I am. I know when to be serious, though.

I’m a “glass half full” kind of guy and am always keeping a positive outlook on life, no matter what obstacles get in the way. Life is just better that way.

I wouldn’t have gotten where I am today if it wasn’t for my friends, colleagues and mentors.

Friends, Colleagues and Mentors

I think we would all agree that life is a lot easier when we have friends by our side to get us through the hard times. They’re also great to have around for the fun times, too. A true friend can never be replaced, and I’m very thankful for the friends I have in my life. They may not all understand what I do with this whole internet business thing, but they at least think it’s cool and support it.

During my time online, I’ve met some awesome people, whether through various forums, membership sites, or social sites like Facebook or Twitter. Some I have partnered with on various projects and endeavors, and others I collaborate with and get input from. Even though we may not have met in person, I do consider you all my friends and a great colleague.

Learning all of this online marketing stuff wouldn’t be possible if I didn’t have a few mentors in my life. It’s been an honor being a student of some great minds and highly successful entrepreneurs and internet business owners. The wealth of knowledge I have gained over the years has proven to pay off, and I can’t wait for the next 5 to 10 years ahead.

Free Exposure

If I said I didn’t like free exposure and publicity, I’d be lying. I’m very thankful for it!

I’m honored when people link to my blog posts or my website’s home page. It’s nice to know people find value in what I have to say and share.

I especially love it when people come to me and want to do an interview or share my story within their circle of influence.

I remember my live radio interview with Lynn Johnson I did last summer. I was ecstatic (and nervous, for sure) about the opportunity to share a little about myself and what I do to a whole new medium that I normally don’t reach.

Then there was my video interview with Allan Galang. That was a whole new experience as well, and I’m grateful to Allan for being willing to take the time and do that for me. He set everything up for me, edited the video, converted the video, and even blasted the video to video sites, including YouTube. What a great guy.

And, just recently I was mentioned on Northwest Indiana Times in an article about working from home. I’m guessing they found an article or video I did (maybe even a press release) to get the information and quotes. Either way, I think that’s really cool. Thanks, Patricia, I appreciate it.

Readers and Subscribers

Last, but certainly not least, I’m highly grateful to my blog readers and newsletter subscribers, which some of you may be both. I honestly could not make this all possible if I didn’t have your support and words of encouragement. I’m truly touched whenever I have a reader comment on a post, or when a subscriber emails me to tell me that they enjoy the free content I send them because they find it helpful. I think that’s awesome, so thank you, everyone!

These are just a few examples of the things I’m thankful for as I progress on my blogging and internet business journey.

What are you thankful for?

Spring is in the air, and with it a lot of rain. Now that March has passed and April is upon us, it’s that time again to do a roundup of last month’s posts. The month was full of guest writers, a nice change (as is having the Spring season finally here) and something I hope you’ve been enjoying. If not, I want to know about it, and why.

I plan to have at least another month of guest posts, as they just keep rolling in. I’m excited at the number of requests I’ve been getting and that other bloggers and writers want to contribute quality and useful content to this blog. That means a lot to me.

With that said, let’s take a look at what these guest authors contributed last month…

March’s Blog Posts on ReplaceYourSalary.com

How Working from Home Can Improve Your Personal Development

Should You Pay for a WordPress Theme?

Starting Your Small Business with a Small Amount of Money

Blog Posts Around the Web

Each month I try to share a few blog posts from other blogs I follow. I think it helps to give you an idea of other types of blogs that are out there that you may not be aware of, as well as other bloggers I look up to. Let’s take a look at some posts that stood out to me, and maybe you’ll find them helpful just as I did.

Andrew discusses 16 must-have WordPress plugins for your blog. Plug-ins are the lifeblood of any blog, and there are certain plugins you don’t want to be without. This is a must read.

TechChunks details the announcement that Google is going social. We all knew this was coming, right? I mean, they couldn’t just sit by and let Facebook dominate the internet. They won’t go without a fight, anyway. Definitely a must read and how this could impact search results and marketing as we know it.

Samuel tells you to stop reading and start doing. I’m all for learning, but there comes a point where you’ve learned enough that you can start putting what you learned into action, even if it’s a small task.

That’s all for now.

Again, please share your thoughts on the idea of showcasing more guest authors for the month of April. Do you think it’s a good idea, or would you rather see more of my own posts mixed within? I want to know, from you, the reader. Thanks!

The following is a guest post by Raine Parker. If you would like to write for this blog, please check out the guidelines here.

It’s safe to assume that most of us are familiar with working in an office environment. We understand the complex social and business-related expectations of that environment. When you surround yourself with others who are working, it’s much easier to remain focused on the task at hand. In an office you have the pressure of your peers. You want to hold up your end of the bargain, especially if you’re all working on an important project. Likewise, you want to perform well for your supervisor, so his or her presence in the corner office nearby is a constant inspiration, or threat depending on your relationship with your boss. These factors keep you working in an office. And you also learn valuable teamwork skills that will help you accomplish objectives with other people.

Develop Your Internal Skills First

But I’m a firm believer in the idea that you must first develop your internal, inward skills before you can successfully contribute to a team, which is why I think that everyone at some point should work from home, either as their own boss or through some flexible program with their company. Because working from home occurs in a unique circumstance, and most often in isolation, it provides you with a great way to challenge yourself to be your own best motivator.

Of course, you’re not exactly working in a vaccuum. You still have to answer to your supervisor back at the office or to your list of regular clients, all of whom are counting on you to hold up your end of the bargain. However, I still contend that the lack of immediacy in these contexts forces you to maintain a much higher level of motivation and focus than had you been in the office surrounded by fellow workers and an environment conducive to working hard.

Self Motivation

So how, then, do you manage to develop your self-motivation? It really takes a couple of things: first, you have to find a way to shorten the distance between yourself and your office work inspirations, such as your supervisor or clients; second, you have to work to maintain a high-level of organization at home; and third you have to try to follow the same routine you would had you went into the office that day.

Regarding your supervisor and clients, you should open up the communication channels as wide as possible. You want to recreate the scenarios that have you bumping into your supervisors around the office or meeting with your clients. This means you’ll want to ‘bump’ everyone more often electronically, either via email or by phone. This will allow you to update everyone on what your doing, thus showing that you’re being productive, and it will give you an accountability system.

Organization

Next, you should establish for yourself an organized office-space in your home that mirrors your setup, within reason, at the office. It goes without saying that you probably shouldn’t work from the comfort of your bed. Nor do I recommend working from your kitchen table, though if that’s your only option, it’ll have to make do. Instead, you should have an office or study that is organized and set up to maximize your productivity. If everytime you work from home you have to clean up your workspace, you’re already hurting your ability to get things done. The more organized you can be, the better.

Routine

Finally, you should follow a routine that puts you into the working mindset. Wake up just as early as you would if you have to drive into the office. Get your coffee, read your emails or watch television. At whatever time you get to your office at work, go into your home office. Take your coffee breaks just as you would at work. Take your lunch the same way. Go through your tasks list in the same way. This routine will reenforce the importance of high productivity, regardless of where you’re doing your work, and it will help you avoid distractions: the comfort of your couch, your cheerful dog, the television.

If you can practice these three areas of working from home, you’ll build within yourself a strong work ethic, and your supervisor and clients will soon see you as the reliable, productive worker you really are.

About the Author: Raine Parker regularly writes for accounting degree.  She welcomes your comments on her post below.

I’m sure this question gets asked all too often. Then, there will be the naysayers that chime in and say that it’s completely impossible to make money online and that you need to go get a JOB!

Well my friends that is just not true at all. Why would it be impossible if there are people doing it? That doesn’t make sense to me. The harsh reality is that for some it is impossible because they’re just too lazy, but it’s not impossible to make money online.

Some just aren’t cut out for it. The time and energy put in could far exceed any real job out there. That’s reality. The people that stick with it and tough it out are the ones that will succeed and make money online.

The others who can’t will say it’s impossible and then profess that it’s impossible for anyone to make money online. They don’t have the determination and mindset to succeed.

This is where you need to separate yourself from the crowd. Go beyond the “impossible” and make it possible for YOU to make money online. Only you are capable of making it possible for yourself to make any kind of money online.

Also, don’t be naive and think it will be easy. As I said earlier, it’s downright hard work. No, it’s not manual labor. You’re not going to get blisters by any means. But, it will require planning, learning and execution on your part if you want to make any money online at all.

If you believe anything I say, believe that it IS possible. With all good things, however, there is a learning curve involved. Sometimes there is even a price, whether it be time or money.

Some say you have to spend money to make money. That depends on many factors, but it’s not always the case. Money might be better spent on educating yourself so that you know what to do and how to do it to make money online.

There are many paths to take with this. It’s hard nowadays to know who to trust when everyone is claiming to be a “guru” and that they will teach you everything you need to know.

I don’t claim to be a guru. I don’t claim to know all the answers. But, I do know that you CAN make money online. I know this because I have made money online and am currently making money online.

I can do this because I have found the education and training that is necessary to create the positive and successful mindset. The training that has allowed me to know what works when making money online.

I’ll provide you some resources if you’re looking to make money online, or if you already are but want to make even more. Because who doesn’t want to make even more money online?

Here’s what has helped me over the years, and I’m sure they’ll help you too:

A Completely Different Approach To Making Money Online
Success University – Personal Development to Achieve Success!
Niche Power Group – Training YOU to Make Money Online!

P.S. You can also sign up for my FREE newsletter where I will teach you how to start and run a successful home business so that you can make money online. I provide many tips and tricks that can be applied to any type of online business, even if you already have one.