earn_extra_moneyLots of people would like to earn extra money in their spare time, but few actually do.

The difference between these two very different groups of people has nothing to do with professional experience or background or some special skill set.

The difference is much more simple:

People that earn extra money are focused and committed to doing so.

In this post I’ll outline the 3 ingredients essential for success online.

How to Earn Extra Money Online

Step 1: Clarify Your Objectives and Stay Focused

The first and most important aspect of achieving success in any field is to stay focused on an objective.

In order to stay focused on your goals, you need to first understand what those goals are, and how you might implement them. You should be able to list your goals in a few concise bullet points. Be specific and focused when you write them!

Example of Unfocused Goals

  • I want to earn more money
  • I want have more freedom
  • I want to start a new career online

Each of these goals may be part of an overall mission, but in and of themselves they do not help you achieve your aims, because they aren’t action oriented.

Examples of Focused Goals

Focused goals are specific. They include quantifiable aims, whether in the form of a monetary figure, a timeline, or other goal. If you use numbers, you’re more likely to accurately assess whether or not you’re living up to the objective.

You should also couch goals in terms of experience or skill set you bring to the table.

For example, consider rephrasing the 3 goals above as follows:

  • I want to earn $10,000 per month by next August.
  • I want to work 40 hours per week and only 40 hours per week.
  • I want to start a career in affiliate marketing, using my knowledge of car engines.

These goals are achievable, precisely because they are focused and specific.

Step 2: Commit to the Long Haul

The second point to consider about earning extra money is that you need to commit to the long haul. Nothing in life is free, and few things come overnight.

Chances are, if a program tells you its possible to earn hundred of thousands or millions of dollars in 30 days, you’re probably being fooled into buying into a scam.

Real businesses take effort, and they take effort over time. Not sticking with your original objectives and abandoning a new site too soon is one of the primary reasons new marketers fail.

Step 3: Achieve Small Steps Consistently

Finally, the last pillar of success comes in terms of how you set about achieving your goals.

Once you have your objectives, you need to figure out how to break them into actionable, achievable tasks.

One mistake many people make is that they focus on results rather than actions. Unfortunately, this can lead to a demoralizing cycle in which the individual feels helpless and unable to do anything about it.

If you break your objectives down into actions you can take, and then you set out to achieve them one by one, results will come, and you will be on your way to true success.

3 Actions You Can Take Today to Earn Extra Money in Your Spare Time

Ok, ok, enough of the high minded principles. Let’s get down to business.

What actions are you going to take today to invest in your future? What tasks can you accomplish right now that will help you achieve your aims?

Here are a few suggestions:

Click here to learn more about how to get started with affiliate marketing.