Have you ever seen an economic climate like this?  Even having an education isn’t a guarantee that you also have a job.  It seems to me like the news stories I’m hearing about the economy are focused on how so many people are still looking over their shoulder waiting either for the bottom to drop out, or for some sure sign things are getting better. 

My circumstance isn’t any better, really.  This is the first of what I’m calling my “Journal” entries.  This is basically giving some information about what I’m doing to start my own online business. 

As it stands now, I have several sites.  My main two are blogs that service different aspects of my interests.  It’s these two that I’ll mention presently, and that will be the focus of many of these journal entries. 

My desire is that through what I’m doing, and the kinds of successes and failures I have, what I share will be helpful to you. 

As I said in my introductory post, I’ve read a lot about how to make money on line.  I, like many, have never really been very happy with the kind of money I’ve earned at my job.  I wanted to do more, earn more, and what’s more, do something I have some passion for.  My interest making money online started at the beginning of 2008.  I was aware that many people could make money on line, but I never really thought I’d be one of them.  I thought the only thing I’d be doing was what I spent many years of my life preparing to do, working as a therapist or, in this case, as a teacher. 

Before I get into talking about who I’m listening to or how I’m meeting some of the technical challenges of this task, I’d like to give a little background about who I am and where I’m starting from. 

On my blog I refer to myself as an average guy, and I really mean that.  But let me explain why this should mean anything to you. 

They way I see it, anyone who is working has acquired a set of special skills they need for the work they do, whether you’re a plumber, electrician, lawyer, doctor, landscaper, mechanic, etc.   Each profession has its own domain of specific knowledge that sets it apart.  As a professional, people pay you for your knowledge.  The challenge, however, is you’re trading hours for dollars. 

A more efficient way to go about it is to get paid over and over for the same hour of work.  Take the top 5 questions you get asked in your professional capacity and turn them into a product you can sell to others.  You don’t have to look to make a killing on just one product.  If you sold something simple like your answer to the top 5 questions you get asked as a professional for just a few dollars, it’s possible you could make some extra money that might be able to make your car payment, or cover the cost of lunches for your kids at school, or something else that’s important to you. 

Be as creative as you want.  The point is, doing something is better than doing nothing. 

As I said above, I’ll give you a little background about myself. 

My background is in mental health.  I have a master’s degree and a doctoral degree, both in clinical psychology.  While I’m still officially a part-time employee as an associate professor at a local university, I only work when there are classes available to teach, and at present there are no classes available.  So all I have is my small private practice. 

I have to write a lot for my work, which is fortunate because I’m writing all the content for every blog I’m working on currently. 

I’d like to keep the size of my posts down, and I’m already seeing that I’m at 650 words.  In my next post I’ll give you more of my background and give you information about where I’m starting from as a benchmark for my progress. 

For now, I wish you all the best.

Dr. Ralph

I’ve heard it said that a beginning is a delicate thing.  I never thought about this saying much until I sat down and started to create this blog.  How can I make it interesting?  How can I make it compelling? How can I make it useful?  How can I share what I know in a way that is both useful and interesting?

After thinking about it for some time, I’ve decided that just starting is the best idea.  My intention here is to share information that can make a difference in your life.  So let’s get on with it.

Empower Your Mind for Money is about more than just your mind or your money.  With all the changes that are going on right now, I thought it might be helpful to share some of what I know about managing your mental and emotional life while also working to do what so many others are trying to do, earn more money.    

I’ve listened as the money experts, politicians and a host of media’s talking heads debate about what is coming next in the economy or in society, or what caused the problem we’re in to begin with.  Judging from what I’ve seen, it seems that finger-pointing is the favorite pastime for many of them.  Playing the blame game I suppose has its place.  But in my work with individuals in therapy I’ve found that spending lots of time focused on what isn’t working doesn’t tend to be helpful.  If you were in a restaurant and the waiter brought you something you didn’t order, complaining about whose fault it is seems less direct and less effective than simply asking for what you ordered to be brought to you.  yet it seems that many who are consumers of news and information programming take their cue from these talking heads and get stuck with complaining.  

While the reactions are understandable – recognizing that we’ve been duped by another slick politician or unscrupulous Wall Street banker while we’re left holding the bag stings – but dwelling on whose responsible isn’t going to put bread on our table.  My interest is in understanding what about these kinds of circumstances gets us caught, keeping us from moving forward in our lives.  Whether the problems we’re facing have their beginnings on a large national stage or in our own families. 

There appears to be a large-scale transition occurring, not just in this country, but around the globe.  And it seems to me that the belief that solutions will come from blaming Wall Street fat cats or politicians is too simple.  It seems to me that the criteria used to define success is changing.  Conspicuous consumption and ostentatious displays of wealth appear to be out of favor.  Perhaps that’s a fad.  But being truly happy and successful continues on, never bending to the whims of a passing fancy.  But in these times when so much seems uncertain, people are looking for safety and security wherever they can find it. 

As I go along I will be sharing some ideas that I think can provide people find their way to feeling a bit better, more safe and secure.  And like so many others, I am also working to secure my financial future, be successful, and enjoy the good things that life has to offer.  As I try different things to earn more money, diversify my income, I’m going to share my experiences here.  And as I make mistakes and achieve successes, I’ll not only look to share how to avoid them, I’ll look forward to hearing any input or comments others have.  I believe it will be an interesting exercise. 

For now, best wishes for a grand and glorious day.

Dr. Ralph