Recently, while watching the Discovery Channel one day – I can’t remember what show it was, but there was this town in South America that had tons of uses for dirt. They even made their homes out of dirt.
Talk about using resources to the fullest!
Instead of complaining about having nothing – literally nothing but dirt, these people chose instead to make the most of what they had, and I mean the most. I can no longer look at dirt the same way.
If they can make houses out of dirt, how much more could I make with the resources and privileges I have here in the US?
On another Discovery Channel show, I watched a guy make map-art out of license plates. He used old license plates – one from each state to construct a map of the entire US. It was actually pretty cool! Any other ordinary person would have let those plates go to waste.
If a village can make homes out of dirt and a dude can make art out of license plates, surely you can build your business with whatever resources you currently have.
You might say, “I don’t have any money to invest” – you might not, invest what you have.
- Do you have items you can liquidate on Ebay?
- Do you have time to invest to do the things you would normally pay others to do for you?
- Do you have proficient skills that others would be willing to pay for your services?
- Do you have knowledge that others would pay for?
If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then you do have something of value to invest.
You might say, “I don’t have the time ” – maybe you are up to your ears in commitments. If so, maybe you need to re-evaluate what you are doing and determine if it’s producing the desired results.
- Do you have time to watch TV?
- Do you have time to play games on Facebook?
- Do you have time to go out for drinks?
If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then yes, you do have time, you just need to re-purpose it.
So, what resources do you already have available to you that you can leverage? I’m sorry – if homes can be made from dirt, you have no excuse.
Kiesha is the author of We Blog Better and Christian Blog: Highly Favored. She’s a technical Writer, former writing instructor, and blogging consultant for small business owners. If you’d like to know more, read her extended bio. Connect with her on Twitter and subscribe to her newsletter for blogging tips & tricks.
Wow, this is amazing inspiration. I think it has everything to do with attitude. It’s like combining positive with realistic, and turning it into financial benefit – literally. Obviously people who say they cannot make money, are not looking hard enough. Thanks Kiesha
Fiona Bosticky´s last [type] ..Separate Business Friends and Personal Friends on Facebook
Hi Fiona
I’m glad you found this inspiring – you’re right, most times people just aren’t looking hard enough or thinking creatively enough. You’d be amazed what you can do if you just make use of what you already have available to you.
KEasley´s last [type] ..4 Quick Tips for Writing Engaging Blog Content
Why has this post only got one comment!!!
You’re right Kiesha, sometimes we make excuses when in reality it’s ourselves and ambition holding us back.
inspirational post!
Matthew Needham´s last [type] ..Are you getting a bite of the Apple?
Hey Matthew,
Yeah, Kiesha has been bring some AWESOME stuff to the table and putting some really great perspectives on things. Thanks Kiesh!
B
Hey thanks, guys! You’re gonna have me blushing…
Glad you enjoyed this post. There really are no limits to what we can do.
KEasley´s last [type] ..4 Quick Tips for Writing Engaging Blog Content
Hey kiesha,
Super-Interesting Post Kiesha. Good stuff.
As mathew said “sometimes we make excuses when in reality it’s ourselves and ambition holding us back.”
!
The days are gone, when i make excuses for not blogging, not doing that . . and that.
Thanks for sharing this great post. rock on.. !!
~Dev
Dev | Technshare´s last [type] ..10 Best Marketing Tips that Will Blow Your Mind
Hi Dev,
Yeah, when you put things into perspective – any excuses we come up with really are pretty pitiful when we think about it.
KEasley´s last [type] ..4 Quick Tips for Writing Engaging Blog Content
WoW! What a great motivation!
“if homes can be made from dirt, you have no excuse.”
What a beautiful post and a GREAT motivator for all of us.
Its true, opportunities are everywhere.
It is all about having the correct MINDSET.
Thanks for awaking the sleepy/lazy amongst us.
Nabeel
Hi Nabeel,
Glad you enjoyed this – it is all about having a positive mindset.
KEasley´s last [type] ..4 Quick Tips for Writing Engaging Blog Content
One thing is for sure, I do not have time for games on facebook…but that’s a good thing right?
Motivationals stuff which I truly appreciate. One thing I struggle with more than anything is holding back from taking opportunities because I fear burnout.
Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last [type] ..John Smith and the Blue Mackintosh
Hi Mo,
I feel you on holding back from taking opportunities for fear of burnout – when Brandon Cox offered me WeBlogBetter free of charge, I briefly thought about how overloaded my scheduled already was and I was deathly afraid of taking on such a great blog and totally ruining it! However, if I had’ve given in to that fear – I know for a FACT that I would’ve regretted it for the rest of my life.
Don’t let too many opportunities pass you by – you’d be surprised by all of the amazing things you can do – even under pressured. Don’t under-estimate yourself.
KEasley´s last [type] ..4 Quick Tips for Writing Engaging Blog Content
My take on this is that we’re so conditioned into the consumer mentality (especially in the US) that we’re always thinking we ‘lack’ something and are on a continual hunt for more, more, more.
Well, that way of thinking is a tall pile of crap, and you nailed the truth in your post!
Jean Sarauer´s last [type] ..Empire Building 101 Series: Growing a Prosperous Community
Thanks Jean!
It’s true our WANTS are so great that we often mistake them for needs. We can live with far less if we just change out mindset.
KEasley´s last [type] ..4 Quick Tips for Writing Engaging Blog Content
This is an excellent post!
We all really do have something to get started if we just look deep enough and sometimes we actually need others to see it for us so that we have a good idea where to start.
I also like how you mentioned having time for things that aren’t producing the results you’re looking for. Re-evaluate those and make time for the things you want to happen to happen.
Get out there and make those results.
Eric´s last [type] ..Do You Have 7 Minutes For Your Dreams?
Hi Eric,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Sometimes if we just took what we already have an put it to use, before we know it, we’d have what we really want.
KEasley´s last [type] ..4 Quick Tips for Writing Engaging Blog Content
Hi Kiesha,
A very motivational and inspirating post. Thanks so much for sharing it.
I was talking to a co-worker this morning and we were discussing Haiti and what it means to literally have nothing. We truly are fortunate not to be in that situation, and can be blinded by our daily ‘issues’, which really are nothing compared to what other people are going through. Literally having nothing but dirt and yet making so much from that, means that we have absolutely no excuses. None of us are victims and we all have choices.
Karen
Karen´s last [type] ..Friday’s Links
Hi Karen,
In other countries – or even parts of our own country, there are so many people who make do with so much less. Honestly, I think they are happier because they value love and time spent with family far more.
KEasley´s last [type] ..4 Quick Tips for Writing Engaging Blog Content
lol So true. You should have also added: If you have time to read this post, you have the time! We just have to stop making excuses and get our buts in gear!
LOL!!!
The irony…
Yeah, you’re so right! I had to dramatically cut back on all the blog posts I was reading. It wasn’t leaving me enough time to write!
KEasley´s last [type] ..4 Quick Tips for Writing Engaging Blog Content
Hi Kiesha,
I love this post. I think it comes down to being grateful for where we are and what we currently have in our lives.
I think when we practice being grateful, it opens the door to making the most of what we have. We will see opportunities instead of problems.
I think it’s worth remembering that no matter how bad your problem is, there is always someone else who is having a tougher time.
Jazz Salinger´s last [type] ..Aussie Internet Marketer’s $20 000 Competition
Hey Jazz,
I love your last line about the problem. That is EXACTLY how I looked at my ruptured achilles tendon that I’m still rehabbing my way out of. There are 2 ladies at my church who are bound for life to a wheelchair. They have great spirits and always have smiles on their faces. I know they would pay anything to have the opportunity to have surgery, and be running again in 12 months.
I’m 2 months into it and driving forward.
Brandon