It's all too easy to fall into a pattern that amounts to spinning your wheels and getting nowhere fast. Why does this happen? There are many reasons, I'm sure, but I think there are a few very common situations.

Perhaps you casually came across some "make money here" websites and decided to try it in your spare time, just for fun. Maybe you were really looking for a way to earn some extra income, but never planned ahead or only haphazardly spent any time with it. Maybe each program you tried didn't generate enough cash fast enough, so you keep trying something new.

Whatever the reason, you are certainly not alone. Probably the vast majority of those trying to make some money online have not yet realized that for any business to succeed, it must be treated as exactly that - a business. No one can expect mounds of cash for what amounts to playing around. No one expects an offline business to generate a profit immediately, with no investment of time, money, advertising, etc.

I've been drifting around the internet for three years, in and out of many different businesses and programs. While I've had limited success here and there, I didn't really commit to giving any one business enough time to really grow. As I take stock of where I am, it is disappointing. I have definitely learned quite a bit, which does make some of the time worthwhile, but I feel I've squandered opportunities - usually because I didn't want to spend too much money, and then didn't really have the time needed for the free methods of advertising. Of course, there also was the issue of my husband breathing down my neck to show fast results for all this time I spend online.

What can be done about this? Anyone who finds themselves contemplating this question of hobby vs. business needs to take some time to evaluate their goals. If a substantial income is not really needed at this time, then there probably is no need to change anything ? just keep playing around with every new thing that comes along.

If, however, you are serious about building a home based business, it's time to treat it seriously. There are many good opportunities and programs out there which can build a decent income for anyone who applies themselves, works hard, and follows the paths that successful entrepreneurs have laid out for us. No, these are not the glamorous, exciting, brand new launches full of breathless hype, but the steady, proven businesses that have been around for years.

Is it possible to earn a living online? Yes, I believe it is, because so many people really are doing it. It's time to make a choice ? get serious about a real business, or continue jumping around for fun. It's all up to you.