Thursday 11th November 2004, three guys lean against a quiet bar in the east of England and sup at their beers. As often happens when men and beer mix, the conversation becomes somewhat philosophical as they swap stories of their lives.

Pete was an administrator, had worked in the same job for about 20 years, had a wife, two kids and a bank manager to support, and couldn't see his life changing.

Dave was a supervisor on a building site, had been in and out of various jobs and also had a wife, two kids and a bank manager to support. Dave wanted something better for his family.

Jim was a business analyst for an international company. He travelled around Europe and earned a good salary and it was obvious that he enjoyed the finer things in life.

It was Pete who eventually said to him, "It's okay for you, Jim. You've got it made. Dave and I live on the edge, financially, and nothing is going to change that."

Jim smiled at him and shook his head. "Pete," he said, "you couldn't be more wrong. You can change ANYTHING in your life if you want to."

"What with? A magic wand?" Pete asked.

"No," replied Jim, "you just need to really want to change things."

It's alright for you to say that." Dave said. "Your kids have grown up and you have a good income. You don't need to change anything."

Jim chuckled and ordered them another beer. When the drinks arrived he said, "How long have you guys known me?"

Pete and Dave looked at each other and shrugged. "About five years," Dave said.

"Correct," said Jim. "And do you know what I was doing ten years ago?"

The others shook their heads. "I seem to remember you telling us you'd been married before," Pete said.

"You're right." Jim said, "Ten years ago I was just getting out of a doomed marriage. But here's the kicker... I left that relationship by relinquishing EVERYTHING I had ever owned. I walked out of the house at 10:30a.m. on Friday 7th October 1994 with the clothes on my back and a suitcase with a few personal belongings in it."

"Okay, so you got lucky and ended up with a good job." Pete said.

Jim smiled. "Pete, I'm not saying this to boast or anything, but I now own a house in Canada, an apartment near Paris and an apartment here in town. All three are paid for in cash. And, before you ask, the most money I ever won in a competition was £90. Which doesn't even pay my air fare back to Paris."

Pete and Dave looked at each other, the surprise on their faces quite obvious.

"And what's more," Jim continued, "I quit my job today because I earn a load more money doing other things."

Pete spluttered into his beer. "What? You just gave up that cushy number travelling round Europe and doing almost nothing?"

Jim nodded. "My 'part-time' earnings in the last 12 months exceeded £100,000. If I focus on that, instead of sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day, I can easily make £200,000 next year. Now ask me again why I gave up my job!!"

Pete was quiet for a moment. "Jim," he said, "I'm not calling you a liar, but I can't help feeling the beer's going to your head! Do you really expect us to believe you can earn £200,000 a year doing something part time?"

Jim laughed. "Pete, you know me better than that. I'm a straight guy. I don't lie. Okay, I confess it's not going to be £200,000 because it's all earned in dollars, but it will be between $300,000 and $350,000 and that nets back to about two hundred thousand pounds on today's exchange rates"

Dave glanced sideways at his friend. "It's got to be illegal or immoral to earn that sort of money!" he said.

"It's neither!" Jim replied. "It's 100% legal and 100% moral"

"So what's the catch?" Dave asked.

"No catch," said Jim. "You just need to WANT to change and you just need to LEARN how to do it. After that, you put into effect the things that you learn. I can show you if you want."

Dave and Pete shrugged and looked at each other, then spent the next ten minutes listening to Jim as he outlined the huge opportunities the Internet offered.

"Not for us." they both agreed, after Jim had told them that there was a necessary learning curve before they could begin to make serious money. "Sounds like going back to school. And anyway, we both have safe jobs. Why risk them?"

And here the story ends except for three things...

(1) Pete lost his administrator job that he'd had for over 20 years. He has another job now, but it pays him far less than his previous one. He still has a bank manager to support. His life has not changed for the better.

(2) Dave is currently out of work. His bank manager is threatening to repossess his home if he can't catch up the payments. Dave wanted something better for his family, but hasn't got it.

(3) As of January 2010, Jim has earned substantially more than $1 million from his "part-time job". He has time to spend with his new family and he has relocated to a low-tax area to avoid handing most of his earnings to the government.

Oh, and maybe a fourth thing... Jim did lie, but it was only a small white lie! Jim's real name is Graham!! The rest of the story is FACT!






The Moral of this story

I guess the moral is fairly obvious. The two guys didn't WANT change enough. They might have thought they did, but they clearly didn't, otherwise they would have done something about it.

Also, Dave and Pete weren't prepared to LEARN. In fact, it was Dave who said "Sounds like going back to school." and Pete readily agreed with him.

So now you must ask yourself... ARE YOU A DAVE, A PETE OR A JIM? Do you want a change in your life? Are you prepared to learn to get there?

It's YOUR choice. I made mine back at 10:30a.m. on Friday 7th October 1994 when I left my old life behind. It may have been a bit drastic but even so, I've never looked back. Your change doesn't have to be as drastic as mine. You could make your life-changing choice right here, , simply by investing in TOMpedia and discovering the real secrets of successful online marketing.

But you've got to WANT to change your life!

Whatever your choice, I wish you well.