Which is better, to have one iron in the fire or many?
By Citychic
@Citychic (4067)
United States
August 16, 2009 6:57pm CST
Hello friends, Today I was thinking about jobs, making extra money etc, etc. Many times I have great ideas on how to make money but my ideas seems to go from one thing to another very quickly. For example I could be thinking about how to make gift baskets one day. Then before I know it I start reading up on how to make candles. Then from there my thoughts may go into an totally different direction. Mind you, I never truly drop an idea, it's just that I feel like I would be happier if I tried out a few different things versus just one. So what do you think, is it best to just stick with doing just one thing or is it best for a person to pursue many things, providing they can handle it?
3 people like this
13 responses
@lumenmom (1986)
• United States
17 Aug 09
I tend to do the same thing as far as having lots of ideas and I may even try a few but I don't put enough time into any of them to make anything worthwhile happen and I end up accomplishing very little. I do think it is better to stay with one or maybe two things and get them down firm before adding other things. It is important to know how much time and effort is needed for each one to be successful.
@Citychic (4067)
• United States
17 Aug 09
many irons in the fire.....
I hear you lumenmom and I appreciate your feedback. It almost seems like whatever we decide to do online requires a lot of concentration. But there is definitely money to be made in writing. It's just a matter or figuring out which company you want to write for. Oh well, that is just one suggestion. But I agree that it's a great idea to get something firmly planted before moving on down the road towards other things. Hey be sure to add me as a friend and we can continue to bounce ideas back and forth between each other, okay? So have a nice day and thanks again for your response!
And good luck with whatever you decide to do
.
And good luck with whatever you decide to do.1 person likes this
@paychecks (104)
• United States
17 Aug 09
Ugh I feel the same exact way you do. I feel like I have so many ideas I want to accomplish and tackle in order for me to supplement my income. I am hoping even in the next couple of years that I will be able to quit my job and have on solid way to earn steady income and then use my other methods to supplement it even further, but I always find myself drifting to another possibility! I think you are able to handle it however, you need to focus on one thing the most. Then allow for yourself to do other things in your spare time. I will admit though I am still struggling with that.
2 people like this
@Citychic (4067)
• United States
17 Aug 09
Too many irons in the fire!
Okay Paychecks, I hear exactly what you are saying, it's like you're saying, start with something and get it going very strong before I decide to shift gears. I think that's a great idea and I feel that's the reason why I've been sticking it out at mylot. I really enjoy writing and I am already starting to see where it's opening up many other doors for me. Although I will have to do a lot of research on them first, I feel that I'm on a very good path towards success with my writing. The thing is that it seems to come so natural for me. Now that's a good sign that you are on the right path when something seems to come to you almost effortlessly. Anyhow, please be sure to add me as a friend and we can exchange more ideas by way of pm. Besides that's what this networking thing is all abou
. Have a happy day my dear friend and try to take it easy. You will find your path all in due time!
. I think that's a great idea and I feel that's the reason why I've been sticking it out at mylot. I really enjoy writing and I am already starting to see where it's opening up many other doors for me. Although I will have to do a lot of research on them first, I feel that I'm on a very good path towards success with my writing. The thing is that it seems to come so natural for me. Now that's a good sign that you are on the right path when something seems to come to you almost effortlessly. Anyhow, please be sure to add me as a friend and we can exchange more ideas by way of pm. Besides that's what this networking thing is all abou. Have a happy day my dear friend and try to take it easy. You will find your path all in due time!1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
17 Aug 09
I usually try to have a couple but not too many. I think it's better to focus a little bit, so that you can get better at doing stuff, but not to focus so much that you cut yourself off and are thus very disappointed if something doesn't work.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
18 Aug 09
I have a problem in that area because I am trying to establish so many ideas at once and nothing is working! I think it is probably better to keep things at a manageable level; better to do only one or two things properly than have too many unattended commitments. I think you know yourself how much you can manage comfortably and I don’t think you necessarily make more money by doing more although sometimes you need to try several things in order to find out what is right, I guess balance is the key...
@donnacastle (2)
• United States
17 Aug 09
It is fine to have many irons in the fire. There is a saying "if you need something done, give it to a busy person." However unless you finish some projects, you really don't have any irons in the fire. Until you get some of your ideas into action, they are still just ideas. Hope you get a bunch going and are extemely successful.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
17 Aug 09
hi citychic I think you are wise to have several different'
things going at the same time.if one doesnt paN out another
one might aNd this way you really get your creative juices
flowing so you will get moreprofessional in your creating
things. more power to you and I hope you much success. good
luck and God bless.
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
17 Aug 09
Hi Citychic,
I think the best way is to handle one thing at a time, do one firts before you move on another and then you can start selling them, you will do well on those items, so good luck in all you do.
Tamara
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
17 Aug 09
Focus until your eyes cross!!
I recall a wonderful word picture question that once got me thinking on this answer.
Do you think you would get more results, if you were a mile wide and an inch deep? Or an inch wide and a mile deep?
For me this meant, sure, you can be involved in a lot of different things, spread out where everyone can see you. But, how skilled will you be? How much of an expert in any one of them?
But, if you take one, and focus on it, then learn as much as you can, until you know what there is to know, people will remember you for what you know.
Cheers.
@g_vickie84 (576)
• Belgium
17 Aug 09
I think to start off it is better to try out few things as you never know which one will turn out to be good for you. Once you have tried all your options for some time you will have much better idea about the benefits and problems with each one of them. Then you will be in a better position to decide which one you want to continue and which one you want to discontinue. This is how I approach any new idea. May be it works for you also.
@webearn99 (1742)
• India
17 Aug 09
Citychic, It is wonderful that you came up with this doubt. Many others also are in this very confusing state. My advice would be, to consider all your options very carefully. Pick out options which give you the result almost immediately and start working on the best of them. Make space the second one. As you work on these two choose a long term prospect and make space for that as well. As this settles in, choose another long term one drop the lesser paying shot one, and start on that too. By this time you will have a good idea on whether you want to accommodate another one, short or long. Best of Luck!, Remember persistence and innovation are the most powerful tools for a good business.
@slogger (48)
• United States
17 Aug 09
It is always good to have a few irons in the fire at a time. However, you must be aware of how many you put in at one time. If you are working on too many different things at one time you will ultimately end up not finishing any of them. As you start out, you should try new things until you come to something you have a real passion for. When you find this true passion of yours, you should remove most of your other irons so that you can concentrate most of your efforts on getting that one endeavor going. Good luck Citychic in whatever passion you end up finding!
