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I bet you thought I meant $5,000 when I said 5K. Sorry if you're disappointed but hear me out.

Years ago, when I took up running and was training for my very first run, it was a 5k, which is just a little over 3 miles.

A good friend of mine had been running for a long time and when I asked him for advice, he said, "Start off as slowly as you can, even if you feel like you can go faster, because you'll need your energy to finish the race."

I thought that was good advice, so I took it and sure enough, I finished the race and felt good enough to know that I would race again at some point. I wasn't looking to break any records at my age, just get in shape, run a good race and do it again.

The same principal can be applied to your business. I have seen countless new businesses practically strap on the "marketing rocket-ship" and go-go-go until they either exhaust their funds or themselves in the process, usually just a year or so later.

I just listened to the most amazing audio I've listened to in a very long time. It's not for sale, so don't worry, there isn't going to be pitch.

Seriously, though, think about this for a minute. If you have been "at this", meaning your home business, for years now and are still struggling, you have got to ask yourself some serious questions why.

What is the difference between YOU and somebody else?

Why is it that "other people" seem to "make it" and some don't?

It's not because of some "magic button" product, it's not because of some "push button system" or some so-called latest and greatest tool.

Forget about "underachievers", "the lazy way to riches" or any other lame marketing tactic that preys on your emotions.

Do you really want to be an underachiever and have people call you lazy?

Here's the deal and pay close attention.

The difference between people who are struggling and people who are not is that those who are successful made a decision to be successful.

I recently contacted an insurance company to send me a change of beneficiary form. 4 weeks and 3 phone calls without an acknowledgment.

Last week, my printers stopped printing. I called the manufacturer, the technician stayed on the phone with me until they were working again, it took over 3 hours.

The insurance company must be doing so well that they must not need my business, yet the other company realizes the importance of every single customer and how that affects their bottom line. They have given me all the more reason to remain a customer for the future.

Much of "big business" has abandoned customer care. Walk into any "super store". When was the last time you walked into a department store to find sales personnel actually there to help you rather than to just checkout your merchandise?

Years ago, the butcher knew exactly what cut of meat you preferred. The dry cleaner would have your clothes ready before you arrived, the baker knew your kids’ names.