For a long time, I’ve been talking with someone who is not particularly happy with how he’s doing financially.  It turns out that he’s one of those people who is extremely knowledgeable about sports—especially football.  On several occasions I have suggested that he start a newsletter or a blog to share his vast knowledge with other interested people. I think people who participate in fantasy football or those who bet on sports would willing to pay for his knowledge and insight. Each time he comes back with something like, “There’s really no money in newsletters.”  I then come back with, “Maybe not right away, but you never know where this will take you.”  Then he’d say something like, “I’m not sure if this is the best time to start a newsletter or blog.”  And, so it goes, every time I see him.  Instead of taking action that might make a big difference in his life, he comes up with excuses—flimsy reasons for doing nothing.  Now, several years later he’s still not happy about where he is financially and he’s still complaining that he’d like to do better.  The lesson here is that if you’re stuck in a rut, there’s only one way out.  It’s called action, not excuses.