We are looking to network with people who have similar goals.  So it would seem natural to determine what our goals are.  If you want to discuss the ideas presented in this blog, leave a comment, follow me on Twitter [@webovator] or let’s connect on Facebook.

My number one goal is to find ways to earn a substantial income without trading massive amounts of precious free time.  I have been reading and studying many great thinkers over the years, and have come to realize that true wealth is having the free time to do the things you really WANT to do.

Whether I want to backpack across Europe, take pictures of waterfalls, take up surfing, or just hang out with friends and family, I need to secure enough free time to make those things possible.  Sometimes working as a designer or developer, free time is impossible to achieve.

Working endlessly at a job requires too much time, even if the money is there. So the goal is to work smart, not long. Working hard is a good thing, but only if it’s productive.

Some books that have made a big difference in the way I see life:  Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill. Talk and Grow Rich, by Ron Holland. The 4-Hour Workweek, by Timothy Ferriss. You can find these on the sidebar if you want to check them out.

There is a lot of truth to what these three books have taught me. Which we will discuss over the coming weeks.

The first thing to consider is that our goals need to be clarified. A road map must be drawn.  I need to find several ways of making money, without investing 40 to 80 hours a week. Residual income is the goal.  How to do that without sacrificing all of our free time? It’s a lofty goal, but not unachievable.

The possibilities are endless. We can simplify our lives by cutting out what is unnecessary, and devoting more time to the few things that actually pay off.  We can start online businesses and once they are set up, reap the benefits.  Anything takes effort at first, but if you work smarter, it will take LESS TIME AND EFFORT LATER.  This blog will explore those possibilities.  Stay tuned.