Lots of Money + Stress -or- Little Money + Little Stress?
 

First, this reminds me of the song "mo money mo problems" sad enough as it is.

Ive found with the more income I make, the more stress I have. Last year from about December to May '08 I had a small list of SEM clients plus adult sites that were making nice money. I maybe worked a few hours a day but pretty much free to do what I wanted to do.

Around June last year this company contacted me (I talked to them months before) about partnering up services to offer to their customers. After a few talks we came to an agreement, which paid nicely in return.

However now I am really starting to regret it... more and more each day. Isnt wasnt bad at first, but this company has started to bring on more and more customers, so I have had to do not only more work, but also more development to keep up with their demand. As well, I had a friend who got laid off who is doing sales for me and bringing in some clients, so I am juggling with those as well.

At the end of the day, I'm exhausted and sitting here I think to myself, is it really worth it? Honestly, I don't think so. My relationship with my gf is starting to go south because I'm not only working 10+ hours a day, but also very stressed out. As well, my adult sites that I put a TON of time into have pretty much gone sour; I can tell by the checks I get now.

Anyone here in the same boat? Or would you choose between doubling your income per month if it meant 10x the stress on you, your family and friends?

You have reached the point in your business where you need paid help. :)

You need to strike a happy middle ground.

I work probably 8-9 hours per day, and my wife has more or less put a total stop to the weekend working, other than the odd hour here and there for things that need urgent attention. That's a good balance for me.

Before going full time at this gig, I used to do a full time job, then come home and work 5-6 hours in the evenings. Had no life whatsoever, went through girlfriends at a rate of knots, and became physically trashed. It just ended up making me worn out and miserable.

Maybe get them to take someone else on as well so you can cut back your hours, and take care of your own business.

yup I know exactly where you are coming from and have been there!

Right now I'm starting to feel a little stress cause I'm working on 4 or 5 projects for myself to make decent money.. but I'd rather do it cause it means working for myself and I see first hand the rewards of a hard days work.

back to the original question about a lot of stress for lots of money or a stress free life being broke.. Well I guess it's all what makes you happy. If you can be happy having just enough to get by then more power to you and live on your own terms. I'm not looking to be the next millionaire right now but I do want to work hard to afford nice things that I might want. I want to own nice things not to have nice things owning me and if i ever feel that things own me then that is when i will make a change.

Exactly what I was thinking... there is a point where u have to realize that u can't run a show that big all by urself and u need to delegate as much work as possible .... outsource it if you will ... so yeap... u have 2 switch ur mentality to that of a manager-coordinator-CEO instead of the average... worker... u'll take smaller returns on a deal-by-deal basis but u'll have more time for urself or to to dedicate to other things n make ur operation grow ....

The first and worst mistake I have ever made was to think that I could run a huge show earning big bucks without needing to delegate resposibilities..... but hey .. u learn sooner or later....

Ive tried to hire someone else and didn't work out. To hire someone who has the qualifications, I would be making less than I was before, and I'm sure not going to work almost a full day making the same amount that I was working 2-3 hours per day.

I think the thing is I became greedy. I saw the opportunity to make extra bank and went at it without examining the consequences.

About 3 years ago I worked full time for a company when I was in LA and destoryed my relationship with my ex, and my health. I would work 9+ hours a day, plus on the weekends. It was a small marketing firm, but the owner would call me late and night and all weekend with stuff. It got to much out of hand so one day I just walked in and said I'm through. Since then Ive been taking it easy until recently. I think I need to cut back my lifestyle and focus on the important things such as my relationship and health

same boat in a way at least and can relate...

it's easy to say but harder to do but do whatever is easiest, you enjoy and makes the most money (isn't that what we all want?) i've asked myself and many associates the same thing and the response is usually do whatever makes you happy. money makes me happy so i will do whatever generates the most money with the least amount of work or try to find a balance :1orglaugh

i'm also heavy seo/sem based, so we both know doing work for yourself is very lucrative with very little stress...one of the main reasons i'm very picky with clients and consulting projects

i've done work in mainstream (staff of 75+), adult (online and offline) and the non-existent stress level of working online adult sem/seo for yourself is one of the biggest perks of doing the work. the money is only a fraction compared to mainstream, so i do both but am just very selective of who and what i will do....

like someone said before find a medium and enjoy life man, do whatever makes you happy as long as it doesn't hurt your financially, and don't get greedy it can backfire...it did on me and i learned from it

Second the comment about paid help -- sounds like you need some. Bring someone in who can learn to do what you do -- work with him (or her) for a bit and then eventually hand a few days over to them. Let them work a few days of the week and give yourself some time off.

More money more stress, i will handle with a stress , cant handle with no money

I'd prefer less money and less stress, though not having enough money is stressful in and of itself.

But I'm pretty easy to please. As long as I have my BF, my dogs, and enough money to pay my bills and grab a few video games here and there, I'm happy.

Oh, and melon cream soda.

But I've taken significant pay cuts in the past to work at jobs I found more interesting/happy and have been told that's pretty unusual, so whatever.

lot's off money!

if your girlfriend is hot I'll take her off your hands, that way you'll have one thing less to worry about

I can understand you ...life is the art of choice.

I'm having Little money + Lots of stress. How's that, bitch? Stop whining.

LESS RESPONSIBILITIES = LESS STRESS

Whether that is with more money or less money.

I resolved that problem by concentrating to sections which brings most money and require little time.

In the end it all adds up to the same amount of stress... the more and harder you work, the sooner you will retire... :2 cents:

passive income > *

I'd rather have less income and less stress. Stress will ultimately consume you and you won't live as long. Money means shit if you can't enjoy your life.

I'm the opposite though with money and stress. The more I've gotten the less stress I have. When I was in college I was shit poor paying tuition and living expenses. I'd have to worry about paying my electric bill and rent. I'd have to stock up on Ramen just to get by the week. That to me is stressful.

Wondered why you hadn't hit me up on mafia live :(

Since when does little money equal to little stress? I'm with pocketkangaroo

Less is more but concern about less can equal more stress.

balance it out... depends on what you mean by "more money", does it mean you can set yourself up with a nice house half payed off in 3-5 years or does it mean renting average apartment all your life ? also don't forget how you can have alot of work making good money and then one day something happens and money stop coming in... if you're getting stupid money like 5-10g's a week, then milk it for all it's worth for as long as you can... on the other hand if you get 2-5g's/month then that's not the amount you want to stress yourself out for

More money more stress take mini vacation 2-3 days every time your burning out.

:thumbsup

Trading dollars for hours will always lead to stress. Must be able to automate your processes so that you have passive income, or can duplicate your own actions with the assistance of others. More money, less stress is the goal. Read this book and apply what you can to your life. http://www.fourhourworkweek.com .

less stress and less money or nice ballance at least

if you have money and stress - just take anti-stress pills or some beer and it will go away...

Good point!