6 Crucial Mindset Changes You Need Before You Start Earning Money Online

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Let’s be real, earning money online isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

We’ve all seen those “I made $10,000 in my first month with zero experience” headlines, the perfectly lit Instagram reels of someone sipping coffee while their Shopify store makes sales on autopilot, or the endless blog posts promising financial freedom in just 30 days.

But here’s the truth no one tells you upfront : when you actually try to make it happen, it can feel like hitting a brick wall.

The online money-making world is massive — we’re talking trillions of dollars moving around every single year — but for most people starting out, getting even a crumb of that pie feels frustrating.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been struggling to crack the code.

Maybe you’ve tried freelancing, dropshipping, selling digital products, or starting a blog, but something just… doesn’t click.

The results are slow, the motivation drops, and you start wondering if you’re even cut out for this.

Here’s the thing : you’re not broken.

You’re not missing some secret “hack” that influencers are hiding from you.

You’re just missing the first step most people skip entirely — the mindset shift.

Because success online doesn’t start with the latest strategy, tool, or hottest trend.

It starts with what’s going on in your head.

Your mindset is everything.

So today, we’re going to break down six crucial mindset changes that will take you from feeling stuck to finally making progress (and money) online.

1. Adopt an Abundance Mindset — Because There’s Enough Pie for Everyone

Too many people operate with a scarcity mindset — this idea that opportunities are limited, the money is almost gone, and all the “good” niches have already been taken.

But that’s just not how the digital economy works.

Here’s a fun stat : Over 5 billion people use the internet.

Even if 1% of them were interested in your offer, that’s 50 million potential customers.

You could be terrible at marketing and still make a living.

Switching to an abundance mindset means seeing opportunities instead of competition.

When you believe there’s enough success to go around, you stop obsessing over what others are doing and start focusing on what you can do differently.

Example : Instead of thinking, “There are too many Etsy sellers already,” think: “How can I create a product that speaks directly to a very specific type of buyer?”

Suddenly, the “crowded” market becomes a buffet of possibilities.

Action Steps to Build an Abundance Mindset :

☑  Limit comparison time — you can research competitors, but don’t spiral into “they’re better than me” mode.

☑ Surround yourself with possibility thinkers — podcasts, books, communities where people share wins and encourage growth.

☑ Practice gratitude daily — sounds cliché, but it literally rewires your brain to notice opportunities instead of threats.

2. Set High Standards for Your Goals — Small Thinking Gets Small Results

You’re less likely to fail, and you get to pat yourself on the back for being “realistic.”

But here’s the thing — small goals don’t excite you. And when you’re not excited, you won’t stay consistent.

Big, ambitious goals give you a reason to push harder.

You might not hit the exact number you set, but aiming for $5,000 and landing at $2,000 is still a lot better than aiming for $100 and hitting $80.

Action Steps for Bigger Goals:

☑ Ask “What if?” instead of “What’s realistic?” — this opens creative thinking.

☑ Break big goals into milestones — $10,000/year = $833/month = $28/day.

☑ Visualize the outcome — spend time imagining the lifestyle your big goal allows. Your brain will start finding ways to make it real.

3. Eliminate Distractions — Focus Is the New Superpower

Every time you switch from writing a blog post to checking Instagram, your brain needs minutes to get back into deep work mode.

Multiply that by dozens of switches a day, and you’ve lost hours.

How to Kill Distractions Before They Kill Your Progress:

☑ Use focus tools — apps like Freedom, Cold Turkey, or Pomofocus.

☑ Create a work ritual — same time, same space, same playlist. Your brain learns to enter focus mode faster.

☑ Batch tasks — check emails at set times instead of all day.

Think of focus like a muscle — the more you train it, the stronger it gets.

4. Take Full Responsibility — No More “It’s the Algorithm’s Fault”

The Problem : It’s easy to blame slow sales on bad luck or outside forces.

The Truth : Taking ownership is the fastest way to get your power back.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth : you are exactly where you are because of your decisions so far.

Yes, the economy, algorithms, and competition exist — but if you blame them entirely, you give away control.

When you take 100% responsibility, you shift from victim mode to creator mode.

You stop asking, “Why is this happening to me?” and start asking, “What can I do to change it?”

Instead of saying, “My Instagram reach is terrible, that’s why I’m not selling,” say, “What other traffic sources can I try?”

This mindset alone will push you into more proactive actions.

Ways to Build Responsibility :

☑ Track your actions — daily habits log so you can see what’s working.

☑ Own your mistakes fast — the quicker you admit something didn’t work, the faster you can try something else.

☑ Stop waiting for permission — if you have an idea, act on it.

5. Value Every Action — Small Steps Compound Into Big Wins

But in reality, your success will come from dozens of small, consistent actions that add up over time.

Even 30 minutes a day of focused work = 182+ hours a year. That’s like an entire month of full-time work you’re either using or wasting.

Ways to Value Every Action :

☑ Ask: “Is this moving me closer to my goal?” — before saying yes to a task.

☑ Celebrate small wins — they keep momentum alive.

☑ Track progress over time — so you see how tiny actions add up.

6. Prepare for Challenges — Because They’re Coming

The Problem : You hope your journey will be smooth.

The Truth : Setbacks are not just possible — they’re guaranteed.

Making money online will test your patience, creativity, and persistence.

There will be months where nothing seems to work, or sales suddenly drop, or a platform changes its rules.

Instead of fearing challenges, expect them. See them as training sessions.

Every obstacle you push through is making you stronger and more resourceful.

Small story time : as a blogger and owner of several shops, a simple wrist injury left me unable to use the keyboard and mouse, forcing me to take a break for about 20 days.

And oh dear—my traffic took a huge hit! But well, health always comes first. 

How to Prepare for Challenges :

☑ Have backup plans — multiple income streams protect you.

☑ Separate emotion from problem-solving — get into “fix” mode faster.

☑ Remind yourself of past wins — proof you’ve overcome before.

Final Thoughts — Your Mindset Is the Real Money-Maker

If you’ve been feeling stuck or frustrated with your online income journey, take a deep breath.

The strategies will come. The tools will come. But without the right mindset, even the best plan will fall flat.

These six shifts aren’t “nice-to-haves” — they’re non-negotiable if you want lasting success.

Adopt an abundance mindset.
Aim higher than feels comfortable.
Guard your focus like it’s treasure.
Own every result — good or bad.
Value even the tiniest action.
And prepare for the hard days.

Because here’s the best-kept secret: once your mindset shifts, the results follow.