That's what happened to Jake. Jake had been diligently studying all of the masters of passive revenue. He had heard that in order to really create more freedom, he had to build a list, create an information product and invest in a savvy internet market expert.

The reality set in when his $16,872 in new website and internet marketing expenses ate up all of his savings and he was spending so much time trying to create his "passive revenue business" that he didn't have any time to actually make money.

As Jake and I explored where things went so wrong, he realized that he was just thrashing about, trying to find THE solution to creating his wealth. But instead of identifying a strategy that worked, he was just jumping from idea to idea, hoping that something would work.

Do you relate to Jake? I'd like to help you turn your financial situation around but I need to start with a very important principle. Everyone has strategies. You have a strategy for brushing your teeth, deciding what to eat, as well as how you grow your business. The problem is most entrepreneurs use ineffective, limited or down-right toxic strategies because it's what they somehow morphed into without the proper training.

Here are a few you may recognize:

Over Learning. This strategy actually starts out with the right intention. But it goes awry when all your resources, time and attention are focused on learning vs achieving results. You might know someone who is the over-educated, always-at-a-conference, power-learner. Before you know it, years have passed with little to show for their results. This strategy keeps you stuck in the "I don't know enough yet." It can be based on fear, a lack of confidence or a real desire for "fun" that isn't present in implementing your ideas.

Solution: Clearly identify the skills and learning you need to accomplish your goals. Create a plan to obtain that knowledge and extract proven systems and strategies you will implement. After measuring your results and monitoring what else is missing, THEN you incorporate more learning. Banish the "ambush" method of learning for a systemized approach to greater results.

Bright Shiny Objects. This "syndrome" has to do with pursuing new products, projects, coaching programs, or new solutions because they sound like a good idea. You have no idea if it will work or get you the results you want. People who use this strategy think it's exciting to have tons of "projects." You are building multiple streams of income, right? Actually, most people in this strategy are struggling and suffering with little to no cash flow. That's because it's impossible to get traction with so many wheels in motion.

Solution: Use a Return on Investment filter to help you identify what idea/project/program/etc will actually align you with the results you want. If you can't figure it out, it's probably a "bright, shiny object," not a high payoff activity.

Follow the (Wrong) Leader. This situation happens when someone with brilliant marketing and excellent results convinces you to "follow them." As well meaning as they are, they only know what works for them. They teach one model and expect the naïve entrepreneur to know how to adopt it into their world effectively. At some point, you realize, you've "climbed the wrong mountain" or what worked for that expert doesn't work for you. You start running out of money, still don't have a good client stream, and feel totally overwhelmed.

Solution: Get clear information on your mentor. Do they have a business and a lifestyle that you want to emulate? If not, they may not be the best person to teach you. Or, learn the pieces that will help you fill in the missing links but align with a mentor who "gets you."

After coaching so many entrepreneurs and helping them recover from massive investment mistakes, mis-spending and overwhelm with too many ideas, I've realized that most people really don't know the difference. They so badly want to achieve more success that the blinders are on and they will just say yes to anything that sounds appealing.

Think about this: everything you say yes to means you have to say no to something else. What are you saying yes to? Is it what you most want? If not, make a commitment to stop the sabotaging yourself and start using proven success techniques.