People ask me this all the time, and they often lean in and whisper it even: Can you really make passive income, or make money online even when you're not actively working? That always makes me smile.
The answer is YES. 
Not only is it possible, it's very important.
You definitely need to make it a goal to create sustainable passive income in your business, and I'll tell you why... with some personal horror stories.
You may have heard that I've been sick lately. I traveled most of August, and came home at the end of the month with a dreaded respiratory virus that was sweeping the Midwest. It took hold as a wicked case of bronchitis, among other symptoms, which landed me in bed and kept me miserable for weeks.
4 1/2 weeks later I finally started feeling like myself again, although I'm still battling a cough and my usual high-energy has yet to return. Still, it's nice to be back to work and back on my feet! So what happens when you're knocked off your feet unexpectedly, and can't work for several weeks in a row?? It depends...
The Reality Behind Passive Income
For me, it wasn't that big of a deal (save being completely miserable of course). I was able to take the time off I needed to rest and recover. I was able to afford doctor and hospital visits, and continue paying my bills and business expenses.
While I missed quite a few emails, missed out on some great opportunities - including an event I wanted to attend, and even lost a few subscribers and customers, the big picture is that an entire month off (without warning or preparation!) didn't make a huge difference. I was able to do it with very little stress or long-term impact.
This is in stark contrast to experiences I've had in the past...
I was once in a near fatal car accident for example, which landed me in the hospital for weeks and home for recovery for several more weeks after. I was only 20 years old, working three jobs, renting an apartment, etc. The result, after a couple months of recovery? I lost everything - my car, my jobs, my apartment - and ended up living in a stranger's laundry room. Yes, I lived in her laundry room. Crazy, I know.
That's the reality of having no savings, nowhere to turn, and getting by week to week.
Making Money Alone Is Not Enough
Fast forward - I got married, started a business then started a second business, partnered in a third, and went from way below poverty level to a healthy six figure income. I had a family, business was great and continuing to grow, and life was good. I'd achieved success! And then, once again the unexpected happened.
During the year 2000 I went through a devastating divorce and my oldest child became incredibly ill. My resources got sucked dry, and I struggled to keep up with client work and meetings and other business obligations. I was going broke, not getting much sleep, and had a hard time focusing on work - much less leaving my child to tend to clients & meetings & business. I lost it all.
That being the second time the bottom fell out from under me, I resolved then and there to never find myself in that place again. Ever.
I was on my own again, this time with two children to take care of and feed, and a bank account that had turned into a black hole. I was overdrawn so any check I did get went straight into that black hole. I busted my ass to get back on my feet.
It wasn't easy, even with my past experience and business contacts. I had to make that dreaded trip to the food bank, and lost 23 pounds in 7 weeks because there wasn't enough food for myself and the children - and they of course came first.
It was during this (dark) time of desperation, heartache and extreme stress that I turned things around. Not overnight of course, but it's when the process began.
Analyze What's Already Working
I have a habit of saying, "Do more of what's working, and less of what's not." Up to that point everything had been working, but only when I had been working.
As I was analyzing my business and trying to figure out the best plan to get out of the hole and back on my feet, one thing really stood out to me. It was the income I earned when I was not working. It wasn't much, but it was consistent.
The source: Affiliate Marketing. It wasn't necessarily called that when I first started doing it (in the late 90's), but this "side income" was easy and consistent.
That's what I started focusing on, while still working with clients to keep "immediate income" coming in of course. I've continued to focus on that in my business since then, and ultimately stopped the service side of my business altogether.
While I focused on Affiliate Marketing to start, I sought out and tested a variety of more passive revenue sources along the way. This is what allowed me to homeschool my children, take care of my grandmother around the clock for two years, and ultimately travel the world and have a lifestyle of freedom & flexibility.
Passive Income = Less Stress & More Freedom
That doesn't mean I don't have to work. I do work, and I ENJOY my work tremendously! It simply means that I have a level of security against life's unexpected events: a safety net. And of course a better, less stressful, more enjoyable life.
Last year I had unexpected surgery. But let me back up and say that this fun little event was preceded by several other unexpected events in the year or two leading up to it - such as having my business massively hacked, finding myself with a HUGE tax debt, and getting incredibly sick with six months of medication with lovely side effects - which ultimately lead to my emergency surgery. As if that's not enough for any one person, my dog (Mylah) died in my lap right in the middle of it all.
Life does not discriminate, and sometimes it can be downright harsh.
You know what they say: When it rains, it pours!
I went in to see my doctor on a Monday morning, and he scheduled emergency surgery for that same week. In between I had to do lab work and get a root canal (before they could put me under). What a week. 
There was little time to prep, but I did get the house ready for what should have been a short home recovery.
Unfortunately that was not the case...
I had complications post-surgery, and some kind of X-Files reaction to the anesthesia that affected my cognitive function for more than 5 months. I couldn't keep count up to three, which made the smallest task like making coffee a serious challenge.
This time I did NOT end up living in a laundry room or nearly starve to death. Even with all the financial setbacks, and the ridiculously long recovery, I managed to stay afloat AND pay all the medical bills. THAT is success.
It's Not All Mansions & Margaritas
Sure "margaritas on the beach" is a nice sell, but the reality is a life you can live and enjoy in a state of security - no matter what the universe throws your way.
This time, with the wicked respiratory virus that set me back for more than a month, I was able to crawl back in bed and simply recover. I'm not going to say I enjoyed it, lol, because it was pure hell. But it was certainly a relief not to worry my whole life would fall apart as a result of simply taking care of myself.
I tell you all of this to encourage you to really consider your revenue sources - and your stability and security. I've been hit by some pretty big events, which I wouldn't wish on anyone, but... life happens. And like I said, it doesn't discriminate.
Create A Sustainable Lifestyle
Ask yourself: What can I do NOW, while things are going fine, to make sure I don't lose it all? How can I ensure sustainability in my life and business?
Start by looking at your revenue sources. Where is your money coming from?
Make a list and mark each source "active" or "passive". Active meaning if you aren't present, if you aren't actively working, it stops. Passive Income sources continue coming in when you're sleeping, traveling, sick, or simply not actively working.
Take a closer look at those passive sources. How can you expand on that?
Affiliate Marketing is not the only way to create passive income. It's simply one source. And that's another thing you want to consider going forward, that you have multiple passive revenue sources, and that you don't depend on just one.
You know the old saying about having all of your eggs in one basket! 
Info products, advertising, books, autoresponders - all great sources for passive revenue as well.
I encourage you to sit down and do some serious evaluation and strategic planning.
I can't even begin to tell you what it means to me to have the luxury of being sick, the time for recovery, taking life's hits without getting knocked down.
I've been there, and it was NOT fun. I now have a sustainable business that provides me with security and stability. And of course being able to travel the world and all that good stuff - those are seriously nice perks as well. :+)
Getting Back To Work...
It's great to be back to work. I have TONS of catching up to do, especially with my inbox (eek! lol), but I can't even complain. This is nothing compared to losing everything and starting back in the hole...
It's especially nice to have my focus, motivation and creative energy back. Over the weekend I was working on some cover graphics for books and info products I have in the works - which are a great way to set up more of those passive income sources! Check out my blog post on CoversCrush to see an example of what I'm working on.
Fortunately I only missed one Brainstorming Hour session during the 4+ weeks I was sick. That was about the only thing I came to my desk for, lol - I love those sessions! Everyone was kind enough to put up with my froggy voice for a few weeks.
I hope this conversation inspires you, and encourages you to take definitive action toward securing your future - and your life. I was sharing this story with a friend over the phone last week and he suggested I should tell it to the world.
Create Passive Income NOW, Before You NEED It
In case it didn't really sink in, you don't have to be successful or in business for more than 17 years like me to create an awesome lifestyle via passive income.
You don't have to be brilliant or have some mega education either - I didn't even graduate high school. It's not rocket science.
The changes I made to create the life I have now... started in a black hole, during the darkest times of my life. Surely you're in a better position than that right now. Or if you're not, now you know there IS hope.
I strongly encourage you to do the work while you have the breathing room. Don't wait until desperate times. It's MUCH easier to do the work... while you have something to work with, than waiting until you've lost it all and have to start from nothing. Said from personal experience.
Unless you're totally paranoid, or an OCD freak of nature, it can be very difficult to get highly motivated when you're complacent. It's hard to muster up the energy and determination to dig in and do something proactive about your future... when you're comfortable. I hope my stories made you uncomfortable, or instilled just enough apprehension to make you want to push yourself just a little bit harder.
It certainly worked on me! 
lol. While my life is much easier, and definitely more comfortable now, I'm constantly reminded how quickly the bottom can fall out from under you. Create your safety net now, before it's too late!
Best,
p.s. No, Passive Income is not a myth. I'm walking proof of that.
I look forward to sharing more of my resources, tips and experience with you to help you achieve the same lifestyle I have! Make sure you're subscribed by email (below), and also check out my Niche Success Blueprint which will walk you through every step of setting up a sustainable online business.
Prefer hands on help? Join my Private Brainstorming Group where I can work with you personally - and get free access to the Niche Success Blueprint TOO. *cheers*
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