The sheer volume of information is overwhelming and worst of all, many of "experts" disagree.

Every so often my business will experience a slow down and this week was one of those weeks. I could easily blame holiday or normal summer vacation period, but that wouldn't solve my problem.

I needed to step back and rethink my business plan.

The response for most online business owners is to pick their favorite "guru" or "gurus" and start studying their advice.

That works well for a lot of marketers, but sometimes I like to think outside box. There are some time tested ideas that are universal and will work if applied to any situation.

I studied Ben Franklin's simple system for self-improvement. The system may be simple to develop, but that doesn't mean it's easy to follow.

In his autobiography Franklin talks about his need to constantly monitor himself. Old habits are truly hard to break.

Although Franklin used this system to reshape his personality, it can just as easily be applied to improving your skills as an online entrepreneur.

If you're looking for a quick fix, this isn't for you.

Here's a step by step plan to becoming a more successful entrepreneur.

1. The first step is to pick 13 areas of your skills that need most work.

After it's all boiled down, major factors are money, independence, and time.

Money, of course, is main driving factor for many. We all want to make more money. I've heard following from many successful businessmen and entrepreneurs, and I'll throw my own agreement in with it as well.

You'll never get rich working for someone else.

Even those with high paying jobs don't rely simply on their salaries. They all have investment plans and accounts designed to create further wealth.

Consider these numbers from Bureau of Labor Statistics:

(U.S. only) Out of 100 people that start working at age 25, by time they reach age of 65....

63% - need to depend on friends, relatives, or charity

29% - will be deceased

4% - need to work in order to make ends meet

4% - will be financially stable

1% - will be wealthy

REALLY consider those last two numbers. Only 4% will be financially stable? Only 1% will be wealthy?

I don't know about you, but I plan on being both financially stable and wealthy, and I plan on achieving it LONG before I'm 65!

Anyone can sit down and calculate out how their life will go with what they are making at current time. Even if you manage to have $1000 a month left after all of your bills and needs are met, after 40 years of working and saving that $1000 you will have enough to buy yourself ONE nice car.

Is that all your dreams entail, just ONE nice car after 40 years?! Besides, how many working folks have $1000 left every month with nowhere to go?

You've got to be doing MORE!

Ok, fine, but why an ONLINE Business?