To describe ‘wide open’ best let’s use an analogy of your regular life up to now, to show the difference. Life is almost always the same every day as far as most things. You have a job thankfully and support yourself and/or your family as best as you can with what you are able to earn. If there is extra you may enjoy buying new things and try to have a good time.

Your salary may or may not change annually depending on your employment arrangement. According to your original agreement when you were hired, you have a base-salary. Usually there are annual performance evaluations. There is usually a set percentage if there are to be any increases based on merit. Some companies may give cost of living increases.

While it is fortunate that you have a job, your ability to progress is limited. Your actual mental horizons are limited in addition to your financial situation when you ask yourself ‘where can I go?’ The answer may be nowhere but again you should remember to be thankful you are where you are as long as you are in survival mode.

You are not stuck in a maze however if you don’t want to be. You have options. One is to start your own business online. It is making a choice of wasting time chattering online purely for social reasons; another big online time waster is reading spammy emails.

You can actually be doing something productive to improve your life. (Sure networking and socializing have many positive aspects and one that may eventually even help you if you start a business; but let’s not put the cart before the horse. The point is give yourself parameters – for example if you have 3-hours online, really accomplish something to improve your life for the majority of that time; and then by all means, relax and go visit and socialize a little. Just don’t make it the other way around.

Make doing some research to find a business you may want to start part-time your top priority. If you haven’t already, you really should know about all of the various options available to you on the Internet. In many cases they are free or can be started for free; They are almost never expensive, nor do they have contracts beyond month-to-month.

You can try several things to arrive at something that will give you extra money and make you feel like you are the one in control of your life and your money, and in fact may be able to transcend your current environment. Your self-esteem and self-confidence will be increased as you make the effort. If you ride that wild wave you may end up with quite a bit more than your status quo.