There are two types of problems - insoluble and solvable. Only a few problems such as serious physical defect are insoluble. All other problems such as debts are solvable. People in debts are too worried to have the right attitude and the required energy to find a solution to their financial problems and think their problem is insoluble.
Manu, a clerk in a private bank in New Zealand, had debts to the extent of NZ$50,000. Manu told me, "I have always been a fool and unlucky. I borrowed NZ150,000 from some of my friends to invest in good income opportunities. I did a lot of research on stock market, debt market and real estate. I thought real estate was the safest place to park money. But, after I invested the money in pieces of land in suburban areas, stock market boomed and real estate market crashed. With a great difficulty I sold the plots and returned NZ$100,000 to my friends. Now I am in neck-deep debt problem. I am able to save only $2,000 a year from my salary. It will take 25 years to come out of my problem. If you calculate the amount interest on the borrowed money, I will never be able to solve my problem."
I told him, "The wise say, without any qualification, that all problems of life are problems of harmony. If you remove disharmony and create harmony, all problems can be solved. We think harmony means smooth relations within our family or at our work place. But, harmony and disharmony of life go deeper than that. There are disharmonies between what we want to do and what we should do. Our mind wants one thing and our heart seeks another. As the disharmony is within us, we will be able to solve a problem only when remove it and create harmony in our mind and heart. Please tell me about the contradictions within you,"
After some thought Manu replied, "I want to prove that I am honest by repaying debts. But, I feel my friends should give up their demand for interest. I will be happier if they waive debts in part or in full. I don't want them to talk ill of me. At the same time it is a pain to repay the debts from hard earned money. Well. I understand now. I have opposite ideas and contradictory thoughts about my debts."
"Most people are like you. The first step in solving your problem is to resolve sincerely in your heart to repay all the debts with interest. Whatever be the amount of debts, you must believe in your capacity to repay them and trust the power of the entrepreneurship that can create prosperity. You can start an Internet based business without giving up your job. Use your salary for your survival. Whatever you earn through self-employment can be used to repay debts. If you take up self-employment you can solve your problem fully in two or three years instead of 25 years," I told Manu.
"What type of online business will suit me?" he asked me. "You must decide it. I can give you some general guidelines. You must have good knowledge about the project, and have a passion for it. The product or service must decrease others' difficulties or increase benefits that they receive. Can you think of something that would suit you?" I asked him.
Manu replied, "I know about real estate in New Zealand well. Most people are ignorant about prices, regulations, growth potential and other related issues. Even though I have lost money in real estate, I believe I have acquired sound knowledge about it over time. I can create a website that will help real estate investors make wise decisions." I agreed with his idea and told him, "As solutions to most problems are already built into the problems, your idea is a brilliant one. You can make money from advertisements, referral fees, consulting fees and brokerage."
Manu left my office with a relaxed smile - a sure indication of things to come. He did not resign his job. He worked hard after office hours and during weekends. Whatever he earned from the website was used to repay the debts. All of his friends were touched by his sincerity and were helpful and flexible.
By the end of the second year he was debt free.
By the end of the third year, he resigned his job and became a full time entrepreneur. Oh! I forgot to mention that around that time he was the proud owner of a small piece of land in a booming real estate market.