So you’ve decided your Thursday afternoon four years from now deserves an upgrade. Maybe you’re picturing fewer meetings, more freedom, or an extra stream of income that keeps flowing while you’re mowing the yard, watching Netflix, or taking that long weekend trip just because you can.

Here’s the thing nobody tells you about starting something new:
It’s not usually a lack of ideas that stops people — it’s the overload of them.

Real estate.
Affiliate marketing.
Dropshipping.
Courses.
YouTube channels.
Coaching.
Digital products.
A TikTok side hustle selling cat sweaters.

It’s so much. And the paradox is… too many choices freeze people in place. So instead of picking one thing and learning to love the process, most people watch videos, buy courses they never finish, dabble for a month, and then get sucked back into the same-old, same-old.

👉 Here’s your fresh perspective:
Building a new income stream is not about finding the perfect get rich quick scheme. It’s about choosing a lane you’ll actually enjoy driving in — even on the days it rains, traffic’s slow, and you’re wondering if it’s worth it.

Ask yourself:

• Do I like the idea of owning something physical, like property or products?
• Do I prefer digital?
• Do I like to write, talk, teach, or create?
• Do I enjoy promoting other people’s stuff?
• Or does the thought of making my own thing light me up?

The truth is, every income stream has pros, cons, and boring parts. What keeps you going is the vision of that Thursday afternoon four years from now. Your why.

So, how do you pick?
This week, we’ll break down a few common paths — real estate, affiliate marketing, an online store, or creating your own digital products.

Each one is doable. Each one can make you money. Each one can crash and burn if you hate the day-to-day grind.

Tomorrow: we’ll kick off with the big, shiny dream — real estate. Passive income, right? Sort of. Let’s get real about it.

See you then!

Until next time,

I’ve been down many of these roads myself—managing rough rental properties I swore I’d never own, wrestling with drop shipping that drained my time for little return, and launching affiliate sites that looked great but brought in zero sales. I knew affiliate marketing could work—it just wasn’t working for me… yet. In 2024, I gave it one more shot. That’s when I discovered John Thornhill and Online Success Coaching, and creating my own digital products their way has been a game changer. Now I’m finally gaining traction, promoting a few great offers and slowly building real, passive income.

My best advice? Always stay teachable and keep going. If you’re serious about building your own income stream, stick with this series—you won’t regret it.

👉 Subscribe to my newsletter and explore more at www.digitalfivel.com
📧 mleist@digitalfivel.com

Matt