Most people over-complicate the process of changing course to happy self-employment.
Yes, there’s a lot to consider and do.
You need to figure out what it is you love to do and find a way to generate income doing it.
Once you know that then you need to make a plan to get there.
It can feel overwhelming until you realize that on a day-to-day basis, the process of changing course is pretty uncomplicated.
In fact there are easy steps you can take — even if you’re clueless on how to find the money, time or courage to take the leap. Steps that won’t cost you a dime, but could have a huge payoff.
I put together three super easy ways to uncomplicate the change process.
Find your own “think spot.”
We all need a place that nourishes us, where we can reflect on where we want to go and how we plan to get there.
It could be local park bench. Or a country road. Or the view from the top of a skyscraper. A quiet corner of a library.
You can spend 30 minutes there or weeks (okay so maybe you can’t sleep at the library – but you can come back day after day).
How long you’re there is not important. What’s important is that you’re using your “think spot” in the service of your dream.
It’s about slowing down and unplugging.
It’s where you can get clear on want you want and then either make a plan to get there or be working on your plan.
And, if your “think spot” also happens to be where you go to work, write, or plan as I do… it’s could also be a nice tax deduction!
For instance, for a decade I spend half of August at a peaceful lake in New Hampshire. Yes, I got to relax, do some kayaking, and enjoy the mesmerizing call of the loons.
But it’s also where I went to escape the distracting call of email and social media so I could focus 100 percent on writing and doing business planning.
Since I really did spend the majority of my time there working, I was able to deduct a large percent of my gas, groceries, and cottage rental fee. Sweet!
Go local.
If you get most of yo
ur news on-line, then you may be missing out.
One of the best tapped sources of information are small hometown newspapers.
They’re often the ones that feature stories or events other bigger newspapers and outlets find too minor to mention.
For instance, a few years back a retreat center less than a mile from my house was hosting a conference on Buddhism and peace. The event itself was mostly advertised outside the local area.
Turns out the kick-off event was Jeff Bridges performing songs from his Academy Award winning movie Crazy Heart.
The venue only had seating for about 60 people so it would be an intimate affair.
I happened to see an announcement in my small weekly paper that the conference organizers had a few extra tickets they were making available to locals.
I called immediately and snagged the last two tickets!
I know a woman who found a business partner as a result of being covered by a local paper.
Another found out about an upcoming seminar that was exactly what he needed.
And it all began with paying attention to the local news.
Don’t be afraid to look foolish.
I once had a client who love to bake. But she also loved being with people.
So she came up with the idea of starting a pie cooperative. That way she and the other members could enjoy each other’s company while they baked.
The plan was to sell to local restaurants and donate a share of the profits to charity.
I helped her figure out how to find the space to set up the cooperative.
But she didn’t know how to go about getting the desserts into restaurants.
I gave her several recommendations, among them talking to owners to learn more about how they work with outside vendors.
As it happens we were meeting in a small café that would make an ideal client. Spying the manager, I said, “Let’s start here!”
She was mortified. What if he brushed her off? Then she’d feel foolish.
The manager didn’t brush her off. In fact, he gave her some great insights that could only come from going to the source.
Being willing to look foolish is an essential part of success.
For instance, even though I’ve had my picture taken with more than my fair share of celebrities and public figures, I still feel awkward asking.
But I still do it.
Jeff Bridges was of course, incredibly gracious.
Me? I was so nervous that I babbled on about watching his dad, Lloyd on the late fifties-early sixties TV show Sea Hunt and said nothing about Jeff’s own well-deserved Oscar for best actor!
As mortified as I was I don’t think thy guy lost any sleep over it and I got a great at photo I’ll treasure forever!
True, both my client and I could have been brushed off.
And yet, it’s the things we don’t do that we most regret, not the things we did.
Besides as Cynthia Heimel said, “There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, leap.”
Life is complicate enough. Pick one thing from the above list to practice this week.
If nothing else, I guarantee you’ll learn something.
And that’s a good thing; because when you stop learning my friend, you’re dead.
FEATURED RESOURCE
The Life First – Work Second(c) Approach to Career Change
Yes you can create the life you really want.
A life with more freedom and control. One where you get to do work you truly love.
And it all begins with the fundamental question — “What do I want my life to look like.”
The next step is to figure out 1) what you love to do and 2) how you can make money doing it… in ways that pass the all-important Life Test.
If you need career guidance from someone far removed from the world of traditional career advising with its job-centric focus on resumes, interviews, and job searches…
If instead you need a career expert who can give you personalized answers so you can make a living without a j-o-b, I’d be honored to help you realize your dream of “right livelihood.”
Click here now to learn more. Everything you need is waiting for you there.
