live
life on purpose
work at what you love
follow your own road
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The thing
always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes
it happen.
~ Frank Lloyd Wright
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Opportunity Knocks:
Creative Ways to Make a Living Without A Job
If You Think You Can't
Change Course... You're Right
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Valerie and her wonder dog,
"Cokie Roberts" |
By Valerie Young
You've
heard the expression that some people see the glass as half full while others
perceive the same glass to be half empty? I had the opportunity to see
this difference in perception in action.
One summer, my father and I drove to the airport to
pick up my some family members visiting from Florida. It was 100 degrees and
muggy. "Knowing" there wouldn't be any parking spaces close to the
terminal, my father was inclined to head directly to the back lot where we'd be
sure to find a space.
I, on the
other hand, was inclined to start with the row closest to the terminal and work
my way back. Since my father was literally in the driver's seat, he reluctantly
agreed to check out the last row in the front lot. If we didn't find something
there, he said, we'd proceed directly to the back lot. Not only did we find a
spot, but as we were walking to the terminal we passed a primo front row space.
His response? "It probably wouldn't have been there when we were looking."
In other
words, I prefer to think that things will work out. My dad presumes they will
not. Not surprising, during his adult life, my father held two jobs. He was
horribly exploited in his first job and left only at my mother's constant
urging. He stayed at his second job for over 30 years. In part, my father's long
job tenure has to do with that fact that he is a product of a time when there
was a different set of rules regarding employer-employee loyalty. You got a good
(or even a not so good) job and you stuck with it for life.
There is
ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with staying in the same job or town or anything else
for an extended period of time. My mother's family has lived in this same area
of Massachusetts since the 1600s. My father's family came at the turn of the
last century. I love it here in what is known as the Pioneer Valley, and despite
feeling tremendous pressure after graduating from college to go somewhere new, I
have never had any desire to move any place else on a permanent basis.
When
staying in one job or place too long IS cause for concern though, is when it is
not driven by a sense of contentment but by the belief that things will not work
out anyway, so why bother. A lousy attitude will kill a dream faster than just
about anything else.
If you
find yourself automatically driving to the back lot of life, maybe it's time to
do an attitude check:
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Do
you see yourself as deserving of happiness?
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Do
you think things will probably work out for the best and, if they don't, do
you see that as an opportunity to try again?
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Do
you see yourself as the director of your life or as a bit player operating
from someone else's script?
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Do
you think that life generally has it out for you and therefore it is
hopeless to even try to change your life? Or do you see life as Helen Keller
once described it as being, "an exciting adventure or nothing at all"?
Pessimists THINK a lot about changing course; unfortunately those with a
negative attitude rarely ever act on their dreams. If you are prone to pessimism
but really DO want to go after your dream of a more meaningful work/life, you
may need to first practice viewing things from a positive perspective.
Moving
from a pessimistic, hopeless view to an optimistic, hopeful one will not happen
over night. It is a goal that must be worked on one day at a time. Start by
taking one situation each day and trying to reframe it from a glass half-full
perspective. Fake it if you have to. After a while you will find yourself
readily being able to not only see the glass of life as half full, but enjoying
a long, quenching drink from it as well.
When it
comes to successfully changing course, attitude really is every thing. That's
because as Henry Ford once put it, "If you think you can or if you think you
can't, you're right."
About the Author
"Profiting From Your Passions" expert Valerie Young abandoned her corporate cubicle to become the Dreamer in Residence at ChangingCourse.com offering resources to help you discover your life mission and live it. Her career change tips have been cited in Kiplinger's, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today Weekend, Woman's Day, and elsewhere and on-line at MSN, CareerBuilder, and iVillage.com. An expert on the Impostor Syndrome, Valerie has spoken on the topic of How to Feel as Bright and Capable as Everyone Seems to Think You Are to such diverse organizations as Daimler Chrysler, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Harvard, and American Women in Radio and Television.
To read more
articles about how to work at what you love without a job go to
ChangingCourse.com/articles
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Sooner or later,
those who win are those who think they can.
~ Richard Bach |
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Featured
Resource
Profit From Your Art
Who says you can’t make
money from your art? You don’t have to be a “fine artist” to have your images
appear on greeting cards, prints and posters, calendars, on collector plates, in
books, animation, for record companies, on coffee mugs, coasters, clothing and
fabric, gift bags, fabric, shower curtains – virtually any surface that has a
design. This comprehensive course by art licensing guru Michael Woodward spells
out step how to get paid for your artwork. He ought to know.
Over the past 30 years,
Michael has licensed over $600 million in retail goods.
I personally know an
artist who partnered with a manufacturer and earned a 10% licensing fee. The
company sold over $800,000 in products netting her over $80,000 for her images.
Given that the artist
earns a percentage of these sales, suffice it to say, Michael is not your
stereotypical “starving artist.” By combining his personal “tricks of the trade”
with a storehouse of information on the art licensing world, he’s compiled the
most comprehensive course available today to guide artists and photographers
through the licensing maze so they can start earning money from their art and
beautifying the world in the process.
To learn more about or order The Art Licensing Course,
go to
ChangingCourse.com/recommends/art
Read my complete review of
Michael Woodward’s Art Licensing Course at
ChangingCourse.com/artlicensing.htm
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If you do not hope,
you will not find what is beyond your hopes.
~ St.
Clement of Alexandra |
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The Changing Course Newsletter
Copyright 2008
Lisa Tarrant, Editor
Valerie Young, Publisher
info@ChangingCourse.com
www.ChangingCourse.com
7 Ripley Road
Montague, MA 01351
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All About Your Subscription
You're welcome to forward this newsletter in its entirety to other
dreamers.
If someone sent this to you, don't depend on your friend for
this great information. Get your complimentary subscription at
ChangingCourse.com/ezine.htm
Please do not reply to this message.
Subscribe or Change Your Address:
ChangingCourse.com/ezine.htm
Previous Issues:
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With ordinary talent and extraordinary
perseverance, all things are attainable.
~ Thomas Foxwell Buxton |
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Guest
Article
Quit Your Day Job:
10 Steps to Venturing Out on Your Own
By Stephanie Chandler
If you’re one of the 58%
of Americans who have considered starting a business, but don’t know how
to proceed, help is at hand. The following steps will show you how to
transform your dream of business ownership into reality.
1. Figure out what you want to do.
You’re not alone if you
know that you want to work for yourself but aren’t yet sure what exactly
you want to do. Start by making a list of your interests, talents, and
skills. Talk to your family and friends and begin brainstorming ideas.
The sooner you begin your quest, the sooner you will find the answers.
2. Start saving now.
It is wise to have at
least one year’s worth of living expenses in the bank before you quit
your day job. It will take time to make a new business profitable, and
it could take longer than you expect. Start saving now so you can be
prepared for the worst while you hope for the best.
3. Educate yourself.
You can take classes
through your local Small Business Administration (SBA.org)
or seek free small business counseling from the Service Corp. of Retired
Executives (SCORE.org). Business
books and magazines are also essential, and so are industry-specific
trade associations.
4. Utilize a checklist.
There are many tasks
involved in starting a business and using a checklist will help you keep
your priorities in order. Take it a step further by adding target
completion dates to each task.
5. Formulate a plan.
No matter what business
you decide to start, it’s crucial that you outline a plan for success. A
formal business plan is best, but at the very least begin by mapping out
your goals and ideas. Committing your plan to paper will help you
anticipate the direction of your business and identify potential
weaknesses.
6. Obtain licenses and permits.
Business license
requirements vary by state and county, so check with your county offices
to find out what the requirements are for your area. In most cases you
will pay an annual fee to renew your license ranging from $50 to $300.
7. Start part-time.
There are numerous
advantages to starting your business part-time. If you can find a way to
keep your day job while you launch your venture, you will have the
opportunity to test your business model and make sure it’s viable while
you evaluate your passion for the business and determine if it’s
something you would truly enjoy on a full-time basis. You can also
reinvest any profits from the part-time venture into the future of the
business, and may even be able to take advantage of home business tax
deductions at the end of the year (talk to your accountant for
assistance).
8. Dedicate the time it takes.
Planning your business
will take free time from your day, but if it’s something you want badly
enough, it can be worth the sacrifice. You can get up an hour earlier,
skip the evening news, or work during your lunch hour. This extra work
time will also prepare you for the first two years of business
ownership, which typically require long hours.
9. Develop a backup plan.
Many businesses fail
due to under-capitalization. Forecast the cash that you need for both
your business and your living expenses and have backup sources for money
in case you get into a jam.
10. Don’t take the leap until you’re ready.
Before you even think
about quitting your day job, make sure you have everything in place: a
solid business plan, enough capital to make the business successful, a
savings account to cover personal living expenses, insurance (medical,
dental, liability and any other required policies), a thorough
understanding of what you’re in for, a backup plan if things don’t go as
expected, and the passion to make it succeed.
Unfortunately there are
no guarantees in business. You could have a rock solid business plan but
be hit with a natural disaster, new competition in your area, or other
uncontrollable circumstances. As long as you don’t invest more than you
can afford to lose and your business is carefully-planned, you can
minimize many of the risks and increase your chances of success.
About the Author
Stephanie Chandler is
a small business expert and the author of From Entrepreneur to
Infopreneur: Make Money with Books, E-Books and Information
Products. She is the founder of
BusinessInfoGuide.com,
a directory of resources for entrepreneurs and
ProPublishingServices.com, a custom writing business
specializing in electronic newsletters and copywriting for websites
and brochures.
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When love and skill work together, expect a
masterpiece. ~ John Ruskin |
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Upcoming Workshops and Teleclasses
Dream Maker Teleclass Series: How to Grow a List of Raving Fans
Okay, you put up a great Web site, but now what? Well you could hope someone
stops by to buy what you have to offer… But what if they like what
they see but instead of calling
you for an appointment or making a purchase, they decide to come back another
time.
Some will. But the overwhelming majority of potential customers or clients will
simply get busy and forget. (Sound familiar?)
The best way to promote your new service or product is to have a way to
communicate with the people who are the most interested in what it is you have
to offer. That’s why every entrepreneur doing business on the internet needs to
find a way to capture the names and email addresses of people who are interested
in learning more.
 Join
special guest expert and work-at-home multi-business entrepreneur Carrie
Wilkerson, AKA the Barefoot Executive, as she shares her winning strategies for
growing a list of prospective customers…. and raving fans!
Learn
more about Carrie Wilkerson and what she has to offer.
This
series is free to current members of the
Fast Track Your Dream
Community*. Non-members are welcome to
attend for $19 with all proceeds going to the non-profit
micro-grant organization TrickleUp.org**
What Would An Entrepreneur Do
Featuring Barbara Winter
Whatever your
reasons for starting your own business, you probably brought
something with you that you intended to leave behind, something
that's hindering your progress.
That unconscious
baggage is Employee Thinking. Most of us don't even know we've got
it- which makes changing it mighty difficult.
If you're like
most people, you've had years of conditioning to think like a good
employee-and almost no education about how to think like an
entrepreneur.
Unfortunately,
many of the things that make us Employee of the Month don't
translate at all in running our own business. As Paul Hawken warns
us, "Owning a business and working for one are as different as chalk
and cheese."
In this lively
daylong event, we'll uncover those unhelpful attitudes and behaviors
and show you how to starting seeing the world through
entrepreneurial eyes. And you've got a choice of two upcoming
locations.
The Ultimate Travel Writer’s
Workshop
 Over Three Power-Packed
Days, you’ll...
-
Learn the secrets
of writing travel articles you can sell from a group of the best
editors and writers in the business...
-
Discover
little-known techniques travel writers use to land concert
tickets... meals... vacations... and more... without paying a
dime...
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Walk away with a
short publishable article in hand... and the contact information for
editors we know who are happy to work with you, even if you've never
sold a story before…
-
See for yourself,
how you can have the time, adventure, and freedom you’re looking for
as a freelance travel writer…
The Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop
San Francisco, CA
July 24 – 26, 2008
Go here
ChangingCourse.com/recommends/travelconf
and for more details about this event, or contact Terry Frank toll-free
at (866) 415-1425 or local at (202)370-6459 from 8:00am-5:00pm Eastern
Standard Time.
*To
learn more about how you can fast track your dream of
working at what you love - and get a two month membership FREE - go to
ChangingCourse.com/fasttrackyourdream.htm
**A
portion of all revenue from this Teleclass will go to
support the entrepreneurial aspirations of impoverished
people in the US and internationally via the micro-grant
organization
TrickleUp.org
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Persistence of action comes from persistence of
vision. ~ Steve Pavlina |
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The View From
the
Other Side
"The key is to just get on
the bike, and the key to getting on the bike...is to stop thinking about
'there are a bunch of reasons I might fall off' and just hop on and peddle
the damned thing. You can pick up a map, a tire pump, and better footwear
along the way."
~ Dick Costolo, founder of Feedburner.com
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Resources for
a Change
The theme
for this week is Nurturing Young
Entrepreneurs. Maybe you know a young person in your life who
you want to inspire to think outside the job box before they even get
in. Or, you may be thinking about ways to get paid to turn your passion
for turning young people on to self-employment. Here are a few resources
to get you started.
Young Money Magazine
I’m about to buy a subscription to Young Money magazine for my business
major nephew, Todd (the one who, when I asked if he was going to start
his own business someday confidently informed me that “Most new
businesses fail”). I can’t vouch for the magazine but at $15.95 for a
six issues plus two free, it occurred to me that you might like to
inspire a young entrepreneur as well. (YoungMoney.com)
That’s where
I learned about the
Coleman
Foundation (ColemanFoundation.org)
which offers grants to registered non-profit organizations seeking to
foster entrepreneurship in disadvantaged youth. They say they primarily
award grants to organizations in the Chicago area, but if you look at
their list of grantees, it includes programs at various community
colleges around the country. Not associated with a community college?
Talk to someone in the business department about collaborating on a
grant and see what happens!
Helping Young Professionals Skip the Corporate
Grind
Grindhopping is
a Web site (Grindhopping.com)
and a book available at Amazon aimed at helping
young professionals
  skip
the long hours, low pay, and lackluster rewards
of entry-level corporate jobs and instead go directly to
starting their own
businesses,
freelancing, consulting, job-hopping, and networking their way to
success.
Author Laura Vanderkam is a full-time
writer and Grindhopper, a member of USA Today's board of contributors,
and a contributing editor at Reader's Digest. It looks like Laura is
also launching a college speaking tour. She has a great concept which,
in my
opinion, her Web site does not do justice to. If young professionals are
your niche market, there may be the possibility for some create
partnering here...
Note: Changing Course does not accept
paid advertisements from any of the resources listed here. This list is
provided to expand your thinking about just how many interesting ways there
are to make a living without a job!
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