In my most recent posts, I have written about improving your business and marketing, but today I want to start right at the beginning. This post will be beneficial to someone looking to make major life and career changes. Like starting and transitioning to a business owner or starting a side gig first before fully transitioning. For some, it may just be creating new streams of income to make you less dependent on your weekly or monthly pay check.
Maybe you’re really getting tired of the 9 to 5 “rat race” and are thinking about chucking it for your own business. Everybody keep asking you why you have not monetized your skills yet, because they believe you do it well enough to turn it into a business. This has spurred you to begin thinking about these possibilities but there is still that inner reluctance.
However, you can’t seem to get it out of your mind. You keep thinking about it because you know that you’ll never be financially where you want to be with a weekly or monthly paycheck. But the question of “how” keeps popping up!
Before you pack in that paycheck, this is the time to evaluate yourself and your future, this will take some real, down to heart honesty that is required to change your life for the better, so let’s start.
Did you know that you have the potential to do and be anything you want? People have different perceptions of an ideal life, and it ranges from obtaining financial freedom to as simple as owning a new pair of sneakers or finding the love of your life, for some it is being able to travel the world on their own terms. Unfortunately, many fail to reach their aspirations because they can’t get a solid, clear picture of the goal in their mind. Check out this post where I spoke about this. Once you have a clear picture of your goal you are a lot closer to it than ever.
Getting a clear picture of your goal is important, so why not take the next few days and embark on a soul searching journey that will be a life-changing experience. Get a pad and pencil, you may need to seclude yourself from distatctions and start with this:
KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU DESIRE – Be specific, then focus all your efforts on that particular desire you have. This is important because those who always change their minds and those who give up easily when the going gets tough may never get anywhere with this. So you really have to know what you are aiming at. If you’re a bit confused and aren’t sure about what you really desire in life, answer these simple but thought provoking questions:
- What makes your heart filled with excitement?
- What do you enjoy doing with or without a pay?
- What are you constantly thinking of day and night?
- What do you enjoy talking about with others?
- What do you enjoy learning about?
Write down all your possible answers to the above questions. Write down everything, no matter how silly or unimportant it seems. Put all your desires on paper that answers any of the above questions.
> When that’s done, take a break to reflect on the things you wrote.
> Pick out three of the five items, the ones that interest you the most especially the ones that relates with what you already do in your 9 to 5. Usually, some of the things you wrote down will be interrelated. That makes it easy for you to narrow them down to three.
> Now, evaluate and choose with your heart, not your mind, the one and only thing worthy to spend all your time and resources on which brings out the best in you.
Let me create a scenario as an example, you may come up with something like, “I desire to be a Midfielder for Arsenal FC.” If you’re over 30 I’d say that may not be a viable choice, but you could do something related to football or sports. How about starting a sports publication? Or perhaps a sporting goods retail business, maybe right an eBook related to your sport interest, or even a gym could be the answer. You can always read books and surf the internet to help you refine the ideas around your desire.
The most important thing to remember, no matter how “pie in the sky” it seems, to USE YOUR HEART. Others may disagree with you, but you should be firm with what you really want. Others may offer comments or advice, but the final decision is always yours to make. You should concentrate on what you desire, not what others want you to desire. A word of caution is, whatever idea you will be taking on, make sure it is something that adds value to people, either making them happier, improving their lives or solving their problems. Basically, the keyword is “VALUE”. Whatever idea you will be pursuing to fulfil your desire, if it is value driven then you can win and win big!
Remember you only get one shot at living your life. There are no replays and you don’t get to do it over. You may not do it right, but at least you’re doing it. Too many lives have been lived in quiet desperation waiting until – until they had saved a nest egg, until the children are out of school, until I retire, and they depart this life before “until” ever arrives.
Don’t go to sleep tonight without making a decision on WHAT YOU REALLY WANT IN LIFE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
Then spend a few days evaluating how to make it possible and make a living at it, Please read my previous post to get clarity on this. Begin living intentionally everyday – try not to leave anything to be done next week, next month, or next year.
There will always be bills, challenging times etc – but there will only be one life for you to live. It can’t be put on “hold”! If you plan this well, you can be in a position where you are far ahead of the challenges and bills.
The final outcome of your efforts may be in the future, but you’re living each day by taking steps toward that outcome. Please rate and share this post if you find it valuable.
Wishing you a most pleasant weekend, and get some rest ahead of the new week.