The truth is, most of us will spend the majority of our adult lives at our jobs. Working the standard 40 hours a week, you'll spend 62,400 hours at work over a 30 year career (not counting overtime). That’s a lot of time...In fact, the only thing you’ll do more over the next 30 years is SLEEP!
Since 2013 I've been working as a solo entrepreneur. I used my skills in the fields of animation and video production to start my own business, Jump-Start Video (www.jumpstartvideo.net). In just a few short years, it grew from a side job to a thriving business, and it all happened through good, old fashioned hustle and a determination
to make my work life work for me. Now, I spend my time running my business and creating content to help others work to live and enjoy more career independence.
Live the Life You Want
Here are 5 key ingredients to flipping your work life on its head and making sure you get to live the life you really want to live:
1.) Define your goals and values (then write them down)
You might think you know what’s most important to you, but have you ever truly defined those things? Have you made a list of what you want to do and what values drive that desire? The pen has power, and when we write things down they sound like a promise. Create accountability with your inner-self by purposefully setting goals that are in line with your core values. And bear in mind, if you can’t live something out, it must not be that important to you.
2.) Determine what it will take to achieve your goals
The only thing that stands between you and your goals is the action you haven’t taken yet. Setting goals is one thing, but devising a plan to achieve them is what makes them attainable. Layout a plan that includes practical steps you can take along the way. Give yourself a mini-goal to achieve every day that will lead to the finish line. The only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time - so get your fork and get to work.
3.) Start using your existing skills
Regardless of your current career, ask yourself this question...What are my greatest skills? The fact is, you will be more successful, more fulfilled, and much happier if you’re using your greatest skills everyday. Defining and using your natural skills and learned abilities will ensure that you always have value in the marketplace, as well as ongoing career satisfaction. After all, no one is unhappy when they’re doing something they’re good at!
4.) Figure out how to serve people with your skillset
Don’t think about how to make money just yet. Before you can ever make a dime, you need to first figure out how to serve people. The true key to monetizing skills is seeking to serve others well. Then, putting a price tag on that service will be easy, and people will be happy to pay you for it! Money is nothing more than a certificate of appreciation for a job well done. Serve others well, and you’ll always have customers!
5.) Take calculated risks every day
Whether it’s in life or business, you’ll never do anything of value without first taking a risk. We’re not talking about being reckless, but rather putting yourself out there in a way that makes failure a real possibility. Can there really be success without the possibility of failure? If we want to break the mold in our working lives, things are going to get messy - and we have to be okay with that. Do something that scares you, stand toe-to-toe with challenges you’ve avoided before, and make your life count. Your best education will come from the real world. So, get out there and take more risk!
Stop trying to cram a little life into the space that’s left at the end of your work week, and start working to live the life you truly want. The only person who can make it happen is you!
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For more from Joel, you can subscribe to his YouTube channel (worktolive.tv) or visit his website (joelyoung.me) to read weekly blogs.
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