Dalbey Education Institute

Shaun Boyd on "The Dangers of Working For A Living"

Below is an excerpt from a thought-provoking article by Shaun Boyd about being an employee versus being an entrepreneur. Shaun published this on the website www.lifereboot.com

Take a look. You might find his other articles at lifereboot.com interesting and inspiring as well. This blog is great too: http://www.lifereboot.com/2007/i-wish-i-could-play-piano/

Warmly,
Russ

Founder of Winning in the Cash Flow Business
Dalbey Education Institute 

The Dangers Of Working For A Living

June 09th 2007 by Shaun Boyd

Two people I know just lost their day jobs. One of them is in her late 20s, and the other is in her 50s. Regardless of their age difference, they are both recently unemployed, and are thus facing the same frightening question: What happens now?

The default reaction is to start looking for a new job.

This makes sense. After all, when you have a job you feel safe. You become acquainted with your routine of going to work and receiving a steady paycheck. So even when the job is stressful, unfair, or not enjoyable, you can always feel safe by reminding yourself: “It’s a paycheck.”

Wait a minute — this makes sense?

Selling yourself into indentured servitude just to feel safe make sense? Strong emphasis on the word feel because you’re not actually safe — not when your supposed safety zone can be vanquished with the simple phrase: “You’re fired.”

I know what you’re thinking — that won’t happen to you. You’re good at your job. You’re a hard worker that’s been with the organization for umpteen years. They’d be crazy to get rid of you. In other words, you feel safe.

Fact of the matter is, layoffs aren’t always made as a result of employee evaluations. Budget cuts, downsizing, buyouts and outsourcing are all circumstances that are economic, not personal — meaning your job is at risk even if you’re a model employee.

I’m certain that the two people who just lost their jobs imagined it would never happen to them, because while still employed, both of them suggested I apply to work for their respective employers.

It’s as if they felt sorry for me that I am unemployed, and wanted to help me by reaching out and including me in their safety zone — as if they were saying “Come on in Shaun, it’s safe here.”

Although I appreciated their kind gestures, I declined.

I had my own plans, and working for someone else didn’t mesh well with them — I wanted to work for myself.

LifeReboot.com is currently my only source of income. Some days I make as little as ten cents. Other days I make between five and ten dollars. I can’t pretend that I am unconcerned about finances — but I will proclaim that I am happily unemployed.

In other words, it feels empowering to be responsible for my own earnings. When I fail to publish new content to my blog, I notice a definite decrease in my site revenue. On the other hand, if I manage to write a popular article then my site revenue naturally increases.

By choosing to work for myself, I am made responsible for my own fate.

Admittedly, it’s challenging to accept this responsibility. If I fail, then it will be my fault. Consequently, I don’t always feel safe, I occasionally become discouraged, and the difficult path I have chosen often intimidates me.

By the same token, fear can be a powerful motivator. Since I don’t want to face that feeling of self-induced failure, I’m determined to succeed.

Being faced with a feeling of self-induced failure is probably the primary reason people are so anxious to work for someone else. What else could cause them to so willingly seek out jobs where they’re overworked, underpaid, and/or miserable?

“To feel safe” is not a valid reason for me anymore. I’d imagine someone that’s had the unfortunate experience of being unexpectedly fired would feel the same way — but I’ve learned that’s not true. The so-called need to “get a real job” has become so standard that people are evidently blind to alternatives, even after you’d expect them to have learned the hard way.

Fact of the matter is, there are alternatives, and if you’re courageous enough to embrace your inner genius and follow your life’s calling, you’re bound to find your own non-standard path of living.

Balancing your confidence against risk

Here’s an easy “math problem” you should calculate: what is your risk-to-confidence ratio?

You might be wondering what I’m talking about. Well, it’s actually a straightforward concept, and it’s something that everyone should take into account when starting their own business... or making any important decision that involves both reward and risk. Let me explain.

The number one ingredient needed for success is confidence: confidence in yourself, in your abilities, in your vision.

But, a rational and clear-headed awareness of the risks involved in tackling something new is just as important. And, you should analyze and determine what tools you’ll need to acquire or what steps you’ll need to take to overcome those risks or hurdles.

I’ve blogged before about building your confidence. And, I’ve written about the ways to prepare yourself for the risks in life (education, resources, mentors, etc.), no matter what the challenge. But which one is more critical to success?

On one hand, it’s very difficult to be a successful entrepreneur without confidence. But, being too confident can lead to costly mistakes and bad judgments, like over-extending and over-spending.

So, your risk-to-confidence ratio should be 50/50… an equal split. The two – risking the unknown versus your keen belief that nothing can stop you – must be balanced.

Know that you WILL overcome any challenges and create success, but have a plan, be well-informed and be prepared for what lies ahead.

Warmly,
Russ

Founder of Winning in the Cash Flow Business
Dalbey Education Institute

Love your work? If not...

I am a very lucky man. I count my blessings every day. I have a wonderful family, a happy marriage, and a beautiful son.

I also have a job that gives me profound purpose and pleasure. I love what I do. Having a career that is rewarding and fulfilling is one thing that I’m thankful for every day. But it wasn’t always like that for me.

The fact is that many people don’t love what they do. In fact, many people are just plain miserable in their jobs. And that, frankly, is very unfortunate… and unnecessary. You CAN love what you do. You CAN do what you love.

Why don’t more people love what they do for a living? Well, to my mind there are three reasons:

* They choose a career path based on what they thought they should do – or what others tell them they should do – instead of listening to what their own hearts, desires and instincts tell them to do.

* They are afraid to make a change and break out of old, familiar patterns that ultimately are dead ends.

* They haven’t asked – or perhaps even thought about – what it is that they love and really want to do.

It makes sense in a way. It’s easy to get so bogged down by the realities of life – the bills, the deadlines, all of the every day obligations we all face  – that we never stop to ask ourselves what it is that would make us truly happy and fulfilled.

If you’re not sure you’re in the right career, I have some suggestions to help you focus and perceive your situation. Once you’ve really taken an honest look at your life and career, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can make things change!

1. Take a break, and reflect. Modern society pressures us to always be “doing something” or going somewhere that we don’t slow down. But remember, it’s in those quiet moments that you can step back and address questions like: What do I love to do? How do I want to spend my day? What gives me pleasure and makes me feel productive and successful?

These kinds of questions you rarely think about can lead to some valuable revelations. Ask and answer these questions from your heart and without fear.

2. Make a list. I am a big fan of goal setting and writing it all down to see it and make it stick. That concept works here as well. Make a two-column list. On one side, list your skills/strengths; on the other, write down your interests (the things you love, enjoy doing).

There’s not much point in thinking “Oh, I’d love to be a lion tamer,” or “I’m interested in being an astronaut” if you don’t have the skills. Your interests/skills list will help you visually see how your skills and your interests intersect. Use it to develop a realistic game plan to pair the two up and decide on a fulfilling career.

3. Follow your bliss. When you know what you want, and once you have a course of action, something amazing happens… the fear is gone. Because when you are doing what YOU love and you have passion and direction, there is nothing to be afraid of. Now, all you have to do is channel that energy to take you where you want to go.

Sometimes the process of finding your ideal life can take a while. Most people can’t just decide to quit their jobs just because they don’t love them; there are bills to pay, kids to feed.

But getting the process going is the important thing, because taking action to consider what you want from life creates momentum, and momentum leads to movement that creates change. One day you will be able to achieve your goals, but you can’t do that without taking the first steps to conceive of a plan.

Once you’ve hit on the life and career that you love, you’ll wake up every morning with a sense of passion and purpose. You will have no dread. You will have no fear. You will feel energy flowing through your body like an electric current. You will look forward to your job.

And your work won’t be work… it’ll simply be a big part of your life that you truly enjoy… something that you are grateful to be able to do every day.
 
Warmly,
Russ

Founder of Winning in the Cash Flow Business
Dalbey Education Institute

Investing in "Digital Education" to improve the world

I came across an article about Mexican businessman Carlos Slim. This billionaire plans to use his wealth to contribute a quarter-million laptop computers to Mexico’s children by the end of the year; he plans to donate a whopping one million by 2008. Wow… that’s fantastic!

Slim feels that providing “digital education” to the poor is the key to allowing Mexico’s financially-disadvantaged population create success. I agree.

Another thing I liked about this story is what Slim says about his professional or business activity not being incompatible with his personal or family life. This is true! In fact, I’d go even further and say that how you conduct yourself in your personal life, and more to the point, the values that you live by in your personal life, should also guide you in your professional life.

Check out the article about how one business mogul has decided to help bring more equality to the world here:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MEXICO_BILLIONAIRE?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

By the way, on a semi-related note, I’d like to mention that the Dalbey Education Institute sponsored a campaign where just last month we held a computer recycling drive, right here in our office parking lot.

I was really pleased that we were able to help safely dispose of 14,000 pounds of our community's old computer and electronic equipment. Why did we do this?

Well, here are the facts about computer disposal:

• More than 315 million computers became obsolete by the year 2004, containing an estimated 1.2 billion pounds of lead, 2 million pounds of cadmium, 400,000 pounds of mercury and 1.2 million pounds of hexavalent chromium. If improperly handled or disposed, these toxins can be released into the environment through landfill leach or incinerator ash.

• In addition to toxic hazards, computer hardware often contains materials that can be reused or recycled. In just one year, more 112 million pounds of valuable materials – such as steel, glass, and precious metals - were reclaimed from disposed electronics for recycling and reuse.

Our event was such a success that we’re planning on hosting another one in September.

Environmental stewardship is something I believe in strongly. Responsible recycling of computer hardware is just one small way we can all help minimize our impact on our priceless environment.

Warmly,
Russ

Founder of Winning in the Cash Flow Business
Dalbey Education Institute

Financial advice for college grads... and everyone else.

Being financially secure is one thing. Being financially savvy is another. And, believe me, you are never too young to learn (or too old!) how to manage your money.

The Today Show recently ran a story that gave financial tips for recent college graduates. The story presented a lot of good advice on how to manage new financial responsibilities, like paying rent and bills for the first time, savings accounts, paying back student loans, and learning to live on a budget.

But some of these tips are spot on for anyone looking to live smarter and richer.

Take a look: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/19461136/

Warmly,
Russ

Founder of Winning in the Cash Flow Business
Dalbey Education Institute