Having the correct mindset: Even a "Day Job" is a business
A wise man once told me, "When you are looking for employment, you are in business for yourself. You are an Independent Contractor." That wise man is my father, and it stuck with me throughout my life.
The Problem
All too often the mentality about "jobs" and money is skewed, mostly conditioned into a person at a young age and propagated by "societal norms" and personal influence. Typically, the attitude is "how can I get more money?" or "Man, I really do not want to go to work, but I need money." This fosters an interdependent mindset and soon a person is finding themselves struggling and miserable, just trying to provide for their five basic needs and do the same for their child(ren) if they have them; those who become dependent are also, likely to become complacent and compliant.
For most reading this, I might be pointing out the obvious, however, our attitudes on what we ourselves do in our life has such a bearing on our circumstance; whether that is a negative or a positive. I read somewhere that most of those who built a large fortune (in honest ways) had hit rock bottom, were perhaps on the street, before they were successful. They figured that the only way they could go was up.
There are countless examples of historical figures who had failed several times, before they succeeded in their pursuits. It is the attitude that sets them apart from those who struggle; attitude and persistence.
Consider this thought for a moment: "Man, I really want to make some money online, but I just do not believe it is possible." Or how about this: "I love to write stories, but I just never have the time because I am stuck with a job that has me working 10 to 12 hours a shift. I am always tired and never have any time for myself." (I know, sounds depressing, and it is because that was in my subconscious dragging me down, not long ago.) The point is that poor attitudes are what lead to constant struggle and or conflict.
The Solution
The first step in improving your situation is personal examination of your past choices, decisions, and actions; admit the bad and not take for granted the good. The best thing concerning the past is to learn from it. History is important because the generations after some terrible thing happened, like wars, etc. are likely going to avoid the poor decisions that led to blood shed, if they know and learn about it and understand ALL aspects. The same applies to personal history.
So many people complain, but if they would stop complaining and do something to change their situation for the better, they would likely see positive results; it could be seemingly small, like a person letting you know that there is some employment opportunity somewhere. The trick is, when praying for things or whatever it might be that you do, you must be ready to receive, that means watching out for those opportunities. It means paying attention and being receptive to information someone may be giving you; that is not to imply that you must accept what they say, but, it means after asking them questions that arise and getting good answers, to consider checking it out for yourself. Many, if not all here got here because we were looking for it.
Staying consistent and persistence is key to defeating obstacles and adversity. Dealing with challenges, no matter how tough they may be, builds character; however, what you do with it is yours no matter what.
Practical Ideas
One idea that might work is to work on budgeting your money, make a list of expenses, come up with ways to take in more than you spend. Also, I do not consider my monthly membership here as a bill or expense, but instead look at it as an investment. Think of it as putting your money to work for you. Our most important commodity in our lives is time, because you cannot replace it.
Truly, it is our time that we are trading when it comes to "making a living" because each and every Individual human being is living their own lives for themselves. The best thing to make sure of is to not become a burden upon others. That is "contributing to society". Guard and use your time wisely.
On that latter point, consider this scenario: you are working diligently on your website and you have ran into some issue that has to be handled outside of your control. What do you do while waiting? Maybe you were working on content and had something really good written. A good thing to do would be to copy and paste it to a word document or whatever you use outside of your website, then save it.
Now, you have it and can keep writing in that document until you are finished; I know this might seem like common sense, but sometimes it is frustrating to learn the hard way. There are many times I can remember that I had something good written and I lost it all; that sucks.
There are a variety of ways to use time while waiting for some issue to get ironed out. One thing might be just to step away from it for a bit. It is important not to let something that you love doing become "work". (A side note: I am not "working" on this blog post, I am practicing my craft of writing. Having an income from that is an added bonus, but I will do it regardless.)
Conclusion
There is probably quite a bit more I can cover on having the right mindset and attitude towards what one does in their life. When considering what I have covered, it is important to note that it really never is about the money, but what that money can be used for. To have the Freedom to actually live life is very important. In the days of the frontier in America, people were very resourceful because they had to be to survive.
They were independent because they would not last long depending on someone else and it was expected that a person did for themselves. Those who were out to do harm, directly or indirectly, did not last long.
Today, is really no different and it takes determination, imagination, independence, and courage, etc, to make the life you desire to live. Last but certainly not least, it takes action. It begins with having the proper mindset towards the types of things one seeks to better their life.
Take what is useful from my words and discard what is not. I love sharing ideas so feel free to give me yours or elaborate on any I have given. It is always a "work" in progress; for me anyways, though I don't think of it as work.
Thanks for reading
-I am always open to suggestions on improving what I write. Please, leave any comments, questions, suggestions. Also, I am open to PM. Thanks for reading and have a great Day/Night.
Chris K.
Recent Comments
13
Really enjoyed your post and your right we need to be thinking outside the box for much depends on our mindset to though I still have a ways to go I am committed to this venture for the long haul so far I feel I have learned so much and has changed the way I see being employed etc
It does me good to see that and it sounds like you have a great understanding of what I wrote. This means a lot to me because that means you have been able to find value in my words.
It is good that you are sticking with it; never give up, that is the best thing I can say, even though it is easier said then done. I, too, have learned a great deal. I have finally come up with two domain names and I am beginning to work on my first website; I had others started when I was here last year, however, they were deleted when I canceled.
That is alright though, I had not gotten very far and I believe that something outside of myself (Spirit, my Creator, God?) might saying to begin again with a clean slate. Everything that happens has a purpose. I no longer, if I ever did, believe in coincidence(s) and what we think, feel, say and do has a great deal of bearing in what takes place in our lives.
Stick with it and you will gain a great amount of positive results.
Thank-you for the time you took to read and give your words of encouragement. All the best,
Chris K.
I think you're right on some points. Too many people are not willing to go the extra 10 steps which basically makes your day much easier.
I consider myself as a business. some periods I earn money on my own customers other I earn money on others' customers, but no matter where or what I do, I always do that little bit extra even if my colleagues do not.
For me it is an ingrained part of the entrepreneurial spirit
Yeah, and because those customers know who they can come to for something they find of value, they return to you for what you offer them. The money is a means of exchange and that is it.
I agree with you about going the extra steps. To be successful in any activity a person involves themselves with, they must be willing to put all of there effort into it. If a person's heart is not in what they are involved in, they are less likely to succeed.
What you describe about the entrepreneurial spirit is the very definition of the word "entrepreneur". I would say you have the proper mindset I was describing in the post. You likely would not be doing it if you did not love what you do.
Best of luck to you on your endeavors and enterprise.
Thank-you for reading and comment,
Chris K.
As I said, the funny thing is, once you have learned to always do a little extra to be a little more patient so it actually becomes much easier.
I think the reason is that you are prepared to do what it takes every time
This is true. I am thinking, in my experience, it is doing that to build confidence. I learned a motto long ago that I live by: "Slow is smooth, Smooth is fast."
In other words, take it slow, get smoother at it, and you gain steady speed. Soon, when you show someone how you do it, they will tell you "Wow, you make it seem so easy."
I find it interesting the different view that one takes when it comes to doing something they enjoy and love doing. It makes life a bit more pleasant to live.
Chris K.
This is a fine post Chris. It appears that you have been inspired to write it. It's true that we need to learn from past mistakes. Pray for guidance to achieve our goals. And don't ignore the answers when our prayers are answered.
Best of luck
Darrell
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I enjoyed reading your post with useful info.Thanks for sharing your opinion.