Cheap Inspiration.

I turn thirty this July. The milestone doesn't phase me much but I am using it as a mid-year marker to get some things done that made there way to the bottom of the list in 2011 in favor of other urgent, necessary items and some spontaneous whims.

A few of the items on my list are investments in professional development. I never have trouble dropping money on these items or carving out time for them. There is always room in my budget for a new workshop and time in my schedule to learn from my peers.

There is a gross inequity in the way I treat the other items on my list, the personal ones and specifically the utterly self-serving and absolutely critical to my well-being ones, they always draw the short straw. But not in 2012. And here's why.

It is January and the ground is brown here in northern New Hampshire so I decided to borrow a bike trainer and get a jump on training to knock one item off the list, the Rev3 Olympic Distance Tri in the summer of 2012. When I picked up the trainer from my friend Sarah we got to talking about the event. I mentioned that I hadn't officially registered yet. No, I wasn't intimidated by the training or the .9 mile swim in the Atlantic. My hold up, spending $115 to compete in something just for the fun of it.

Sarah's smiled and said, "$115 is cheap inspiration, just do it".

She is absolutely right. When I register for a professional development workshop I sign up, carve out the time and go because I paid for it, because I'll learn something, meet a new contact and come back inspired to push myself in the office.

Being outside, pushing my physical and mental limits makes me a better person, feeds my creativity and productivity. And, I don't think I am alone. So as you look forward this year what items on your personal list will prioritize to challenge yourself, to connect a sense of adventure and accomplishment, to spark your creativity? Whatever you choose, make it count, make it epic.

“There is a certain part of all of us that lives outside of time. Perhaps we become aware of our age only at exceptional moments and most of the time we are ageless.”

And there you have it. Game On

You have registered for the 2012 Rev3 Maine

A copy of your receipt has been emailed to you.

Event Confirmation #

60592777-010512171833

Date

Sunday, August 26, 2012 @ 7:00 AM

Address

Old Orchard Beach, ME

Purchase

Alexandra (Sasha) Eisele - Olympic Rev - USAT Member

"I just want to work for myself" - Why the grass is sometimes greener

Recently a friend wrote me to ask how I make it work, referring to working for myself. He is justifiably frustrated by the dynamics in his work environment and looking for a way out. He is also a talented artist who would love to make a go at turning his part-time painting gigs into a full time venture. I hope he reads this - I think he has the talent and drive to make it happen.
His inquiry got me thinking about the challenges of working for yourself, the realities between the appealing bullet points of self-employment.

So here is what I have to say to anyone considering a shift to self employment...

Don't be so quick to only see green grass on the self-employed side of the fence. I love working for myself, it works for me, it supports the lifestyle I am excited about but here are drawbacks to consider and honest realities of dark side of self-employment...

-Success will require you to be the hardest boss you have ever worked for.

-Higher taxes.

-Wrestle with the fact you will never afford the kind of health insurance you had when you worked for a company...you will settle for basic coverage you pay too much for and family plans - forget about it

-No paid holidays, sick days or vacation. You take time off ...you don't make money.

-When you screw up there is no one to blame but yourself

-No IRA contributions

-Be prepared to work 2 + years before really making any money

-Realize that your business is YOU so it doesn't really ever get turned off (ie: trip to Peru...computer comes, emails are answered and that's vacation)

-When work is insane you don't get to run, play, visit with your spouse until the work is done

-If you don't have a spouse who is bought into the entirety of the plan above you will also contend with that

-Plan to spend less then you ever thought you would - dinners out, buying the smaller house, not buying a new car, holding off on major purchases until your business is stable.

The upside....

If you can handle the discipline required
If you can figure out the expenses of running a business
If you want flexibility
(read periods of intense work and then down time)
If the idea of kicking your own ass beats someone kicking it for you

.....you can do it.


It will be hard. You will get frustrated. There will be times you have no clue where the money is going to come from. You will have months where a day off means you don't have meetings but your read email before going for a run, answer a call while on it and check email again before bed.

If all of that is still agreeable. Find what you you love and go for it. If being my own boss has taught me anything it is that you don't have sit in a job you hate.