Getting paid for working for free
 

Hi,

Gordon has written for years about how one way to identify what you should be doing as a career is to track what you do for free.

Why?

Because there's always a way to be well paid for the same activities you're willing to do for free.

So I suggest keeping a diary of what you voluntarily do for an entire weekend. Update it every half hour. Then analyze it.

Say one of your entries was "Cooked meal for family." Ask "What kind of person would want to do that?" Answers might be "Someone who enjoys entertaining" or "Someone who enjoys showing off" or "Someone with the ability to assemble desirable products" or "Someone who loves to improve other people's lives." Those answers would describe you, and you may never have thought of yourself like that.

Look for common threads in your descriptions of yourself. If the most common description of yourself that arises is "Someone who enjoys showing off," think of the highest paid venues for "someone who enjoys showing off."

Hope this was useful...

-Boyd

Success is much easier when you enjoy what you're doing....
 

Hi Boyd...

Thanks for that, I think it's great advice.... :) I think TRULY being successful often does require "work", but if you love what you're doing it doesn't seem like work any more, and it's much easier to be successful....

I've seen this with Ph.D. students in physics. Some people who start their Ph.D. succeed, but others drop out.... I've noticed that those who don't really seem to be enjoying the research they're doing often have the biggest trouble completing their Ph.D.s.

So when people who are thinking of doing a Ph.D. ask me for my advice, I always advise them that the number one thing they MUST do is to pick a topic of research they are INTERESTED in! (The second most important thing is to pick a Ph.D. advisor they can work with, since personality clashes can also cause problems for some....)

But if you enjoy what you're doing, you'll enjoy putting in the work that's required....

I feel it's probably the same with entrepreneurial activities too.... It's much easier to succeed if you enjoy what you're working on.... :)

Dien

Re: Getting paid for working for free
 

Hello Boyd!

Sure is great to see you posting! I have missed you!

This weekend was extra hectic, with the highlight being a Memorial Service for people who have lost babies. Sounds ironic that this was a highlight, but I lost my first child at birth. I later went on to lead the group that was hosting this event, so when I return to the big events, it is with great warmth I am received. I get LOTS of hugs and get to follow up with the families whose lives I have had the privilege of being with during a traumatic times in their lives.

> Because there's always a way to be well paid
> for the same activities you're willing to do
> for free.

***As a leader, I was coaching families through their grief. As a newsletter editor for their newsletter for five years, I was preparing for being the editor of "Discovering Your Passion" and my numerous other publications.

> So I suggest keeping a diary of what you
> voluntarily do for an entire weekend. Update
> it every half hour. Then analyze it.

***One of the Moms I have known for many years started crying at the podium. I told her later, "Laura, tears are a good thing. Sharing Parents taught me to cry authentically. It was an excellent lesson." Then she thought about it some more, and we talked and analyzed some more. It was a great lesson, for both of us.

> Hope this was useful...

***Sparked some thoughts for me, Boyd!

THANK YOU!

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE

> -Boyd




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