About a week ago Tony from Budget and the Beach wrote a post called “Why I stopped looking for a full-time job.” In it she basically talks about how her search for a full-time job had come to a halt and the reasons why. This post really resonated with me because I had been dealing with my own feet-dragging approach to job search. I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been unhappy with my job. Not because it’s a bad job-but, because I’ve worked the job for too long. So, when someone makes a declaration like that you would assume that I would be burning the pavement trying to find a new job. Well…Every year I would half-heartedly put in resumes for positions that I was qualified for and basically nothing would come from it.
At the same time I had really begun questioning how I wanted to live my life. About 3 years ago- ironically around the same time I had begun to half-heartedly blog and read about other people’s personal journeys I started to realize that how I was living my life wasn’t ideal for me. I had no problem with working hard, helping others, being accountable, and meeting deadlines. I did have a problem with other people being in charge of my daily movements (not bodily-gross!) I had begun to resent the fact that I couldn’t vacation when I wanted to, or go and visit my grandma (who lives in another state) when I felt like it. I wanted to volunteer. I resented not being able to exercise during the day, or do other things that would improve my life.
Then, I began to think about The Future. I wanted to get married and have kids. I didn’t want to work for someone else when I had kids but I DID want to be doing something that was fulfilling and made money while I was at home. Clearly, finding another job now wasn’t going to work. I have decided to seriously begin working on launching my freelancing career.
I want to work remote.
This is big. I had been saying for 3 years that I didn’t want to work for someone else. I wasn’t listening to myself. I was telling myself what I wanted for a longtime. As I blog I find that it’s almost like a meditation. I can’t help but “hear” what I’m saying because I’m writing down my thoughts. I am thinking all the time about what I want and how I feel. I feel trapped. I live in a place where a TON of people have managed to transition to working remotely. Why can’t I? Isn’t it great that I’ve stumbled upon a number of mentors such as: Michelle, Cat, Tonya, Jason, and more who are doing exactly what I’ve envisioned myself doing.
There is one other little thing that I have to deal with. My debt. It’s not so little. So, I will continue working my job and working like a Rock Star. So that I can pay off my debt, grow a freelancing situation, and develop a remote work situation. I will have to suck up the fact that I bitched and moaned for so long about not being happy at work. Strangely enough I’ve become A LOT happier at work because I now a have a sense of direction and I’m being honest about what I want. It also helps that several toxic individuals no longer work there.
By the way, I’m kind of scared. Really. This is a big freaking deal to go after what I really want and to be unapologetic about it. It’s scary to do something that’s out of the norm. But, I don’t want to be like everyone else. This is my life.
The other thing that I’ve observed is that even though all of the people I’ve mentioned who are working for themselves are working their a@@es off-they seem to be so much more productive, creative, fulfilled, and strangely enough-they seem to be making a lot more money than I am working my job. Just saying.
So, my current goal is to try and match or exceed my monthly income by this time next year. I would like to do this via online endeavors only and any offline side hustle money would not be considered in that goal. It would be the icing on the cake. As I apparently don’t make a lot of money I think this is a doable goal.
I have put myself on a 2 1/2 year trajectory to get my debt paid and grow my business. I think this is manageable and it gives me a clear end game.
Time Frame obviously it will change!
December 24, 2012-transitioned blog from Blogger to WordPress. I’m paying for this shit! It’s getting real
June 2013-August 2013-Starting working on Side Hustles averaged $475-$800
September 1, 2013-Launched “It Started With Lip Gloss” with Tonya from Budget and the Beach-not a pf blog. Branching out the brand.
October 2013-FinCon13 Hope to make some Affiliate/Business connections
November 1, 2013-Launching niche site. Had worked on this half-heartedly before but this time I know what will work!
December 24, 2013-One year blogging Anniversary-Am hoping to be credit card debt free. This is a huge goal. Not sure that it’s possible. Going to try anyway.
Sometime in the Fall of 2013-Meet The One!! Am working on it 🙂
January 1, 2014-Apply as much extra money as possible to Student Loans. I have two! Would like to pay one off by January 1, 2015. Not sure if that’s possible. Will work my ass off.
I am very excited about finally working towards something that I really, really want. When was the last time you changed your life trajectory? Especially if you were doing something that wasn’t the norm? Do you have any advice?
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That’s exciting! You’ve set a goal, now the hard work begins. Good luck!
It’s a huge goal with many subgoals. But hey, right now I’m single-what else am I going to do??LOL!
I loved this post. I will be looking to get some affiliate connections at fincon too! I’ll see you there for sure. All of my blogging income has come from http://www.budgetinginthefunstuff.com/ under the “Crystal for hire” tab (her name is Crystal too)! But I’m looking to increase blogging income too, oh and that meet Mr. Right thing is on my list too! Good luck!
Thanks! I’ve set a pretty high bar for myself…but, I’ve been achieving the “low” bar so it’s time to step it up. I have been working diligently on the Mr. Right Project and have met a lot of great guys. Am starting to believe more and more than he is out there AND that there are a lot of great guys out there. They aren’t all taken!
I love working for myself but if it would be perfect, I wouldn’t have to commute and would stay at home all day.
The commute that I do is BRUTAL. Mr. Money Mustache lives in Colorado and I think that commute is what has partially inspired his anti-commute belief system!
I think that’s an awesome goal to have. I definitely like the idea of being able to freelance and make income when I decide to have a family. Who knows what the future holds!
Thanks! I am quite honestly scared, freaked out and intimidated by this goal. But, having other people care for my future children scares me more. Am looking forward to seeing what I’m able to do.
I loved reading this! About a year and a half ago, Kyle and I made the decision to start building our own business and we are currently in the works of expanding our dream/vision in another way online. It’s so awesome to read about someone else who has a similar drive. 🙂
Advice? I’d only like to speak from my own experiences… While I have absolutely no regrets for the path we are on, know that you will receive a ton of criticism, you will probably doubt yourself at times and your struggles are going to be much greater.
People will criticize you because they will not understand and it goes against the norm. I’ve learned that if you don’t want to be where everyone else is in life, you have to be willing to do something different!
You will probably doubt yourself. If you’re anything like me, this path goes against everything else you’ve been taught in life. Stick to your guns and remember why you got started.
You’re struggles will be much greater, but I see this as extremely positive. “The greater the struggle the greater the victory.”
“Today I will do what others won’t so tomorrow I can live like others can’t.”
Congrats on working towards what YOU want. I have full faith that you already have everything you need within you to accomplish everything you want to do! I’m excited to read more about your journey. 🙂
I woke up this morning had a bit of a crazy start checked my phone and saw this AMAZING comment. For a long time I’ve felt like I was traveling the road of life alone and without a lot of support. I really, really appreciate your advice, your support, and your belief that I can do it. Part of why it has taken me so long to start on this is because of self-doubt and listening to other people’s criticisms. No more! Again, a huge thank you! You made my day 🙂
Good luck Michelle! I find myself in the same situation now as my position was eliminated and I was demoted. Only, I don’t think I can stick it out for 2 1/2 more years. Hell, I don’t think I can make it through the next 3 months until my baby is born. Here’s to you reaching your goals. Good luck!
I am sending good vibes your way. I have faith that everything will work out. Take a walk, stay calm, and take a picture of the baby when it’s born 🙂 Find out about unemployment and other services asap. Thanks for taking the time to wish me luck-you will get through this!
Great post, Michelle! It’s important to know where you are headed and I think it’s important to have a plan in place that helps you going! I have a plan too. I am working towards paying off my debt and I will then start saving for my travels (as in a year or two travelling money). I love that I have this motivation, it really helps me work harder on becoming debt free! Good luck with all your goals, Michelle!
God I love to travel!! I will travel until a grumpy cute little old lady that handsome young men help cross the street. I am really motivated..and it helps that the weather is getting colder. Basically, I will be inside staying warm and not spending any money. Eva, it’s going to be great to read your I’m traveling for 2 years post!
That was helpful! But putting that in action is quite difficult..Btw I love what you write! You are such an inspiration.
It is going to be a pain in the butt doing 1/2 of these things. But, I’m up for the challenge. Thanks for the kind words 🙂
I finally freaked out at work and quit. When I was younger I had worked for myself as a freelance writer and I had owned my own business before. Back in 2010 it got really slow so I sucked it up and went and got a JOB. I was good at my JOB and I made a better than decent salary and was able to support my family and never had to farm the baby out to a sitter — or worse — daycare, but the whole time in the back of my mind I knew I wanted to go back to being my own woman.
Long story short, we downsized. I got my monthly nut down as small as I could. I had intended to keep working for another 3 months…..but, that was my problem. It was always, “another 3 months, another 3 months….” until I lost my mind at work one day and walked out. lol
You’ve got the goals, the smarts and the attitude, when you’re ready to jump, you’re gonna do great! Just make sure you remember to take the jump before you tell your boss off.
Melissa, thank you so much for the support and encouragement. I think you hit the nail on the head with the “another 3 months” comment. I think that I’ve done that for years. At this point I finally have very well defined goals for myself professionally and personally and have finally created a sustainable path to success and self-employment. I am both good and bad at my job. I’m good at all of the logistics and tasks that I must do in my job. However, I find that I am not as patient as I need to be to work with my clients. I do think this is attributed to the length of time in the job. At this point if I’m able to pay things down faster than I anticipated and save more then I will take the leap probably a little earlier than I originally planned.
Don’t give up on your goals! Btw, you are HOT!
Thanks for the encouragement and the kind words. You made my day!