HuaiYangRen

If you’re not on good terms with your boss and the company is downsizing, merging, or being bought out, you can help them avoid the unpleasantness and cost of firing you.  You are actually doing them a favor by restructuring this in the form of a contract for services that can be “stretched out” for a period of time if needed.

Frankly, if an employer has to choose between lettings you go and paying severance and benefits versus signing a contract for a time period, which do you, think they’d prefer?  Signing and getting tangible work and services in return without the costs associated with terminating you is a much better deal for him.  The contract may even be allocated from a different budget category, making it more affordable for the company.

There’s another reason your boss may opt for a contract, and that is your knowledge.  You are already familiar with the company, its clients and services.  You’re able to provide the services they need and you understand what has to be done. Many creative people have used this logic in approaching their bosses to negotiate their first contract and go out on their own.

If you’re interested in starting your own business your current job can provide the security you need in your first year.  What better way to get started on your dream?

Hopefully, you took my advice last week and you have a handy-dandy list now of what you want to do.  We know you want to start your own business; hopefully you now know what it will be.

Being used to a steady paycheck from a regular job, with a family or other financial obligations, makes stepping out of your comfort zone a little risky.  It doesn’t seem to matter how miserable you are in that job, the alternative scares the pants off many of us.  There is a safer way of jumping off that cliff and it entails your current boss.

Your employer could be your ticket to a successful freelance business, if his business doesn’t conflict with your dreams.  If you were thinking of starting a freelance copywriting business, you could negotiate a contract with your current employer for 50% of your time for the first year after you leave.  This would give you a springboard for finding other clients while still covering your monthly expenses.

You’re probably wondering about now, why your employer would agree to sign a contract for half of your time?  There are a number of reasons, and they can result in a “win-win” situation for both of you.

If you’re on good terms with your employer, chances are he doesn’t want to lose you.  It takes time to train someone to fill your job and train them to the company’s way of being productive.

Even if he decides to replace you, it can take months to gather resumes, interview candidates, and hire the right person.  During that time you can be performing job functions from your home office, perhaps even training your replacement and providing your boss with a smoother transition by minimizing the disruption to his business.

Now you may wind up with something like, “I want to play quarterback for the RAMS.”  If you’re over 20 I’d say that isn’t too viable a choice, but you could do something related to football or sports.  How about starting a sports publication?  Or perhaps a sporting goods retail business, sports memorabilia business, or even a gym could be the answer.  You can always read books and surf the net to help you in your search.

The most important thing to remember, no matter how “pie in the sky” it seems, is to USE YOUR HEART.  Others may disagree with you, but you should be firm with what you really want.  Others may offer comments or advice, but the final decision is always yours to make.  You should concentrate on what you want, not what others want.

Remember you only get one shot at living your life.   There are no replays and you don’t get to do it over.  You may not do it right, but at least you’re doing it.  Too many lives have been lived in quiet desperation waiting until – until they had saved a nest egg, until the children are out of school, until I retire, and they depart this life before “until” ever arrives.

Don’t go to sleep tonight without making a decision on WHAT YOU REALLY WANT IN LIFE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

Then spend a few days evaluating how to make it possible and make a living at it.  Begin living every day as if it were the last day you had – never leaving anything to be done next week, next month, or next year.

There will always be bills, things will always break down eventually and need replacing, there may be storms and earthquakes and repairs – but there will only be one life for you to live. It can’t be put on “hold”!

The final outcome of your efforts may be in the future, but you’re living each day by taking steps toward that outcome.

In my most recent columns we’ve covered issues about improving your business and marketing, but today let’s start right at the beginning.

You’re really getting tired of the 9 to 5 “rat race” and are thinking about chucking it for your own business.   All your friends keep telling you that you could do for yourself just what you’re doing now for your boss. Why shouldn’t you profit from your ideas instead of him?

You keep thinking about it because you know that you’ll never be financially where you want to be with a weekly paycheck, but what business would you start?

Before you pack in that weekly paycheck, this is the time to evaluate yourself and your future and it takes some real, down to heart honesty.  You want to change your life for the better, so let’s start.

Did you know that you have the potential to do and be anything you want?  People have different perceptions of the ideal life, and it ranges from obtaining financial freedom to as simple as owning a new pair of sneakers. Unfortunately, many fail to reach their aspirations because they can’t get a solid, clear picture in their mind of what they want.

Take the next few days and embark on a fact-finding journey that will be a life-changing experience.  Get a pad and pencil and start with this first step:

STEP 1 – KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT – Be specific in your passions, then focus all your efforts on that particular desire.

Those who always change their minds and those who give up easily when the going gets tough will never get anywhere.  If you’re a bit confused and aren’t sure what you really want in life answer these questions:

1. What makes your heart beat with excitement?
2. What makes you happy?
3. What are you constantly thinking of day and night?
4. What do you want to do with the rest of your life?
5. What do you enjoy doing?
6. What are your obsessions?
7. What things make you jump for joy?

Write down all your possible answers to the above questions.  Write down everything, no matter how silly or unimportant it seems. Put all your desires on paper that answers any of the above questions.

When that’s done, go back and circle five to seven items that interest you the most.  Then evaluate and choose with your heart, not your mind, the one and only thing worthy to spend all your time and resources on and that brings out the best in you.