Over the weekend I saw a report that January 24th is the most depressing day of the year. A researcher at Cardiff University actually used an elaborate formula combining the chances of lousy weather, post-Christmas debt, failed New Year resolutions, and “the desperate need to have something to look forward to.” And for many people, that combination means depression.
But I know you’re not in that group. Yes, you may be in the minority but you’re not trying to be like “everyone else.” You have chosen to be abnormal and have decided to make 2010 your best year ever. And with that, you do have something to look forward to.
Maybe you want to launch your own business this year. I think the first article today will encourage you. And if you’re looking for a job, plug in the principles from the second article to release some options quickly.
I know we all need money to provide for the people we care about. Joanne got me a little prayer quotation that hangs in my office. It says:
”Please help me not to be so busy making a living that I forget to make a life.”
I need that reminder every day.
If you haven't already, you might want to check out the growing group of people just like you at 48Days.net who are helping each other through struggles and successes.
This question from a reader addresses a common concern:
"Considering that my calling is going to involve a large pile of cash, how do I balance the principles that you teach about following your calling, and while keeping in mind the principals Dave Ramsey teaches, which include not taking on more debt? (For example, I feel that part of my calling is to build an outdoor roller hockey facility, which will have leagues, community events, and destination for after/year-round school programs. Obviously I will need to purchase a rink, among other things, to get started)" - Matt, from North Carolina
No, no, no – you don’t need to “purchase a rink” to get started. That would be a horrible risk with a brand new business. Get an agreement with a school to use their parking lot on a Saturday. You'll have instant credibility and an audience because of being at the school and you can test your idea. My oldest son was a bicycle racer for many years. We organized and attended races all over the country that were set up in downtown business sections, in business office parking lots and rural roads. The most popular “criterion” races took place on city streets, often right in the middle of a university. No one would have dreamed of purchasing land for that kind of race.
Frankly, I’ve never had enough money to start a business – but I just went ahead anyway – with whatever resources I had available. Here are a couple real examples from my past:
Auto Appeal – pinstripping and aftermarket auto accessories. I ordered the supplies where I had 60 days to pay for them – I ordered about $300 worth of supplies for this business targeted at new car dealers. I knew the supplies should not be more than 10% of any job. So that $300 in supplies turned into $3000 in revenue with a $2700 net profit in the first month and I grew the business rapidly with the business profits funding the growth.
Telephone Address Book. I purchased a telephone/address book at a bookstore for $12.96 – still have that receipt. Then I went to a church and offered to give them 1000 personalize copies of that telephone/address book with their church logo on the front cover. In exchange, I asked them to give me the names of people they did business with – hotels, restaurants, insurance, etc. I then gave those businesses the opportunity to highlight their business on the inside front and back covers. That first project took me four days to complete and netted me $4600 after paying for the 1000 free personalized copies that I gave to the church.
Self-publishing 48 Days to the Work You Love. I did not have a fancy publishing deal when I first started. Instead, I bought a few three-ring binders at Office Depot, had the inside text copied, recorded a little cassette to stick in the pocket and then sold over 50,000 at $39 each. (total cost $7.50 each) That’s over $2 million – with start up costs of less than $100.
There are many such success stories I could share. I worked with a gentleman one time who bought an orange grove, using the existing oranges on the trees as his only down payment. Another purchased an old estate house, contracting to sell the antique furniture inside as his down payment. Several years ago I bought a house on a Saturday morning, gave the owner $3,000, took over the loan, did some cosmetic improvements, put it back on the market, and sold it for a $21,000 profit. Many of the best ideas today are not capital intensive. They don’t require buildings, employees, and inventory. Fear of failure is a much larger obstacle than the lack of money.
You can go ahead with your outdoor roller hockey business. Just don’t try to convince yourself that your calling requires you to violate your personal principles. That’s a compromise you never want to make.
More on No Money – No Problem in No More Mondays, chapter Eleven
If a company tells you they are not “hiring” it typically means they are not convinced you would add sufficient value to what they are doing.
When looking for a job, keep these 5 principles in mind:
You must make the company money. As a rule of thumb, you must make the company 3 to 5 times your salary for your hiring to be worthwhile.
Your compensation almost always relates to your level of responsibility. If it’s easy to replace you, you aren’t worth a whole lot.
Few salaries are written in concrete. Companies that budget $78,000 for a position will start out trying to hire someone for $65,000. Recognize that the first offer is probably not what the company has in the budget.
Don’t look for an “opening.” Identify companies where your skills would be a match, then describe how you can help the company accomplish their goals.
Don’t believe no one’s hiring. Your task is to be able to show value to a company. If you do that – chances are strong they will hire you.
Have fun in the process. Don’t say yes until an opportunity is a “fit” for what you know about yourself. If you’ve done a great job search, you should be considering 2 to 3 offers.
Welcome to 48 Days radio where each week I look through the submitted questions and then blast through as many as possible right here to give you the unique tools for your own success.
You can now call and leave an audio question for Dan: (304) 729-4848 or send an email to askDan@48Days.com
I started working at my current job 10 years ago. However, I HATE my job. I physically feel ill when I walk from the parking garage to the elevator. I'm just utterly confused at this point and need some advice.
Hi Dan, I recently became a mom and my husband and I would love for me to be a stay at home mother. While staying at home I would like to be an online virtual assistant. I currently teach part time for an online university while working at my full time job. Any ideas or feedback would be helpful.
You said on a recent Podcast that you prefer visual rather than an auditory learning. How do you read books? i.e. skim then re-read for detail?, highlight?, write quotes/page # in front on blank pages. I love reading and want to maximize the learning books bring. Thank you for your work, I greatly appreciate the podcast.
I want to start my own career coaching business – like you do. I’m doing the 48 Days Seminar at my church. Can I grow from that into career coaching, even if I’ve not written a book yet?
I have been seriously ill with lupus for years which has created a financial morass for my family. My husband works 2 and 3 jobs to help us. I have tried over and over to find a legit home business. Do you know of a legit home business that could start quickly generating us some cash?
I'm almost 44 now, and single. I have never been married. ALL I EVER DREAMED of since I was young was getting married and being a wife and mother. These goals don't seem to be happening. I have an adequate paying job, which has soured over the years but still pays better than most. I feel hopeless and abandoned by life.
*********************** If you have a question, just email me at askdan@48Days.com and you can ask about starting your own business, getting a better job, or finding your purpose in life. Or call (304) 729-4848 to leave an audio question.
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Coaching with Dan
Many of you ask if I still coach people individually. Yes, I do. Feel like you've taken too much time to get to the success you want? Is fear holding you back? These are common issues with the hundreds of people that contact us each month looking for a new start. Give us some brief information and I'll recommend one of my coaching packages or recommend one of the other coaches in our 48 Days network to launch you into the next successful season of your life: Coaching with Dan
*********************** Dan’s Wednesday Morning Eagles group
I frequently mention the power of my Wednesday morning guys group. And many of you have asked for our guidelines. It’s not very complicated, but here it is Eagles Club Purpose Statement. If you’re interested I would encourage you to start your own. Join with one close friend and both of you invite 4 or 5 others – and you’re ready to go.
*********************** 48 Days Affiliate Program
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*********************** 48Days.net
At 48Days.net you’ll see over 4700 other excited people who have ideas – and plans to make 2010 their best year ever. If you want your life to be different in 2010, get involved with people who are on the same path. There is no cost – just lots of people who are committed to helping each other succeed.
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Don't put your time in an area that doesn't even "fit" you.
The most popular resource we have continues to be the 48 Days Career Profile. With your unique strengths, what kind of work should you be doing? You can find out here.
”The only reason a great many American families don't own an elephant is that they have never been offered an elephant for a dollar down and easy weekly payments.” ~Mad Magazine
”I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me the position.” ~Mark Twain
”When I have money, I get rid of it quickly, lest it find a way into my heart.” ~John Wesley
”It's good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it's good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven't lost the things that money can't buy.” ~George Horace Lorimer
”Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I'm not there, I go to work.” ~Robert Orben
”If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.” ~Henry Ford
”Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.” ~Oscar Wilde
”Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.” ~Norman Vincent Peale
Don't put your time in an area that doesn't even "fit" you.
