In my father’s generation, a person was easily defined by their job. If you worked in a factory, you were a factory worker; if you worked at a bank, you were a banker. People generally stayed with companies until they could either retire or were laid off and rarely ever left a profession once they entered it.
That’s really not the case anymore. Careers have become jobs and there’s really nothing strange about people staying in one for only a few years before trying to find another that “fits” better. It’s very rare to find someone who actually likes what they do, rarer still to find one who loves it.
If you’ve been “job hopping” but are still looking for the greener grass on the other side of the fence, maybe it’s time to think outside your field.
I worked in the grocery industry (rising to mid-management) for fifteen years before I decided I really didn’t like stocking shelves. I set out to become a writer, not because I knew I could get rich doing it but because I enjoyed the process of writing. There’s nothing more exciting to me than wrapping words around an idea. If I can make a living doing that, even better!
That might sound kind of boring to you but freelance writing is just one of the thousands of ways to earn money online, work from home, and be your own boss. I’m sure, with a little effort, you could find not only something you could do successfully but something you’d also enjoy.
For me, the internet really made the process of finding a job I was passionate about so much easier. There are hundreds of thousands of people out there willing to pay me (and people like me) to put words in order. Still, in the beginning it was tough to win contracts. The money was spotty but I loved the work. I was good at it. Other people appreciated me for it and I got paid to do it!
One person who has really inspired me is James Martell. I met James a while ago through Elance (one of the websites I use to offer my services to potential clients.) Take a look at his video. He was unhappy working in construction in Canada (I would be too with the snow and the cold,) and gave it up to become his own boss. He learned about affiliate marketing from a friend of his and has spent years honing his craft. He loves what he does and his passion has driven him to become a recognized expert in his field, hosting training “BootCamps” and publishing training manuals since 2002. Because of his humble background, has a no-nonsense approach to things that is a welcome change from all of those high-pressure “life coaches” you see on TV and the internet. He’s just a regular guy who found something he loves to do and can do well (and earns a very comfortable salary doing it.)
I watched the video a while back and was just amazed by how laid back James’s workday is. He chats with his wife and kids, enjoys a morning trip to Tim Horton’s in his Shelby Cobra, plays with the dog for a bit, and then gets to work. When the day is done, he still has a smile on his face, one wider than when the day started.
Sound like something you’d like to learn?
Watch James’ video – there’s no better place to start – and be sure to subscribe to his popular newsletter to get a FREE copy of his all new Affiliate Marketing “Answer” Book — It’s a must read for anyone looking to cut through the hype and to succeed online with affiliate programs.
About the Author
Robert Palmer is a freelance writer and short fiction author who turned to the internet as a means of self expression and found a calling. Though he’s been publishing fiction for eight years, he stumbled upon copywriting by chance and saw the earning potential. He loves the idea of being his own boss, leaving the 9-5 world behind, and working in his own home-based business. He currently lives in Coastal Maine with his amazingly supportive wife Beverly and is currently well on his way to his goal.
