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A
portion of all profit from Changing Course goes to support Trickle Up,
a micro-grant organization supporting the entrepreneurial aspirations of
impoverished people around the world
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The Changing Course Newsletter
Issue 106 December 20th, 2004
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The free newsletter from
http://www.ChangingCourse.com
Dedicated to helping you:
~ Live Life on Purpose
~ Work at What You Love
~ Follow Your Own Road
In This Issue:
1. Feature Article: Finding Interesting Ways to Make a Living
Without a Job is Not as Hard as You Think
2. Wanted: 10 People Who Love to Do Research On-line
3. Last Minute Gift Giving Ideas
4. Guest Article: Three Simple Strategies for Keeping Your Life
Stuck
5. Products & Services You Might Like to Know About
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TODAY’S WISE WORDS
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The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.
~ Pierre Corneille
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1. Featured Article
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Finding Interesting Ways to Make a Living Without a Job is Not as Hard as
You Think
By Valerie Young
As far as I can see, there is no end to the fascinating ways there are to
earn money without having a j-o-b. In fact, I find it utterly impossible to
get through even one day without running into a creative income stream. Here
are three creative alternatives to the 9-5 world that I’ve run into in just
the past week alone. Each offers a lesson to the aspiring entrepreneur:
1. “History Suppliers and Educators”
The reason this particular job title is in quotes is I’m not too sure what
to call what it is that Lorina and Gary Stephens do.
The Stephens run 5 Rivers
Chapmanry in Neustadt, Ontario. Among other things, this unique company
offers reenactment supplies, cooperage, embroidery, and historical patterns
and costumes from eras ranging from medieval to Edwardian to Elizabethan to
the American Revolution.
What I find most fascinating about the Stephen’s business though are their
weekend workshops. Lorina is a historical cook (great
title!) and in addition to showing students historic cooking methods she
also teaches how to interpret historic recipes. They also offer a course on
“discovering the secrets to constructing a Victorian corset.” Lodging and
meals are included.
The fact that I stumbled on this site totally by accident offers a valuable
lesson for anyone seeking to change course. Even when you think you know
where you want to go, or for that matter the best way to get there, you
never know where you’ll land or how – so pay attention. You may just find
where you really need to be.
The other lesson is more of a business and marketing nature. I really wanted
to learn more about this historically-minded couple and how they came to
start their unique enterprise. Since I know nothing about their world, it
also took me a while to figure out what their site was all about.
The lessons here are 1) if you’re thinking of starting a small business, try
to give customers the big picture about what you do right up front and 2)
don’t forget to share a little about your story – it can only make you and
what you have to offer more appealing.
2. Cereal Bar Guru
David Roth took a simple fact – 95% of all American’s love cereal – combined
it with the late night eating habits of college students and came up with
the brilliant and amazingly simple idea of starting a campus cereal bar
housed in a “Seinfield-esque”
kitchen setting staffed by “cereologists” wearing pajamas with United Flakes
of America, with televisions tuned to, what else, the cartoon channel.
According to an article in USA Today, the hugely successful Cereality Cereal
Bar & Café at the University of Pennsylvania offers more than 30 kinds of
cereals, more than 30 toppings, and all kinds of milk (including soy),
juices, and coffees. The article also touts the concept as quite likely
being the next big thing.
Did you find yourself saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?” (The other one I
hear a lot is “Hey, someone stole my idea!”) If so, the lesson here is a
pretty simple. Stop wasting time focusing on the brilliant idea you a)
failed to come up with or b) thought of but never lifted a finger to
implement. Instead, do what Roth did. Take something you like to do (for
Roth it was eat cereal, for you it might be read home decorating magazines
or paint
murals) and find an interesting way to bring it to others.
3. Sake Consultant
I first heard about John Gauntner on CBS Sunday Morning – a must watch
television program for anyone who wants to be inspired by unique people
doing unique things. This former electrical engineer is now recognized as
the leading non-Japanese sake expert in the world. He’s published several
books on the subject, leads sake seminars for expats in Japan where he
lives, writes a column about sake in a leading Japanese newspaper, runs
Sake World, and
speaks on sake internationally.
John is living proof that you really can turn yourself into an expert on
just about any subject. Notice how he did it. He began learning as much as
he could about a subject he found interesting. Then he started writing about
it, put together a workshop on it, and launched a website to spread the
word.
Not a writer? You can always co-write it with someone who is or find
yourself a good editor. Don’t know how to put together a workshop? Find
someone who does and ask if you can pick their brain. Don’t know how to
start an on-line business website? Hop over to
http://www.ChangingCourse.com/ebusiness.htm for my step by step
guide.
I’m also a big fan of Bob Bly’s book, Become a Recognized Authority in Your
Field in 60 Days or Less (available for your convenience in the
Changing Course Bookstore). Bob knows what he’s talking about. Also a
former engineer, he went on to write over 50 books. I’ve seen him speak at
the American Writers and Artists Institute annual Fast Track copywriting
program and he’s an entertaining and highly informative speaker.
If you’re interested in graduating from expert to consultant to the business
world (that’s where the big bucks are), I recommend you check out the
American Consultants League (ACL) which Bob also heads up (I’m on the
board).
The ACL offers a comprehensive program called How to Guarantee Your
Consulting Success. The program covers key topics like how to you market
yourself, establishing your credibility, the art of fee setting, how to
write a client proposal, and what kind of contracts you need. Best of all
you can review the entire program for six months before deciding if
consulting is right for you.
To learn more about How to Guarantee Your Consulting Success go to
http://www.Agora-Inc.com/reports/ACL/WACLE503
Finding these three livelihoods was virtually effortless. I did it by
watching a little TV, picking up a newspaper, and surfing the net. You
probably have little to no interest in becoming a historical supplier,
launching a cereal bar, or being a sake expert, but here’s my challenge to
you. You have one week. I want to see how many interesting ways you can find
to make a living without a job. Send them to mailto:info@ChangingCourse.com.
The person who sends in the most examples will get a free copy of my newest
eBook, Yes You Can: The Inspirational Kick in the Pants You Need to Take
Control of Your Life and Go After Your Dreams.
Opportunity is literally all around you. All you have to do is open your
eyes.
Former cubicle dweller Valerie Young, decided she didn't need a new job, she
didn't even need a traditional career change... what she needed was a new
life! Today Valerie is a Self-Employment Career Counselor and the Dreamer in
Residence at http://www.ChangingCourse.com, featuring helpful resources to
help you make a creative career change, reviews of legitimate home based
businesses and work from home jobs, informative career related articles, and
the inspiration you need to find your life mission and live it. An expert on
the Imposter Syndrome, Valerie speaks frequently on how to manage the fear,
perfectionism, and chronic self-doubt standing between you and your dreams.
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2. Wanted 10 People Who Love to do Research Online
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Do you love tracking down information on the internet? I’m looking for 10
people who are interested in spending about an hour a week responding to
requests for information from your fellow dreamers about how they can pursue
their dream career.
As a member of the Changing Course Dream Digger team you’ll be responding to
questions like does anybody know:
~ How can I get a job teaching English in Turkey?
~ What kind of training do I need to become a personal assistant to a movie
star and how do I break in?
~ I want to become an expert in vintage kitchen appliances but don’t know
where to begin? Does such a job even exist?
~ Where to get the best deal on office equipment for my new business?
~ Are there really are tax breaks available if I pay my children to help out
in my new home business?
~ How can I go about starting a tour guide business in Italy?
What do you get in return?
1. The fun and satisfaction of doing what you love – dig for information!
2. If you ever go after a paying research gig (or start your own research
business) you can put Resource Researcher for Changing Course on your resume
or bio!
3. Although I can’t tell you much about it right now because it’s not been
formally announced, suffice it to say, all researchers will receive a
complimentary access to a new program designed to help you jump start your
dream job faster. What I can tell you is that this is at least a $77 value
with hundreds of dollars of potential savings.
4. The undying appreciation of all the people you’ll be helping… and me!
Interested? Send an email to mailto:info@ChangingCourse.com with Dream
Digger in the subject line. I’ll get back to you in a few weeks with all the
details.
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3. Last Minute Gift Giving Ideas
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You can still receive these in time for Christmas if you order by December
21st and select Priority Shipping.
Making Dreams Happen Audio Program
http://www.ChangingCourse.com/makingdreamshappen.htm
Barbara Sher’s “Dare To Live Your Dream” Audio Program http://www.ChangingCourse.com/yourdreams.htm
One on One Creative Career Consultation with Valerie Young http://www.ChangingCourse.com/careeradvice.htm
~~~~~ GREAT GIFTS FOR UNDER $35 ~~~~~
Finding Your True Calling
http://www.ChangingCourse.com/findcalling.htm
Yes You Can! http://www.ChangingCourse.com/yesyoucan.htm
How to Feel As Bright and Capable As Everyone Seems to Think You
Are: What Every Woman (and Man) Needs to Know About Competence, the Impostor
Syndrome, and the Art of Winging (Handbook and/or
CD) http://www.ChangingCourse.com/impostor.htm
The 10 Steps to Escaping the Job World and Creating the Life You Really Want
Audio CD http://www.changingcourse.com
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INSPIRATION TO FOLLOW YOUR BLISS
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I look on that man as happy, who, when there is a question of success, looks
into his work for a reply. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
A true definition of an entrepreneur comes closer to: A poet, visionary, or
packager of social change. ~ Robert Schwartz
A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and
in between does what he wants to do.~ Bob Dylan
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4. GUEST ARTICLE
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Three Simple Strategies for Keeping Your Life Stuck By Mary Ann Bailey, MC
One of the most common statements I hear when I talk with potential clients
is, "I feel stuck.” People find themselves feeling stuck in different ways.
They may be in a relationship that no longer is working, but they don't know
how to leave. Or they may have a dream of starting their own business, but
aren't exactly sure where to begin.
The feeling of being stuck is very familiar for most of us. Even though our
lives seem to be in constant motion, very little of that motion actually
moves us forward. We are similar to a log-jam in a river. The river is
rushing all around us, but we aren't going anywhere. Why is it so easy for
us to lose life's flow?
There are many ways to answer those questions. Here are 3 of the most common
ways that I see we keep ourselves stuck.
1. Believing What You Think
The average mind has about 60,000 thoughts a day and most of us believe
about 99% of what we think. Our thoughts and beliefs are a product of how we
were raised and the culture in which we live.
They help us make sense of the world, yet they also can be very confining.
When we believe "X" to be true, we automatically discard all other options.
Holding on to the belief that we can't, won't, or shouldn't do something,
closes the doors on the opportunities and possibilities that can help move
our lives forward.
What beliefs are you still hanging onto that may be keeping your life stuck?
What things do you think you could never do? It might be time to examine
your belief system and see what thoughts are holding you hostage in your
life.
2. Taking Life (and Yourself) Too Seriously
Most of us were raised to believe that the key to success was hard work.
Recently that belief has been revised to include hard work and very long
hours. I would like to challenge that belief with another old adage: "All
work and no play make Jack/Jill a dull person.”
To keep our lives flowing we need to intersperse fun, laughter, and
creativity with our work. We need to be able to take time to enjoy and
reenergize ourselves without feeling guilty or irresponsible. It is during
these times of rest and fun that our minds are free to dream and imagine.
This is when we very often come up with solutions to our problems, new ways
and new strategies to enliven and enrich our lives.
3. Falling Prey to the Fear of the Unknown
Fear is a powerful emotion. It protects us and keeps us from doing dangerous
things, but it also keeps us from doing new and wonderful things. Most of us
get a little nervous when we are not sure about what is around the next
corner. Yet, sometimes getting our life unstuck takes a leap of faith and a
strong belief that fear really does just stand for: False Evidence Appearing
Real.”
Have you always dreamed about starting your own business, becoming a
sculptor, or sailing around the world? To make those dreams come true, you
must face the fears that are holding you back and put your trust in you and
your dream. Will you be successful? Maybe yes, maybe no. But at least you
have opened the door to the possibility of your dream coming true.
If you let yourself get frozen by the fear of the negative things that might
happen and never open that door, you will have no chance of realizing your
dream and you will always be left with the question of what could have been.
Our lives, like rivers, will always experience a few log-jams.
The issue is not whether we get stuck. The issue is how we get ourselves
extricated from the jam and get our lives flowing again. Becoming aware of
the behaviors that keep us stuck is a great place to start that process.
Mary Ann Bailey is a life coach who specializes in helping professional
women successfully navigate the challenges of midlife career transitions. To
more information, visit her web site at
http://www.BaileyCoaching.com or
e-mail her at
mailto:MaryAnn@BaileyCoaching.com
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live life on purpose
