Call me a trouble-maker. Call me a non-conformist. Call me
an entrepreneur. Call me right, or call me wrong. Just don’t call me accepting
of the arbitrary definition and schedule of work.
I think many people misinterpret the difference between
work and adding value. The definition of work should be “Creating and
adding value to somebody, somewhere”. Why does this have to be confined to such
a rigid and miserable 9-5 schedule? Why does it have to be the bane of most
people’s existence? Why can’t work become more a fluid concept integrating all
of our passions – personal and professional? The answer is that it can. But
will it? Well, it already is by a lot of people. Some people are too mentally
lazy to really “work” to figure out what their passions are. Some people are afraid
to take a risk – unsure if they can recover from an apparent failure. Is it not
riskier to guarantee that your whole life will be miserable by doing something
you hate for the most energized hours of your week and the most energized years
of your life?
I am taking a stand today. I am saying that work is no
longer a place you go. Or something that you hate doing every Monday morning.
Or something that you can’t wait to end every Friday afternoon so that you can
speed home and crack open a beer. To live in a constant state of wishing and
waiting; wishing it was the weekend and waiting impatiently for it. If we can
change the way we think about work, we can change this lifestyle – we can
break the chains. If we just think of ways to add value, via a service or a new
product, we can be a happier society. There are so many opportunities to
distill and analyze information today. It is the best time EVER to become
self-employed, to become an entrepreneur and even to just work remotely. You
can become an expert in a lot of things from the comfort of your living room.
You can share your unique perspectives and add tons of value to the
marketplace.
Work doesn’t have to be a place you go. It especially does
not have to be a place you hate. It can be an outlet for you to help people. This
will create a deeper connection between you and your work. It will mean more to
you. It will be more alive. You will be more productive because you enjoy it.
Instead of asking yourself “how do I find a job?” Ask
yourself, “How do I take the things I know and love and share my perspective
(value) with more people?” People are begging for fresh new perspectives and
ideas. The opportunities are endless. Just because there are a certain number
of jobs, doesn’t mean that can’t be changed. There are an infinite number of
opportunities. There are so many jobs that are waiting to be created – why not
by you? If you can’t find a job – create one. Create value and share it.
Change your perspective, change your life. Work from a beach chair in Puerto
Rico. The world can be this and if you believe it, it will be.
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