Life Planning Archives - Page 2 of 2

August Was Crap – What’s Next?

Is it just me or was August crap for everyone? Not to be a total buzzkill but Veronica and I had the worst possible month ever. As tempted as I am to get into everything, let’s just say that after Veronica quit her job, everything that could have possibly gone wrong has gone wrong. Websites haven’t been selling, we’ve had to change Internet providers (in the process), lights are blowing out in our apartment, tears have been shed, scotch has been consumed and my laptop screen doesn’t seem as bright as it once was.

A few things that I’ve realized while picking my nose at absolute rock bottom is that my absolute worst case scenario isn’t all that bad. What’s the worst that could happen, really? Let’s think about this for a second:

The rent can’t get paid
The bills fall behind
We get evicted

We have no children, no mortgage and no car. Both of our families could easily take us in for a few months if we crashed and burned. We would help out around the house, continue plugging away online while paying down our debt and pitching in. In the meantime we’d be well fed, with the company and support of those whom we love most and things would eventually get back to where they were before Pandora’s box opened.

I was so stressed a week ago. I honestly felt like I was going to have a nervous breakdown and once I visualized the absolute worst case scenario, it all seemed a little over dramatic in my head.

Each day is a new opportunity.

Today wasn’t so bad. I managed to secure relations with a new client, as well as connect with two prospects for long term development and marketing partnerships. Our Paypal account is $373 heavier today and it’s my birthday right now (09/04)… I have a strange feeling that my 28th year of existence is going to monumental. I’ve already got a couple of gray hairs and I’m okay with it.

Shit could always be worse.

Keep your heads up!

Cheers,

Elijah

At Home Freedom: Stop Thinking And Start Doing

Ahhhh… At home freedom. Sounds great, doesn’t it? The truth of the matter is that now more than ever people are desperate for a lifestyle change, especially one that allows them to have freedom of time, finance and location. I mean, who doesn’t want more time to do what they want? Who doesn’t have dreams of one day being free of debt or being able to travel this (still beautiful) planet without worrying about financial or career restraints? I do.

Every fu**ing day.

But here’s the problem: 80% of people who have these desires for change and prosperity spend most of their time thinking about an ideal lifestyle, but if you’re constantly thinking and reading about it – when will you actually have time to do it? Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:

Everyday after work, for the last 2 years, Joe Blow comes home and turns on his computer. He goes to the money making forums to check the action on his favorite threads. He’s always the first to order the latest “cash cow” hard copy from some guru-schmuck on Amazon.

He spends at least 3 hours a night absorbing methods and reading what other people have done/are doing. He hates his job. He can’t sleep at night and for the last 2 years he’s been waiting for his time to come.

The at home freedom. It’s gotta be out there, somewhere…

I don’t want to pull your pants down, but I’m sure some of you reading this fall into Joe’s scenario quite comfortably. You’re so caught up in the “idea” of the dream that you’ve accomplished very little towards actually making it a reality.

I get emails all the time from people asking me how they should get started with this, or if I have any suggestions for that. To be honest, most of the questions I receive can and have been answered 3743 times elsewhere online, but for some reason they assume I might reveal an untold truth – which is fair enough. And almost everytime I end with the same thing, “The best advice I can give you is to just write down your goals, the steps required to achieive them, and start doing the necessary actions to complete these steps little by little. Stick with it, and before you know it you’ll be where you want to be.”

I can’t stress this enough.

You have to start DOING. Once you start DOING you have to KEEP DOING. If it isn’t working, figure out why and DO IT DIFFERENTLY. Stop thinking, start DOING and fucking stick with it! Success is inevitable.

Let’s take me for example… Back in October I was not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I had been out of work and struggling to make ends online for over 4 months. My bills were past due, we were eating like shit and though I made a few bucks flipping websites, it was not coming together.

I was about to sell this blog, cash out and call it a day.

9 months later, in April to be exact, I cleared almost $4000 in profit, which enabled me to pay for a nice 1 week vacation to Vancouver – in cash – with enough money in the pocket to live like royalty for a week and get drunk with the SuiteJ clan.

Still waiting for the video footage.

Back in October I was spending way too much time thinking about how I should be doing things, instead of actually doing them, making mistakes, and doing them better. I was caught up with the success of those around me, instead of enjoying my own small victories.

Anyways – I really hope you guys get what I’m saying here. Anyone can do anything. I don’t care if you have a mortgage, 7 kids, 3 husbands and a midget housecleaner who you pay in peanuts and paint chips; the real at home freedom is there for the taking. Spend less time fucking around on Twitter and more time working on your goals. If you aren’t sweating then you’re doing something wrong.

I’m not kidding!

Assess your scenario. Write shit down. Develop the steps needed to accomplish them and DO IT. Whether it’s making $100 a day passively through a network of Adsense blogs – do it! If you want to flip websites for cash and be a pyjama pimp like me – do it! There is nothing stopping you but you.

I know I’m ranting, but so what. It’s the truth and you know it.

Cheers,

Elijah

Update from Veronica

Hey guys! I know it’s been kind of a long hiatus, but here I am! I’m back and ready to roll full steam ahead. I’d like to thank everyone who commented on Eli”s last post. Seeing all that encouragement is so reassuring. It makes the actual “moment” feel a little less final.

The first little while is going to be a little shocking . . . I know that, but I know that Eli and I will find a groove. We always do. I’m excited for all the things I will be able to accomplish. I’m looking forward to working hard and enjoying life on my terms.

I can’t wait to be a bigger part of this great community!

Taking The Work At Home Plunge

I’m really feeling the writing bug biting me on the ass right now, so I decided to capitalize on this moment and stop being a stranger around my own blog. Here’s what’s on my mind and what’s happening right now in the world of Elijah and Veronica…

Over the last month or so it has been apparent that Veronica is getting antsy about joining me and taking the work at home plunge, as I like to call it. This is awesome – but it is also presenting some challenges.

When we originally started this blog back in July of 2008 (just got the GoDaddy renewal notice) our plan was that I would quit my job, put into action everything I had been teaching myself for the 7 months prior to that and set up a network and foundation so that hopefully, within a year or so, she would leave her job and we can begin living the coprenuer life we’ve dreamed of since we first met.

Well, reality (opportunity) is definitely starting to knock…

Not only have I surpassed anything that I could have imagined – but I’ve also managed to learn an insane amount of information and techniques in this short amount of time (with a little blood, sweat and insomnia of course). This means that we are now in a position to complete the last step of phase one and begin putting into place the milestones that will ultimately give us the freedom and space to live and build a family without corporate chains attached. The dream of every modern day, twenty-something hippie child…

More closer to thirty-something, but that’s besides the point!

It seems that now that things are pretty much where we planned for them to be, taking the initial plunge is not as easy as it once appeared to be – for Veronica that is. You see, by nature she has always been concerned with being “liked” or civil with her employer and fellow employees. This tends to involve treating people well and not stepping on any feet during her course of 9 to 5 existence.

Myself on the other hand have never been close with co-workers, or integrated too far into any company for that matter – because I always had the attitude that it was a job – and it was temporary. If me leaving screwed somebody over, that was the companies problem – not mine.

She is now faced with a challenge in the form of trying to identify the right “time” to break the news, and the right “way” to part – in the most humane fashion.

When taking the work at home plunge, here are some questions to ask yourself before hand:

Do I really care about the people I work with?
Am I financially ready to work from home?
How much money will I save from working at home?
If all hell breaks lose, do I have a backup plan?
Is my at home environment equipped to ensure maximum productivity?
What sort of day-to-day challenges will I face when working at home?
What benefits will I gain from working at home?
How can I leave my company while maintaining credible references?
If I hate my boss, how much will I get charged if I piss in his/her coffee?

All in all, I really believe that we are in a position to take plunges and make mistakes – after all, we don’t have any children (yet), mortgages, car payments or anything else restrictive. If our business fails (which it won’t) we can always get some bull shit jobs to pay the bills. If we go completely broke (which we won’t) we can always get celebrity makeovers and stage a sex tape which we’ll sell to TMZ.com for a quick 10 g’s…

The ultimate question is: Will you ever be 100% ready to do anything in your life?

The answer is no.

So I say do it. Don’t ask for permission, learn from your mistakes and pay the consequences when they arise. Of course if you have kids, a car, a house and a family then don’t be stupid. But if you don’t – be stupid, work hard and make it happen. There really is no reason why it shouldn’t work out in the end!

Cheers,

Elijah

In The Blink Of An Eye

I have a serious problem right now. It seems that the older I get, the faster time moves. Yesterday I was 12 years old, playing hockey outside without a single care in the world. Then I blinked… And I’m 27, saying good-bye to another year with a laptop full of accomplishments and failures, ready to take on the new year like a spartan army with their back’s against the wall. I understand why time is flying by… But what can I do to slow it down? Can I slow it down? Some say it’s all about stopping to smell the roses, and taking the time to appreciate the finer things in life:

Like midgets and candle wax.

All in all, I’m in a much better place now than I was when this year started. 2008 began with Veronica, her family and myself grieving the passing of her father – who was the type of person that you only encounter every other lifetime. His death was an event that set me over the edge, plummeting towards what is most important and completely abandoning everything deemed to be secondary, without the slightest hesitation.

Not only did that moment get my ass into gear, but it also made me re-evaluate (for the 37th time) this college-to-cubicle system of work that’s been accepted by the general population – put in your 35 years of service to society, and retire, having accomplished nothing along the way. It’s legalized slave labor as far as I’m concerned. There is zero emphasis on passion and dream catching, and total focus on stability and safety. Taking risks is, well, risky – and risky will not secure your future. Show up for work on time, maintain neutrality and indifference, and when it’s time for the final vacation, you’ll be taken care of.

As the Wizard of Oz once said, “Not no way! Not no how!”

On a high note, this year has ended with me clearing my 3rd consecutive month profiting over $1000 online. I’ve positioned myself and made my mark. I’ve met some of the most amazing people who will, without a doubt in my mind, be future business partners and vacation buddies. I’ve discovered a world of possibilities, beneath the sales hype and secrets, that will provide Veronica and I with safety and stability of a different color. A world where we determine our hours, our rewards and our shortcomings. A world where we are in control of the books…

In the blink of an eye I have become a man. A man who is leaving in an hour to sip scotch and bring in 2009 amongst the company of my successful circle. People who’s words I appreciate, and consultation I seek in times of desperation. If all of you were here, I would be celebrating with you as well – because you guys have kept me going. I’ve created this place where I can speak freely, and you crazy bastards have accepted me from the get-go! Whether your laughing with me or at me is irrelevant – but the fact that you stop by whenever you get a minute and share stories with me still blows my mind to this very day.

Word is bond…

Please take some time to think about where 2008 started for you, and where it has ended. Look towards 2009 with a pen and pad handy – and begin to sculpt your future. I strongly believe that 12 months is all it takes to go from struggling to comfortable, and with the right plan and network of people surrounding you – success will come knocking. I wish you all the best in the new year, and hope to see each and every one of you at the top!

Oh yeah, if you’re going out tonight, don’t drink and drive. If you see someone who’s getting ready to drive, take their keys and give them a pillow. Don’t be stupid, stupid!

Cheers,

Elijah

From College To Cubicle – The Orthodox Blueprint

From College To Cubicle - The Orthodox Blueprint Let me start off with a story…

For those of you who don’t know, I’m a mildly respected Music Producer here in Toronto’s local Hip Hop scene, under the stage name MrBlue. I’ve developed artists and produced several albums over the last 8 years – and during this time I’ve been fortunate to share creative exchange with many ambitious, and uber-talented individuals and I want to tell you about one in particular; Lets call him “Steve”.

I’ve been collaborating with Steve for roughly 5 years, and out of all the artists I’ve ever worked with, he has the most potential for greatness without a doubt. Steve has been signed to a label, had his record in stores, and has performed with some major recording artists during his artistic career and yet he’s never seemed to have his musical endeavors flourish.

Steve has been in school for as long as I’ve known him – bouncing from one major to the next. It feels like every September he is starting a new course, or academic path, and what really stirs me up about his whole situation is that all he talks about is music and how he wouldn’t be where he is without it – but where is he really? Rather than pursuing his passion to the full extent, he has remained shackled to this cycle of call center jobs and tuition deadlines, and his governmental debt from education alone surpasses mine and Veronica’s debts combined – including our tuition repayments, credit cards, etc.

On numerous occasions I’ve said to him, “You should be going to school for what you’re passionate about. Why aren’t you taking music or recording arts?” His answer’s usually “I know, but I’ve already gone this far. I can’t just change course now, it wouldn’t be worth it.”

Wouldn’t it?

Unfortunately Steve is a victim to what I refer to as The Orthodox Blueprint. Now before you start bombing me with religious questions and moral script, let me elaborate. Dictionary.com defines the word Orthodox as:

Adhering to beliefs or practices approved by authority or tradition.

The word Blueprint is defined as:

A method for making, doing, or accomplishing something.

String these two words together and we have the 9-5, 40 hours a week until your 65, then retire and die life-plan. It’s been accepted by society that we are not to find enjoyment in our working lives, but rather stability and a maniacal sense of economic and social responsibility. It is our duty to contribute as citizens. It is our responsibility to work in a factory or office and pay taxes, because that’s how the system works – and the system is proven. The only career advancement worth pursuing is within the corporate ladder, because that ladder is sturdy and will provide you with a spending account and company car – and these are true signs of success.

As people, we’re so afraid to take the fork in the road, and face possible consequence, because a sign has been put there to warn us of the dangers in doing so. Just keep going straight and you’ll be fine. Finish school, get a job that will provide you with benefits, a steady paycheck, and you will eventually develop your method for tolerating with this blueprint. Adhere long enough and you’ll be rewarded with a mental notebook full of I wish I could have’s, a pension that will barely sustain your mortgage and minimum credit card payments, one trip to Florida every winter, and a deposit on your coffin.

This is what we should be afraid of.

In today’s world we are provided with more options than ever to lead a life of choice, passion and excitement. There are academic diplomas and degrees for everything from holistic medicine to audio engineering – and even e-business marketing. Technology provides us with the tools to be global entrepreneurs from the comfort of our living rooms and home offices. The Internet presents us with an abundance of resources and self-learning mediums in order to further develop and discover skills based on areas of personal interest. In 2008 you can be whatever you want to be, but ultimately it’s up to one person – You.

So don’t let yourself down.

I want to thank Alan from AffiliateConfession.com for inspiring this post by his use of the term “from college to cubicle.” I’m not sure if he is the originator, but it was the first time I’ve heard the saying used, and It inspired me to share my translation with you.

Cheers,

Elijah