How to Work for Yourself and Escape the Rat Race

From Frustration to Freedom

“I’d rather regret the things I have done rather than those I haven’t” Lucille Ball

Are you mid-way through your working life and feeling uneasy about your achievements so far?

Are you afraid of getting too old to try doing something that you really want to do?

Do you feel trapped like a mouse in a turning wheel because you have to pay bills and survive?

Do you deep down know that you can’t continue doing what you are doing for too much longer?

If you answered yes to more than one of these questions you need a change and now, at the beginning of 2013 is the time to do it!

If you are one of the 88% of Australians dissatisfied with work and are looking for a more meaningful and balanced life now is the time to take action!

Call it a tree-change, sea-change, downshifting or scaling back, whatever it is, you are not alone as millions of people are wanting less and working less for it.

People nowadays are craving more simplicity in life and less of the materialistic trappings that can create debt, financial stress and the need to remain a corporate slave to survive.

Welcome to the 21st Century world of work where increasing numbers of people are realising the benefits of being able to work for yourself.

Flexibility of work hours, location of work and the volume of workload combined with an often higher income is possible in your mid-career. Your knowledge, skills, experience and network which are only developed after years of work are an asset that should be capitalised on.

We live in a very exciting time- the Information Age.

The future is here and those who are open-minded to the changes are carving out a balanced and satisfying work life that others are only dreaming of.

The key to making it happen?

Technology and globalisation.

Make no mistake- technology and globalisation have permanently altered the way we work. We are no longer working our way up the ranks working for the same company or organisation for 30-40 years then retiring.

Instead the mantra is to transfer skills to a new career, changing careers multiple times, setting up small business, and learning how to work for yourself.

Since the late 1990’s a revolution has started- thanks to the internet and new technologies such as email, mobile phones, Skype, laptops, social media and search engines you can now do business all over the world without ever leaving home!

We live in a time of incredible opportunity but unfortunately for many, the changes are regarded as intimidating and overwhelming.

So what barriers are there to overcome?

Your Mindset!

“If you think you can you are right. If you think you can’t you are right again.” Henry Ford

If you have the right mindset and an open mind to technology and new ways to work you will make it happen.

If you are not afraid to seek work and projects and market yourself you will be in a good position to work for yourself.

Each day in small ways you can educate yourself and align yourself with others who are doing the same. Learn about technology and how to use it and open up your thoughts to think globally not just locally. Look at the big picture about what is happening in the world not just in your city or town.

How to Work for Yourself

There are several new ways to work and create an income that will allow you the flexibility and freedom you have always wanted:

  • Work as a consultant- use your knowledge, skills and experience to offer services or create products to be sold to individual clients or organisations willing to pay
  • Create a portfolio career- combine two or more part-time jobs to create your income. This can create more security as you are not just relying on one source of income.
  • Start an online business- you can do this part-time while working full-time until your part-time earnings are substantial enough to make it your full-time income. There are numerous popular types of businesses such as selling on e-Bay, becoming a virtual assistant, blogging and writing, selling your own product or service and online consulting
  • Develop strategic alliances with organisations/companies – if you have several ‘suppliers’ of work you may be able to work on multiple projects, and if you are lucky- from home.
  • Reverse Marketing- instead of looking for advertised positions be aware of potential new business and make direct contact with organisations to see if there is any work available and what skills they need.

Did you know that the need to work for yourself and ‘start up’ businesses is the fastest growing sector of the Australian economy? Women in Australia own 585,000 of the 1.9 million small businesses operating in Australia.

This is not just an Australian phenomenon; it is global, and growing at lightning speed.

So join the revolution, start to take control of your work-life and not vice-versa, learn what others are doing and most importantly, lose the fear of change and overcome the obstacles.

“Nothing is impossible- the word itself says- I’m possible” Audrey Hepburn