Wow. It has been one full year since I left the perceived security of my corporate job.
April 13th, 2012 was the last day I ever “worked”.
Shortly after that (June 28th to be exact), I sent an email to a number of friends, colleagues and other folks with what I called a “BIG Announcement.” The announcement was that I was writing a book. I was going to write about my journey from being a scared little kid to stuck in a corporate career to finally launching the life of my dreams. I made that announcement 292 days ago, and today I am thrilled to announce that my new book, “How to Quit Working, Create a life of FREEDOM using what you KNOW instead of just getting paid for what you DO,” is officially available for sale!
Now, obviously, I would love it if you would Click Here and order a copy (or 10)! But, instead of badgering you with a sales pitch, I though I would give you a list of 13 decisions you must make if you want to QUIT WORKING and live the most amazing life you can imagine that lets YOU DECIDE what you do each day.
There is a whole chapter devoted to these 13 things and 11 other chapters of practical how-to for anyone who wants to create a life of freedom in How to Quit Working.
OK, here it goes. Make these 13 decisions.
1) Decide to be Honest
Honesty is a value I hold very high. In this industry (the information/education industry), trust is of the utmost importance. When people buy, they buy YOU, not your information and nobody’s buyin’ if they aren’t trustin’. Not to mention, it’s just cool to be honest.
2) Decide to be Selfish
One of the biggest reasons people I talk to want FREEDOM in their lives is to help other people. And the best way to do that is to start by making yourself everything can be and that means focus. Focus on yourself, your needs and your own personal development. There’s nothing wrong with putting yourself first, because a) you deserve it and b) the better off you are, the more people you can help.
3) Decide to Never Regret Anything.
Ever. Regrets waste time, energy and keep you from focusing on what you really want. Let ’em go. Whatever you regret, you probably (at the least) learned a lot from anyway. I have not one regret in my life.
4) Decide to Listen
Listen to what people say. You can be like the Snuggie and go out and convince people that they have a problem or a need that they don’t really have, but that’s not freedom. It’s too hard and requires too much pushing. Instead, just close your mouth and listen to what people tell you they need. Then create it. It’s also a great way to build amazing relationships.
5) Decide to Never Blame Anyone or Anything
Never Blame. Blame takes away your power and gives it to someone else and therefore is the most disempowering thing you can do. The only relevant question to ask is: “What could I have done differently?” Business and personal life, this is a universal truth.
We’re just getting started…
6) Decide to Set Goals
If you don’t know where you want to go, you’ll never get there. Just decide what you want, and then start working for it it. Set the goal, then figure out what you have to do to get to it. Then do it.
7) Decide to Be Positive
Positive is the only way to be. Successful people always look at what GOOD could possibly come from a situation, not what BAD could possibly come from a situation. I get it, this is not as easy as it sounds and, for me, I struggle with it sometimes. But recognizing it’s importance to your success is step #1.
8) Decide to Be Yourself
When you just relax and be who you are, life is so much easier. More people like REAL YOU. Some people won’t like REAL you, and that is totally OK. It means you are bringing something unique to the world. I know I’m getting a little Mr. Rogers on you, but it’s true.
9) Decide to Clean Your Brain
Turn off that awful box (the boob tube) that spits out negative news all day and all night. You don’t need it. Successful people don’t wallow in all the awful, horrible things going on in the world, they focus on creating improvements. No more news.
We’re getting there, only 4 more to go!
10) Decide to Work on You
This isn’t a journey of entrepreneurship, it’s not a journey of business, it’s not a journey of anything but personal improvement. It’s about becoming the best possible person you can possibly be, so you can inspire others to do the same. Then you are truly free.
11) Decide to be Healthy
Your personal health is the most important thing you have. Because really, without it, what else is there? Without it, none of this other stuff matters. Exercise, eat right and you’ll feel better and be more successful.
12) Decide to Deliver on Commitments
Back to trust, if you don’t deliver on commitments, you don’t build trust, and you don’t build relationships and you aren’t free. The people, prospects, clients and partners you come into contact with must know you are going to do what you say you will.
This is my favorite; I saved it for last.
13) Decide to Give Stuff Up
“The things I am giving up today are allowing me to have more of those things in the future.” I firmly believe that you can have whatever you want in life, but you can’t necessarily have it exactly when you want it. It requires hard work and sacrifice. Sacrifice is easy when you keep your eyes on what you are aiming to have more of — time, money, freedom … whatever it is.
The things I am giving up today are allowing me to have more of those things in the future.
This first year has been a crazy, amazing one. There have been ups, downs, times of sheer joy and times of unbelievable frustration. But, I can say this with 100% honesty, leaving my job and creating this life for myself was the best decision I ever made.
It was NOT the easiest thing I’ve ever done. It was NOT the easiest decision.
In fact, it was among the hardest decision and one of the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
But totally worth it.
Leaving my job and creating this life for myself was the best decision I ever made.
And the thing that keeps blowing my mind, over and over is that it just keeps getting better. The more I really embrace this life and the more I let myself enjoy and experience it, the more possibilities I see and the more excited I get for the future.
I’m going to be talking a lot more on this blog and on my show about what this life is like and what I’m learning along the way. I’m also interviewing the most amazing lifestyle entrepreneurs each week on my new show, called the “The How to Quit Working Show”.
Wherever you are in your journey, go farther. Look back over that list of 13 things and decide which one you you need to work on most and make it your goal to focus on that for the next 30 – 45 days. Then, do it again.
You’ll be amazed what happens.
I started this blog post with a picture of shy, scared Jeff in the 80’s, here’s a picture of Jeff in 2013.
How far do you want to go?
Leave me a comment below and tell me where you want your life to go. I love hearing from you and I read and reply to every comment.
Live Free,
Jeff
P.S.: I could never have come this far without all of the amazing people in my life. You are too numerous to mention, but thanks to all of you.
The Blog of Jeff Steinmann 