Seriously, what are you doing?

May 7, 2008 I Don't Like to Work

It’s time for me to clear up some confusion surrounding the focus of this blog. What does “I don’t like to work” mean? It’s very simple actually. It means that…

I don’t like to work. Hang on, let me explain a little before you get ticked off.

Let me ask YOU a couple of very simple and direct questions…

Would you rather work OR be on vacation? For me, vacation is a little (okay, a lot) better! What about work OR spend time hanging out with your kids? For me, my kids win out ALL the time, even when my 4 month old won’t go to sleep and it’s 3 in the morning. OK, what about work OR making a difference for a young person by volunteering for your church youth group? Making a difference CRUSHES working ALL the time. It’s NOT even close.

Let’s be honest, does ANYONE really LOVE working? Let’s talk about real estate investing for a minute because a lot of us do that for a living. Do you LOVE investing in real estate? Do you love going to work every day and pounding the pavement for your next deal? I don’t. What I love is the financial reciprocation that investing gives me for the time I spend in it. There may be NO better way for the average guy to become financially free than by investing in real estate. Most of us know this, right? I love that real estate gives me the freedom to keep on doing bigger and better things in every aspect! Do you love work? Or do you love what it gives back to you? Do you love work OR do you love how you feel when a job is well done?

Why not really FOCUS on setting up your business ONCE so you can then PROFIT forever.

What I’m leading up to is this: It seems that there are 2 schools of thought out there when it comes to this concept of financial freedom. It has different definitions for many, but for the sake of my point here, let’s assume that it means that you are making at least 50% more residually (from investments, rental income etc…) every month than your expenses. So for example, if my expenses are $100k a year and I am making $150k a year, then I am financially free. For most people $150-$250k a year coming in automatically would suffice. So let’s take a closer look at these 2 schools:

1. The “lazy” concept… Most people have this dream of becoming financially independent “someday” sooner than 65 so they can travel and lay on the beach. Most opportunity seekers are suckers for this concept. They will do anything for it. They yearn for the day when they don’t have to work anymore and can spend their days doing whatever they want, which for most is some serious R&R. I’m definitely up for a little of this.

2. The “achiever” concept… There is a small group of individuals who have reached total financial independence AND hate the above concept. They actually are workaholics, and can’t stop their compulsive behaviors. They are grizzled “war veterans” who take great pride in not ever being lazy. This happens more than you think… for example, I’ve noticed this happening to me over the past couple of years. The more I’ve “connected” to my hopes and dreams for the future, the more I’ve realized that I want it NOW, and thus I’ve worked harder and harder to make that happen. Once you ingrain a habit, good or bad, it is hard to break. It’s my theory that most people who reach financial independence have literally “convinced” their subconscious that productivity is linked ONLY to working and NOT relaxing, playing with their kids, or helping out their church.

Starting to get my point?

But the truth is when achievers reach one income level , almost without exception, they want more and more and more. When you make $100k you want to make $250k, then $500k, then $1B…. Sorry, I got carried away a little there. You get the idea. So if you want your income to keep going up and up – THEN financial freedom keeps getting further and further away. Now, I think you’re starting to get my point, eh?

Chocolate is good right? For me it’s awesome. But, if I ate 2 lbs of it every day I would get sick and it would lose its power.  So, what’s the answer?  Balance!  Balance in life is key. So here’s my advice to you.

1. Don’t work yourself to death waiting for the day you’ve made it. That’s an elusive goal.  It’ll keep changing.
2. Work Smart NOT Hard. Disclaimer , when starting a new venture there is no substitute for hard work, just don’t give yourself a friggin’ heart attack.
3. Find your higher calling. What do you really love to do? work, play, impact? Then do more of it NOW, not later.
4. Finally, design your business so YOU don’t become addicted to work like so many poor unhappy souls that think almost exactly like we do. A difference in thinking of just 1 degree means everything.
5. Your business SHOULD support you NOT the other way around.

Check this sweet video out.  It further drives home the point!  Whatever your religious or spiritual core, this video below will show you Nick Vujicic who I AM CERTAIN works very hard but it doesn’t feel like work to him at all. My good buddy Brad just emailed it to me this morning. All I could say is WOW!!!!

Thanks and let me hear your feedback, I’ll make sure to read every one.

Greg

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Tags: greg clement, kids, Nick Vujicic, quit your job, Real Estate Investing