My career feels more like a hobby. A very profitable hobby, but it's definitely more fun than it is work...
Some of my "IRL" friends have accused me of being obsessed with my work. They just don't get it. I'm not driven by status or money, I just LOVE what I do. There's a difference...
A BIG difference.
Last year I talked about Falling In Love With Your Business All Over Again. That post was made on Valentine's Day, and so again this year I'd like to share a little inspiration with you about creating a lifestyle and business that you can truly love...
I can tell you in all honesty and from personal experience that it's always going to be a work in progress. Always. Any successful online business is going to continue to grow and evolve, and if you're smart - you'll take complete control of the direction it goes.
This month marks the beginning of my 14th year in business. It also marks my 2 year anniversary in my new home - the one I closed on with ONE affiliate check. And this year, it also marks a decade since my marriage ended unexpectedly.
Over the years I have experienced many great successes, my fair share failures and disappointments and frustrations, and a lot of growing pains. Like most people, I didn't walk into this role of entrepreneur fully prepared, and have learned some hard lessons along the way.
An important thing that I discovered, that I imagine we all have to find out for ourselves: It's true what they say. Money does not buy happiness.
When I first went into business, making money was the primary goal. It had to be at that point, as it is for most new entrepreneurs. I had a family to support, and later two children to raise on my own as a single mother.
Eventually I met my financial goals and found myself managing a successful business with a consistent income. And what a great place to be! But then I had to create new goals, which I found quite challenging.
With our immediate needs met, I then had to sit down and plan my future. And not only did I need to create a vision for where I wanted to be in 10 years, I also needed to decide how I wanted to spend my life. Starting then, and each day after.
That's the important part: deciding how you want to spend your time. Once you figure that out, everything else falls into place. You'll know how much money you need to earn to achieve that goal. You'll know what you ultimately want to outsource, so that you can spend your time doing the tasks you enjoy.
And you'll know how to strategically grow your business in the right direction to achieve all of these goals. Or at least have a great starting point for figuring it out.
Today is a day for chocolates and flowers, and for love - and appreciation of love. Take today to celebrate the things in life that make you the most happy. When you're ready to get back to work, consider how you can create success. True success, which includes loving what you do - not just the results.
Ask yourself:
- Where do I see myself in 10 years?
- How do I want to spend my time every day?
- How do I NOT want to spend my time?
- What does my ideal lifestyle look like?
- What are my truest priorities in life?
Answering these questions will help you create a business model you can actually enjoy. One with less stress, and many more rewards. Like I said earlier, it will always be a work in progress. Particularly as your business grows and evolves over time. I'm amazed at how my life has changed over the last decade, and how much a role enjoying my work has played in that.
There's nothing better than waking up every morning with a sense of gratitude, looking forward to your life and your day's work. Well, maybe chocolates and kisses. But we'll get our share of that today if all goes well. 😉
Don't search for, or wait for success and happiness. Create it!
Happy Valentine's Day...
Best,
p.s. I want to help you achieve what I have in my life and business. From financial success to lifestyle design. Join us in my Private Brainstorming Group and let's work together. I hope to see you there!
About Lynn Terry
It is an important point. If you are not happy in your life, why do what you do? I too agree and consider this whole on line thing kinda like a hobby. Good article Lynn.
Exactly. Though I should clarify - I don't consider my online business a hobby. I do take it very seriously and am very disciplined with my career goals. It's just that I enjoy it so much it feels more like a hobby than work. 🙂
I have to piggyback and say that attending the session you did with Kevin Riley & Sid Hale at NAMS made me realize how seriously you do take your business.
I'll take that as a compliment 😀 Thank you, Kimmoy
I *really* enjoyed that session!
Happy Valentine's Day, Lynn.
I always look forward to receiving your blog updates every day and learn something new from you all the time.
Thanks so much for the information you provide.
Monna Ellithorpe
Thank you Monna! Happy Valentine's Day 😀
Lynn, you are such an inspiration! Thanks for being you.
*hugs* Adriana - YOU have inspired me so many times over the years. I look forward to the next time we can get together in person to brainstorm & hang out!
Ahhhh Lynn! Thanks for keeping it real. I rarely comment or anything like that, but I am here on your site everyday learning something, following along. With all your great success you are someone I admire and respect.
Nuff Respect!
Omar
Thank you Omar - a high compliment, and very much appreciated!
Having a job/ carrier we love and feel like it is an hobby must be a great achievement. I haven't had that "taste" yet but now that I lost my full time job it's time for me to "create the opportunity". I just hope I realize my dream.
Thank you for all the information you provide on your blog and on your Forum.
It really is a great achievement. Certainly not something that happens overnight, but it's even great to have something like that to work towards. My last real job was not going anywhere, so it was quite the contrast to work on my own business and goals.
Hi Laura,
Just move on with your dreams cause whatever happens there is always a reason like cause and effect.
You will succeed and I am sure will share your success story to all of us here soon. Just DO it Laura
Lynn thanks for sharing with love such a beautiful Valentine Day message - that's true love.
Happy Valentine's Day, Judith!
Excellent post. I remember your post "Falling in Love with your business all over again" without clicking on it - it was one of those posts that really resonated with me. I really enjoy watching you and your business evolve. I'm hundreds of miles behind you; in fact I'm feeling a bit "derailed" lately (another of your posts I remember clearly). I have to admit in reading your question "How do you NOT want to spend your time" - a lot of my business time is spent doing things other than what I really want to be doing. Time for some changes. Thanks, Lynn.
Hey Valerie,
If it helps any at all to know this: I write each and every post from personal experience - sometimes painfully personal, LOL. I am really glad to hear that certain things resonate and make a difference to someone. It makes it worth writing 🙂 Thank you for that - really appreciated your comment!
Happy Valentines Day! I love what I do online and hope that in the next 12 months to be working full-time online because I enjoy it so much. However give me another 12 months and I plan on stepping back and allowing my blogs and websites to let me step back and take more time to spend with my family.
You're smart to map out a strategy like that. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to achieve that in less than 2 years even. But I do love the fact that you see it as an investment and a business, as so many get frustrated when they don't "strike it rich" in a few short weeks 😉 lol
Good luck in all that you do! Let me know if there's any way I can help - technical stuff, resources, etc.
Excellent post and everybody needs to stop and do the self-exam thing now and then.
This is a tad off topic, but the illustration on this article inspired me to tweet a blogger's block solution: Look through some available images, pick an interesting one and write a blog entry it will illustrate. That solves two problems: thinking of a topic and finding an appropriate illustration. I suspect that isn't what you did, however. That illustration's perfect and must have taken some effort to find.
I use iStockPhoto.com and usually find great images in a matter of minutes. I also browse the images for inspiration sometimes too, so that's a great tip to share!
Happy Valentine's Day, Lynn!
Such a great blog post and so true. Thanks for all you do and congrats on 14 years.
Thank you, Angie 😀 I hope you and Kevin had a fabulous holiday!
Earning online is absolutely no joke. Since you're the boss, you really need to work hard in order have enough money to support your living. Also, you need to define your plans in achieving your goal.
I don't necessarily think you have to work hard - just work smart. I did put in a lot of hours in the beginning, but I considered that an investment in my future. Working less and earning more (at the same time) is definitely the end objective!
Lynn, you're such an inspiration and I hope to get to this level soon. I absolutely loved reading your "Falling in Love w/ your Biz.." post, it's a great boost for me to keep going in the direction I've already set and continue to eliminate unnecessary distractions.
Thanks!
I'm glad, Kimmoy - I thought of that post when I woke up this morning, and thought it was a great day to bring it back from the archives. It's not always easy to keep things on a roll, but it's such a great place to be with your biz that it's worth giving it a little push to get things back in positive motion again!
It was great seeing you in Atlanta for NAMS. I look forward to seeing you again soon - maybe August if not sooner 🙂
yeah something that you really love must be make it fun but too many love in it make it bad and you feel it when you lost it.
Hmm. I have been in business for 13 full years, and have never experienced that. There have been phases and changes, but the great thing is that I am in control of the direction that it goes. If something isn't working out, I can just tweak it and move forward!
Not sure I caught your meaning 😉
Lynn, you are my hero! Thanks for another inspiring article.
This is a great article to inspire me to work diligently in making money online and doing what I love. But I should not forget to give time to my family. Managing my time really matters from earning money to earning happiness together with my love ones.
Absolutely. One of my highest priorities along the way has been to be a full-time mother to my two children, which is the reason I chose to work from home. Having a career that I truly enjoy, and getting to stay home with my children at the same time - perfect!
Hi Lynn!
This post really rings true for me. I see so many coaches promising a 6-figure or 7-figure business to folks when I'm not sure that's what people really want anyway. Most of the business owners I talk to are interested in a running a business they enjoy while being able to spend more of their time with the people & doing the things they enjoy the most. For some of us our work doesn't feel much like work. And then getting paid for it is such a great feeling! For me, it's all about having the income to live the lifestyle I want.
I see the same thing, Felicia and I know exactly what you mean. It shouldn't be about the numbers (or the models or the methods). It should be about personal goals, vision, individual objectives.
Not everyone wants to manage a lifestyle on that level - which comes with it's own amount of stress. I always recommend that people put a lot of thought into where they want to be, and how they want to spend their time - that's where the answers lie.
Like you, I love the quality time with my children and the lack of financial stress - and of course traveling. 😀 The money is simply a means to an end, a way to achieve all of that.
Lynn, once again a great post from you.
You share alot and each topic makes me learn new things.
Thank you for making up the 5 questions we should ask ourself
•Where do I see myself in 10 years?
•How do I want to spend my time every day?
•How do I NOT want to spend my time?
•What does my ideal lifestyle look like?
•What are my truest priorities in life
I already wrote mine and place on my desktop so that i can see it everyday from now on. Thank you Lynn for opening my mind to do this.
Good plan, James. The exercise is a real eye-opener, isn't it? It's easy to set goals that don't actually belong to you - goals other people tell you that you should have or that you read/saw somewhere else (other than in your own mind).
In our industry, yachts and beaches and 6-figure incomes. Yada yada yada. But sitting down and putting thought into it, and being true to yourself, is the only way to create a business you can genuinely enjoy and appreciate.
Thank you Lynn. That is why I come here everyday to read your blog and never give up on my goal. Your have inspired me from a nobody in online to be somebody soon.
By the way Lynn, I need your advice. Is Micro Niche Finder good for a beginner like to get keywords and start-off for affiliate marketing.
Happy Valentine Day to You and all at home.
I've never used/reviewed Micro Niche Finder so I can't say with any certainty. I use http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com to research keyword phrases and market depth...
Thank you Lynn, I will use http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com/ and work towards my goals.
Have a great evening and one of my dream is to meet you and the rest at NAMs.
I am here reading your blog every single day. I have learned a lot from it. I am still in the process of learning, and trying to implement the things that I have learned. You have really inspired me so much. I am so thankful and grateful for the valuable information that you have provided. I can really feel that you want everyone to succeed, and I highly admire that in a person.
As always a great and insightful post, Lynn. You are real and that is what speaks to your readers. This post has helped me and the questions have helped me to focus. Thank you. 🙂
You shouldn't compel yourself to love certain thing, that wouldn't be natural. I've quit profession that I hated because I just couldn't tolerate them. I used to work sales jobs but I hated selling, so I just determined to not take anymore sales jobs. Last month I interviewed for a job and after they were telling me that I had to sell, I just dropped the job. I decided to proceed back to college to get my degree in graphic design.
I believe that spending your time based on how you want to live is already a self-fulfillment on your part. But, not all people are able to earn money while having fun. There are so many people who spend most of their time working for their boss just to get a small amount of salary every month. Hopefully, all of us will have this willingness to try what we really want and eventually earn from there.
Really terrific post! This is exactly the direction I'm taking my business/lifestyle. Because of my online business, I now have an opportunity to live my passion (adventure travel) and share it with others via my online consulting business.
And you're so right...money cannot buy happiness. Living a life in which you fulfill and express your passion will.
Hey Lynn, For sure you have to love what you do to be successful at it, a little obsession doesn't hurt either 😉
There is a difference in being driven by passion and being driven by money. If money is your only driving force you'll burn out fast.
Ask anyone who truly loves their job what they like about it, they will say things like, the interesting work, the people, status, satisfaction, etc. They will rarely say 'the money'. If they do they probably hate their job. Nice post, thanks!
Good post Lynn. Being your own boss brings sanity back to peoples lives. I am glad to hear that your still enjoying it and looking at this career as a hobby. Looking at it this way always makes it enjoyable to wake up and turn on the screen.
Great post Lynn and just what I needed to hear today. It took me a while, but I am finally at the point where I reached my initial goals and we have a steady comfortable income. It's such a weird place to be in. Don't get me wrong, it's great, but I noticed that I was just slacking off, not really going anywhere because I didn't know what direction to move in.
I relaxed for a while, spend more time with family or just curling up with a good book, but after a while it just got too boring. I enjoy the challenge of creating something new, feeling myself stretch outside of my comfort zone and most importantly contributing and making a difference (I'm sure you feel the same).
Talking with you, Nicole Dean, Tracy Roberts, Shannon Cherry and a lot of other wonderful people at NAMS helped me redefine myself and come up with a plan and some direction. Thank you.
Lynn, Thanks for sharing this. I like that fact that you keep things real because you help so many,myself included,to know that you had to plan and work to get to where you are.And we can to especially with someone as giving as you are with you help and knowledge.
Happy Valentine Day (late)
Gail
Hi Lynn-
Another great post, though I wouldn't expect anything else of you! I can vouch for the SSWT discussion forum, It's the place I go online to get my questions answered, as well as here. Just wanted to let you and anyone else reading this know that Lynn is the real thing...
A breath of fresh air in the IM niche...
Way back when I first came online in 2000 I discovered your forum and it is my favorite to this day, 10 years later...
Wanted to say thanks for all you do and wish you a great time in Australia!
Really cool post ! I do like the straight up truth. Any business reqires W O R K; usually quite a bit of it. But when you enjoy what you are doing, is it really work ?
Hi Lynn
1st time post
I agree with you. Find what you like, and do it. I’m somewhat new to the online world, and blogging. Yet, I do believe deciding or choosing something you find interesting makes it worthy wild.
I think you've got to be careful doing what you love. It's important to feel good about what you do, but I've seen loads of people go into business doing the thing they love and fail miserably. Don't confuse what you love with what's profitable - because the two are completely different things.
I think success in anything requires doing things that are uncomfortable. Like getting out of bed for starters 😉 But the reward makes you think that it was worth every bit of the challenge it takes.
Working online is my dream in the future, I love the idea of working from home while taking care children. For now I'm still working in small company to cover my family's needs, but I never forget my dream, I'm trying to divide time between off-line and online job. I start from zero and hopefully one day I can have full time online job and do what I love.
I admire your website, your ethics, and your energy. Saw you briefly at Ed's event in Orlando 2008. Hope we cross paths again.
I totally agree that money does not buy happiness and that work is not work if you enjoy it. Thanks for sharing.
Here's an interesting question, my apologies if it's been asked before...
Why haven't you done personal coaching/consultations, and do you ever plan too in the future?
You are an inspiration for me.I'm also planning to become a full time blogger but was uncertain whether I'll succeed or not.I'm a travel blogger and run both blogs and websites related to travel.