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| Opportunity Knocks
Creative Ways to Make a Living Without A Job How One Income-Generating Idea Leads to Another By Valerie Young I take what you might call a more organic approach to organizing. The good thing about being "filing flexible" is that putting together this week's list of unique ways to make a living without a job meant looking no farther than the foot high pile of newspaper and magazine clippings on my office floor. But here's the fascinating part. Despite grabbing a dozen clips, I only got as far as the first one. That's because when you are an "Opportunity Analyst" like I am, one opportunity invariably leads to another. This is especially true when you start tuning into trends because they are ripe with profitable ideas. Let me show you what I mean. At the very top of the pile was a section of The Old Farmer's 2007 Almanac called Tastes & Trends 2007. One such trend to watch for is what are called "ethical wills." According to an unnamed survey, to some benefactors, gifts such as morality, faith, and religion are more important than money. "Think of it as a love letter to family and friends," says author of Healthy Aging Andrew Weil. "This makes you take stock of your life experiences and distill from it the values and wisdom that you have gained." The editors at the Old Farmer's Almanac instruct us to watch for Web sites, books, and consultants to teach us how to create ethical wills. They were right. A quick Internet search led me to EthicalWill.com. It was there that I found a listing by state of professionals and organizations using ethical wills. A few more clicks and I discovered that in nearby Longmeadow, Massachusetts, attorney and personal historian Marian C. Broder of Memories Recorded has created multiple income streams around ethical wills. In addition to leading "workshops on writing ethical wills, transmitting values and telling family stories for community centers, synagogues, book clubs, libraries, support groups and individuals," Marian also "works with individuals to craft statements that can be presented at life events and works with parents to draft documents of values and beliefs for children's guardians to accompany estate documents." Then there is documentary film maker Carlyn Saltman of YourStoryMatters.com. Carlyn lives and works in the even more nearby village of Turner's Falls. This fascinating woman combined her training as a holistic counselor, hospice volunteer, and award-winning documentary filmmaker to help clients create ethical wills on Video, DVD, paper, or all three. As interesting as I found the idea of videotaping an individual's ethical will, I was even more intrigued to discover that Carlyn has also tapped another huge trend – pets. For Carlyn, producing pet videos was a natural outgrowth of videotaping people. She explains that, "pets usually get into the act in the course of filming a memoir or portrait documentary of their humans. They are family members, too, and they usually know it. Sometimes their unconditional love enriches our lives as much as our human relationships do. So it's no wonder that beloved pets are popular subjects in their own right." This is yet another great example of one income stream very naturally leading to another. Then literally on the same Old Farmer's Almanac page as the ethical will piece was a finding about cat lovers. If you happen to be a cat lover seeking to change course though, this finding equals opportunity. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, not only do five percent of cat owners hold birthday parties for their cats, cat owners also splurge more on gifts than dog or other pet owners spending on average $30 per year. Imagine offering cat or dog birthday packages in your area complete with sirloin cake, hats, pet photo sessions, and party favors! And talk about trends! A quick hop over to the Association's site (APPMA.org) led me to a much longer list of pet related trends and statistics. The information aspiring entrepreneurs will perhaps find most interesting is the 2007 Pet Products Trend Report. Now I already knew that Entrepreneur magazine had designated pet owners as one of the top 10 markets. But I had no idea that big name companies like Paul Mitchell, Omaha Steaks, Origins, Harley Davidson and Old Navy are now offering lines of pet products ranging from dog shampoo, pet attire, and name-brand toys to gourmet treats and food. Another more well-known trend is for big chain hotels to promote themselves as pet-friendly. In addition to pet pillows, plush doggie robes, check-in gift packages that include a pet toy, dog treat, ID tag, bone and turn down treat, some higher end hotels even have a licensed dog masseuse on staff. So where's the opportunity for the pet-loving entrepreneur? My guess is that a lot of the smaller chains, independently-owned hotel and motels, and Bed & Breakfasts would like to be pet-friendly but don't want to go to the fuss of pulling it all together. So, why not create a pet-welcome package where you provide the hotel owners with all the necessary products? Throw in a dog walking service or doggie-care package so guests can go out on the town without worrying about a barking Fido back in the room, and you'll really distinguish yourself from the competition! But I'm not done yet. The Opportunity Analyst in me definitely perked up when I saw that film maker Carlyn Saltman has wisely seized another opportunity – teaching what you know. Much to the displeasure of financial planners and realtors, baby boomers are avid do-it-yourselfers. So for people who have video skills and equipment and want to complete a personal history project of their own, Carlyn will set up a schedule of telephone and/or in person consultations to guide them through what she says can be a daunting undertaking. Even if you are just starting out in your business, make the addition of teaching others what you know a part of your longer range income stream plan. Finding interesting and profitable ways to make a living doing what you love is easier than you think. All that is required is an inquisitive mind, the willingness to be open to the ways that one opportunity may lead to another, and faith to act on a good opportunity when you see one. About the Author "Turning Interests Into Income" expert, Valerie Young, abandoned her corporate cubicle to become the Dreamer in Residence at ChangingCourse.com offering resources to help you discover your life mission and live it. Her career change tips have been cited in Kiplinger's, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today Weekend, Woman's Day, and elsewhere and on-line at MSN, CareerBuilder, and iVillage.com. An expert on the Impostor Syndrome, Valerie has spoken on the topic of How to Feel as Bright and Capable as Everyone Seems to Think You Are to such diverse organizations as Daimler Chrysler, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Harvard, and American Women in Radio and Television. To read more articles about how to work at what you love without a job go to ChangingCourse.com/articles.htm |
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| Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it.~ Ella Williams | |
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| Featured Resource You Can Get Paid to Do What You Love This Time Next Year, You Could be Living Your Dream of a More Flexible, Satisfying Life… You really can escape the 9-to-5 world. You can find ways to do what you love and get paid for it. Lots of people are well on their way to fast tracking their dream of working at what they love. But don't take my word for it… "I can't even begin to tell you what the Fast Track community means to me...
I can't thank Valerie enough for starting this. Sometimes, people need a life raft to hold on to and the Changing Course and Fast Track communities are exactly what people need… I look forward to getting to know my fellow team mates, being inspired and learning all that I can so I can take the leap of faith and just do it! I've even given my husband a few ideas about starting a business of his own as well."
~Della P. from Saint John, NB Canada "This community was a fantastic idea. Since coming to the Fast Track community, I've met some wonderful people...and I think made some new friendships. I've come to know this group as a whole other family. Kindred spirits, so to speak… By doing, we overcome fear. By doing, we learn. By doing, we master one step at a time so we feel more confidence lifting us and see a smaller mountain ahead."
~ Steve Coxsey from Dallas-Forth Worth area, Texas "Not only can you use all of this wonderful information to change your career, but also to change the rest of your life as well. The posts I've read here encouraged me last Wednesday to make an offer on a house I've been debating about for the last four months. Thursday my offer was accepted as is and we close on 2/15. Talk about fast tracking! Then on Friday my fourth young adult novel, Mary of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, was accepted for publication by the first publisher who looked at it! Thanks to all for your inspiration and encouragement! Dreamers make the World go Round!" ~ Susan Eileen Walker from New Bern, North Carolina "I still can't believe all that I've accomplished in little over a week. AMAZING! The entire dream team is awesome. All the posts and suggestions on the Member Discussion Forum have opened my mind up to so many more possibilities... I've learned more practical information than I could have imagined. When I joined the Fast Track Community I wasn't sure where to start and felt so frenzied. Well, I've still got a lot of different paths but they somehow feel great. I feel calm and yet so energized. Thanks to this entire community for inspiring me every day! Valerie, thank you for conceiving and creating this amazing opportunity. I have hope...and that's huge!" ~ Kamin Bell from Irvine, California "I am delighted to have found a community of like-minded people, not just one or two people, but hundreds of them!! It helps to know we are not alone with our dreams and aspiration, and it gives me more strength and courage… I must say that since I've been doing the exercises in The 10 Steps [to Escaping the Job World and Creating the Life You Really Want Personal Planner], I've gotten so clear that I am a teacher/writer/speaker/leader. Thanks!" ~ Armelle from Ireland "The potential of what is being offered here is hard to fully comprehend. When this opportunity showed up in my email on Thursday, just out of the blue -- I quickly read the long introduction page. Normally I would just hit DELETE, but something resonated within me and I said YES. Before I knew it I was enrolled. I too am looking forward to learning, being challenged, being motivated, being encouraged, and actually getting busy and looking at life differently. My wife has always told me "We are human BEINGS, not DOING." I think she means focus more on our beingness not just running around doing things." [I am] looking forward to the adventure."
~ "Moodling Crafter" from Kauai, Hawaii "I just wanted to share that I have made some progress this week. I attended a home staging course and got my ASP designation. Now I'm working on setting up a business and I even have my first client. One of my coworkers is putting their house up for sale and they want me to help stage it. This is very exciting for me! Thank you for your support and encouragement!" ~ Kim from Emo, Ontario, Canada "Isn't it exciting to have found a community of likeminded people?! To find out that you are not alone or weird?! To realize that you don't have to stuff yourself into the "status quo box" in order to be successful?! To realize there is nothing wrong with loving what you do and looking forward to doing it everyday?! To see that there are others out there who have multiple interests and talents and want to pursue more than one?!" ~ Kathleen Ellis, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania "The reason I decided to join Fast Track is to help propel my dreams into reality… Most of my family and friends think I'm crazy for quitting a good job with no other job lined up but it was a MUST for me, my soul was dying. I have no intention of finding another paid job… Valerie has created a very special safe place for us to communicate our thoughts, our feelings, our fears and ambitions so let the journey begin." ~ Lizette from Scotland "The classes, information and support from Changing Course have been invaluable and worth every cent. I feel as though I'm Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz... I've always had the power to create the life I wanted, I just didn't realize it! I was miserable for most of the 16 years I spent at my last job, but was afraid to make a move because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do and didn't want to face the same issues at another company. Settling for unacceptable working conditions finally took a toll on my health and forced me to face myself and what I really want for my life. I still feel scared and excited to make these changes, but I'm glad I won't have to do it alone." ~ Margaret from Long Island, New York "Thinking about this now, I realize that working for myself was probably something I have always wanted to do, ever since I was a little kid… I spent a long time and lots of effort building a career, and I'm good at it, but I've realized that if I died tomorrow, they'd probably write on my gravestone - she was a nice person and she worked really hard - yuck! I now understand that I have to do things that I know will make a difference and are important to me, rather than doing things for the sake of doing them which is what I seem to be doing now. Its exciting being part of this group of folks who are all on similar journeys - we are not alone."
~ Maree from Melbourne, Australia "It's great to be part of group of like-minded people each working towards their dream… I am hoping that this forum will help me take the leap of faith needed and define my priorities and actions needed to achieve results. It's great to read all the stories, aspirations and dreams out there and it will be great to help each other achieve the success of living our dreams and the life we were born to live."
~ Martin from London, England "I can't even begin to imagine how long it would take for me to acquire all of this information on my own, and here you've put it together right at my finger tips. You're not kidding about a "brain dump" of 12 years of research. You've really put together a complete program to launch someone into self-employment. Oh that this was available 3 years ago when I quit my job!"
~ Diane Kobrynowicz, Ph.D. from Austin, Texas "One wonders if many of us would have had the courage to step up and take hold of our Dreams had it not been for the support of the Fast Track Community. When I received my Fast Track Kit, I skimmed through the booklets and started listening to the CDs. I am excited by the process…. many of the things I heard before began to take on a different meaning once I committed myself to actively partaking in my own transitioning process… It has been a pleasure batting ideas and dreams around with others in the Fast Track forum. Because my co-workers have that "Work till I retire, or die, whichever comes first" mentality, being able to connect with like-minded people is like a breath of fresh air after nights spent in a roomful of stagnating people. So I thank you, Valerie, for this opportunity to grow and develop into the person I desire to be, independent of a time-clock, and fulfilling my Soul desires." ~ Stella from Georgia "Wow. I am amazed how things start working out when you are walking down the right path!" ~ Roslyn Wilkins from Culver City, California Join us today to "Fast Track" your dream of making a living doing what you love. Click here to learn how you can take advantage of the special $100 registration discount and get two months' free membership when you to sign on ChangingCourse.com/fasttracka.htm
| Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.
~ Benjamin Disraeli |
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| I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. ~ Jimmy Carter | |
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| Guest Article 5 Tips for Getting Your Life Back On Track --
After Taking a Wrong Turn By Cari Vollmer We've all experienced moments in our life when we hear ourselves say "YES" to a job, person or situation we know deep in our heart isn't right for us. And still we do it. As soon as "yes" leaves our lips somewhere in us we hear a voice that screams "NO! Don't do it!" but somehow another part of us kicks in and our mind overrules the wisdom of our body and we find ourselves on a path we never intended. Sometimes these wrong turns can be detrimental to our wellbeing. They cause stress and put us in danger of losing ourselves indefinitely. Other times we immediately realize our "yes" has led to an "o-oh" and we decide right then and there to go back to the beginning and start again. Either way, when you find yourself in a sticky situation, only you have the power to declare you took a wrong turn and only you can decide when it's time to get back on track. These tips may help. Be honest with yourself. Admit, as quickly as possible, you made a choice that led you down the wrong path. Nothing will change until you personally acknowledge the decision you made isn't working for you. The sooner, the better. Be willing to take 100% responsibility for the choices you make for your life. Plan an exit strategy. Once you've admitted to yourself you're on the wrong path, decide how you're going to get back on track. In some situations it may be necessary for you to stop what you're doing immediately. Most of the time, a fast exit may lead to even more stress and poor decision making. Take the time you need to get very clear on what it is you do want, and get back on track one step at a time. Be gentle with yourself. Beating yourself up will only damage your self esteem. Realize everyone takes wrong turns – even the most successful individuals take several wrong turns before getting it right. Remember, life is ten percent how we make it and ninety percent how we take it. Look for the lesson. There are no mistakes and there's always a lesson to be learned – and even a blessing. What did taking a wrong turn teach you about yourself? Do you need to listen to your gut more and others less? Do you need to finally listen to your heart and follow its calling? Do you need to value yourself more? Do you need to redefine what success means to you? Do better next time. Life is full of second chances. Be willing to take them! Let go of the past and commit to do whatever it takes to get back on the right track. The wisdom you've gained from taking a wrong turn will help you do better next time. There's only one way to live life on your right track. Listen to your heart. It holds the secret to your happiness and the key to your success. About the Author The "Feel Great NOW!" Coach and Mentor, Cari Vollmer, will show you step-by-step how to create and live a life that works well and FEELS GREAT! With a simple, practical and inspiring style she'll guide you every step toward your dream life.
To sign up for her FREE how-to articles and no-charge 5-Day Feel Great NOW!
E-Course visitLifeOnTrack.com
| When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it. ~ W Clement Stone | Fast Track Your Dreams Community Monthly Dream Maker Speaker Series
How to Turn Those Great Ideas into a Profitable Product:
Advanced Session I've been profiting from information products since 1995. Creating a product is the easy part. But being able to tap into a market of raving fans eager to line up to buy from you again and again takes a whole different set of skills and strategies. Product launch expert Jeff Walker has personally launched more than 20 sites, all of them profitable in their first month. Since 1996, he has sold millions of dollars worth of "how to" information - all online. For years, Jeff's specialty has been rolling out new products. And after tales of his "Six Figures in Seven Days" (when he generated $106,000 in seven days with a new product and a relatively small email list) started to leak out, he became a sought-after consultant for rolling out new promotions. Since then he has helped some of the most famous marketers online with their product launches. In fact, over the last two years, he has been involved in product launches that made more than $12.1 million. NOTE: To get the very most out of this Teleclass, I strongly recommend you do two things: 1) Take a few minutes to view some "home-made" videos Jeff made of real people talking about how they successfully created and marketed their product. Click here to hear from a guy who successfully turned his hobby into a profitable business. To sign up to hear about fascinating case studies of other people who are successfully selling products in a wide range of markets click here. 2) Listen to my introductory interview with Jeff as part of the Ask the Expert Series at ChangingCourse.com/asktheexpert.htm Monday, May 29th
12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern Registration: This advanced session is exclusive to active members of the Fast Track Your Dreams Community. Fast Track Members can reserve their seat at changingcourseclub.com To learn more about how you can fast track your dream of working at what you love -- and get a two month membership free -- click here ChangingCourse.com/fasttracka.htm | Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking. ~ William B. Sprague | Upcoming Workshops and Teleclasses "How to Become Joyfully Jobless"
Teleclass Series hosted by Barbara Winter If you're not yet familiar with Barbara Winter, author of Making a Living Without a Job, be prepared to be amazed. Barbara is a vivacious and wildly popular speaker, and you'll understand why as soon as you tune into the first of the monthly, hour-long How to Become Joyfully Jobless Teleclasses she'll be hosting for Fast Track Your Dream Community members. She'll focus on topics like --  · How to start thinking like an entrepreneur · Why starting small is the smartest (and most profitable) way to launch your new enterprise · The power of multiple income streams… · And more… Like mini-workshops, these monthly Joyfully Jobless Teleclasses are interactive, which means you can ask questions and benefit from firsthand feedback from the woman I call the "Muse of Self-Bossing." Wednesday, May 9th from 8:00-9:00pm Eastern Time
Fast Track Your Dream Community Members: Free
Non-members: $29* * To learn how you can join the Fast Track Your Dream Community, please click here ChangingCourse.com/cmd.php?ad=305862 ** A portion of all revenue from this Teleclass will go to support the entrepreneurial aspirations of impoverished people in the US and internationally via the micro-grant organization TrickleUp.org Register To learn more or to register for this or other Teleclasses and courses click here or go to the Workshops & Teleclasses page at ChangingCourse.com  Join Us in Paris, Under the Shadow of the Eiffel Tower,
and Discover the City of Light in a Way You Never Could as a Tourist*  Over Four Power-Packed Days this May, you'll... -
Discover the secrets of becoming a successful travel writer or photographer from a group of the best writers, editors, and photographers in the business...
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Learn little-known techniques travel writers and photographers use to land concert tickets... meals... vacations... and more... without paying a dime...
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Walk away with a short publishable article or photos in hand... and the contact information for editors we know who are happy to work with you, even if you've never sold a story or photo before… May 16-19
Paris, France
Click Here for Details *Note from Valerie: As you know, I am very particular about what resources I will endorse to my readers. That's why I'll be in Paris, too. The primary purpose of my trip is to audit The Ultimate Travel Photographer's Workshop in order to write a first-hand review. While I'm there Lori Appling asked me if I would speak to her group of aspiring self-bossers about "The 10 Biggest Dream Busters and How to Avoid Them." When I'm not in class I'll be scoping out this delightful city as a possible future seminar venue. It's a tough job… but somebody's got to do it! I know some Changing Course readers are already signed up. I hope to see more of you there! Mark Victor Hansen's Mega Book New York Join the world's most successful book marketers and best-selling authors in New York City, for a private, limited-seating conference on the first day of BookExpo America 2007. Here's your chance to: -
Learn how you can be one of 200 lucky authors, speakers, experts, publishers, agents, publicists, and writers to sit at their feet -
Get your questions answered by top book agents, distributors and publishers -
Discover how to make $1 million or more with your books -
Lock in your registration and instantly save $100 -
Get access to 2 free preview teleseminars May 31st
New York, NY
Click Here for Details Work at What You Love:
The Life Changing Workshop for People Who Want to Quit Their Job and Work at What They Love -
 Find out how you can escape the J-O-B box… and uncover a whole new world of possibilities.
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Tap your wildest dreams...and start making a plan to make them happen right now...
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Discover the powerful secret to turning almost anything into an alternative to a so you can transform your passion into your job...
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Come away with the tools you need to create work – and a life – you really love.
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Highly successful entrepreneurs do it instinctively. Now you can, too. Learn powerful, proven techniques for marketing your business without the fear of rejection. Join "Outside the Job Box" expert Valerie Young and Barbara Winter, best-selling author of Making a Living Without a Job for what promises to be an extraordinary two days – filled with energy, enthusiasm, wisdom...and practical, life-changing know-how. August 24-25, 2007
Northampton, Massachusetts "After the workshop I decided that life was too short not to follow my dreams...and I started planning my future. About a year later, I resigned from my "big salary" job to pursue my dreams." ~ Suzanne Willis If you would like to be notified when details about the August 24-25th Work at What You Love workshop with special guest Barbara Winter become available, add your name to our announcement list now: ChangingCourse.com/wwlannounce.htm | Good thoughts are no better than good dreams, unless they be executed.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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The View From theOther Side "Now all of my friends want to start their own businesses too, because it is so much cooler than bagging groceries or cleaning tables at a restaurant." ~ Thirteen-year-old "serial entrepreneur" Caroline Grey. Her most successful business to date was making her own stress balls by filling balloons with flour and selling them to fellow students during exam period for $1 a piece. She sold them 90 in two days.
| | Resources for a Change Make Money Writing Children's BooksFor 35 years the Institute for Children's Literature has been helping aspiring writers like you become paid authors. The course materials are outstanding. As importantly, you'll be matched with a published author who'll review each assignment and help propel you to success. The course is affordable, you can take it at your own pace, and many students sell articles before even finishing the course. Click here to listen to my interview with Patti Pfitsch, award-winning children's book author and Institute graduate and instructor answer questions in our Ask the Expert Teleclass series. (FYI, Fast Track Member and published children's book author Susan Eileen Walker took this course and loved it. See Susan's quote in the Featured Resource section). Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Successby Russell Simmons. I just caught the tail end of a recent Oprah segment with author Russell Simmons and several of the unique  career changers featured in his book. Since rising out of the New York City streets over 25 years ago, Russell Simmons has helped create such ground breaking ventures as Def Jam Records, Phat Farm and Def Comedy Jam, in the process becoming known the world over as "The CEO of Hip Hop." Russell might have helped introduce hip-hop to the world, but he credits his success to his belief in a strong set of principles-or laws--which he shares for the first time in this book. In 12 straight forward steps, Russell reveals a path towards success that can be followed not only by those looking to duplicate his professional success, but anyone struggling to realize their dreams.
Need Help Marketing Your Business? I am a
long-time fan of marketing guru Marcia Yudkin's work. Marcia offers web site critiques, business naming,
tag line creation, press release services and much more. For free marketing tips go to ChangingCourse.com/recommends/marciayudkin Note: Changing Course does not accept paid advertisements from any of the resources listed here. This list is provided to expand your thinking about just how many interesting ways there are to make a living without a job!
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live life on purpose