What are the steps to becoming Gainfully Unemployed?
Being Gainfully Unemployed is actually a state of mind---a
spiritual awakening and a way of life. Or, it is the fact that
you decided to quit your day job and do something fun and
exciting. Or, it could be that renting snorkels on a beach in
Mexico provides a better chance for advancement. It is whatever
you want it to be! The idea behind becoming Gainfully Unemployed
is to work for yourself in such a way that you can actually do
better for yourself than as a full-time employee for someone
else.
I've always been a highly schedule-oriented individual. I need
to have an organized list of tasks that direct me toward an
ultimate goal. With that, I knew that if I was ever going to
leave my full-time job, I had to sit down and map out my
direction. Of course, I had no idea which direction I was going,
so I had to figure that out as well.
This article provides an overview of the steps I took in
developing my plan of attack. I had to determine what I wanted,
where I wanted to go, and how I had to get there.
* Prepare Your Plan The plan is the most important part of
starting out on your new endeavor. It is essential to map out
your direction so to know how to get to where you want to go.
The also plan helps you know when you get there. It can be used
for motivation, direction, ideas, and helping to keep you on
track when your brain starts down a tangent.
The plan itself is based on three important items:
* the Mission, * the Vision, and * your Goals.
The Mission is a short statement about your overall
direction---what you plan to do. The Vision identifies where you
might see yourself in five years---your long term objective and
direction. The Goals identify short-term objectives---the
stepping stones to achieve your Mission and reach your Vision.
* Set Yourself Up There are two ways to make it happen for you:
quit your job now or set yourself up to be able to step off into
a comfortable opportunity. I would suggest the latter as life is
much easier when you make it happen your way instead of having
to claw and pray that you can pay your bills.
You need to start talking with potential clients and get your
name out there. You also need to begin work right away in the
direction you want to go by working at night and weekends to
make it happen. This step will test your abilities at handling
your new venture before you leave your full-time job. If you
can't make it happen on a part-time basis, then stop here and
keep your day job.
* Prepare Your Business The type of business entity and
direction you select is important for professional presentation
and for tax purposes. It is important to research your direction
and match it against a business entity that will best meet your
needs.
* Market Your Product or Service Selecting your market is very
important for success. You want to make sure that the market you
select suits your product or service (i.e., telecommuting
freelance work, etc.) You don't want to have to wrestle with
potential clients to make a sale---you want your product or
service to be accepted. You can storm the walls later, just make
it happen for now.
* Pack Away the Money While you are working full-time, make sure
to pack away that extra money for when you make your leap. There
are various ways to determine when you are financially ready for
the leap and ways to make sure you don't go broke in the process.
* Easy Does It Make sure that everyone in your family is
prepared for the change. Also, make sure that you have
established yourself so that you can walk into your new endeavor
with confidence. This is just as important as finances! Your new
work environment and lifestyle will affect everyone differently.
* Quit Your Job We reach that glorious day when you quit your
full-time job. Do it with dignity and style. You never know,
your former employer could be your first client and your best
reference for other clients.