5 Reasons You Should Never Work For a Company

I run this website and I am starting another targeted at any business in the world. My girlfriend runs a fitness website that receives about 2.5 million visitors a year.   We run these businesses because we refuse to settle for a 9-5 job in some crappy cubicle. Why ditch working for a company?

1.       Our websites run 24 hours a day. When we aren’t online and are sleeping with the cats purring at our feet, money is flowing into our bank accounts. In the morning I wake up and I have a new subscriber from …who knows…New Zealand, that has sent me a payment. This is called passive income. I deliver value to my clients and the site generates a continuous income.  I just got paid from both Google Adsense and my clients that subscribed to the My Life Changes tracker.

2.      I run the business how the fuck I want. In a company there may be a zillion rules, all kinds of bosses (some scary ones) and paperwork up to your freaking ears. Here I have almost zero paperwork, I am God and I own the rules. If I decide to take a break and go have hot dogs and ice cream while swimming in the pool – I do. And I can fire any idiot customer that gets on my nerves. As long as I’ve used good business fundamentals I rule!

3.       I am free. I’m not only free to rule the company as I want, I’m also free to be as creative and imaginative as I wish.  I can have my office in a Starbucks or with Mr Sunshine and the pool. I can write a smashing article one day or think of an excellent application to add. I can even watch an inspiring movie as I work (and eat popcorn).  The company idiot does not interrupt me. Yes I use a trusted set of advisors at times (that I’ve chosen), but I’ve avoided time wasting company meetings.  I am free.

4.       I don’t whine about company politics. I set my own politics. My politics may include breaks ever 90 minutes, lunch with friends every second day or reading a good business book once a week.  I use whatever software and laptop I want, I don’t have anything forced on me.  So how can I complain?

5.       I don’t fight traffic. Ever been stuck in a snowstorm for 2 hours trying to make a 9 AM meeting. Its sucks. Ever had a large SUV cut you off in the morning and then slam its brakes on? Being stuck in traffic and sucking up exhaust from the long line of cars makes me want to pull all my hair out. Working at home (and for yourself) might mean taking a morning trip downstairs to your laptop and seeing if any money came in. Then I brew some coffee, play on twitter and think about a hot shower at one point. Fuck traffic.

Now it’s your turn to decide what kind of value you can provide people and do it! Believe in your dream and make it happen.  How about all those American Idols that had shitty jobs? They went out and pursued their dreams.   If yours is to own a business and operate it from anywhere in the world, there is absolutely nothing stopping you. Trust your inner wisdom and let go of years of false beliefs and conditioning. Do it now.  It’s your turn.

How to Weather the Storm of the Economic Collapse

As you may well know, we are currently still in the worst economic situation since the Great Depression. What exactly does this mean and how can you survive until the economy gets back on its feet?

The first thing to do is stay current on what’s happening with the economy. You need to have a basic understanding of it all and keep up with the changes that are happening as well. Without this information, you may make decisions that could be detrimental to your financial future.

It’s far too easy to panic and make rash decisions when the future is uncertain and frightening, so don’t dwell on the latest news, just keep yourself in the loop.

Here are a few things to remember that can help you survive the economic collapse:

1.      Markets. If you own stock invested in a long-term investment, leave it there. The markets will fluctuate up and down, and sometimes it will happen sharply. But over time, the market will recover; it’s a normal ebb and flow.

• If you’re concerned about your investments, ask a professional for their advice. Don’t pull it too soon in a knee-jerk reaction from a steep drop. This is the nature of the stock market and you should be prepared for this type of thing happening.

2.      Diversify. Simply put, don’t place all your eggs in one basket. If all your investments are in one place, spread them out. Look into CD’s, money markets and bonds. These types of investments are slow and steady and the principal is protected.

3.      Spend Less. This is pretty straightforward, but it’s an important reminder. If you went out to dinner 3 times a week before the economy dipped, try 2 times a month now. Put simply: if you don’t need to spend money on something, don’t. The money you save can help pay your bills.

• In this economy, survival requires sacrifice. You’ll have to cook at home more or maybe rent a movie instead of going to the theater. It could be worse, so make due with what you have!

4.      Spend Wisely. Where do you normally shop? If you answer high priced specialty stores, you may need to change your habits.

• Start heading to discount supermarkets and dollar stores. Believe it or not, dollar stores sell cleaning supplies for $1, as opposed to four or five dollars for the same thing in another store.
• Skip the Starbucks stop on your way to work and bring your morning coffee from home instead.

These times are tough. Unemployment is on the rise, jobs are harder to find, and businesses are closing down faster than ever before. Still, this is not something to fear. These things happen. It’s all part of a cycle and the economy will bounce back.

In the meantime, get creative and find new ways to make some extra money and save on expenses:

• Search through your garage, attic and basement for things you own that you don’t need anymore and sell them online.
• Look into home based Internet businesses and ways to generate passive income. Affiliate marketing is great for this. There are places all over the Internet with these types of programs.
• The worst thing you can do in this economy is ignore the fact that there’s a problem or think it won’t affect you. Consider everything expense you have and devise ways you can get it for less. You can make this recessionary economy work to your benefit by negotiating cheaper rates.

You may have to look a little harder for opportunities, but they’re still there. Take the skills you have, along with your passion, and find ways to generate some passive income from them. When you do these things, you’ll be able to weather the storm and come out ahead!