Don’t you just hate (or love) subject lines like that? Whoever writes them make it seem as if anyone who has the ability to read, can make millions of dollars. Well, okay, I shouldn’t be so cynical. You’re right, just about anyone can make millions and become a success, especially here in the U.S. With that thought, I figured I’d take a stab and list the Career Pioneer’s sure-fire ways to generate wealth and stop working for the rest of your life. Enjoy!
- Marry rich.
- Start your own software company while attending Harvard, hold the Number One slot on the Forbes 400 list for 14 consecutive years, give your money away simply because you’ve amassed so much wealth a couple million dollars is like chump change. . . Aahhh. . . It must be nice to be Bill Gates.
- Inherent millions from your rich folks.
- Turn your love for the spotlight and music into an industry benchmark. Oops. Did I just describe another already successful entrepreneur? You’re right, that’s Diddy. AKA Puff Daddy. AKA Sean Combs — the guy who helped boost the incredible (and short) career of Notorious B.I.G.
(Side note: Can you believe he dropped out of attending college at Howard University [my Alma mater], founded his own record company, and reportedly made as much as $346 million in 2006? I’m certainly not hatin.’ I’m just saying!)
Let’s keep it real. If you’re reading this blog, more than likely your only viable option for success in terms of amassing wealth is:
- To keep your day job,
- Decide that you’ll stop trying to keep up with the Joneses,
- And start living within your means.
And that tip, my friends, rounds us off at Number 5.
Personally, I opt for the latter. Actually . . . I have no choice. But that’s beside the point.
No, seriously folks. Pick your heads up. Take heart. This wasn’t meant to bring you down. But to remind you that we all have a choice. As a matter of fact, if you’re sitting here reading this it means that you have access to the internet and that you’re probably not living in some remote, obscure, uninhabited part of the world. Which means that opportunities abound for you if you just believe and put in some sweat equity. We have many choices! Isn’t it great to have options!?
Kids Turn Your World Upside-Down (And Your Perspective on Work and Money)
I realized that I had options when I had my first daughter 10 weeks before her due date due to a medical condition called severe pre-eclampsia. She spent her first couple of months on this earth under the great care of the nurses and doctors in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at George Washington Hospital in DC. It was during that time that I gained greater clarity on my purpose in life and the freedom of choice.
It was also then, as I traveled back and forth from home to the hospital each day for 7 weeks, that I made the decision that I wanted to make my daughter a priority and decided to resign from my job as a public relations account executive to become a stay-at-home mom.
Since making that choice and putting my priorities first, yes, my bank account isn’t as plush as it used to be. But on the very bright side, I mustered the courage to start a business, including this blog. Plus, I’ve worked on a variety of exciting projects that combine my expertise, passion & purpose, and interests — from advertising, to public relations, to journalism, to consulting, to mentoring and volunteering.
What’s Your Internal Voice Telling You?
We can choose to sit around and mope about how we haven’t started to live our dreams. That all the “good” opportunities pass us by. Complain that we have to stick it out in a dead-end job — because who in their right mind is going to give up a paycheck in THIS economy? We can be that co-worker who’s always threatening the manager that we’ll quit if they say “just one more word.”
Is this sounding too familiar? Believe me, I can relate! I was there!
Well, we can choose to do those things, but we’re not. Why? Because we’re pioneers! Pioneers rough it out. They are trailblazers in every sense of the word. When it’s raining outside they weather the storm and brace the cold. When the terrain gets rocky they keep on pushing. Even when the path ahead is unclear and the frontier is unexplored, pioneers continue to believe that something better is ahead beyond the horizon. In addition, pioneers learn how to enjoy the scenery and find the beauty in everything.
Don’t Forget to SUBSCRIBE (That is, only if you want to laugh and relate to others.)
In my next post, I’ll take you back to where my career REALLY started — on a farm in a small rural town located in Southwest Georgia. I’ll share with you a hog farmer’s success tips on building values, career, and wealth even when it seems your options are limited. I’m not going to tell you anymore. I bet the suspense is killing you. Yep, you wouldn’t want to miss that would you?
Share the Blog with Friends. Help Build the Career Pioneer Online Community.
Please share this blog with your friends and family. The more people who are reading the larger our online community grows. Even if they’re still gainfully employed, they might need a bit of humor and inspiration during the day, and they might even offer some much-needed advice and insight to others. Talk to you soon!
Keep the Discussion Going
How have you been a Career Pioneer this week? Did you push through even when it was inconvenient and uncomfortable? What got you through? A hug from a friend? A quick prayer? Seeing the smile on your child’s face? Share your experience so that the rest of the world can learn from you!
