I just got back from the Publisher's Marketing Association conference, where I roomed with my dear buddy Chellie Campbell, author of The Wealthy Spirit. It's great hanging out with other self-help authors, because we leap eagerly into supporting each other … and end up getting a lot of wise insights.
By the way, Chellie's got a great new book. From Zero to Zillionaire, which really sums up the wisdom of her very successful Financial Stress Reduction Workshop in LA. I've been digging in, and it's a fun and informative read.
Here's what I learned from Chellie on a walk we took around the Capitol.
1. I earn the most when I'm simply having fun. Yup, that's right. And it's probably true for you, too. When I'm truly cranking on my business in a connected state of passionate flow, I get ideas, start alliances and just plain blossom with creativity and joy. And these are always my most successful ideas. How great is that!?
2. Retirement isn't always the goal. I told Chellie my new financial goal was to retire at 52, to which she asked, 'Then what?' And … I had no idea. AND I realized I didn't particularly even want to retire; I just wanted to have some more hang time with my husband, who will be in his 70's by then. And then I realized … I'd like to have more hang time now. Insight: I thought I wanted to retire cause that's what all those commercials told me I wanted. But I don't! I love my work! I just want to do a little less of it … as soon as possible.
3. I'm actually set for life now. I keep thinking there's this bunch of money I must earn and save/invest to have true financial security; that then I'll be 'set for life'. But actually, there is no such thing as financial security. There's money in the bank - but even 'money in the bank' isn't a totally guarantee-able security. My only true security is that as long as I'm alive and fairly functional, I'll be able to create income if I need it. So yeah … save and invest, by all means. Even stockpile cash and work a lot less. But don't think this is the panacea that will save me from ruin. Instead, put it all into perspective and relax.
Thanks, Chellie!
Your friend, Chellie, is very sharp, Suzanne!
I've recently come to the same conclusions.
Retirement is exactly what I don't want. Retirement from my school job, ultimately, and moving forward into full time self-employment, sure, with maybe a side job to be engaged with others whose company I might enjoy, but really, getting good enough at writing and marketing, and having enough originality that people look to me for ideas, that's the way I want to stay connected.
'Twill be great if I create something so powerful and popular that I then have more "free" time, but I've always been able to take my pay in time rather than money.
Now I'm working harder at refining my ideas and energy so I can generate more income.
Idea generation, creating my works, finding my markets, and having that fun and passionate work to focus on, and making sure it continues to generate income, those are my challenges.
Sounds like they're shared by most readers of this Blast O' Joy!
Jay
Posted by: Jay Hepner | May 27, 2006 at 06:34 PM