Every journey begins with the first step. This year, on January 1, I took my first step. Here in this blog.  I have had trepidation about making a bold statement (and announcing it publicly!  Trust me, even on a blog with a small following, writing and putting yourself ‘out there’ for all to see is stressful and gutsy!) about my life changing goals this year seeking my passions and ways to monetize them to build the life I imagine. Although I have never had the dream of what I wanted to do like so many kids who say they want to grow up to be a fireman, a doctor, or the President of the United States of America, I do know what I don’t want to do.  Once I used that knowledge as a compass to move things that didn’t please me out of my life. Now, however, I realize I must make more proactive moves than passively eliminating things from my life.  I must apply some GOYA!  GOYA is, in short, Get Off Your Ass.  You must identify your passion and take daily steps toward building the life that feeds you.

After several difficult weeks fraught with deep thoughts, questions and uncertainties, a few epiphanies appeared.  My passions, I realize, are:

1. Being a mom.
2. My loved ones and family.
3. Helping and teaching others with real estate questions and goals.
4. Helping others with my structural engineering expertise.
5. Writing, blogging and sharing.
6. Learning, and,
7. Exploring the world.

Now, I know you may think that 1 and 2 is a real DUH, but I thrive on helping my loved
ones.  I would hope we all do!  I love being a mom.  If that sounds petty, too bad. You may think 1 and 2 may not answer my monetization goal, but I beg to differ.  If you follow your passions, you will be successful.  I can help my loved ones by supporting their initiatives with my skills. I’m blessed with the relationships I have and I am focused on improving relationships in my life which will in turn improve my life.

Now, 3 and 4 are traditional 9 to 5’er type career skill sets.  But I am not trying to replace a job with another 9 to 5 trading my time for money position.  Instead, I want to focus on using these skills to generate multiple streams of income.  And, now here is the real genius, I want to merge my engineering, real estate with my writing skills to help others. Sort of a melting pot, eh? Unique, maybe. Doable, definitely.

In the weeks moving forward, I will be researching hot topics and methods of distributing knowledge content, primarily digital and publishable products.  Any ideas and guidance are welcome.  As attributed to Buddhist proverbs, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear!” Mentors welcome!

Namaste

Lesley

 

Every year, I make a list of things I want to accomplish, places I want to go, and other goals I want to meet in the general categories of health, wealth and happiness.  This year is no different with the exception that I am launching a paradigm shift regarding how I am living my life. Making BOLD NEW CHANGES and tackling the ‘What Am I Passionate About Doing (for a living)’ question, a deep dive that may take some time as I explore what feeds my soul.  Literally, what feeds my soul and puts a roof over my head! I ask you to bear with me in this journey and, perhaps, we can both learn and grow in the process.

Conditions meeting this target include creating multiple streams of income, both passive and investment rather than trading hours for dollars, allowing me to take control of my time while freeing me to enjoy the life I want – with loved ones, family and friends. The life I want includes travel, enjoying certain luxuries, and helping friends and family while working from home or anywhere whenever I desire.  Obviously, this requires a substantial income. Reaching this goal, I believe, will require me to determine;

1. What am I most passionate about?
2. How do I monetize that passion into a product or service that adds value? And,
3. How do I launch, market and promote this product – successfully?

Popular management theory promotes making SMART goals; Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. My paradigm shift will be DIRTY: Done In Response To Yearning! I have no specific topic yet, no idea how to measure my progress, although I know the end result I desire. I know my end result is attainable, but I haven’t fleshed out the how or, necessarily, the when I will arrive. All I know is what I have been doing and how I have been living has not fed my soul. I have to flesh out the passions from the interests. There is a lot I don’t know, but what I do know is that I have broad interests, an excellent education, and expert skills which I know are transferable. But so far, I have not applied those skills to a passion.

So…onward with the journey.

Check back later for progress updates!

Namaste

Lesley