I realise all too well that you need to have some form of plan if life balance is your goal. So in this post I will share the ideas I have been researching and looking into over the past year or more. It has been frustrating and fun at the same time.
My idyllic dream
Enough free time to devote to all aspects of my life so that the time I spend working is not in direct opposition to this fundamental fact.
This raises some questions...many in fact!
1. How do I want to work and how much time do I want to spend doing it?
I have always worked hard whenever I work but the true fact is, for me personally, that I do not feel that the financial rewards have matched my effort in terms of time. I am sure many people feel this way. However, this is often the case when you work for someone else. Whether it is working within the private or public sectors really makes no difference. Once you add rent, bills, food, vehicle expenses and other things into the mix the decision making process kicks in. It all relates to what one can afford. Having said all this, I know that I do not wish to be loaded down with stress for a wage that does not compensate me for it.
2. How much money is a enough?
I have realised that this is such an important question when seeking a balanced life. For most of my life I have probably wasted a fair bit of money if I honestly reflect on this. In my defence, however, I was often far too busy too make better informed decisions. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Dwelling on the past is something I gave up a long time ago and I feel all the better for it. I no longer waste money if I can help it, mainly because I have given myself more time. As a result I now have a better understanding of what I need in terms of finances. It comes down to sacrifices I am willing to make in order to free up some of that time. At some point you also have to ask an important question.
'What do I really need?'
Need versus want is an interesting conundrum but being able to answer this question is fundamental in the extreme.
3. Is any of this achievable?
Yes is the simple answer but there is no quick fix. It is a constant 'work in progress' for me. While doing research into smarter ways to work I have come across many ideas for achieving what I seek.
However, anyone promoting 'get rich quick schemes' is not telling the whole story.
4. Is it worth the effort?
The word 'effort' is very important here. Research takes time and not all of it bears fruit. However, I have had some success in finding additional sources of income. They have kept me afloat as I keep working on my goals.
The plan
The first part of the plan involved me quitting my sixty plus hours a week job ( Pay slip paying me for 35). The intention was to sign up with teaching agencies as a supply (substitute teacher) and work less hours and have less responsibility.
Secondly, I knew it was important to research other ways to make money. I made sure I devoted time to this.
Thirdly, I knew I needed to take time to reflect on what I really want my life to look like. One really does need time for this also.
Fourthly, as a result of my evolving spiritual path, I also decided to invest time in honing my manifestation skills. I apologise if I have not mentioned it before, but I would not consider myself conventional in the mainstream sense.
Finally, I needed to take action.
So how is it going?
Well...
I do currently work as a part time teacher. I have been working for a small agency and have a very helpful boss who gets me work in a few local schools. It has been both irregular and regular over the last couple of years. I enjoy the work far more. I get some variety and have been lucky enough to teach some great kids. Sometimes on a long time basis and sometimes very short. The most important fact being that I now feel like I am being paid appropriately for my time. It is risky but worth it.
Researching other ways to earn money is something I have looked into a lot. I was intrigued by ways to earn money online. Mainly because no commute is required and I thought there may be some flexibility. As a result there have been a couple of ways I have gained income from online work.
The first has been from answering online surveys. I found a few sites that actually pay you cash rather than points. The income is not large but I have sometimes earned 30 pounds a month.
The second was much better paid! I managed to get an online job as a Social Media Evaluator. The contract only lasted a year but I can honestly say it is the easiest money I have every earned. There are limits to what you can earn (9 pounds per day) but I was able to earn this in a maximum of half an hour.
While undertaking my research I came across a lot of inspirational quotes but one of them really resonated with me. It comes from Warren Buffet:
If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep you will work until you die.
This relates to passive income and that is now a main goal for me. It is a long game to be sure.
My first foray into this has been to make designs for 'print on demand' products like t-shirts as this requires no initial capital outlay. Click on my Redbubble link at the bottom of this page if you want to see some examples.
I also quickly realised that getting a website and starting a blog was something I was interested in too. It has taught me new skills and has actually been a very enjoyable process.
The bottom line is, if you work for a set salary, your earning potential is capped. Especially if you only have one source of income.
Which brings me to another point. The world of work is changing. This is pointed out by Emma Gannon in her book 'The multi-hyphen method.'
This all made sense to me. I have felt it for a long time but I just could not see the wood for the trees.
My periods of reflection have been intense at times but I am now closer to being able to envisage the life that I want. It was quite simple really. Ditch the things that are taking up a disproportionate amount of time. Be smarter with money and learn to live on less while doing the research. Take a risk or two. Think long and hard, then think long and hard again about what really makes me happy.
Then try and fill life with more of this.
As for honing my manifestation skills, this has been intriguing. Working with he 'Law of Attraction' has been the main spiritual focus for me during this time and it has been instrumental for me in maintaining a positive attitude as I move forward. I have taken small steps on a daily basis and I have seen some small positive results. The idea of universal energy sits well with me and it will continue to be a work in progress.
Am I glad I started this journey?
You bet I am!
More posts will follow as I mosey along. The past is behind us and the future is what we make of it. Thanks very much for taking the time to peruse this post. If you have any questions or comments please do get in touch.
The best of wishes to you
Paul
Here is the link to my Redbubble shop :) .
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