The 4th is gone & I'm still looking...

Once more the uninformed, clueless & just plain aggravating have decided to make life difficult. But then I guess that is their function in life, if only they would somehow choose instead to learn & educate themselves about things they're unfamiliar with, but maybe it's too much to ask. Common sense has been uncommon in the world the last few years, why would I think that it would apply now.

I've a welfare worker that wants proof that my daughter is being home schooled. Fine, I've already sent in the papers that show she's enrolled for the school year - not once, but twice. Now she's wanting to know when my daughter will graduate - so they can take her off medicaid. This woman doesn't seem to realize that with a home school correspondence course, you finish when the course work is done. There is no one that will be able to tell her when my daughter will graduate. She's over 50% done with the course work, with a 95% average. But how am I supposed to provide proof that my daughter is enrolled when the new school year hasn't even started yet? This is only the latest bump in the road to get ahead...

Those that have followed, know me or know of me, understand that I'm not one to give up. Weary of the none ending battle, sure. But not the sort that will just toss in the towel, I may get knocked down, but I'm not the type  to stay there. Over the years I've been kicked to the curb, abused, manipulated & conned. Even though I may have sat there collecting myself, not getting back up to try again wasn't an option. Sure, I've been sick and tired of being, sick and tired. But things don't change if you do nothing, so I have to at least try. But getting sick last month didn't help things move forward very far though...

Unfortunately, my score of a big web site design gig fell flat once more. I had been working on a site for a transportation group and put in a lot of work since they stated they needed things running for the business. I figured that if they were making money, then I'd make the money for creating the site they wanted. Well, it sorta didn't happen that way. The site is stuck were it is, I'm not working on it any more. Why? Because for a $1,125.00 site with all the flash, graphics, forms, everything - I've only been paid $350.00. The second site that they asked to be set up, while I was working on the first one, surprised me, most clients wait for one site at a time to be completed. But there had also been a promise of even more sites to be made so I decided to stop work on the one site to quickly set it up as per their requirements the second site. Once again, another transportation site with graphics, flash, forms and more for $450.00. So far, I've only received $50 for this site's work.

Now I can understand how tight money is, after all, I'm living in the same situation as most others that are struggling to pay their bills, feed their families and just keep things going. But one would think that a business would have set aside funds to do these projects. Well, so far there's been no more payments and I'm not working on any paying projects. I'm doing some freelance work, but only to keep my skills up and continue to improve them. But I'm not getting any money, which unfortunately is in short supply, though the need for it is great.

Personally, I wish that I could get the things I need for my family without the transfer of currency. Paper isn't what's valued, it's what it can get for my family that makes it have value. I've been needing a twin size bunk bed for my son's room. We gave away the toddler bed and baby things to a young mother that needed them. He's sharing the bunk in his brother's room now, but he misses his own room.

We still don't have a working oven, this will be the third fall in a row that we don't have Thanksgiving Turkey or my pumpkin pies, if I don't find one soon. I miss being able to bake for the holidays, let alone the rest of the year.

Since my cousin had to come stay with us due to being out of work and having no where to go things are difficult. My grown son's here too due to not being able to afford a place when companies started laying people off. Plus my daughter's eighteen now and still trying to find work, plus she's due to lose her medical benefits soon too. Trouble is, with no transportation no one can really get anywhere.

My cousin has two cars that he's trying to fix, his own and a friend's car. But his car's engine is toast & he can't figure out what's making the fuses ground out on the other car. So he rides a bike to and from the part time job he's been able to get. My older kids still go out to collect scrap metal, cans & dead car batteries so we can get a little money from that. Sometimes we luck out and get a good haul, other times it's best to just horde it till we have a good amount.

I'm not giving up, but there has to be a better way to earn money than struggling and fighting for jobs like wild dogs over scraps. There has to be a way for myself to get some freelance work that pays. I need to get my portfolio set up on my homepage - since moving my site, I need to set up all the things that I had on the old one - but without the widgets that make it so easy to do. Maybe then I might get a nibble, but till then I'm still looking...

What other choice have I, than to keep trying to make things better for my family?

Carpe Diem!

Can't find work? Then Hire yourself!

Everyone has something that they can offer someone else. From helping someone learn to read, to teaching someone how to do something. (like play piano, make a cake or how to knit) We all have life experience that we've got stored up inside. We all have hobbies, interests and things we're passionate or energized about. All of that that is inside can be put to work to bring in not only money, but it can make you feel really good about what your doing too.

But how do you get what you know, out of you and available to someone else? That takes some thinking and planning. But then looking for work takes some time and work too. The difference here is that you're doing it to make income for yourself not someone else.

Maybe you're good at teaching things, then you could find a way to share this with people that want to learn the skills you have to offer.

Not a people person, that's okay too. You can still teach things without ever even seeing a student. With so many easy to use programs and a digital camera you can make a video of yourself or someone doing step by step what you are teaching. Writing a how to book is also a great way to teach as you can have images to show how to do things. If you combine the two and make an ebook - you can offer it online and make it interactive with video and links to more resources.

Now besides teaching what you know, there are other things that are wide open. Services and information are the most profitable thing right now. So many people need information of a ton of topics to help them with their problems or situations. We are a society that is addicted to information. Services are also a great revenue creator. Think of all the services you've used over the years. Services that others use around you and then think if you can provide any services that people are needing.

Like Bigwell's motto "Find a need - Fill a need"

But don't jump ahead of yourself, I also try to remember what my uncle told me when I was younger. He gave two bits of advice that I try to keep in mind.

"KISS - Keep it safe and simple" and "Work smarter, not harder"

Often we make things a lot more complicated than they need to be. We also don't think about sticking to the areas that are safe - both money wise, legal wise & health wise. Another thing that many have to relearn is that working yourself into the ground isn't going to pay off in a big way like it did a century ago. Besides, it didn't rally pay off all that big back then either. Putting the biggest muscle to work - your mind is a step in the right direction.

People say we can think, it's what makes us both good and bad. We don't run solely on instincts - but not listening to that "little voice" can sometimes cost you everything. So try to find a balance between what you "feel is right" and if your head agrees with it. There is no reason to reinvent something that's already been invented - unless you can make it better. Try to think in ways that are not only out of the box, but from completely different perspectives. Brainstorming can be a lot of fun and offer a pay off in more than just cash.

If you've spend month trying to find work...don't you think you can spend some time evaluating what you could be offering or sharing in a business of your own...Plus you don't have to fly solo - maybe you've got one half and someone else has one half of a great idea. Bring the two together and you've got something really great!

The number one thing that you can do for yourself is to educate that brain of yours. Searching for a job won't expand your opportunities or broaden the possibilities ahead. But learning, that can open a huge range of nearly unlimited options that you can go after. Even if you decide to find work or a job rather than start your own business - new knowledge will make you more likely to find something that will be a great match as well as more rewarding.

Wherever you do don't create limits that you don't need. You should already know what your abilities are, what your strengths are and what you are good at. There's no need to stuff yourself into a small box when there are enough things trying to block you or put you down. Don't limit yourself more - don't deny yourself the chance to really find something you love to do...something that will give you more than just a paycheck or income.

Plus there is something that many don't realize. An online business at home is a way to level the playing field. You can be from any background, culture, age, or ability. You can be a parent, senior or even a group of teens. What your clients or customers see is a business. If you are professional, offer good services or products & have a positive attitude. Those that find you the first time will come back again if they are satisfied. To them, it's the business - not the business owner that's important. So don't thnk you're too old, young or whatever. This is an open door...walk in & see where it goes.

The best way to work is to find something we love to do and get paid doing it. Then it's no longer work - it just becomes a part of having a better life. Part of something you really enjoy. What could be better than that? Good luck!

Keep dreaming, keep moving forward and never lose hope...

Carpe Diem!

Thinking outside the box

Sometimes the overwhelming obstacle to finding new opportunities is ourselves. We just can't climb out of the box we've built around ourselves. So maybe it might help if we ask ourselves some good questions and see where they take us.
Now don't just read this, actually take the time to write down the questions (or copy paste in wordpad) and answer them for yourself. Pass them on to someone that's having a hard time finding work. You may be surprised by what you discover about yourself.

What skills, talents or abilities do you have?
Now, take it a bit farther than the usual list of things. Think about going farther. Go through the list and ask yourself if you'd be comfortable doing each thing a lot.

Say your good at cooking, everyone raves about your festive foods. You enjoy it as well, but could you deal with cooking that way every day? Could you handle it as a job or as a career position? Would you be able to create a business around it, like catering and be excited and happy with it?

We all have hobbies and interests that we love to do. We may even be really good at doing them. But once you cross the line between hobby and work, something changes. If you do pick something that you love to do, what is it that you love.

It's like listening to a favorite song or  having a favorite food - eventually, you get sick of it and want something different. If you pick something like photography, cooking, accounting, marketing or other; how would you feel doing it every day. Would you be okay with it as your career or business?

Are you a people person, a lone worker or a combination?
This is another important area, because it's vital to the sort of work environment you'd choose. Some people are not at ease dealing with people all the time. Weither it's customers or coworkers, they just aren't into the social mix when it comes to being productive at work.

Others can't work without the interaction and are not comfortable being alone in a small cubical for hours every day. Then there's workers that like having a little bit of both to make the day go by in a productive and efficient manner. Figuring out how much people traffic you can deal with and still be able to focus on tasks is important to the kind of businesses you would want to approach for work or consider for a career.

Do you want an inside job, an outside job or a balance of the two?
People are very different in their lifestyles, so why would we believe that we are any different when it comes to the kind of work we'd feel most at ease with. There are many people that lead active social lives outside work, but are in office jobs or in careers that keep them indoors. Why not look for work that will give you the option to work outside?

For those that like the comfort of working indoors, try to find a way that will still keep you a bit active. Sitting for hours behind a desk isn't good for your health. Take the stairs, go out instead of eating at the office. Make sure that you take a 5 min. moving break every 30-45 min.

Having the flexibility to work inside and outside allows for a nice balance. It can also reduce stress, help with boredom and increase activity. Having a flexible schedule, varied tasks and interesting work can offer greater satisfaction no matter what business you choose to work in.

What is your internal clock setting?
We all have times when we are alert, active and productive. Then there are the times that we are slow, sleepy and drained. Our regular levels are between those times. We function on that plateau most of the time, but often not by choice.

We are made to deal with the so-called "business hours" of the daily grind. It's the traditional 9-5 deal and we're stuck having to be awake to deal with it. Many people fit into this daytime clock setting. But it isn't the only option for business or work.

The night shift in many towns, cities offers many work or career opportunity. When the day jobs are over, this group of workers is off to work. Restaurants, all night diners, night clubs they all need cooks, waitstaff and more. Truckers, pilots, delivery services and other transportation jobs continue on through the night. Stores restock shelves, unload trucks and tend to late night shoppers. Cleaning crews take care of office buildings, parking lots, hotel/motels and more. While security officers and police patrols make sure everything stays safe and secure. So there's plenty of  opportunities available at any time. All you have to do is find one to best fit your own internal clock.

How much money do you want to make?
With the economy slowly creeping forward and unemployment still high, this is a reasonable question. But finding work that's low stress, fits you personally and makes use of your abilities should be considered first.

Plus with some creative thinking, you may be able to work two different jobs at different times. Don't be afraid to try something different. Some jobs can be done online, keep an eye out for telecommuting positions. A part time day and a part time night job could bring in full time pay. Mix it up and see how you can make money and also enjoy the work you do too.

So when looking for different jobs, think of how they fit you. You can open up a whole new area that you never thought of if you broaden your perspective. Some people have taken a class, gone to a museum, learned something new and along the way discovered a new career that rewarded them in a thousand different ways.

Good luck and I hope that this has been useful to you. And if you'd like to be inspired, visit Second Act videos on Yahoo News.

Second Act Videos

After Doug Gowin, watch Mandy Aftel, Paul Giannone and Kathryn Joosten, as they really prove that there is no age limit. There's nothing we can't achieve if we really want to. Bravo!

Carpe Diem!