I Earned $30k Last Year
That is probably as weird a title for a post as you will get from me, but it actually happens to be true, I did indeed earn about $30k in 2008 Trust me, unless they are doing corporate work and/or seminars, writing etc, the vast majority of Life Coaches are not very well paid.
It’s not much is it? Especially when many people online are looking to impress you with how much they earn, not how little. But it is what is is and I am thoroughly confident this year will be better, and next year, better again.
I’m sure you’re really curious to know why I’m sharing such personal information? After all, many people see their income as the Holy Grail of secrets never to be discussed outside (and in some cases even inside) their own home. So why would somebody throw that information out in to the public domain?
The feedback for How To Be Rich and Happy has been absolutely amazing and almost universally positive. It’s the fourth book I’ve been involved in and there always a sense of trepidation releasing new material and not knowing what the reaction will be. So it’s very cool when things go better than expected.
As you would no doubt imagine with a book as provocatively titled as How To Be Rich and Happy, there have been some negative comments, but they have been almost exclusively from people that haven’t bothered to read it. Apparently they think you can judge a book by the cover.
I’m being flippant because I thoroughly understand their reasoning, because I know ten years ago I would have probably held the same opinion and was very cynical about such things.
I was handed a fantastic example of this the other day when I got a comment on this own blog. You can check out the post called ‘What Is The Sedona Method?’ if you like, but the condensed version is this:
It was a guest post and in my introduction I said the following:
“Probably THE training I would most like to do the most if money were no issue would be The Sedona Method. It’s one training, a bit like NLP, that I’ve never heard a bad word against and a lot of people whom I respect, speak highly of it.”
I then got this response in my comments from Andrea – The Empowered Soul:
“Argh, Tim! It kills me that you wrote “Probably THE training I would most like to do the most if money were no issue.” Didn’t you author a book called “How to be Rich and Happy?” “Whatever you want, whenever you want it?” I find this a bit ironic.
Oh well …”
Oh well indeed. The lady in question is an ‘expert’ in the Law of Attraction and even teaches people to manifest money at $300 per hour. As such, I’m somewhat concerned that as she never responded to my reply she may have manifested her own death with her inappropriate use of language. Let’s hope not.
I am very open about my past and where I am now. I am not wealthy, I am not financially independent, I don’t even own my own home.
So it’s not unreasonable to ask the question:
“What gives you the right to co-author a book called How To Be Rich and Happy when you’re not even close to being rich by the vast majority of peoples standards?”
Firstly, it’s important to understand the definition we use for the word ‘Rich’ in the book. In actuality, we don’t even define it as such, we suggest it’s down to the individual to do so. If I gave you $1,000,000 you would quite probably feel a lot richer, but I doubt Warren Buffet would, it’s completely subjective.
Secondly, I didn’t write any of the sections around money, John did. John is the expert on this, hence the reason he is currently spending 6 weeks in Costa Rica doing whatever he wants, whenever he wants. I like to think my area of expertise is helping people make positive long-term change in their lives.
Since I was exposed to Johns material I’ve done a volte face. I have decided I haven’t been very responsible with money and as such I want to change. No, scratch that, I AM changing.
Becoming rich and happy is a journey not a destination and it’s also a way of living that involves incremental positive change. Life just happens to be work in progress for all of us.
I’m incredibly happy with my life and I love being a Life Coach and writing for my blogs. You could offer me $1m per year and I wouldn’t go back into sales, the money really isn’t that important.
I do feel rich in many respects and 95% of the time I do exactly what I want, when I want.
There are occasions where more money to do things such as spending $5k on training would be brilliant and it will come in time. If that is, I continue to follow the formula and don’t default back to my “I need a new iPhone because this ones almost 6 months old and doesn’t capture video” style of thinking I’ve previously been guilty of.
In the meantime, the fact that I’m not bathing in cash is not going to stop me feeling grateful for what I do have, and most of all, being happy. I hope no matter how much money you have, you’ll think the same way too.
By the way, you can still grab your FREE copy of Don’t Ask Stupid Questions, by clicking here. It’s an automatic download and no e-mail details are needed. If you like the blog, you will definitely like the book.
I’ve had a couple of people ask me if they can forward on the book to their mailing lists. I have absolutely no problem with this as long as they don’t think it’s an exclusive deal, I wouldn’t want to mislead anybody.
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Comment by Oscar – freestyle mind on 22 November 2009:
Actually, making $30k per year doing what you love is already a win situation, and given the quality of your book and your posts I’m sure you’ll enjoy more abundance and wealth in the future.
Comment by Andy on 22 November 2009:
Tim I completely understand what you say about not going back to your corporate job for even a cool million. So much of my own unhappiness over the years has come through the $60,000 per year career I left behind. Right now I have no personal income and we’re being kept afloat by my wife. As a man used to being the breadwinner (which might be an old fashioned idea, but it’s somewhat ingrained) I’ve found it hard to deal with. But not as hard as I found going into work for the 60K, I hated it. I’d rather stay where I am even with the discomfort of being a kept man. Money is not everything but I can’t deny I’d like to be earning again.
I’m really getting a lot from How to Be Rich And Happy and like you’ve said, it’s definitely a journey and I’m just setting out. If anyone here is yet to buy it, I’d urge you to give it a go. One major thing that I’ve taken from the book, that I haven’t really found in any other book is the belief that I’ll find what I’m looking for – happiness and financial freedom.
Comment by Shawanda on 22 November 2009:
I can’t help but respect a guy making $30K a year who’s doing what he loves. Most entrepreneurs I’ve encountered have no regrets about starting a business. As long as they can provide for basic necessities, I haven’t encountered one who gave up their dream to go back to working for someone else.
Thanks for sharing your income before you reached the six-figure mark. It gives those of us in the no figure self-employment income category to keep on striving.
Comment by Lori on 22 November 2009:
Hi Tim,
I’m sorry you had to deal with that type of flippant response to what you wrote. Sometimes it seems like people are looking for ways to catch people in lies about their happiness; this allows unhappy people to maintain the belief that everyone is unhappy–instead of taking responsibility for their own situation.
At leaast that’s what I think.
You’re one of the most successful people I know, from what I can tell, and I aspire to reach your level.
Lori
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Comment by Adam Eason on 23 November 2009:
Tim, I truly love and admire your candour.
I think I always seem to assume that people whose work I love and follow are all millionaires when of course the reality is often different.
I train many hypnotherapists each year and I do all I can to ensure that they earn a very healthy living… Yet I encounter many, many each year that earn far less than the figures you are quoting here and struggle to keep on with their passion.
In persepctive, we all know you’ll be increasing that figure if you keep on with the high quality of work… And as one other chap just said, to be earning that amount doing what you love is a beautiful thing.
Now if you switched footy team alliance, that’ll enhance things even more… but alas, we all have our crosses to bear…
Best wishes, Adam.
Comment by Adam Eason on 23 November 2009:
Ps. Do just hang in there until your minted long lost aunty in the Bahamas snuffs it and you get a ‘Dear Beloved one’ email telling you your dreams have come true.
;-)
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Comment by Ed Gaile on 23 November 2009:
Everyone has their own definition of rich and happy. For some it may be the million dollar income and lifestyle. For others it may mean making just enough doing what you love to cover your expenses and spend more time with your family, friends, traveling, training or with your snip happy dobermans (see Tims Testicle post for that reference). I fall into the latter category where the amount of money isn’t as important as the freedom of working on my own terms. Am I there yet – nope. But just like Tim, I am working on my path towards that end. 30K is nothing to sneeze at and I suspect is at the low rung of the Brownson rich and happy ladder. Good for you Tim.
-Ed
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Comment by Jake on 23 November 2009:
Doing what you love and making 30k in the process doesn’t sound bad to me…Your passion for your craft will likely ensure that that number only grows each and every year. Best of luck to you!
Jake
Comment by Amy Harrison on 23 November 2009:
This is refreshingly candid post and for me emphasises the importance of the “journey”.
It’s very easy to be under the impression that everyone online has already achieved success and that you can’t learn from anyone who doesn’t have X amount of followers / readers / money in the bank.
This is a great example of someone following their passion and enjoying the journey and will no doubt offer great encouragement to those thinking of doing the same.
Thank you!
Comment by Tim Brownson on 23 November 2009:
@ Oscar – Thanks a lot and I hope you’re right.
@ Shawanda – Many thanks and I really hope it does inspire others. Money seldom gets talked about like this, but if it were openly and honestly a lot of people would realize that not every blogger earns $1,000 a month from adsense!
@ Lori – It really isn’t a big deal it comes with the territory and sometimes it allows me to answer questions that other people may be wondering about, but never ask.
Thanks for the kind words, but I think you’re doing pretty damn well yourself.
@ Adam – That’s really funny because I tend to think like that too. My sister used to own a restaurant and they had live jazz on every week. They had some biggish names on the UK jazz scene play there.
I can remember talking to one guy who was a brilliant pianist and had played all over the world and I was stunned how little he earned. At the time Courtney Pine was the UK’s biggest jazz star and this guy reckoned he earned less than $80k per annum!
As for changing football teams, I’d rather use a penis suction pump to suck my eyeballs out. Not that I have such a contraption you understand. Just saying, if I did.
@ Andy – Cheers mate, it’s weird how some people never realize that money isn’t the answer, or if it is, it was a bloody stupid question.
@ Ed – And let’s face it when we get ‘there’ we’ll probably want to push the boundaries a bit further which is why it’s critical to treat it as a journey.
@ Jake – Thanks a lot.
Comment by Tim Brownson on 23 November 2009:
@ Amy – Thanks very much and of course I agree. There is so I much online hype about making money that it blows my mind sometimes.
The fact that one of my followers on Twitter said it wasn’t very impressive summed up a lot of peoples attitudes. She pointed out that if I’d made $500,000 she’d have been really impressed. I think she may have taken offense when I said she was easily impressed.
Comment by The Emotion Machine on 23 November 2009:
I agree with Oscar at the top. Making 30k a year doing what you absolutely love is exactly the position I wish I was in right now! I think I am going to start following your blog and take notes for the future. Thanks!
Comment by smpx on 23 November 2009:
While I appreciate his honesty in telling everyone what he earns, I don’t so much appreciate that he named his book, *How to be rich and happy*, somewhat dishonestly.
I’m sure it’ll come to no surprise to him that every person who encounters the title of his book will assume that the word “rich” does not mean “fulfilled” (which is what he’s insinuating is his *real* meaning). He, like some other “life coaches” I’ve met, promises happiness and wealth, amongst other things, but has not only not acquired it for themselves yet, justifies their lack of success to their followers as “misinterpretations of success”. I would say that many of your students might encounter your book and think “hey, this might teach me to make money” rather than “hey, this might shift my subjective views on financial accomplishments as being a series of growths along the way rather than a set determined amount.”
I’m not saying that what you’re teaching has no validity, but this is much like a 300 lb man writing a book on weight loss, then when confronted about his own weight, informs the world that he wishes to teach the importance of “feeling thin”. Again, I don’t have a problem with your message– it’s a good message, and materialism should not be quantified as being the ultimate measure of success, but I wish you would rename your book to honestly reflect what you mean.
Comment by Tim Brownson on 23 November 2009:
@ TEM – Thanks a lot, I appreciate your support.
@ smpx – Is that comment meant to be taken seriously?
I have no issue with people calling me out, but stuff like this is just poorly thought out nonsense.
It isn’t dishonest to call a book ‘How To Be Rich and Happy’ It’s a process that takes time. It’s a how to, ok? We don’t guarantee anything unless you work through the book carefully and methodically.
I’m sure it’ll come to no surprise to him that every person who encounters the title of his book will assume that the word “rich” does not mean “fulfilled” (which is what he’s insinuating is his *real* meaning).
Yeh it will come as a a surprise because it’s complete bollocks. Not EVERY person will think that at all and most that have bought to date didn’t. Every reviewer has pointed this out, as do we on our website. We’re not trying to hide this you know.
He, like some other “life coaches” I’ve met, promises happiness and wealth, amongst other things, but has not only not acquired it for themselves yet, justifies their lack of success to their followers as “misinterpretations of success”.
Well lets rip an entire industry because you have met some Life Coaches. You know, people that are actually out there trying to help others. I have no idea what you are talking about with “misinterpretations of success” I’m happy, and that to me is success.
And no life coach I’ve worked with has ever PROMISED happiness and wealth. I go to great pains to tell clients I can’t guarantee a thing because it’s them that has to do the work.
And finally, we wont be changing the name because it will do what we say if you follow it of that I have zero doubt.
And of course we offer a full no quibble refund for anybody that buys the book and doesn’t think it does what we say it can do. That guarantee lasts 12 months which should give people time to work out its value.
Thanks for confirming what I said in the post about the naysayers being people who haven’t the book. I’ll tell the people that have e-mailed me to say thanks and given positive feedback they’re wrong.
Here are the reviews that I know of to date. If you’re open minded I feel sure you’ll check some out at random.
Tracys Review – http://ihatemymessageboard.com/reviews/how-to-be-rich-and-happy/
Tracys interview – http://ihatemymessageboard.com/reviews/an-interview-with-tim-brownson-and-john-strelecky/
Steve’s review – http://mywifequitherjob.com/book-review-how-to-be-rich-and-happy-by-tim-brownson-and-john-strelecky/
Johnnys review – http://johnnybtruant.com/what-tim-and-john-have-to-do-with-pie-and-why-you-should-check-them-out/
Debs review – http://debowen.typepad.com/8hours/2009/10/berichandhappy.html
Vlads review – http://vladdolezal.com/blog/2009/how-to-be-rich-and-happy/
Hunters interview – http://hunternuttall.com/blog/2009/10/how-to-be-rich-and-happy/
Christines review – http://www.adifferentkindofwork.com/2009/10/04/how-to-be-rich-and-happy-a-book-review/
Glens review – http://www.pluginid.com/how-i-operate-online/
Alis review – http://www.aliventures.com/review-rich-and-happy/
Loris review – http://seeinggood.com/how-to-be-rich-and-happy-book-review/
Daphnes review – http://daphneanddonald.blogspot.com/2009/10/final-review-of-how-to-be-rich-and.html
George Angus review – http://tumblemoose.com/how-to-be-rich-and-happy-a-book-review/
Bob Poole review http://www.pooleswatercooler.com/bob_pooles_blog/2009/10/chicken-soup-scotch-and-happiness.html
Mikes video review http://www.mikeslife.org/content/book-review-how-be-rich-and-happy
Stephens review http://www.ratracetrap.com/the-rat-race-trap/how-to-be-rich-and-happy.html
Jenny’s review http://jennymannion.com/healpain/2009/10/healing-body-mind-spirit/
Daynes review http://www.thehappyself.com/review-how-to-be-rich-and-happy
Comment by smpx on 23 November 2009:
@Tim
Thanks for the quick reply– you didn’t like what I wrote, naturally, and I certainly don’t fault you for that. You could have ignored, deleted, or laughed at me, you didn’t, and for that I thank you. You take your readers opinions seriously, so I wanted to return the courtesy and give weight to what you said. I read/watched the reviews. Every single one of them, actually, and I took notes in some of them.
And unfortunately, it didn’t change my opinions very dramatically. Like I said before, I’ve never read your book so I’m not going to question the content. I’m sure should I ever read the book I’ll find that it’s an excellent resource, and in turn promote it as your reviewers did. However, again, that really isn’t my point.
My issue largely revolved around the title, which as I expressed, doesn’t seem like it’s perfectly honest. Again, the content (and it seems like there’s quite a bit) might be the best thing since sliced bread in the self-help world, but the title is “How to be rich and happy”, meaning that I, a mere unimportant potential customer, will read it and go “well I’d like to be happy and I’d like to be rich– this will tell me how.” Imagine my disappointment when I discover that the author isn’t rich, only to have him tell me that I don’t know what being rich MEANS! (Well, I’m not all that disappointed since I haven’t heard of the book prior to this post, but you know.)
And this is something that even the great reviews you provided has addressed! Just a few that I tagged for examples:
“Contrary to the title, the book has nothing to do with gaining financial freedom. John and Tim instead lead readers to question what “rich and happy”—the old cliché—really means to them.”
-Lori Deschene
“I want to be clear about something before I give my review of How to be Rich and Happy by Tim Brownson and John P. Strelecky. And it’s this: This book will not make you rich and happy.”
-johnnybtruant.com
“That is rather a bold claim to be made by any book and I have to admit I started reading it with more than a little skepticism…. The authors define Rich and Happy as the ability to do whatever you want, whenever you want. Once again, I see that as a rather bold claim and it sets up a lot of expectations for the book. Did the book meet those expectations? In a word, no.”
-Stephen Mills
And these are the positive reviews that you, the author, provided me. I won’t even bother looking at the negative reviews. If I were to meet Tony Robbins and discover he lives a half-dead existence, meet Allen Carr and discover he’s a chain-smoker, meet the trainers from The Biggest Loser to find that they put on 80lbs when the cameras stopped rolling, how would I feel? They could justify to me that it’s not about the promise, it’s about the truth behind the promise all they like, but ultimately they are selling a promise.
Contrary to your interpretations, I didn’t discount the entire life coach industry– quite the opposite, I’m a vocal defender of it. It is also through my passion of the industry, of a group of individuals who seek to help others, that I will sit here and type this long a message against your title. Because the industry is facing a battle, isn’t it? When even the Simpsons have jumped on board to lampoon positive thinking, it’s a good sign that there’s something we need to start looking at from within the industry– and one of those things is bold statements that require further disclaimers to be justifiable– The statement that You will teach me to be rich, but only if I understand what being rich means.
Comment by Tim Brownson on 23 November 2009:
@smpx – Way to go on taking snippets of reviews and lifting them out of context.
All of those 3 reviews categorically endorsed the book and Lori and Johnny have been rapid supporters (see Loris comment above).
The reason you haven’t read the negative reviews is because to the best of my knowledge there aren’t any. If you can find one or more, feel free to paste the link.
The reviews you see are the only ones I know about.
And one other thing, you keep talking about ME. John had already started the book and I asked if I could come on board. The title was already in place and I thought I could add some value.
Maybe he should have said I wasn’t worthy because I wasn’t as rich as him!
You have an agenda brought on by the title of a book rather than the substance. Doesn’t make much sense to me, but hey, go for it if you wish.
BTW, who are you, how come no real name or link?
Comment by smpx on 23 November 2009:
@Tim
I’m glad that you’ve finally accepted that the issue I had with the book is the title, rather than the content. And yes, like I stressed before, my opinions *are* on the title because I feel it’s misleading at best and dishonest at worst. I’ve already emphasized the reasoning for my opinions several times above in various perspectives so should you ever wish to address it I won’t repeat it here.
I really don’t think I took quotes out of context. In fact, they’re quite self-explanatory.
Take Lori’s quote for instance: “Contrary to the title, the book has nothing to do with gaining financial freedom. John and Tim instead lead readers to question what “rich and happy”—the old cliché—really means to them.” Do you disagree with this statement? What part is out of context?
Incidentally, I’m only addressing my questions to you because you’re the one here talking to me. If it was John who wrote the post then I suppose I would be addressing it to John. I don’t have a personal vendetta against you if that’s what you’re worried about. I only heard about your blog today.
And to answer your final question, I’ve said before that I’m a mere lowly customer, without a blog/website/product to promote, which is why there’s no link or real name. I have nothing to gain from this conversation more than to stand up for something I believe in.
Comment by Tim Brownson on 23 November 2009:
@ smpx – Rather than close comments, I’m just going to bow out of the conversation with you. You’ve made your mind up and you are entitled to that and it was a bit silly of me to try and convince you otherwise.