About 6 years or go I was attending a sales presentation given by God. I say God, it may not technically have been the God, but it was by somebody that seemed to think he was God and he was certainly very senior in our company.
After a rather tedious hour or so the guy asked if anybody had any questions. In between stabbing forks into my leg to stay awake and trying to work out who it was that had farted, I’d paid enough attention to know the guy had been talking bollocks.
He’d delivered a load of sales figures that didn’t stack up and I thought I’d better bring it to his attention. I immediately thrust my hand into the air and he pointed to me. By the look of naïve expectancy on his face I think he anticipated me to say something along the lines of “Andy (a bit of a giveaway there for anybody reading this that has worked with me), you have the shiniest shoes in the world, you are a sales genius that honors us with your presence and I want to have your love child”
I think I failed to meet his expectations by some considerable margin. I explained that if he took another look it was obvious that there were a number of contradictions and there was nothing like the opportunity to make bonuses that he was suggesting.
The look on his face went from serene to flustered quicker than you can say “HR are putting you on objectives sunshine” Like the politician he was though he recovered his composure and swiftly moved on to the next person who complimented him on his extra shiny shoes and the use of lime green in his pie chart.
After the event I was approached by my area manager and asked in no uncertain terms wtf I was doing. I explained that Andy’s figures were wrong and thought I should point it out. “Everybody in the $%&*#@” room knew that, but only you felt the urge to point it out.
It was about that time I realized that I wasn’t cut out for corporate politics and I needed to get out.
It has never been easier to work for yourself. Not only has it never been easier, but the dynamic regarding stability and security has radically changed. I laugh in the face of clients (metaphorically speaking of course) when they tell me they need the security and stability of working for a big business. Tell that to Ford and GM workers and ask them how secure they feel at the moment? Be prepared though, you may get punched squarely in the face.
Moving to a new country and starting up a business from scratch with no support network has been very tough. In fact, in my first year I made less than $10k! But with an incredibly supportive wife that believed in me and refused to let me go back into sales I’ve finally turned the corner.
I’ve made a LOT of mistakes, in particular with my marketing, and if I hadn’t stumbled upon an excellent SEO guy, a brilliant blog designer and a loud mouthed Canadian I may have given up the ghost by now.
About three weeks ago I was sent a copy of Career Renegade by Jonathan Fields to review. I could have cried. This was the book I needed three years ago. This was the book that could have saved me thousands of dollars, hundreds of hours and lots of heartache and grief, if only the selfish Mr. Fields had written it then and personally presented it to me.
Career Renegade is the single best book I have ever read on starting your own venture and the book I will be recommending to almost every client. This book doesn’t just cover all the bases it smothers the infield, the outfield and the mound too.
If you’re a regular here you know that I don’t like writing traditional book reviews. I don’t like taking notes when I’m enjoying reading something and if I’m not enjoying reading, I usually stop. I read CR in two days without taking a single note. The reason this time though was because I’m going to read it again and then use it as a point of reference.
Yes CR offers lots of practical and highly valuable advice about social media, researching your niche, the power of blogging, and online advertising, but it goes way deeper than that. It doesn’t tell you to dive in gung-ho with no regard for family, but it does tell you how to build communities. It doesn’t tell you that you’ll get rich quick following your passion, but it does tell you don’t need to be world-class to make a world-class living. And it doesn’t tell you life will be easy, but it does offer ways to make life easier.
It is littered with examples of people (often the author himself) that have done exactly what it is you want to do. You really don’t need to reinvent the wheel, you just need to stand behind the guy making one and watch how he does it.
CR is very much a book of now! I suspect that it’ll either be obsolete or will have to be heavily re-written in two or three years time to remain relevant. The Internet is moving so fast that it’s difficult for printed product to keep pace, but right here and right now it’s the benchmark that similar books will be measured against.
If you’re thinking of working for yourself, or indeed if you already do work for yourself and could do with expanding your knowledge base, go and buy Career Renegade. In fact no, don’t. Go and buy two copies because you’ll wear the first one out in the first few weeks.
Before you scuttle away to place your order though, let me make life even easier for you. I’m not sure how ethical it is to write a review of a book that I’m only ¾ of the way through, but as the guy that banned me from his blog the other day said because I politely disagreed with him, “It’s my blog and I can do what I want”
The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur is aimed at the same market as CR, but it’s more of a companion read than a competitor. Whereas it isn’t quite as cutting edge with some of the information as CR, it’s value (and there’s lots of it) lies is in different areas.
I don’t know how many posts I have written on beliefs and values, but it’s probably in the hundreds of millions. I don’t write about them because I have some fetish for the little fellas. I do so, because they dictate every single aspect of your life. And when I say every aspect, I really do mean EVERY aspect.
How my heart sang then (that may have been a heart murmur I better get it checked out) when I started reading the TPE and Mike Michalowicz dived into the importance of beliefs and values. ‘Finally somebody in business that gets it’ Hurrah!
He then went on to prove to me that he gets it even more in his section on finding your life’s purpose. Whether you call it your reason for living, your sense of purpose or your purpose for existing doesn’t really matter. What matters is you know what it is. It springs from your values and is the thing that can drive you forward when things get tough. And by the way, they almost certainly will get tough.
MIchalowicz’s writing style is unconventional and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have too many scared cows adorning his office. I find him amusing, but I suspect some people won’t, because that’s the nature of humor.
My only point of issue would be his take on the Law of Attraction and advice to go and buy The Secret. My advice would probably be don’t, or at least go and read this post first. That’s a minor quibble though because the book offers real value to the budding entrepreneur.
I earned about three times the amount of money in my last year working in sales as I do now. You could move the decimal point another slot to the right for all I care; I still wouldn’t go back there. Working for myself is the best decision after getting married I’ve ever made. It’s not without it’s challenges and it’s not for somebody that likes to be told what to do and live on autopilot. It is however, satisfying, gratifying and most importantly of all, great fun.
LINK LOVE: Tom Volkar writes a blog aimed at people that want to work for themselves. Not unsurprisingly it’s called Delightful Work and you can read it here.
NOTE: I have linked the books through my Amazon Associates account and do earn a whopping 4% if you buy them. You can click here for Career Renegade or here to TPE if you’d rather I stay potless.
Tim Brownson is a Certified Life Coach and has been unsticking people and helping them reach their true potential since 2005. If you would like to know how he can help you
Wow- I am so glad you liked it since I preordered it three weeks ago and it comes out today. I am usually disapointed by books like this because they say they are steering you away from corporate america and into your own venture, but then spend half the book telling you about pension plans, and working remotley instead of going rogue. Thanks for the review Tim- I am excited to go to the mail today now!
Jays last blog post..The Never Ending Class- Common Dreams #1
Zen Habits also wrote a post on this today. Looks like the word on this book is getting around. Keep up the blogging!
Do you know, I was just thinking earlier today how nice it is knowing I’ll never, ever, have to work another 9-5 office job. So your post strikes a happy chord!
Like you, Tim, I make less than I was doing in the world of employee-dom … but I have a heck of a lot more fun, free time and sanity.
I like the sound of Career Renegade, but having read a few others in the same area, I’m wondering how appropriate it is for those who’ve already left their day jobs (and have no intention of going back)? It’s great to be told that I was right all along ;-) but I sometimes feel a bit like I already know most of the good advice I’m being given…
Thanks for these reviews. I especially liked the story in the beginning — from my experience working with career changers it’s always interesting how many people go into entrepreneurship because of a dislike of authority, or at least the kind of authority that likes to have its boots regularly licked clean. Best, Chris
Chris Edgar | Purpose Power Coachings last blog post..How To Make An Audio CD Program On A Budget
@ Jay – I think you’ll get a LOT from it bud. It really does offer alot of value. I think I’m fairly well clued up now but I learned a lot from both books. Hope you enjoy it.
@ CS – I’ll do my best ;-)
@ Ali – To be fair Ali I don’t know what you don’t know, but I’d be amazed if you didn’t derive $12 worth of value from it. I know I did.
Tim, You haven’t steered me wrong yet so I feel compelled to read this book… I just need to know where I can steal it from?
Ali’s question is a good one. I’d love to know what you think.
Regardless of the answer I’ll probably buy it anyway. Firstly because you suggested I should and secondly because I’m thinking of jumping back on that damn ship and it’s something I really don’t want to do.
Your excitement for this book coms through very obviously. It was fun to read!
Stand by to get your 4%.
@ Chris – My only problem was it took me 20 years to realize!
@ Dave – Wow, if only another 9 people buy it I can afford a Venti Latte from Starbucks!
How did I not stumble across you before.
Have you always been this entertaining? Maybe it was because people like Dave Fowler kept singing your praises and that put me right off.
I am at that very happy point where I have quit the crumbling mountain that was my day job and am starting up my own business.
I feel a bit in the wilderness, but by gum I’m glad not to be sat in one more management meeting feeling like I’m the only sane person there.
This book has obviously got you all a flutter, but am a bit worried about spoiling you with another 4 per cent which could see you up your Venti Latte to a grande and I wouldn’t want you to get tubby on my account.
What I actually came here to say was, bloody good post. x
Tara, unless I’m missing it, I can’t find the book on Amazon UK. Will Amazon.com ship to the UK do you know?
@ Tara – Well I always entertain myself and hope others are entertained too. If not they’re in the wrong place and will move along quietly. Glad you liked it.
@ Dave – I think it’s possible to order from .com because I have ordered from .co.uk here. If not no worries I can order you one and then send to you and you can pay me via PayPal, it’ll only be about 12 quid including shipping and I order from Amazon every 2 or 3 weeks on average.
. . . and then I’m coming over to yours dad and we can read it together. I’m cheap like that!
Can’t find it on Amazon either. Maybe they think us Brits aren’t worthy?
I meant ‘I’m coming over to yours DAVE’ – sheesh. I am tired.
Anyway, tell a lie, it is on Amazon UK. £8.68
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Career-Renegade-Great-Living-Doing/dp/0767927419/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231881657&sr=1-1
Taras last blog post..Kissing boys: The rules. And some bling
Great review(s)..
but I’m especially writing about the note at the bottom re affiliate links. Awesome, just awesome. Succinct, honest, open, even humorous. I have huge respect for that. Very well done.
Sis last blog post..Rewrite Your Past
Tim, thanks for the link love I almost appreciate it as much as I do your sense of humor. Go Steelers!
Love your point about the myth of security.
I must admit I was putting off reading Career Renegade, who knows why? But now as penance I’ll order it form your Amazon account rather than mine. Brace yourself for the 4%.
It’s a good time to let go of the job and set up your own life and business. Before the job lets go of you.
Anja Merrets last blog post..A groundswell of popular support for Palestine
Hi Tim. So, did you ever figure out who farted? LOL. These both look like great books. My God, where will I find the time to do all this reading — just started Think And Grow Rich. Have you read that one?
Davinas last blog post..Blog + Comment = Win
@ Si – Thanks!
@ Tom – You’re welcome and I’m already planning what to spend the 52 cents on. When 2 people buy I’m off to the Dollar Store and damn the consequences.
@ Anja – Agreed
@ Davina – I think it was me. I have indeed read TAGR. It’s a tad dated now, but it’s a classic no doubt about it and well worth reading.
Tim, what do you mean TAGR is a tad dated? Don’t you agree with Napoleon Hill that you can buy breakfast for ten cents, and that there are tremendous entrepreneurial opportunities in radio?
Career Renegade looks great. Mine should arrive this week.
Hunter Nuttalls last blog post..The Hidden Secret In Think And Grow Rich
Hey Tim,
Thanks for the review. It seem like Jonathan had really written a great book. I should pick it up sometime soon :)
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
Tim, this is just the article I needed. I’m in a position now where I feel like I need to branch out from just being a stay at home mother to starting a career and this seems an excellent way to start.
First I have to finish reading your books though!
About 6 years or go I was attending a sales presentation given by God.
You made me spit out my milk this morning…which was kind of an impediment to commenting.
One thing I enjoyed about freelancing was the lack of office politics. But they don’t bother me too much, so long as I’m able to keep well out of them. Keeps me from being quite as “in” at any workplace, but it also makes for much less stress on my end at work. I’ll hang out with anyone in the lunch room and so far no one at this job (or any job, actually) seems to have taken a dislike to me.
Of course, it also means that I don’t ask the sorts of questions you did…or compliment crap.
Ruths last blog post..If You Can’t Be Compassionate To Yourself…
Good review Tim, I even bought CR yesterday. Considering my station in life I am eager to read…
@ Hunter – LOL, yeh good points. I was also thinking about when he talks about sex! Sex is so twentieth century ;-)
@ Vincent – Now is even sooner than soon.
@ Tracy – NEED to branch out or WANT to branch out? ;-)
@ Ruth – I’ll send you some money to cover your laundry.
@ Mike – Knowing what you’re looking to do, I know you’ll find it very useful.
One of your followers, Davina, referred me your blog and I’m glad she did. I laughed at the opening section as I can relate! I much prefer being on my own.
Both of your book reviews were great. I’m looking forward to ordering them. Career Renegade sounds very helpful, but I must check the TPE just because you mentioned his style was a bit unconventional!
Great post!
Saras last blog post..Practice Mindfulness: Safe Driving
@Tim, you caught me, I WANT to branch out because it seems that it would be the best way to meet my NEED to do something that doesn’t involve small people putting things up my nose. Also, if I am branched out, I feel no guilt in hiring cleaning person – some might say it would be better to work on getting rid of irrational guilt feelings, but this is not how my mind works. ;-)
@ Sara – Thanks for dropping by and thanks also to Davina! LOL – yep the TPE is definitely unconventional, let me know what you thought.
@ Tracy – Hiring a cleaner is on my goals list this year. What rock stars we are ;-)