I’ve surrendered my time again. A big portion of my day, but that’s how it goes. I’m no longer unemployed, but in that short lapse I learned how valuable my time is and how hard one must work to make it productive. And for the first time in my life I did what mattered. In this post I’ll detail the three projects I’ve been working on and how I hope to use them. But first, I must make you aware of one key detail: as I have changed, so must this blog.

Discord

In a previous post, I talked about the nine-to-five trap and how to know if you’re in it. To support my family’s quality of life, I took another job working for someone else again. It’s a great and career-worthy company. But I’ve long come to realize that it doesn’t matter. I’m now back to merely surviving and I’m not okay with that. Yet, I’m certain there are others out there like me. I know I’m not alone in my desire to be master of my own time—to be free to pay attention to the things I deem worthy, and to serve where I see fit.

New Direction

It is for this reason that this blog will continue to be a testament to my core desire to work for myself. To break out the nine-to-five trap. Before the end of the year, my goal is to be self-employed at least part-time. This means:

• I will have spend at least 10-15 hours a week working on the project’s I’ll later mention
• Help at least 10 different people/clients achieve their objectives by the end of the year
• Earn at least $100 dollars from sources besides my day-job wages
• Put at least 50 new contacts in my network

I believe these goals to realistic. I’m working on several things at once hoping at least one of them will show promise. Here’s a look at what I’ve been busy with.

Project #1 – Small Mortgage Broker

Earlier this year, I got licensed as a Mortgage Broker in the state of Wisconsin. Did I mention that used to originate loans? Anyway, I know the mortgage business isn’t the greatest right now but I also have inside experience in the industry with plenty of ideas on how to improve upon the conventions and practices related to mortgage lending. I’ve developed a basic website with some information about the business here: http://ArgusHomeFinance.com/. In the next month I’ll be signing up with as many lenders as I can to create a good selection for my prospective clients.

Project #2

This website. http://JobHuntChronicles.com is currently the most visited website out of the three listed herein. I will continue to post here as long as I feel it is useful for me and others.

Project # 3 – Technology & Venture Consulting

I got the idea for starting a consultancy while speaking to some of my customers at my previous job. Through multiple conversations I realized I had something business owners took an interest in. I had information. I knew about some software and technology that could help a small business owner optimize his/her operations. I could teach people how to use it. Again, I know that many people have expertise others don’t. This is not unique. What’s unique is what you can do with that knowledge. We’ll see if I can turn mine into an asset. My website, www.Alex-Andreev.com is now up and running. It’s about using technology to help entrepreneurs build businesses. Check it out and let me know what you think.

If “If’s and Buts” Were Candy and Nuts

Then every day would be Christmas. Alas, I don’t have much time. I’m using any time I have and that my family permits me to work on these three projects. It will be a challenge to be sure. But for the first time in my life, I feel totally ready. I’m ready to suck at this for a long time. But in the long run, I see no way I can lose.

We often look to our trusted advisors to help us make the right decisions—never thinking for a moment that we’re dealing with salespeople. That’s because the best salespeople understand: selling is counsel. They are facilitators of exchange. No other area of work has taught me more than the craft of selling.

Discipline of Service

‘Cocky’, ‘overbearing’, and ‘inconsiderate’ are all terms individuals associate with salespeople—which is unfortunate, because they describe the opposite of what a sales professional is, and defame an otherwise honorable vocation.  The most successful salespeople are service-oriented, and are regarded as advisors by their clientele. Consequently, their primary source of business comes from referrals—which is hard to do if you’re the stereotypical, “pushy” salesperson.

Applied Psychology

The old adage tells us, “customers love to buy, but hate to be sold.” Professional salespeople must therefore understand what makes people tick. They master the skill of reading body language, they are students of human emotion, and finally, they are disciplined in listening carefully, and hearing more than the mere surface meaning of words.

Superior Elocution

When was the last time you watched a great interview? Learning the craft of selling involves high-level proficiency in articulating questions—from general to specific, all while building trust with the interviewee. Great interviewers get their subjects talking about what matters to them, within the parameters they set. Being well-understood and having superior delivery is a principal element of selling.

Why

Unless you can make all the things you need in life, you’ll need to exchange goods, services, or ideas with other earthlings. This is central to the pursuit of our separate interests. Expertise in the craft of selling is advantageous, then, to either side of the exchange, because it informs negotiation. Even if you’re just promoting an idea—or persuading a friend to see things from your perspective, selling competency reinforces the most basic skill sets: discourse and verbal/nonverbal communication.

Final Thoughts

The craft of selling is perhaps older than war—and much more effective.  It is important that you grasp that selling doesn’t mean beguiling a person. There is no virtue to subjugating or coercing a decision out of someone. Rather, the Sales Profession is about serving people—about consultation. It is a universally applicable set of skills that can help anyone promote their work and serve mankind.

The Nature of The Beast

The problem is most people in the world don’t even know they’re in it. That is, they might be aware of the dissonance I mentioned, but don’t infer any meaning from it. They accept distaste for their job as a condition of life. The first step to unplugging from this matrix is to become aware of it and it’s purpose in your world. Psychology has a name for this concept; it’s called meta-cognition.

Once I Knew

Even with the gnawing awareness of discord in my life, I did nothing for months. The words of David Allen from his best-selling book Getting Things Done, “Your whole life is important,”  resonated in my brain with every passing minute. If you find yourself in a situation like mine, start listening to that voice. Use it as a catalyst as I did, to start tunneling out.

The Economy is an Excuse

Sure, the job market is more competitive now, but it’s not an excuse for doing unfulfilling work. I’m learning that scarcity is mostly illusory, as the opportunities I’m now procuring were not even on my plane of existence a few months ago. You and I both have a unique set of skills, experiences, and talents, refracted through the one-of-a-kind lens that is the self. That has value that no one can compete with.

Escape Progress

In my previous post I outlined my strategy for promoting my abilities-for-hire. I will use this blog as the platform for my voice. I also created a twitter account earlier this week which will serve as a hub/outpost to call attention to my blog and a place I can publish minor musings. Twitter may be the most powerful social medium around today due to it’s super-low barrier-of-entry and I’ll write more about it in future posts. What about you… are you in the 9-5 trap? Let’s hear about it. Leave me a comment below.

Accepted Offer!

Some major progress today: the company I’m the furthest with in negotiations has come through with their counter-offer. The second offer was the number I wanted and I’ve accepted it. Unless something better comes along, I will start working for the company in September.

Why I Did It

The way I see it, this is the first step in replacing my income—it’s more money than my last job, and I can’t keep them hanging. It’s vital to work with quality people in an environment you’re comfortable with. Not only do I know many of the salespeople working there already, but the area is familiar. Finally, I’m very comfortable selling the product/service this company offers—technology is my forte.

I’m Not Done

Did you really think this was it? We’re talking lifestyle/workstyle design here, folks—there’s still much to be done. One of my main objectives is to be location-independent, and despite what the live-your-dream-be-your-own-boss spam would have you believe, it’s hard to find that kind of work. I’ve been busy with some projects that are part of my overall strategy to find and do fulfilling work that I haven’t told you about yet. I’ll share more on this with you later in the week.

Hello Recession!

Today was my last day at work with the company I’ve worked with for the last year and a half—but I feel great. Even though I’ve just joined the increasingly popular club of Unemployed Americans, it’s not a group I’ll associate with for too long. I hope.

Jobhuntchronicles.com

Is just what it sounds like. This site will be a daily record of my unemployment and my struggle to find work that is meaningful and makes me happy. This blog is mostly for me, but you might find it useful too. I promise only that my posts will be honest, and to the best of my ability, useful to others in a similar position.

What Happened

I said goodbye to my colleagues on 8/13/09 and walked out the door, banker’s box in-hands. There were no feelings of resentment or remorse—I had known for weeks that this would happen. The company that employed me had been bleeding major clients for the last 2 months. Upper management insisted that we stay optimistic, at the same time suggesting that we ought not rule out looking for “other opportunities elsewhere.” Another client gone, and so are our jobs.

Progress Made

The day I got home, I began indiscriminately calling people in my phone book. I left a lot of messages saying basically: “Guess what? I’m looking for work after getting laid off, so give me a call to catch up and keep your ears open for me, etc.” One of my contacts provided a good referral for the company he worked for that was hiring. I thanked him and submitted my application online. He seems to be making a good commission with their inside sales division.

Other Stuff

My resume needs updating and general overhaul. This is next on the list. I’ll let you take a peek at the resume before and after it was revamped. More on my plans tomorrow. Thanks for visiting jobhuntchronicles.com