It can be, not overnight of course and not without a lot of work.  First you have to decide and document what you want that life to look like, maybe even pull together a vision board.  Here is an example:  (my initial goal)

• work 2-3 days per week
• be able to work from anywhere
• be financially independent
• enjoy the my work, be passionate

My description has evolved over the years to include more specifics, but in the beginning all I focused on was the list above.  I started with figuring out what I was passionate about (which has also evolved over the years) and found I LOVED talking and teaching about Search Engine Optimization to small businesses.  Best of all is taking the mystery out of the process and helping them create a step-by-step process for success.

It fit the bill, I could handle client accounts from anywhere and teach in areas of the country I enjoyed living in or visiting.  To make this even sweeter, I already had years of experience which was hard to find even then. Today, not much has changed except for starting some of my own personal website projects the relate to my newer found passions.

Sometimes you have to be more creative on how to use your skills and/or passion to create a career and lifestyle, I’m here to show it can be done!  Most important you have to believe in yourself, your product/service and persevere the hard times … there will be hard times. 

• Remember why you’re there and what is ahead of you
• Find a group of people in your field that are more successful
• Develop a relationship with a mentor that will answer your questions and guide you to YOUR goals
• Make sure your having fun along the way, don’t lose sight of your passion …

 ~ emily

I have coined the term genetically unemployable™  to give this lifestyle a name; and to be able to help others architect their own lifestyle through my experiences and guidance.  I was told it wasn’t possible, that I was dreaming … luckily I didn’t listen.  And now I want everyone that feels the pull to have a chance at architecting the life of their dreams.

Open your eyes and remember what you are passionate about, what makes you smile from the inside out.  Don’t let yourself be limited by people, place or money … all those things will come as you evolve in to the person you were as a child.  Free, open to the impossible and alive.

In 2001 I quite my great paying job to stay home for my son, as a single parent my only choice was to find a way to work from home.  I quickly took an inventory of my skills and how I could start using them to make money, 9 years later that bold step is the life of my dreams and has been for a while.

Every time you discover a new passion see what is available to make a living with it; can you sell products, teach people your skill or even just blog about your experiences and see what develops over time.  The key is to stay flexible and connected to your soul, listen and have faith in yourself to achieve great things … and you will!

emily

If your unemployed right now take a look around and see what opportunity is waiting for you to apply your skills working for yourself or how you can begin spending your life acheiving your dreams … do you remember what they even were?

Get out, spend some time in nature searching your soul and believing in yourself.  The world is NOT a cold, hard reality … it’s a plethora of potential and opportunity for those who are willing to grab on with both hands and open their eyes.

“Just living is not enough, said the butterfly. One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.”
~ Hans Christian Anderson

Emily

I lost all my comments from my previous blog, which is a huge bummer … people really relate to this concept and I can’t wait to speak about it more at the Phoenix Ignite March 30th, 2010.

Now it’s definitely time to get back in to the events of my life and balance it all out a little more, lessons learned:  sometimes when you emmerse yourself completely in to someone elses project you can lose track of who you really are. And it isn’t as easy as I thought to just go back to life the way it was … because you’ve changed through the journey.

There is still opportunity along the way, to learn about yourself, find new dreams, build new relationships and create new business adventure.  It’s still my life … you just can’t lose track of that fact!  Only I can give it away …

emily

gimme some feeedback folks >>

What happens?  I think it’s comfort zone … the money starts coming in like a paycheck and to ‘hunt’ for the next gig stops.  You no longer HAVE to keep your skills at the top of your game in order to entice the next client.  And before you know it – your toast!

And you not only have a paying gig, but you’ve dropped the ball on your game and have some serious catchup to do.  It happens to contractors all the time, I thought I was past it … but it just happened to some degree.  Luckily it was caught, acknowledged and straightened before being let go for the next SEO with cutting edge knowledge.

When you take a gig, don’t forget about all the things you are doing right now to keep your edge … now make sure they are a part of your routine moving forward.  Don’t let go of your colleagues and friends in your industry, keep reading the blogs your read now and attending the conferences.  The gig won’t last forever, it’s to your best interest to stay on your game my friend.

Remind yourself EVERY single morning that you are a contractor, the easiest person on the list to be let go and possibly the most expensive for your task.  If you aren’t bringing value to the table every day, you are at risk.  This is just the way it is for us … those that truly are genetically unemployable.

Got any other pieces of advice?  Let me hear it in a comment     ~ emily

Now, I’ve written about consulting before.  But this really got me thinking about the areas of skills people could look at to rebound from a lost job, and there are three key skills that can be used to create a business with.

1. Consulting / Services - just because a company cannot afford the salary doesn’t always mean the work is gone.  Your skills could be used to do the same tasks but as a consultant and save companies 30%-55% because they no longer have to pay your benefits.
2. Education – do you have skills that would help other companies increase productivity, or reduce overhead costs.  Create a training program out of those skills and start making money.
3. Retail - people are still looking for products, the needs and wants are still there.  Creativity is imparative in this economy, not only in your packaging and offers, but in the product itself.  Look for, or create, something new and fresh to offer.  

It’s easier and usually cheaper to purchase online, for both products and services.  So make sure whatever type of business you create has an online presence and can be found!  I do have a section of free SEO articles on my website and offer public and private SEO training if you need help getting that new website ranking at the top. 

Even if you still have your J-O-B, it is never too early (or too late) to start developing your plan for getting a business started on the side.  If you have a non-compete issues figure out how to work around it, maybe you can offer a correlating service or training without being in direct conflict.  Think outside the box!

Corporations are NOT going to secure your future!  Some may want to, but it isn’t always an option … more companies are looking for a more personal relationship with their vendors and those of us that can offer that service are winning big in this economy!

Give me your thoughts … what are you doing to secure your future?

emily

Loosing a job, otherwise referred to as a J-O-B, is typically looked at as a failure.  You failed at keeping that employer happy enough with your daily tasks to continue to pay you an hourly wage or monthly salary.  That just simply isn’t true!!

Let me clarify, yes something happened that caused you to lose the J-O-B … but there is always a success in the end.  You now have options, and that my friend is a great place to be.  I was at a conference this past weekend that had a speaker with a great message on this very subject.  She shared how she lost a J-O-B and within a short period of time had become destitute because she stayed in the mindset of getting another J-O-B in a tough economy.  When she came to the conclusion that businesses still needed resources, but just couldn’t afford the salary it all clicked: consulting was the answer.

I could absolutely relate to her message, consulting is what allowed me to make ends meet over the years when working as the technician in my business wasn’t bringing in enough money.  When I finally figured out that my experience was in need my financial picture took an about face in less than 30 days!

Here is what I propose for you … what did you do at your J-O-B that is a skill companies need?  It may not be as obvious as the daily tasks you were performing.  For instance it may be the organizational skills you possess that made you more efficient that could be taught to other businesses.  You now get to create ‘your thing’.

If you’ve read any of my previous posts you already know ‘my thing’ is Search Engine Optimization and building Internet businesses.  Since 2001 I have had the opportunity to help a lot of companies build a presence on the Internet and market them.  Now my primary task is to keep track of the systems created over the years and market them to help other businesses and promote myself for public speaking on Internet business and SEO. Another fantastic opportunity to taking on consulting to keep your income, or to build a new income, is that consulting is ever evolving.  Every client brings new potential – harness it!

Open your mind, think outside the box and you WILL find a way to keep your lifestyle by implementing consulting.  Even if it is only temporary, you may find this skill to be your best resource!

I want your comments … let me know what you thought of the post, what you consult on or even ask a question -

emily

It’s the excitement of a soul on fire that brings about change in this world, especially the business world.  We are taught that if you are nervous inside then you need to find the ‘problem’ and address it so that you are calm and comfortable.  Nervous is different then stress, feeling nervous is what creates some of the most remarkable ideas.

A Soul on Fire = Creativity

Creativity – what a great word!  In the world of the genetically unemployable it is creativity that makes you successful, a little nervous at times and builds a business that will withstand a recession.  Creativity allows any idea to be possible, when others see it as ridiculous keep following it until you see how you can make it work.  For example, 3 years ago I made the intention that I wanted to build a company that could operate from anywhere – be completely mobile – and only work 3-4 days per week without employees.  And it had to support my lifestyle of travel, exploration and living on the beach.

It’s 2009 and that dream has come true … although just about everyone I shared it with 3 years ago told me I was just dreaming.  That was ok, because I was the only one that needed to believe.  I wasn’t creating a dream for them, I did it for myself.  There are so many opportunities out there to allow you to live your dream life.  Figure out the life you want, then research which options best suit who you are … and if you need a new skillset then get to work! 

And hopefully you will feel that amazing ‘nervous excitement’ when you embark on your new journey … and come back here and share your story in a comment.

Emily

What a compliment!

I am not retired, and have no intention of retiring because I love my life and the career I have created to allow me to live a genetically unemployable lifestyle.  My gig is Search Engine Optimization and Internet Marketing, but that isn’t for everyone … I urge you to start digging around the Internet and your local area (if that is where you want to live) and look for ways to make money outside of your cubicle or office walls. 

What do you love to do?  Check out a site called clickbank.com and see if there are products or services you could sell online without having to create your own at first.  Talk to businesses about what you love to do and find a way to create a market … where there is a will there IS a way.  Here is an example:

My son is 19 years old, he LOVES to snowboard!  And if you ask him what he wants to do with his life he will tell you – snowboarding.  Well that’s tough to make a living at … but he is finding a way.  First he is working on his instructor certification and teaching private lessons when they come up; but he is also taking his web design skills he learned working for me to go to small snowboard shops and create them a site.  Bingo!  He is living in the small town of his dreams, and has started pulling together a way to pay the bills.  Within a few months he should be ahead of the curve and building a client base.  It doesn’t matter how old you are, there is opportunity around you.

One of the problems with opportunity is, it is sometime difficult to see unless your open to it.  I’m not suggesting you run quit your J-O-B (unless you just want to), but if you’re already in the space then figure out how to create your own life … and forget about retirement.  My dad has been trying to retire for 15 years, his joy is in using his mind and enjoying what he is doing.

Share your story in the comments … I love to hear them, and so do other readers of this blog