In The 4-Hour Workweek, author Timothy Ferriss encourages readers to answer this question: If you got fired from your job tomorrow, what would you do to rescue your life from financial chaos?
Sometimes reflecting on a worst-case scenario opens up whole new worlds of possibility.
photo credit: h.koppdelaney via photopin cc
Job Search
I suspect many people would simply launch an all-out job search. But let’s assume you got fired in a contracting industry. Let’s assume getting the same or similar job you had with a different company is impossible.
You could switch industries, of course. You could go to school to learn a new set of skills, and probably some people should do this. If reading this strikes a chord, consider taking a few classes before you get fired!
Starting a Business
But I’m guessing that some people reading this would or already do feel the impulse to go out on their own.
Let’s zero in on that possibility.
Deciding Which Business to Start
What service could you provide that you think others would be willing to buy?
What product could you create that you think other people would be willing to purchase?
If multiple directions come to mind, imagine a fully developed, profit-making version of each possible business. Which one excites you the most? (That’s the one to pursue.)
Things to Consider
Ferriss argues convincingly that 80 percent of our income comes from 20 percent of our actions. Assume he’s right and ask yourself, which 20 percent?
With crowd-sourced funding options like Kickstarter, gathering start-up capital has never been easier or more fun!
The Internet has changed the rules in terms of reach and influence. I self-published a book in a few months time, for example. It is now available to the entire planet.
With companies like elance.com and brickworkindia.com, access to support is both simple and efficient.
3 More Questions
Does reading this stir something inside you that you’d like to keep cultivating?
What’s one step you can take today that will help you move in that direction?
Who is one person with whom you can talk about this?
Here’s your chance to reflect: If you got fired tomorrow, what would you do to rescue yourself from financial chaos?
~~ Tweetables ~~
What would you do if you got fired this morning? Powerful question, powerful post here… <Tweet this!>
How answering one scary question could lead you to the life you’ve always wanted… <Tweet this!>
Much food for thought to digest here. That is a scary thought, but there is no time like the present.
Excellent post. I’ve been fortunate to work from home for the past six years and I can’t imagine going back to the rat race of working for someone else.