Think outside the cubical to succeed.

For so long, I felt trapped in my 8 to 5, 6 X 6 cubical and was going bonkers. I guess I have too much of a hobo gypsy mentality. To tell you the truth, a good employee I would not make. That’s not to say I’m lazy or irresponsible and you’re not either, but too many controls and I implode. Most days I work 10 to 12 hours, I can do this because I'm free to work where and when I want. Also, I love what I do. I wake up excited and bursting with ideas.

Everyone is creative when theyre placed in the right environment, an environment that allows you to express your ideas without fear of rejection and where you’re passion is allowed to play out. You’ve know the cliche “Do what you love and the money will come”. There are a 6 simple rules for playing this game that you should know.

FIRST - Don’t set your heart on becoming rich. Riches can’t buy happiness. Obviously, we all need a certain amount of money for living this wonderful life. Just don’t make money the reason you get up every morning else you will loose focus of what truly makes you happy. If along the way you happen to become “rich” be extra careful, be generous.

SECOND – Start a savings account, develop a budget and stick to it; pay cash for most things and do not accumulate bills. Live within your means. You’ll never be able to pursue your wanna be’s if your always worried about your debt. Nothing kills creative thinking like bills. Save at least 6 months of living expenses. You may need this to help get through the wanna be learning curve.

THIRD - Research your wanna be ideas. Wanna be a dolphin trainer, rodeo rider, matador, sommelier, chocolatier, circus actor or a bounty hunter? The more you know, the more you can make the correct decisions. Each time you learn something new about your wanna be goal your next step will begin taking shape and before long your well on your way to accomplishing your dream. To quote another cliche, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Great performers did not become great overnight. Hard work and discipline is the sure road. To quote Beverly Sills from the top of my February 19th Franklin Covey day timer page, “ There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” There may not be any shortcuts, but the trip is a whole lot faster if you’re not backtracking. Do your research. Research can take many shapes. Google is a good place to start, books, magazines, new articles from Fast Company and BNET, Internet magazines. Collect all the free information you can before making decisions that cost. Visit schools, if they are too far away email or phone them. Schools will be glad to give you much free advice. Have thoughtful questions ready ahead of time in order to get the most from your interviews. Keep a journal and let your progress inspire you.

FOURTH – It will take courage to pursue your dream, but if you’ve prepared yourself courage will become your friend. Each step you take in this direction will teach you future steps and before long you will look back and wonder how you came so far.

FIFTH – Learn to be generous. Help others and share ideas. None of us can make it alone. Remember the golden rule. By the way did you know that it comes from the Bible?

SIXTH – Never give up. There will be plenty of reasons along the way but ignore them.
If it was easy, everybody would do it. Remember you’re not everybody you are a special creature that God has given many talents and passions to in order to accomplish great things.

Check out the schools and jobs in this blog for out of the cubical thinking.