Craig just finished reading Steve Jobs’ biography, in which Jobs fails spectacularly to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars before striking it huge and becoming a billionaire. It does make me feel a lot better about failure and pursuing my own career – what I can’t figure out is financially how to stay afloat in the meantime.
I have a number of ideas that could potentially turn into a profitable career, but they all have a fairly long time horizon. In the meantime, I’ve got about 10 weeks before I’m going to have to tap into my investment accounts, which is not something I want to do with the stock market currently plunging. I’m getting really worried.
In the meantime, every dollar I make keeps me solvent a little longer. I think the solution is to focus hard on my best opportunity for short-term profit, i.e. public speaking. I’m speaking at Gonzaga in a week and half and it’s essential that I parlay the event into more gigs.
That, or fail spectacularly. Hey, it worked for Steve Jobs.
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Through 4 recessions, 3 of them fairly major (the .com crash was minor), I have never been voluntarily unemployed longer than 3 weeks. I’ve had to move to find work though.
Since my asset/debt ratio is 8:1 (and getting better rapidly), I need very little cash flow to live as well as I am living right now. This means if the economy tanks, I am free to take an interesting, fun job for much lower pay than someone better qualified who is bound to a mortgage.
My father was born in 1917 and never had a problem finding work during the Great Depression. He had to support his mother, so not working wasn’t really an option. He told me that anyone really willing to work could find something to do, albeit at low pay.
Fear is good. It’s motivating.
Have fun out there!
Maybe going broke will be the motivation that finally helps you realize your big breakthrough? I think with your skillset you will NEVER have a problem finding a great job (great by general standards)….but I know you looking for not a great job…but an outstanding one…which is a lot tougher.
Hey Niels,
I know what you mean. Doing your own thing can be risky, although it can be pretty interesting too. I’m actually working on a side project now with a friend, and we’re also not sure if it’ll all work out. We think it’s worth the risk, though. You can check it out at:
http://www.peopledebate.com
We’re looking to improve political discussion. We’re actually thinking of developing a facebook app also. Let me know if you have any thoughts or ever want to chat about anything (or for example, want to figure out facebook apps together). Just drop me a line via e-mail or facebook.
Best,