Money or Happiness? How About Both?

Business cards... $125. Your own website... $300. The freedom to make your own schedule? Priceless.

They say that money can't buy you happiness. But did you know that it can work the other way around?

The majority of us spend most of our lives searching for that big promotion or that impressive raise that will make everything else fall into place. Its as if we think that one event is the key to success. The solution to all of our problems. The secret to our happiness.

Unfortunately, when the raise or the promotion does finally come our way, we often discover that this wasn't the kama sutra we thought it was and we're off on the search again.

Why?

Because building your life around a bigger cashflow will never make you happy. It might sound like a good idea - more money means more freedom, right? Actually, no. Money alone won't buy you happiness just as it won't buy you love. Money all by itself is meaningless and not to sound too new age on you but, if you're not growing and enjoying all that life has to offer, then you're likely in something of a rut.

And between you and me... money never comes to those in a rut.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Quite the contrary - you really don't have to search at all.

As someone who spent a good part of her life doing the 9-to-5 in Corporate America, I'll be the first to fess up to chasing the almighty dollar. And for a while, I had it. The big office. The expense account. And the important-sounding title that really didn't mean a thing.

But you know what?

The more I worked, the more it seemed I had to work because it was just never quite enough. And the more money I made, the more hours I was expected to put in until, one day I realized, I was just working my life away.

So that's when I decided to step back and take stock Is this really how I wanted to spend my time? When was I going to do the things I enjoyed?

Because the truth is, I had a whole list of things to do. Fun things, educational things and even a few outrageous things. And I'm betting you have a list too.

So, let's take stock: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Start by looking at your hobbies and pastimes. What are you good at? Where do your strengths lie? Are you a martial arts black belt? Do you jazzercise with the best of them? Or perhaps your more of an arts and crafts person. Clothing, birdhouses or a hand-carved garden bench.

Do you make a mean pot of chili? Is the kitchen your favorite room in the house?

Forget degrees and letters of recommendation - the only thing you have to worry about is figuring out what it is you like to do.

1. Don't think about money - If money is your motivator, you'll never be able to truly choose something based on its potential for self-fulfillment.
2. Be realistic - I'm not suggesting that you can't do something - no, no, no... you can do anything you want as long as you put your heart and soul into it... Its fine if you want to be a professional ice-skater but if you've never skated or have no intention of even trying to learn, you're going to have a hard time making it to the Olympics.
3. Choose something you're good at -You'll have a hard time becoming a professional chef if you can't boil water. Either commit to taking some cooking classes or rethink your definition of success.
4. Understand the difference between "wish" and "must" - I "wish" I could do a triple somersault and throw in a toe-touch before I ever hit the ground. I "wish" I could sing like Kelly Clarkson. The truth is, I sing good enough to enjoy it and make my kids smile and as for the triple somersault? Well, let's just say I can turn a mean cartwheel. Now, on the other hand, I "must" write. Its in my blood. I've been doing it since the 4th grade. See the difference?

5. Pick something you'll enjoy... for a long time - I have a ton of interests. I've taken some law classes, some psych classes and I've spent years in insurance too. Those things are intersting to me and I still keep my hands in the industries, just to stay informed. But I don't want to work 15 hours a day as an attorney. I don't want to sell insurance for the rest of my life and while I love to help people, I don't have any desire to become a licensed psychiatrist. Make sure your dream is really something you want to do for the rest of your life.
6. Pick one - I'm not saying you can't have more than one interest or one business or one source of income.You absolutely can and in fact, multiple sources of income are the best way to beat the "business is slow" dilemma. But do one at a time. Just one. Get it going strong and then you can start moving your focus to the next item on your list.
7. Walk the walk - Its fine to be excited about your new goal and to share it with your family and friends. But you've got to do more than talk. If you really want to discover the meaning of life, you're going to have to be willing to do the digging.
8. Believe - I don't care how badly you want something, if you don't believe you deserve it, "IT" will never come. Call it the Law of Attraction, the Principles of Manifestation or just Murphy's Law... you have to really believe before you can realize your dreams.

Now that you know where you're going, you're probably wondering how you're going to get there...

Its actually much easier than you think.

Look at the passions you uncovered and then consider how they might become a profession. I love to write, so starting my own writing and editing business was a natural transition. I also enjoy candles, incense, books and other new age goodies - can you guess what the next project is on my list?

If you know karate or yoga, maybe teaching would make you smile. A self-proclaimed chef? Try creating your own cooking website (sell advertising for bucks!) or write your own recipe book or teach a CE class at your local college. Or, if you're feeling really adventurous, start you own line of cookies or breads. See? The possibilities are endless! It all depends on how you want to do what it is that you love to do.

Okay, so far finding your true "calling" has been pretty fun. You've got to daydream and fantasize to your heart's content.

But now you've got work to do. You need to figure out how to get from point A to point B.

Luckily, you've got all the time in the world. No need to quit your current job. No need to sell the house or turn your life upside down. All you need to do is formulate a plan and then... Get Moving!

Will you need some training? A website? A new computer? Figure it out. Map out the road to your new life in a step-by-step format: First, I need to do "X"... then "Y"... then... you get the idea.

Once you've mapped your course, you'll have a clear picture of where you're going and more importantly, how you're going to get there.

All you have to do now is take the first step! :)

Happy moving!

Here's just a few of the things you could become (if your heart so desired)...

• Professional shopper
• Life Coach
• Specialty Consultant
• Web Designer
• Writer
• Painter
• Manga/Anime Artist
• Cartoonist
• Ebay Power Seller
• Bookstore Owner
• Nurse
• Tax Preparer
• Personal Assistant
• Graphic Designer
• Karate Instructor
• Yoga Instructor
• Personal Trainer
• Massage Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Horse Trainer
• Dog Trainer
• Day Care Owner
• Blogger
• Financial Planner

And that's just off the top of my head... what can you add to the list?