One of the best things I did for myself at the beginning of 2014 was set a goal to read 40 books. This simple challenge has opened me up to new ideas, new theories, and new perspectives. I’ve learned so much and I’ve been able to apply so many of these new lessons to my life.

One way I can be grateful to the authors is to share these revelations and inspirations as they wreck my current world-view. I want to share something that has inspired me to experiment with new ideas, challenge my current situation, and encouraged me to gain a deeper knowledge of many subjects.

Why Do You Work?

As I listened to the audiobook Rich Dad Poor Dad, I came across a line that has since been embedded in my brain. I listened and re-listened to it, trying to understand what the author meant. It was one of those passages you think you understand, but you have the feeling you could be interpreting it wrong. At the same time, the more you listen to it, the more meaning it begins to have.

“The Rich don’t work for money”

This has played on repeat through imaginary earbuds since I heard it. The author, Robert Kiyosaki, goes on to explain The Rich let money work for them while they find opportunities to make money through their work. If you’re considering an entrepreneurial venture I highly recommend this book whether you are an entrepreneur, an employee, or even a teacher.

As he expounded on his argument, I couldn’t help but make it a personal mantra. If the only reason you work is to gain more money, you’ll never be satisfied. About a year and a half-ago, I came to a fork in the road: do I want to pursue a life of purpose or do I want to pursue the career/money directly in front of me?

I cannot say that I’ve taken the easy road, but I can say it has been the satisfying one.

Financial Satisfaction

Kiyosaki is making an argument for people to take matters into their own hands and begin controlling their destiny by choosing an entrepreneurial path. I agree with him on all points, but my only footnote is that life in the digital economy means we don’t have to be exclusive entrepreneurs.

To put it a different way: moonlighting has never been easier.

I think of my parents’ situations and how they could be meshed today. Dad was a teacher and Mom is an entrepreneur. But today, it’s easier than ever to be both. There are endless ways to make money online through lesson sharing, creating websites, or digital tutoring.

Teachers can go to school, do something they love for a lifetime, and never quite be financially comfortable. And that sucks. Even though it’s often a very satisfying career path, we don’t pay our educators enough. Many teachers are intrinsically satisfied with their work. But because we don’t value education like some countries, they are not rewarded extrinsically.

What was that saying… “The Rich don’t work for money” ?

If I were a teacher (and I have contemplated that career path many times) I know I’d be internally satisfied with my work. I love to teach people new things and I thoroughly enjoyed my first year coaching football. But I come from a very aggressive business background and have financial goals that probably wouldn’t be met through that career path.

But if I were to wander down that road…

I’d spend my weekends and summers working on an online business. I’d take the time to learn WordPress or Squarespace and I’d look for ways through my current work that would enable me to make passive income (read the book if you don’t understand this statement (you can thank me later)). As I’ve come to learn, opportunity is at the intersection of what you know and what you’re willing to learn.

Maybe I have a knowledge of a sport other coaches can learn from. Maybe I have a unique way of teaching math to high schoolers. Maybe I can teach other teachers how to read their students’ emotions better. The possibilities are endless and every one of us brings unique talents to the marketplace. 

Endless possibilities are good. Daunting, but good. I know it’s much easier to write than it is to do, but these are real scenarios that many teachers pursue every day.

Starting a side business can be risky. But much of that risk is negated if you’ve got a day job that provides stability – hence the teacher analogy. You may not be a teacher, but if you’re not financially satisfied, begin looking for opportunities. They are all around, but you’ve got to have an open mind and be willing to try some things you’ve never done before.

I can tell you from experience, the risk is worth the reward. 

—

So what do you work for?

Leave me a comment or chat with me on Twitter, I’d love to hear from you. Have a great week!

—

Sign up for Posts via Email below