Recap: Party Turns Boffo, Women Leave Inspired
Here’s a news flash: Social media doesn’t really move the needle of events; though some events live or die by their Facebook coverage, others, not so much. Our wine party at the cafe went off brilliantly, with many Hidden Techérs coming from far away to sip and schmooze. But only one person came because of Facebook. Though I must say I was very pleased that she did. So all of that wine I bought was consumed and our reputation for holding kick-ass HT events is intact.
Then Valerie Young came in today with eight women, all taking a workshop about how to make their passions into their work. It is not an easy assignment…to mesh what you love with what you do for money. Most people don’t succeed at this.
We sat outside on the S. Deerfield common and I shared my story of going from the basement to the office. I told them about working till very late at night, and wanting, hoping, wishing if I could only make it my job. I think they were inspired, and it was fun sharing the tips I’ve collected over the years about how to enjoy life and seize it for all its worth.
I asked each woman to tell me two words that describe what they’re passionate about. ‘People. Animals. Women. Children. Travel.’ I had a hard time seeing how these personal puzzles would fit together. But I admire these women for taking the time to explore what they want out of life, and working with Valerie to try and find it.
June 25, 2010 @ 9:57 pm
as usual am inspired by your post Max! like u say, making money out of your passion is not easy! am so happy that your ht party was a rocking success…..wish i could have made it…..being without a day job limits my networking opps…..also wish i lived closer to south deerfield……could have made more trips to the office!!!
June 28, 2010 @ 4:23 pm
Hey Max,
Thanks again for taking the time to share your own story of how you turned your love for travel into your full-time business.
Far too many people get trapped in traditional jobs like vet, or school teacher, or engineer because like you, a lot of people DO have trouble seeing how they can turn a love for working with animals, or travel, or fitness, or art, or the environment into a viable small business.
Fortunately I’m not one of them…
In fact, since starting http://www.ChangingCourse.com 15 years ago I’ve helped the 23,000 people who subscribe to the Changing Course newsletters to see creative ways they can profit from their passions.
Of the 8 people you met at this weekend’s “Work at What You Love” workshop, only one was local. People came to our beloved Pioneer Valley from as far as Washington state, Ohio, Atlanta, NYC, Tennesee, Virginia, and Boston… Why? Because they wanted to 1) learn a proven process for monetizing the things they love to do and 2) to walk away with a plan and the ongoing support to make it happen.
They got that and a whole lot more. The workshop attendees left on Sunday escatic to start building their first profit center. (Like you, I am a huge fan of multiple profit centers having at least 8 myself ).
Sadly, far too many people are told to forget their silly dreams of making a living without a job-job to “get real.” Again it’s been 15 years since I launched ChangingCourse.com. Walking away from a well paying corporate job that paid the bills but did not feed by spirit was certainly not “realistic.”
But as Will Smith once said, “Being realistic is the most commonly traveled road to mediocrity.”
Today I earn five times my corporate salary… regulary speak at such diverse organizations as Procter & Gamble, Intel, Boeing, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Society of Women Engineers, Canadian Women Business Owners… have been interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger’s, Inc, Entrepreneur, More, Women’s Day, The Chicago Tribune, the Sydney Morning Herald, and countless other publications here and abroad… attended an intimate brainstorming session with Sir Richard Branson… trained over 150 people from 9 countries how to be Profiting from Your Passions Career Coaches… and recently signed a six-figure book deal with Random House for my first book.
None of what I have done since leaving my “job-job” was “realistic.”
The point is, there are SO many ways to make a living without a job. You just need to know how and where to look…
Thanks again Max for sharing your inspiring journey from employee to entrepreneur. One day soon I am certain the women in my workshop will be sharing their successful journey with you!
To your dreams,
Valerie Young
Dreamer in Residence
http://www.ChangingCourse.com