Empowering Your Life: Transitioning from Time-Selling to Value
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Embracing a New Perspective
The way we perceive time and health becomes increasingly vital as we age. While money can buy numerous products and services, it cannot purchase time or health.
Most individuals need to work to support themselves, with only a select few managing to live without employment. Unfortunately, I am not among those fortunate individuals. Thus, I have chosen to keep working even after stepping away from the corporate sector.
This narrative is not meant to boast about my lifestyle; I recognize that countless individuals surpass my achievements. My focus is on self-improvement rather than comparison with others.
The intention behind sharing my story is to offer fresh insights to new readers, based on my professional experiences and the framework I’ve adopted to maximize my earnings with reduced effort. I thrive on generating more with less time and energy.
Although my approach may not suit everyone, it can serve as a useful perspective for others contemplating their career paths. Different motivations drive individuals toward self-employment or traditional employment.
Here are three compelling reasons I no longer sell my time:
Age and Perspective
The first reason for my shift to self-employment, after four decades in corporate roles, is the new outlook that age has granted me. In my 30s and 40s, I was unaware of the brevity of human life. However, entering my 50s, I witnessed peers succumb to serious health issues such as heart disease, strokes, and cancer, which profoundly changed my perspective.
Many of these individuals were dedicated workaholics, laboring tirelessly to secure a comfortable retirement, yet they never had the opportunity to enjoy their hard-earned wealth. I refuse to be a workaholic devoid of value; after all, money holds little worth when health is compromised.
A Shift in Mindset
My previous focus was primarily on income. Now, I view money as merely a tool to enhance my life. While financial stability remains essential, I no longer sell my time but instead offer my skills, products, and services.
Rather than adhering to the conventional nine-to-six workday, I now determine how I allocate my time to produce and market my services through consultancy, independent research, and training. This self-employment lifestyle has provided me with significant advantages, the foremost being freedom, which has positively impacted my health and overall well-being.
Increasing Financial Returns
During my corporate tenure, I worked extensive hours, yet the companies I served claimed ownership of my creations, compensating me with only about 10% of the value I generated. While I was grateful for a decent income, relinquishing 90% of the value was unwise.
In my new business model, I retain 100% of the value I create, including ownership of my intellectual property, which has led to increased earnings. For instance, patents and designs that previously benefited my employers now contribute directly to my income.
Benefits of the New Model
Instead of fixating on achieving 100% value, I have learned to focus on obtaining 50% value from my efforts. Previously, I received 10% for giving 100% of my time; now, I enjoy 50% value for only 50% of my time investment. This shift has resulted in a 40% increase in value with less than 50% of the time expended.
This newfound wealth allows me to experience greater happiness and fulfillment, as I can create more with less effort. While the 50% benchmark is flexible and may change with my circumstances, I currently feel fit and healthy enough to increase my workload to 80%, still leaving me with ample free time for leisure activities.
As I age, I can adjust my working percentage as needed without feeling disadvantaged, as many of my creations now provide passive income—an opportunity that was limited when I was tethered to a full-time job.
One of my key passive income sources is real estate, which I can now focus on more extensively as a self-employed individual. Additionally, I have the time to write prolifically, generating more passive income through my books.
Living with a sense of freedom is a tremendous perk of this new lifestyle.
Drawbacks and Considerations
To date, I have not encountered any significant downsides to my new approach. As long as I maintain my health and fitness, I anticipate few drawbacks.
Nonetheless, as a precautionary measure, I have set aside funds for insurance in case I become unable to produce. Life is inherently risky, and I previously misjudged the security that traditional employment provided.
While companies often claim to ensure our future, they merely paid for insurance from the minimal value I generated. Now, I allocate resources toward mitigating risks while embracing the uncertainties of life.
Ultimately, risks exist in both self-employment and traditional careers, meaning that self-employment does not inherently introduce additional risk.
Balancing Work and Hobbies for Well-Being
Both work and hobbies are crucial, and I strive to maintain a balance between the two. As I age, my hobbies have grown in importance, contributing significantly to my health and happiness.
I admire the lives of successful individuals and have observed that many centenarians prioritize their hobbies. Healthy and accomplished individuals often invest time in activities that enrich their lives outside of their careers.
For instance, consider the inspiring journey of a single mother who reversed her obesity and built a thriving business.
Key Takeaways
From my journey, I offer these seven insights:
- Assess your career path early.
- Seek guidance from career advisors.
- Learn from successful self-employed individuals.
- Begin laying the groundwork for your future business while still employed.
- Establish a safety net by securing your income and healthcare.
- Transition to self-employment only when you feel fully prepared.
- Engage in hobbies and cherish time with loved ones.
Final Thoughts
Self-employment has presented me with numerous advantages, including freedom, ownership of intellectual property, and the opportunity to grow with passion. My age, lifestyle choices, and commitment to protecting my intellectual assets are the primary reasons for my transition.
Each person's journey into self-employment is unique, influenced by individual goals and lifestyle preferences. Learning from the experiences of successful self-employed individuals is invaluable. Careful planning, wise investing, and recognizing the right moment to make a change are essential.
I hope my insights in "Secrets to a Healthy Self-Employed Life" provide valuable perspectives, and my reflections on wishing I had become self-employed earlier resonate with readers.
As I enjoy my new lifestyle, I can experiment to enhance my quality of life and contribute positively to others. Contemplating the future has become a rewarding hobby in itself.
Exploring Future Visions
A reflective look into the future, inspired by perceptions, sensations, and insights gained through meditation.
As physical and mental health are paramount, I wish everyone the chance to experience freedom and good health alongside economic empowerment. Thank you for engaging with my perspectives, and I wish you a fulfilling and healthy life.
Sample Stories for New Readers
- The Sugar Paradox: Resolving Metabolic and Mental Health Issues
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- Three Strategies to Boost Nitric Oxide and Mitigate Heart Disease/Stroke Risks
- Understanding the Diabetes Epidemic: What We Can Do for 442 Million Individuals
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- Crafting Content That Captivates and Engages
- Full-Time Workers Can Also Be Prolific Authors
- Activate Self-Healing Through Self-Love
- Setting Healthy Boundaries for Emotional Maturity: What Would Happen?
- An Encounter with a Skeptical Man at the Butcher Shop
For new readers, I invite you to explore my holistic health narratives that reflect my insights, observations, and extensive personal experiments. I am passionate about health and believe it revolves around maintaining balance.
I strive to enlighten my readers about hormonal intelligence by discussing neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and others.
One of my main objectives as a writer is to raise awareness about prevalent diseases and their risk factors that can lead to suffering.
To facilitate this awareness, I have penned numerous articles detailing my holistic health findings derived from research, observations, and personal experiences. Below are links for easy access to these articles.
In addition, I have explored the benefits of various nutrients, and here are the links for quick reference:
This is a reminder that my posts do not offer professional or health advice. They document my reflections and experiences to inform and raise awareness.
I share my lifestyle and health stories on EUPHORIA, emphasizing metabolic, cellular, mitochondrial, and mental health. Here is my collection of Insightful Life Lessons from Personal Stories.
If you enjoy writing and storytelling, consider joining platforms like Medium or Vocal to share your voice, connect with a wider audience, and monetize your content.
You can also check out my blog posts about my articles and those of other contributors on Medium. For more about my professional background, feel free to visit my website.
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Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword
While social media can lead to wasted time and mental health issues if mismanaged, it can also offer numerous benefits when used wisely. I previously wrote about my experiences with social media and its impact on mental health in an article titled "Why Social Media Fast Was the Best Decision for My Mental Health."
When approached with intention, social media can provide valuable opportunities for networking, discovering new career paths, connecting with potential clients, and providing meaningful support to others.
These intangible benefits motivate me to leverage social media for personal growth.