DISQUS

Eric Hamm | Motivate Thyself · 9 months ago

I think your first tip can't be said enough. Too many people trying to follow their dreams end up jumping the gun with their steady paychecks and find themselves broke and frustrated. From my own personal experience I can certainly say, don't quit until it actually makes sense to do so. Sure, we have to put a foot forward in faith, but foolishness is not a virtue.

Thanks for bringing up a great topic and adding your excellent insight! Eric

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

I agree Eric. Sometimes we can get overly excited about our ventures, and wind up without a means to "survive" financially.

Thanks for highlighting that, and I am looking forward to see your own experience as the time comes for your move away from the day job. (Assuming that's in your plans) ;)

Happiness Is Better · 9 months ago

I agree with Eric, MOST people that jump the gun end up failing, but there are exceptions. I know of a few people that have left jobs or were laid off. When backed into a corner and forced to survive, it's always interesting how people stop making excuses and get things done.
My goal is to be financially independent so I can follow my passion, volunteer. Unfortunately, volunteering doesn't pay a whole lot thus the desire to be financially independent.

Great article!

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

I think you bring up a good point. Sometimes it takes being backed into a corner to do what it takes to move forward. But it's not necessary for everyone, and with these times it might not be the wisest choice.

Your goal is very admirable and relates closely to my own! I want to do some tree-planting, on a massive scale!

carla · 9 months ago

I think making sure you have income to survive is key. Not only will you pay the bills, but it keeps you motivated when some of the distractions of survival is behind you.

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

Absolutely Carla. It's so true that when you're not being eaten alive by worry you can focus better on making things happen. Thanks for mentioning that, it's vital!

Daphne · 9 months ago

Hi Nathalie,

Wonderfully detailed post on something that a lot of people struggle with - the desire to chase their dreams yet pay the bills. I like your practical advice like keeping the day job and freelancing as a start.

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

Thanks Daphne. I think it's important to think about the practicalities of starting a business, or chasing our dreams. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Andrea|Seven Figure Psychic · 9 months ago

Great article! I work with so many clients who want to pursue their passion and purpose, but get stuck on the "I have to pay the bills" part. I'd like to add that transitioning into our own (successful!) business does NOT have to take a lot of time or money - it just takes the willingness to make a focused effort and step outside of our comfort zone. I work with people who ramp up their business amazingly quickly - it's great fun, and it's not "hard" to get up and running and profitable. It's all in the reality we create, right?

Glad you're encouraging people to pursue their passion, and doing the same. As someone who is madly in love with her business, I wish everyone could jump out of bed excited to work in the morning!

Blessings,
Andrea

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

I was hoping you would comment Andrea, you are so knowledgeable when it comes to starting a business. I agree about going outside your comfort zone, and doing focused work. We are creators, and our attitudes determine how we interact with our Universe. ;)

Absolutely, I am excited about the work I'm doing, and it is transforming the way I go about my day. Your work also looks phenomenal. :)

avapierce · 9 months ago

At one point in my life when I found myself lacking motivation, I made a list of everything that was positive in my life - every skill, friend, great experience, achievement, etc. Since that time, when I feel melancholy, I whip out my list, I read it and I add something to it. This causes me to focus on the positive and allows me to shift my attitude.

I also keep a list of my 5 biggest dreams. Underneath each dream, I have a list of 2-3 things that I can do in the immediate future to help me reach my goals.

Between these two lists, I've been able to stay on course and I'm closing in on the things that I really want in life. Hope this helps!

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

Wow, that sounds like such a powerful process, and then such a powerful list too! I once wrote a list of all the nice things people said to me, what I consider to be my strengths, the positive influences in my life, my friends/family, and rewarding experiences in my life. I still have that notebook, so I think I should put everything together into a bit of a cheerleading list!

As for your list of dreams, way to go girl! I think having immediate steps makes it doable. It's less overwhelming, and truly is helpful.

Thanks so much for sharing, you are awesome Ava! :)

Ronnie Ann · 9 months ago

Glad you dropped by so I could discover your blog. Lots of good advice in this post I can personally vouch for. In fact, I turned part-time consulting and free-lance work into many years of making a good living as a self-employed consultant. I'm not a billionaire yet, but the freedom I've achieved from being able to create a flexible, well-paying practice is priceless! Keep channeling your inner billionaire, Nathalie. I can't wait to say I knew you when ;-)

Ronnie Ann

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

I'm so glad you dropped by Ronnie Ann. I think you're onto something, I've just started doing consulting and freelancing, but so far it's been very helpful.

It's all about the inner billionaire, isn't it? I think once we have that in place, everything seems to happen magically like it should. :) Thanks for your support Ronnie, you're awesome!

Lance · 9 months ago

Hi Nathalie!

I can't wait to get up in the morning! And it's because of the excitement of what I have going on in my life. I still have a day job to pay the bills. And I'm tossing around ideas on how to move forward with some projects I have bouncing around in my head.

I love what you're doing over at Raw Food Switch - great content!

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

Hi Lance!

You are just awesome Lance! I think no matter which way you choose to go about your new projects, they will be wildly successful. Because you're so in-tune with what people need, and you'll be able to help them with that. :)

Thanks again for the comments about Raw Food Switch! It's coming along beautifully. And it's really fun to work on too!

GoEverywhere Team · 9 months ago

What a great post! I think so many of us get bogged down by the daily demands that we forget to follow our passions. I have a list of blogs that I read on my personal webtop (basically your desktop on the web) that help keep me focused on my passions. Whenever I have a negative thinking moment (which can happen quite often sometimes), I open my list and get some great inspiration.

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

That's totally awesome. I like your idea. I'm personally going to be following Ava's idea, and modifying it a bit: a giant cardboard poster with all kinds of positive stuff to be thankful for. :)

Have a great week-end!

BarryMoltz · 9 months ago

Success to me is financially being able to support my family by doing something I love - and so far I am achieving that!

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

High fives all around Barry. You're doing awesome, and I love your definition of success!

Lagean · 9 months ago

Nice job. Very informative. I'm going to try your ebook!

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

Thanks Gena! I know you will enjoy the ebook. :)

Dr Wright · 9 months ago

This is a great article. So many people just want to quit their jobs and then find themselves in trouble. Make a plan, ease into it if you have to

Dr. Wright
The Wright Place TV Show
http://wrightplacetv.com/high-tea-2009
www.twitter.com/drwright1

Nathalie Lussier · 9 months ago

Absolutely Dr. Wright! Thanks for the comment, it's always nice to see you here. :)

Lito · 9 months ago

Yes you are right. Having a positive mental attitude will surely help anyone achieve their dreams.