As I continue to clarify my business goals it becomes more evident every day that this is not just about making money, it is about personal and spiritual growth, making a positive impact and helping others and building a life based on my own terms. It is about living my life on a day-to-day basis according my own personal values and beliefs.
There is a lot of talk in the media and online about ‘The Secret’, ‘Internet Millions’ and ‘Get-Rich Quick With Social Media Marketing.” I don’t like it. It all turns my stomach.
Do I want to make good money and be financially independent? Yes.
Do I want to get there by taking advantage of people and sacrificing my personal values and beliefs? NO!
There are lots of legitimate, honest and enlightened entrepreneurs out there. A lot of times you don’t see or hear about them right away because they are quietly and gently marching to their own drummer. They invite people to learn and follow along, but they are not evangelist. They don’t make outrageous promises, they won’t tell you how easy it is and they won’t tell you that you don’t have to work hard. They are going to tell you the truth based on their own experiences.
These are the kind of people I listen to, learn from and turn to as mentors and guides.
Do I know them personally? For almost all of them the answer is no. But, that doesn’t stop me from reading about them, reading their work, following them online and occasionally reaching out to them to ask a question or two.
Most of us aren’t going to find these mentors living and working in our neighborhoods, so we need to seek out them out elsewhere. We can find them in bookstores and online.
Why do I admire these entrepreneurs?
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They are independent. They built their business(s) and run their business(s) according to their own rules, not any pre-established, accepted standard or textbook guide.
Personal growth and lifelong learning are built directly into their business(s) and it is as important to them, or more, as earning a living / making money.
They all possess a strong spiritual nature and approach their life and their work as a vocation.
They strive to use their gifts and their talents to help others in a variety of ways both personally and professionally.
They accept both the mundane and drudgery that accompanies every day living and the excitement, challenge and joy of living life on their own terms.
Who they are…
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Barbara J. Winter
Barbara is an entrepreneur, writer and self-employment advocate. She is the author of Making a Living Without a Job.
Her popular seminars on creative self-employment are held throughout the US, Canada and UK. She also publishes Winning Ways newsletter which has been helping people turn their passions into profits for twenty-three years. You can visit her website at http://joyfullyjobless.com.
Derek Sivers
Derek is an entrepreneur, programmer and musician. He combines his passion for music, helping musicians and programming in an authentic and heartfelt way. He is sincere and follows his own path with dignity and gratitude.
He is also the founder of CDBaby, a company he sold in 2008. He is in the process of developing two new companies, Muckwork and Now Now Now, both aimed at helping musicians. You can visit his website at http://sivers.org/
Tama Kieves
Tama is a former Harvard educated lawyer, turned author, coach and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Awakening Artistry, an organization dedicated to creating a global family of visionary minds, creative souls, and empowered leaders. She is also the author of This Time I Dance!: Creating the Work You Love.
The question that changed her life (and mine), “If you’re this successful doing work you don’t love, what could you do with work you do love?” You can visit her website at http://www.awakeningartistry.com/.
Marsha Sinetar
Marsha is an educator, author and entrepreneur. Her books revolve around the topics of vocation, personal and spiritual growth & development, and spiritual wholeness. Her body of work is wide reaching and is grounded in years of personal research. You can check out her books on Amazon: Marsha Sinetar books on Amazon
Who do you admire and why?
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Disclosure: All links to Amazon are affiliate links for The Dreaming Cafe.
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