Comments on: Making Money: The Right and Wrong Questions to Ask

By: by Tim

by Tim — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:59:31 +0000

Anne, take a look at the previous post on this topic and see if it helps. Also, Derek Sivers has a great way of putting it in his free e-book. He calls it "Ask for Directions." Hank, the salon is yours! Thanks for the kind words, and apologies for the radio silence. Had to get off the grid for a few days ...

By: Hank Byington

Hank Byington — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:03:34 +0000

Tim,
I like the fact that you’re facilitating such a discussion. It gives me the picture of a frank exchange taking place in one of the salons of late 19th century Europe.

There should be more opportunities for entrepreneurs and creative types to discuss, in non-threatening fashion, what are very challenging issues. The “What do I want to do?” question is not identical, but quite intertwined with the “Who am I” question. As such, it needs to be conducted with both candor and compassion. It is is the antithesis of the hubris manifested in your average business networking event.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:34:44 +0000

My problem is that I know how I want to spend my days; I know what kind of “job” I want to be doing; I know that I must rely on someone else to do their “job” which will get business so I can do mine; but I can’t figure out how to get there from here.

How is it that I determine which things need to be replaced and how to make this happen?

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:48:58 +0000

I hear you. It might be more accurate to say “on what activity, or closely related group of activities, do you want to spend between four and six hours every day, four to five days a week?”

Though I’m a big fan of the Four Hour Workweek and the ideas and tools described therein, most of us do better being centered on something that involves both mastery and service. That requires devoting a significant chunk of time to our vocations (though less than most corporate jobs, where much time is unproductive).

By: MM

MM — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:10:02 +0000

The part I find difficult about answering “How do want to spend your days?” is that I don’t want there to be one answer. This makes the specific goal setting difficult since the scope is greater than “I want to spend my days on the beach” but saying “I want to be free to do what I want when I want” as too vague for a specific action plan.

I suppose setting and achieving small specific goals may help to refine the grander How do you want to spend your days question.