Always Be Doing Something
I come to you this week as I’m working on a random project.. I just got back to work and I found this topic to be very relevant to what is going on in the world. I took some time away from work (December + January) to spend time with family and I was constantly asked “HOW ARE YOU PAYING YOUR BILLS?”.. It is very uncommon for someone to step away from work for 8-10 weeks to just BE… and not worry about money. I’m only able to do this because.. I’m always just doing something. At the current moment I have money coming in a few different ways and none of them require me to be present day in and day out. To be honest, everything I do is to put money back into things like this:
Earning dividends in the stock market
crypto staking
NFT staking
stacking money in my high yield savings account
I also find ways to make chunks of money in between more concrete work. It’s about staying active and being ready for the next opportunity.. While constantly looking for new opportunities. The key to always having money coming in is to ALWAYS BE DOING SOMETHING. Always have some money working for you, even if it’s just $20. Always have another job lined up, another project to work on, another opportunity waiting for you. I always have some work, even when I’m not working. I wasn’t working all January but I had work lined up just in case I wanted it. Always be applying to new opportunities, always be reaching out to new people, attending new things… always be putting yourself in front of new faces. I get so much work with this mindset that I often have to turn down work. I never worry about money coming in because I keep myself so busy there is always money in my mailbox or a direct deposit always dropping into my account. I don’t get bored. I always find something to do, even when money is involved. You never know who you might meet when you put yourself out there. Read more books. Take yourself to more places. Find new things that interest you. ALWAYS BE DOING SOMETHING. Done with one book, find another one. Attend meetups. Introduce yourself to people. Reach out to old friends. My phone is never dry because there is always someone trying to connect, always trying to meetup, always trying to hire me, or always trying to connect me to other people. You have to become what you want. You want to be someone always in the know and the mix? INSERT YOURSELF. Make yourself the “go to” person you seek.. by putting yourself out there. You don’t become interesting by just surrounding yourself with interesting people. You become interesting by just doing shit. Starting TODAY. Exploring your interests… even if it means doing it all by yourself. Opportunity and access comes to those that go outside and greet it.
Unemployed? Check out these ways to get some money in your pocket in between jobs:
DELIVERY: you should be signed up on Uber (for rides, food delivery, and even shop and pay + package delivery).. and every other app; Instacart, Postmates, Lyft etc. Also look into medical couriers. This is also good to do when unemployed, you will not only make money but you will learn more about your city AND find new places to apply to work based on the places you are picking up food and the places you are delivering to. You will find new neighborhoods you never knew existed. Looking for a new apartment? You will find places to rent just by doing delivery. Talk to as many people as you can, YOU WILL JUST FIND STUFF. You will most likely find someplace new every day that is hiring. Check into Amazon Flex as well.
HANDYMAN: Get on Thumbtack + Taskrabbit. I watched people EAT this past January with all of the snow; they locked in on snow removal and then kept the contacts for the future and some even branched into lawn care and other services like junk removal. ALWAYS BE DOING SOMETHING. Start a cleaning business; clean cars and home. Grocery shop for the elderly (you can do this thru Uber eats or Instacart)
RETAIL ARBITRAGE: Flip things on eBay. I’ve been doing this since college (FOR OVER 13 YEARS). I find things in stores like TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshall’s, or thrift stores and look them up in store (before buying) to see what I can get for them on eBay. I have since branched into trading cards (NBA, NFL, MLB, WNBA etc) and other sports memorabilia and have made a pretty nice bag in the process. You can find things as simple as vinyls on clearance for $8 at a record store that is selling for $30+ on eBay. Buy as many as you can and list them the same day.
KEEP A JOB: doesn’t matter. Keep a job. Always. Don’t matter where, as long as it pays and you can use it as a stepping stone. I pick jobs/careers based on the skills I can learn and how they can transfer into real life. For example: I’m an on set electrician in the film industry. What this career has taught me helps me EVERYDAY. I know a little about electrical wiring and generator loading and I take that into my everyday life. I am more handy with tools and I’m able to make minor upgrades to my home because of my career. Think about this when choosing a job/career/skill set. You don’t always have to work somewhere or stay stagnant, but have somewhere you need to be every now and then. It builds discipline and consistency.
Everything won’t be your endgame. Most of this stuff will be stepping stones to get you to your next step to help you get to your endgame.