I’ve created this thread to hold myself accountable and stop the action-faking. I intend to update this weekly.
The Why
I am doing this to have a roof over my head. That’s the bottom line.
Since quitting my high-paying job to follow my dreams 4 years ago, I’ve been living on my savings. This included 2 years of travel. During this time, my girlfriend and Dad both died suddenly on different continents within 24 hours of each other. I found my girlfriend’s death particularly challenging to deal with. The grieving took time to dissipate but I now accept the situation. I have no excuses.
My savings will probably last another 4 to 6 months but watching them dwindle down is bullsh*t that I can no longer accept.
The Present Situation
I’ve started a copywriting business with the help of @Lex DeVille's 15 day copywriting challenge.
I completed several proofreading and content jobs for a client on Upwork, most of them for cheap to get started with the last one at a better rate (US$25/hour). Upwork is a good tool but it is not my end goal.
I used to work for a UK-headquartered international consultancy. I identified an opportunity to improve their website’s 300+ project and industry case studies. They are inconsistent; some have errors, and many sell the company’s services poorly. I spoke with my former boss who still works for them and he gave some good tips. I’ve researched and obtained the contacts of the global headquarters’ Communications and Marketing Department head. I need to now write and send the proposal.
As a first significant proposal that is going to a former employer, I want to make it perfect. However, I know the most important thing is to just do it. I know I can provide value to them and have the skills to do the proposed job but have doubts on how to structure and price the proposal and how they will view my inconsistent work history. However, whether they accept it or not is not the critical issue. The most important thing is to get on the court and take action.
I recently decided to diversify into WordPress-based website design in addition to copywriting. A friend who runs her own consultancy and mentors businesses suggested I do this as from her experience clients will not just want copy but a website as well. Although initially reluctant, I now see it makes perfect sense and is a good opportunity to create monthly recurring income when properly managed. I started my personal blog more than 15 years ago and have dabbled with WordPress for years but only superficially. I will learn more, create sites and build my portfolio.
I created, host and manage my Toastmasters club’s website, which the president has asked me to update. This is a good learning opportunity. It’s not a paid gig, but the experience/portfolio is important initially. I also have a few simple websites that I created more than a decade ago that dribble AdSense income. They need revamping and are also good portfolio-building opportunities.
Goals
In the next 3 months:
Help others enough to earn AU$5,000 per month. This would comfortably cover all my expenses (including the $2,210 monthly mortgage payment).
Be ready to move from Perth to Adelaide to be closer to family, all of whom live around Adelaide. To make this move a success I need to:
I’ve also just joined a gym for the first time ever, partly to improve my self-esteem.
Longer Term:
Use CENTS and provide enough SUCS to have a $100,000 monthly income. This may or may not be in a related business. The end goal is to have complete freedom via a $10,000,000+ nest egg.
What I Will Do in the Next Week
The Why
I am doing this to have a roof over my head. That’s the bottom line.
Since quitting my high-paying job to follow my dreams 4 years ago, I’ve been living on my savings. This included 2 years of travel. During this time, my girlfriend and Dad both died suddenly on different continents within 24 hours of each other. I found my girlfriend’s death particularly challenging to deal with. The grieving took time to dissipate but I now accept the situation. I have no excuses.
My savings will probably last another 4 to 6 months but watching them dwindle down is bullsh*t that I can no longer accept.
The Present Situation
I’ve started a copywriting business with the help of @Lex DeVille's 15 day copywriting challenge.
I completed several proofreading and content jobs for a client on Upwork, most of them for cheap to get started with the last one at a better rate (US$25/hour). Upwork is a good tool but it is not my end goal.
I used to work for a UK-headquartered international consultancy. I identified an opportunity to improve their website’s 300+ project and industry case studies. They are inconsistent; some have errors, and many sell the company’s services poorly. I spoke with my former boss who still works for them and he gave some good tips. I’ve researched and obtained the contacts of the global headquarters’ Communications and Marketing Department head. I need to now write and send the proposal.
As a first significant proposal that is going to a former employer, I want to make it perfect. However, I know the most important thing is to just do it. I know I can provide value to them and have the skills to do the proposed job but have doubts on how to structure and price the proposal and how they will view my inconsistent work history. However, whether they accept it or not is not the critical issue. The most important thing is to get on the court and take action.
I recently decided to diversify into WordPress-based website design in addition to copywriting. A friend who runs her own consultancy and mentors businesses suggested I do this as from her experience clients will not just want copy but a website as well. Although initially reluctant, I now see it makes perfect sense and is a good opportunity to create monthly recurring income when properly managed. I started my personal blog more than 15 years ago and have dabbled with WordPress for years but only superficially. I will learn more, create sites and build my portfolio.
I created, host and manage my Toastmasters club’s website, which the president has asked me to update. This is a good learning opportunity. It’s not a paid gig, but the experience/portfolio is important initially. I also have a few simple websites that I created more than a decade ago that dribble AdSense income. They need revamping and are also good portfolio-building opportunities.
Goals
In the next 3 months:
Help others enough to earn AU$5,000 per month. This would comfortably cover all my expenses (including the $2,210 monthly mortgage payment).
Be ready to move from Perth to Adelaide to be closer to family, all of whom live around Adelaide. To make this move a success I need to:
- Sort out my remaining gear using the KonMari method. I love this method and went through my clothes, books and toiletries last year but then stopped
- Prepare my house for sale or rent. I’m leaning towards selling in the spring even though the market is down as:
- I want to simplify my life so I can focus on the more important things of business, family and setting myself up to live and travel anywhere in the world
- The strata complex my unit in is 40 years old and could become a money sink
- There have been some neighbour issues which I will be happy to leave forever
- I want to kiss my mortgage goodbye (because of my LVR, I pay a higher interest rate than I otherwise should)
Longer Term:
Use CENTS and provide enough SUCS to have a $100,000 monthly income. This may or may not be in a related business. The end goal is to have complete freedom via a $10,000,000+ nest egg.
What I Will Do in the Next Week
- Write and send the proposal to my former company’s headquarters
- Decide whether to use Divi or not for my WordPress sites
- Update my Toastmasters club’s website
- Finish the Blue Ocean Strategy audiobook
- Use a PT at the gym to create a personalised program I can follow in my own time
- Sort out my kitchen gear, stationery, electrical gear, recreational gear and electronics, selling, giving away or throwing out what's I don't want
- Invite my landscape gardener friend around for a coffee and get his ideas on what I should do with the garden in preparation to sell/rent
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