Thursday’s Review

Finished a great book a few days ago and wanted to share it with you. It is an inspiring book written by an ex-corporate junkie that found and fell in love with being an entrepreneur. In her new book Escape from Cubicle Nation, Pam Slim has given readers an easy read that is packed with real, practical content.

Pam Slim provides an awareness for the reader of what to expect emotionally and steps to take as they plan their departure from corporate stress and trappings toward independence and the freedom to begin their own business. This book really highlights the stress and feelings felt at each step and how to practically deal with them as they arise with dozens of examples, including many personal ones to cement the understanding. There are also many resources to help get you through each stage.

For the entrepreneur, Escape from Cubicle Nation also focuses on the vital importance of life balance and keeping happiness and personal life at the forefront of each decision. If you don’t have a balance you won’t be truly happy with your decisions – know matter what they are. But, she doesn’t hold back on the effort that will be involved with the decision, it isn’t one that should be made hastily.

The book provides great ideas to help you determine your own unique direction and passion and then walks through the business side of building a business plan, website, marketing strategies and more. Having gone through many of the stages and steps in the book as a business owner myself, I love that she prepares the reader for things they wouldn’t even know about until they were hit broadside with it during their own transformation.

If you are in the process or even just dreaming of taking the leap to owning your own business, I strongly recommend reading Escape from Cubicle Nation by Pam Slim. This book gives a real look at the process, pitfalls and paradise found in owning your own business.

Monday’s PMA

I am just in the first chapters of Pamela Slim’s Escape from Cubicle Nation, a frank and interesting look at the trappings of living your career in an unfulfilling corporate job and finding your way to entrepreneurial freedom. At this point what is really being focused on is the importance of your happiness in what you do. Pamela describes how many job seekers or those interested in going it alone, feel guilty because they seemingly have the perfect job. They often feel selfish complaining or looking to leave when so many others don’t have jobs and would kill for yours.

This idea really hit home as I’ve talked with many clients that seem stumble over the reasons to leave their job. The old adage of, ”do what you love and you’ll never work another day in your life” really is true. It means doing what you know is right for you regardless of what others think is the right for you. If the job isn’t right for you, than you shouldn’t be there.

If you are unhappy where you are, whether employed or unemployed, discover where you do belong by prioritizing your wants, strengths, passion and abilities. Fin out what your calling is and where you should be working to maximize your happiness and earn living doing it.

Do so by getting serious about finding out where you belong by asking yourself many questions, ask others what they see as your greatest strengths, take assessments, look through your past, your present, your hobbies, interests and comfort levels to understand where you belong.

This doesn’t mean quit your job today and expect to be doing what you love tomorrow. It means realizing what your dreams are and making a plan and choice to move toward that dream. Develop a plan, take courses in that field if you need additional training, work with mentors in that industry and prepare for the change. Just like the “big” TV switch on June 12, TV stations, stores selling converter boxes, customers, consumers all got the information, developed a plan, spread the word and made the switch seamlessly.

If you are unhappy but not sure why – take the time to find out and make the changes you need to be fulfilled in your career. You spend half your life devoted to your career – shouldn’t it be something you are passionate about and love?

Shine on!