Freedom
Day 3 of 750Words.com and I’m getting addicted to this.
Today has been a great day and is one of those days that make you feel alive. I started the day of #AtTheHUb (@Work Hubs my co-working space) with a great networking breakfast that we host every 2 weeks for 4Networking.
I always love these meetings as it’s a chance to further connections and create new ones. That is so important to life. I no longer feel I work, I feel life is a series of connections and some lead to absolutely nothing and others lead to great things, that’s not measured by money.
I have been a member of 4N for about 3-4 years and it’s only in the last 1 & 1/2 that I have really got it and started to see the benefits of just building relationships. So many people use networking to sell their stuff, often relentlessly. I use it to make connections and build relationships, I never look at it as an opportunity to make money.
The fact is, that when people trust, know and like you, they will buy your stuff over ‘randoms’, when the need arises. So you can be completely chilled about it and not look at everything with the ‘ROI specs’ on.
The benefits I get in terms of advice, connections, fun and friendship will always outweigh whatever financial benefits that might come.
After that I headed over to Hackney Wick to catch up with Bernie & Neil, my #iCollDay buddies (International Collaboration Day) at 90 Mainyard, my favourite co-working space after the hub. Always enjoy these meets and today was an important one in terms of cementing the future of this event/movement (we’re changing the world as we know it LOL).
My top core value is freedom, not like the freedom to lie about on a beach all day or to roam the planet like a nomad. I mean the freedom to make my own choices, decide my own direction in life and be free to pursue the dreams/goals that I have.
So days like today remind me that I have that freedom to choose what I do and when I do it, one of the biggest pluses of self-employment.
So many are stuck in jobs that they hate and are trapped by needed to earn enough money to live the lifestyle that we’re all ‘sold’.
Therefore, I am grateful that I can do what I want, which also means that I need to stay focused and use the time wisely to ensure I stay free and happy. In order to maintain this freedom I need to work hard.
There are no short-cuts to success in life in whatever you are doing or want to achieve. There must be ownership of your life, commitment, discipline and responsibility.
I am now sitting writing my 750 words for the 3rd day in a row, this discipline is important for me in a number of ways.
Firstly, I want to improve my writing, as I have always wanted to write a book. So like anything in life, if you want to get better, there is no substitute for hard work and practice. As one famous golfer said ‘the more I practice, the luckier I get’.
The second thing about doing this every day, is it allows me to think, reflect and go through what is happening. We are all guilty of going from one day to another without reviewing or reflecting.
The third benefit to this, is a time-out from the normal daily routines, which is a huge benefit. I put my headphones on, music playing and I drift off in to my own thoughts and world. Otherwise you run ragged.
Lastly, if the piece isn’t up to scratch it doesn’t matter, as it is my choice to share it or not. So it’s a great place to brain dump, let off steam, and to exercise the mind.
Today, hasn’t finished yet, I am about to catch up with Bernie on what’s happening in the sharing economy. Instead of doing this in a stuffy meeting room, we are going to take a walk through The Olympic Park to Stratford.
This is another benefit of the freedom of self-employment, you don’t have to follow the old school norms that are ingrained in to most organisations.
Lastly, the best part of the day for me is the evening walks I do with #TeamDodson (my family). We have been going for a walk most evenings now altogether, as often as we can, for about an hour. We walk through the countryside around where we live. It’s chance to talk about our days and to share stuff, at the same time as getting some good exercise.
Philip Dodson 