This summer, watching the gas prices climb hg=igher and higher, I was often amazed at how many of the people I was teaching with based their entire decision on whether or not to teach at a site based on gas.
These poeple had the most current gas prices figured to exaclty how much each gallon cost them, how many gallons it took to get to any site, and how little profit they were taking home as a result.
I think I must still be living like a college student, because I felt that if the job covered all of my living expenses, any other financial responsibilities I had, and left me with some for savings and entertainment, then I was doing pretty well.
It turns out my coworkers aren’t the only ones with this mentality. It honestly amazes me in a time when interviews are difficult to find. Will the outrageous gas prices see us return to a time when we worked close to home, despite salaries, benefits, or perks?
Posted by Rebecca as Changing careers at 8:32 AM EDT
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Autumn is my favorite time of year! The air cools. The leaves change colors! There’s just something about it the invigorates me.
This particular autumn seems to have energized me into becoming more serious about getting the jewelry business actually moving forward. I’m creating inventory, evaluating and redeigning the web site to make it a better store front, and even working on devleoping my creative vision.
Of course, the problem with creating any vision statement is that you have to decide where you want to go, who you want to be. I’m still feeling pretty lost, so I’m exploring not only what I want my business to be, but what role I want to play in that business. It’s pretty intimidating, and kind of exhilirating.
Found via the Business Opportunities Weblog
Posted by Rebecca as Entrepreneurship at 8:23 AM EDT
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This article targets those over forty, but I think this is valuable information for those of us who’ve just barely made it to thirty and are facing that quarter-life crisis.
Just as it’s not a bad idea to re-invent yourself if you find yourself in a rut, it’s not a bad idea to reinvent your career as well.
The great thing about re-inventing your career, though, is that you have more than likely gained a number of skills that will serve you not only in your chosen industry, but also in others both similar and vastly different form your chosen path. You just have to be brave enough to explore!
Posted by Rebecca as Changing careers at 8:09 AM EDT
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A number of the bloggers I read have been excited to see themselves at the top of Google’s blog search for certain keywords.
I guess it’s my turn now. A post on my EducationNiche blog holds the top spot for “lifelong learner”, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Truly, if I could be a career student, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I love to learn! I’m constantly looking to learn new things. My 43Things account currently is made up of a lot of learning tasks, and maybe I’ll even get to them someday (but not until after November!).
Posted by Rebecca as Skill building at 8:28 AM EDT
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Last week, I found this great article on a violinist joining a quartet that I just loved.
Having had a number of friends who were professional artists (or still are in many cases), I can totally appreciate this. Being able to see and recognize a great opportunity and then seize it? It’s wonderfully inspirational.
Perhaps, though, the best part of the entire article is this quote from violinist Geraldine Walther on her new position:
"It’s kind of like jumping off the cliff, but it’s
kind of like jumping off the cliff into this wonderful, beautiful
garden that I’ve always dreamed about being in."
How many of us would love to create ourselves into a similar situation? I know I would!
Posted by Rebecca as Creativity, inspiration, and motivation at 7:17 AM EDT
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I’m spending this month trying to build up the inventory for my jewelry business in preparation for the next couple of months.
One of my most likely chances for success is eBay, but there’s the nightmare of having to write the copy for the listings. I love to write. I write well. But trying to convince anybody to purchase something I made is worse than a visit to a doctor for me. I have the worst time talking about the good points of anything related to me (sad, but true). Not that this is an unusual problem for people, but it can really be a business-stopper.
I have a tendency to just lay everything out there, rather than follow my own advice and weave a story through my copy. This post really helps demonstrate why the story approach really can be more successful than just listing features and benefits. Please note that it’s even recommended to blend both methods.
I’m thinking about printing this out and keeping it in my notebook!
Posted by Rebecca as Entrepreneurship at 8:46 AM EDT
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I’m not avoiding posting. I actually have some great ideas lined up. But between a general feeling of blah and a couple of major projects, I’m left with no energy for blogging this week.
I’ll be back next week, though!
Posted by Rebecca as Uncategorized at 9:34 AM EDT
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Over the weekend, I started making motions to work on my jewelry business again. After two and a half months of little or no free time, I really kind of feel like I’ve fallen out of touch with my little business.
I’ve started creating pieces again. I’ve been researching farmers markets, flea markets, and arts and crafts fairs in the area. I’ve even been doing a little light reading.
I think I’ll be spending some time this week working through some of the exercises in the book, maybe try to draw up a more formal (yet still completely informal) business plan. Then, I think I’ll go looking for writing opportunities in the world of jewelry design.
Posted by Rebecca as Entrepreneurship at 9:23 AM EDT
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This week has been all about recovering. I finished cleaning up everything from camp yesterday and boxed up those things that need to go back to my supervisor today. As much fun as camp was, I find I’m actually a bit happy to see it end.
This next week should be full of activity for my jewelry business, although I may spend more of it working toward a writing career than I expect. We’ll see what happens.
This week’s link dump features a section that’s definitely been near and dear to my heart over the past year. It deals with finding yourself. Too many of us let our lives be defined by what others around us have done. We’re generally not happy and feel unfulfilled. There’s no time like the present to take a good, honest look at ourselves and see if where we currently are really fits with who we are!
Posted by Rebecca as Link Dump at 10:22 AM EDT
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