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Learning To Dream Again

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I’m smiling right now and have been for days.  About a week ago Betsy resigned and is now officially working alongside me as a full-time entrepreneur!  She had been miserable in her job for several years and was in desperate need of a sabbatical and career change.  Her employer took good care of her and she was friends with many coworkers but the career was just a bad fit for her goals, dreams, and gifts; it just took her a long time to realize it and even longer to do something about it.  I traveled a similar path.

Let’s take a closer look at how I lost sight of dreams then rediscovered their importance and learned to find the courage to chase after them again.

How I lost sight of my dreams

When did I lose site of my dreams?  I think it happened during college, but am sure that by the time I graduated my dreams had completely dropped off my radar.  Instead I was busy writing a resume analogous with most other graduates and groveling for entry level jobs that I knew very little about.  Would these jobs challenge me?  Would they help me find happiness?  Would they even be something I enjoyed doing?  Surprisingly I spent almost zero time pondering these questions and instead moved along like a zombie because it was the path everyone else seemed to be walking.  College didn’t equip me with critical thinking skills and never challenged me to answer these terribly important questions before choosing a life path.

And so I graduated still unable to answer these simple questions and even further away from asking them.

Life chose my direction

To be honest, until recently I never knew what I wanted to do with my life.  I went to college because my dad wanted me to and because all my friends were going.  I finished college – with a 7 year bachelors degree – because I wanted to finish what I started and had no idea what else to do.  I pursued a job in my field because I had spent $50,000+ on the education.  I kept the jobs in my field, despite being unhappy and unfulfilled, to keep up with the debt and to begin pursuing other “normal” life progressions like buying a car, buying a house, filling my house with cool stuff, etc.

The point is, if you don’t consciously chose your path at every turn, life will chose for you.

So whose fault is it?

It’s nobody’s fault really, it was just the path I traveled in life.  I don’t necessarily regret any of it because it all worked together to bring me where I am today.  I don’t blame college, I don’t blame society, I don’t blame anyone… mostly I’m thankful that God is continually shaping and molding me into a vessel to be used for His glory.  I mean, who knows?  If I hadn’t been through so many uncertainties in life, would I be writing this article today?  I doubt it.

Without my trials and tough times I would likely be more selfish and less focused on my goals.

Learning to dream again

Through all this uncertainty I was continually unhappy about my lack of true purpose.  I knew I was a Christian and I knew I needed to glorify God.  I was sure He wasn’t calling me into full-time ministry in the typical sense, but just as sure I was in the wrong line of work.  For a long time I thought there was something wrong with me, but as time passed I became increasingly certain that I simply needed a career change – but I had too much debt!

I started really chasing my dreams at the start of 2009 when I started DebtFreeAdventure.com.  I realized I badly needed a change, that my lifestyle choices up to that point had trapped me, and that my debt played a major role; so I decided to start getting rid of it.  DFA was a healthy step in learning to chase my dreams again, and it continues to be today.  Now I use DFA to stay accountable to my financial goals, to help others understand the power of debt and to help them get out, to encourage more saving and giving, and to help people understand that they need to focus on finding and fulfilling their life mission.

Where are we now?

In October of 2010 I lost my job as an Information Technology professional but decided to keep looking for another while taking a shot at replacing my career earnings with the income from DebtFreeAdventure.com and DiyNatural.com.  After having no luck finding IT work in Michigan’s poor economy I took a shot at becoming a financial advisor but quickly discovered working in that field would be yet another misadventure.  So in February of 2011 I decided to finally go for it; now, come hell or high water, I’m committed to turning my web properties into something that will help others and provide for my family. We are having to scrimp, sacrifice, and slash expenses for now but it’s all worth it to finally be pursuing a vocation that is in line with my calling!

We work hard and trust God for the increase.

The Jabs Dream Team

Now that Betsy is done with her career we’re chasing our dreams together and working full-time to deliver content that helps people increase personal freedom and joy.  We teach people how to break the bondage of debt so they can pursue their dreams.  We also teach people how to increase their self-reliance skills as an empowering creative outlet that helps save money, know what is in their food and household cleaners, and to live more sustainable lives that give back to society rather than blindly consuming and trashing.

All these things also help us and others prepare for an uncertain economic future.

That is our dream, so that is what we’re doing.  Now go chase your dreams!

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As featured in the Get Out Of Debt round up.

Find Your Calling Through Your Vocation

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Passion, calling, and vocation

It is an age-old question – is our vocation supposed to be about earning a living or pursuing our passion or calling? I can state without any hesitation that if the answer is to pursue your calling, then then financial security will most likely follow.

I was thinking about this topic during some very candid discussions with family members during the last two weeks. Though I love them dearly I disagree with their belief that work is only something done for money not something that can be a fulfilling part of life. In fact, career fulfillment will often result in more productive work and larger paychecks (or revenue, for entrepreneurs.)

If you do not like you job, you are not alone. A January 2010 Conference Board survey indicated 55% of Americans were at least moderately dissatisfied with their jobs. I know a lot of that dissatisfaction stems from the massive job cuts and employer attitudes that employees are disposable that flourished during the 2008-2010 recession. However, I believe there are many additional reasons for the current state of unrest with work.

Change your attitude – perception is everything

The most important reason for job dissatisfaction lies with our perceptions of why we are working. The common myth is that you work only to support your lifestyle. If that’s why we are working then we have bigger problems than just being dissatisfied with a job. I was one of the “normal people” who worked to pay the bills and have some freedom on the weekend. I did have several jobs at a previous employer that I really enjoyed, and my enjoyment came from knowing I was working on things I enjoyed and could do well. The other jobs, well, they didn’t fit my strengths so well. I could sense myself getting frustrated and falling into what Seth Godin called “the taskmaster premium”.

I’ve wanted to run my business since 2007 but my real awakening occurred when I joined Free Agent Academy in 2009. After joining FAA, I learned that my best work would also be the work that would allow me to provide for my family while doing something I was excited to do every day.

Fight to find your calling and go for it

When I listened to Matt Jabs’ CoachRadio interview several weeks ago, I realized he “got it” when it came to fulfillment in vocation. I could hear Matt’s sincerity as he discussed how he was at his best running and writing for Debt Free Adventure. That kind of sincerity is not present for many of us in traditional jobs, and we know it. We can find certain aspects of our work we enjoy, but it’s not likely that we consider work as a fulfilling part of a balanced life. A fulfilling career does not necessarily mean self-employment. Running your own business is very difficult, and some people are at their best supporting others. However, your vocation should be something that brings joy to you and to those who care about you.

Jared Angaza, youngest son of “No More Dreaded Mondays” author Dan Miller, wrote a moving blog post last week that should be required reading for anyone struggling with an unfulfilling career. Jared writes passionately about how we must imagine a more rewarding life and recognize God has big things in store for us. I have read this blog post at least once each day since Jared posted it last week, and I find new truth in it every day. We all have a calling that, if found, will fulfill us spiritually and financially. My calling is different than yours, but so are my strengths and passions. The key is to find that calling and find some way to earn income from it.

If the last three years have taught us anything, it must be that passion and imagination will guide us to a more fulfilling career than seeking “security” or a supposedly steady paycheck.

How will you choose to find your fulfillment in your own vocation?

Work For Yourself – How To Transition To Self Employment

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Self-employment is a dream for many Americans. When people get the urge to leave Corporate America and start their own business, personal finances can stretch to the breaking point. Having a fully funded emergency fund and part-time income can make the transition to self-employment less stressful on a family.

I have long dreamed of running my own business. I can even remember the exact moment I thought of my first idea in a Chicago winery in November 2007. Unfortunately, the road to self-employment is not an easy one. I wanted to run my business with no debt and tried to build my business on the side while continuing my full-time job. I knew I was not alone. A 2010 Conference Board survey showed 55% of Americans were dissatisfied with their jobs. In the words of career coach Pam Slim, I wanted to “Escape From Cubicle Nation“ and rely on my own skills and passion to fit my work into my life instead of the other way around.

My road to entrepreneurship is taking an accelerated detour. I left a job with a Fortune 100 manufacturing company in January 2011 to take a “transition job” with a business focused on accounting services for small businesses. I was looking forward to learning how small businesses work and how this type of business delivered value. Unfortunately, I never received the chance. In May, my prior employer indicated I was out of a job. I faced an uncertain future and anxiety about the next step in my career. As I write this article, I still struggle with my next step. I have applied to several companies for full-time positions. I have also discussed non-traditional working arrangements with companies where I could use my strengths in finance and business planning.

Most importantly, I am finally seeing the first signs of sustained success in my own company, Whiteboard Business Partners. Since separating from my previous employer, I have secured two customers and am building a strong pipeline of future business. For the first time in over three years, I feel like I am building momentum in my dream of self-employment.

Why has my unexpected job loss not become a moment of panic for my family? The primary reason is I have a family who believes in me. I could not be walking this path without my wife, Stephanie, and my boys Thomas and Garrett. However, our financial future is more secure because of two activities.

An emergency fund eases fear

I’m not going to lie. Losing a job is a scary experience. When we work, that regular paycheck is a source of comfort and security – or so we think! Increased competition, lower overseas labor costs, and investor demands are forcing many large companies to reduce wages and jobs. Unfortunately, our consumer-driven economy focuses more on spending than saving. The April 2011 personal savings rate was only 4.9 percent of disposable income, far below rates of nations like Japan. We live at, or too often above, our means.

Two years ago my wife and I attended Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University at our church. Our goal at the time was to align our financial goals, but I also wanted to learn more about how to set up my personal finances for an eventual run at entrepreneurship. The most important lesson was to have a fully funded emergency fund of six months operating expenses. Stephanie and I made a commitment to contribute 30% of our take-home pay to an emergency fund or other “sinking fund”. The sinking fund was earmarked for a kitchen remodel. It’s now our “war chest” as I consider launching my business full time.

Working part-time as a safety net

Ever since I was in college, I have had some type of part-time job. When I started in the workforce in 1998, I umpired baseball. I switched to soccer officiating in 2003, and I currently work part-time as a personal finance instructor at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA.  Before my job loss, I was using my part-time pay to fund my business expenses and coaching investments. I also teach several accounting continuing education classes for another organization. Having my part-time work gives me some level of income to contribute to living expenses as we face an uncertain future.  I have always loved teaching, so this part-time work is a labor of love as opposed to something strictly for extra money. However, this work is now a key part of my family’s safety net as we explore the next phase of our lives.

Job loss and dreams of self-employment are regular parts of life in America today. The last four weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions and decisions for my wife and me. Because we know our personal finances are sound and we still have income from her full-time job and my part-time work, we face this important decision from a position of strength. I do not know what our future holds, but I’ll be sure to outline the thoughts behind any decisions in a future article here on Debt Free Adventure.

Dallon Christensen runs Whiteboard Business Partners, a business coaching and training firm helping businesses transform ideas into outstanding results. Dallon has never considered himself a traditional accountant. A 1998 graduate of the University of Illinois, with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Dallon also earned a joint MBA (Finance) and MS (Strategic Management) degree from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in 2008. He holds Certified Management Accountant, Certified Public Accountant, and Certified Information Technology Professional certifications. Dallon is a 2009 graduate of Financial Peace University and serves as a part-time personal finance instructor at Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. A proud Illinois Fighting Illini fan, he also enjoys spending time with his wife Stephanie and sons Thomas and Garrett. Dallon also blogs regularly at www.whiteboardbusiness.com.