Lots of developments since my last post, where to start... I got my first project! Also, the company that gave me the first project referred me to another company who's looking for similar work. I'm actually more excited about the reference because to me it tells me that they see real value in what I do.
Also, I hired a VA (virtual assistant) from the Philippines. He's in his final year studying to be an electrical engineer, and has a strong background in digital signal processing. I'm teaching him how to do a lot of the audio legwork for my projects. He's also going to do research for me as well. We've talked over the internet a few times now, and things are going really good.
I just read the book 4 hour work week which is revolutionizing my thinking. The book sounds like a get rich quick scheme, but it actually has a lot of practical steps to make any job more efficient, and shows you how you can work from anywhere in the world, take 1-3 month trips to far off places very inexpensively, and basically do the dream Debbie and I have of doing mission work part time each year.
I know, probably sounds like pie in the sky, but I'll get more into it later. Next on the horizon is I plan to hire another VA to do research and data entry for me, probably for $1.50/hr, hire a graphics design VA to get my projects to look much better, and save me the time of doing that portion of the project, and finally I'm looking into hiring someone to do the selling of my project, which is the part I struggle with the most, and takes of the largest portion of my time.
Once I get all these systems in place, instead of a project taking me 35 hours it will actually only take me 4 hours of work. The selling commission is still the big unknown, but I'm beginning to think this could actually work.
To think that if I get 1-2 sales a month, spend 5-15 hours a week on the business, and be able to do my work from anywhere in the world on my laptop is really mind blowing. We could travel the country, go to India from Jan-March, and I'd be doing the work I love. That's still hard to wrap my head around. I know there are still ups and downs, and twists and turns in this drama, but after almost 5 months of hard work on the business and Debbie supporting us financially, it's great to finally see some headway.
I am glad things seem to be moving forward! Do you think the book you just read might be applicable for veterinarians as well? I've learned that it takes only 3 bad reports for people to remember that your business sucks, but it takes more than 20 positive reviews for your business to become solid. This tells a lot! So, blessings my friend!
ReplyDeleteRemember me in your prayers as I am in the final few weeks of preparation for my clinical competence test (scheduled for June 7-9). It will be 3 days of extreme stress. Cheers, Stephen!
Hi Stephen,
ReplyDeleteYes, things are really exciting right now. As for the 4 hour work week applying to vets, obviously some of it won't transfer as you have to be physically there to do the work, however some of the ideas about time management, or the ability to travel the world inexpensively for a time, living your dream now instead of waiting until you retire, etc I found really useful.
I'll be praying for you as you prepare for your testing! Let me know how you do.