My definition of job security is having a strong, healthy entrepreneurial spirit. That can only occur if that spirit is fed regularly with activities and thoughts that are nurturing. Here are some of my favorite ways to do just that.<\/p>\n
Give yourself a change of scenery.<\/strong> It may be efficient for factories to standardize their\u00a0production lines, but our creative selves thrive on variety.<\/p>\n Take a different route when running errands, take a sabbatical, take a vacation, take your laptop to the park. You can be productive without being routine.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Tithe your time.<\/strong> Don\u2019t just send a check to support things you care about. Find ways to share your time.<\/p>\n When Joe started his own insurance agency he decided to spend 10% of his time doing volunteer work. Eventually he worked his way up to 50% volunteer time.<\/p>\n Did his business suffer? Not at all. He made so many contacts along the way that his insurance business grew naturally.<\/p>\n You could also look for ways to volunteer and spread some entrepreneurial spirit at the same time. Mentor a kid business or offer your services pro bono to an organization you admire.<\/p>\n Create a research project.<\/strong> What would you like to learn more about? Look for a way to fund your research.<\/p>\n Start by checking the grant directories at your local library. You’ll be astonished by the funding sources that often are overlooked and unspent.<\/p>\n Get clear about how this will enhance you personally and entrepreneurially, then begin looking for a match.<\/p>\n You could find yourself photographing\u00a0 mosaics in Morocco or interviewing artisans in Ecuador. Use your imagination to come up with a fresh research project that excites you.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Share what you already know.<\/strong> Write a tip sheet and get it published\u2014or publish it yourself and distribute it. Mentor a new entrepreneur.<\/p>\n Put your experiences together and teach a seminar. There\u2019s no better confidence builder than sharing your unique insights and experiences.<\/p>\n Find\u00a0 great entrepreneurial stories.<\/strong> There are thousands of inspiring stories out there. Make it your hobby to find them. After all, it\u2019s your tribal history.<\/p>\n Offer praise.<\/strong> Master the art of writing an exquisite fan letter. Catch others doing something good and let them know you noticed. It\u2019s good for them and good for your soul.<\/p>\n By the way, although e-mail is quick, a handwritten \u00a0note is even more special because they\u2019ve become so rare.<\/p>\n Learn how to synthesize ideas.<\/strong> We should have learned how to do this in school, but I fear many of us haven\u2019t.<\/p>\n For instance, I was reading Jim Miller\u2019s Savvy Senior<\/em> column in my local paper. He was asked by a reader how to find a reliable handyman. He offered dozens of suggestions.<\/p>\n As I read what he had to say, I thought that anyone wanting to have such a business\u00a0could find some great suggestions for marketing themselves using the suggestions in Miller\u2019s article.<\/p>\n It\u2019s equally important to look at enterprises that are nothing like yours and figure out what you can adapt from their way of doing things or their overall philosophy.<\/p>\n Attend with a friend.<\/strong> I always like to see pairs of people showing up together in seminars. I realize that sometimes a friend comes along hoping to discourage their companion from doing anything foolish.<\/p>\n However, sharing a learning experience with an entrepreneurial friend can be a great way to extend and deepen the lessons learned. There\u2019s nothing like building dreams with someone who gets it.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Record your journey.<\/strong> Keep an illustrated journal of your entrepreneurial life. Don\u2019t just include the big events; do a photo essay of an ordinary day in the life of your business.<\/p>\n The sooner you begin this, the better. It might become your grandchildren\u2019s favorite storybook.<\/p>\n Join other creative self-bossers at the <\/strong>Joyfully Jobless Jamboree.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" My definition of job security is having a strong, healthy entrepreneurial spirit. That can only occur if that spirit is fed regularly with activities and thoughts that are nurturing. Here are some of my favorite ways to do just that. Give yourself a change of scenery. It may be efficient for factories to standardize their\u00a0production…<\/p>\n