A lot of businesspeople talk about jobs as if they’re the poisoned elixir of life… slowly killing our passion for what means the most to us. And let’s be honest, many are. But I don’t want to make a sweeping generalization that demonizes all jobs. Some are respectable professions.

Here are just a few occupations I think people pursue with passion:

- Law Enforcement
- Fire Fighting
- Medicine
- Teaching

And there are many more. The truth is that when people genuinely pursue their careers with enthusiasm, they live their lives to the fullest. It brings them fulfillment and they’re content. They couldn’t want for more.

This is a very small percentage though. If you want to get to the bottom line of the situation, the real fact is most people don’t mind their jobs. They’re somewhat comfortable doing what they do.

They just can’t stand the people.

That’s right…

PEOPLE are the POISON.

Guarding yourself from subtle negativity from other people is critical. On your journey to becoming a 2%er, you’ll find that you need to be more discreet in your “people selection” process.

Listen, becoming a 2%er isn’t difficult, but it takes consistent action. And one of the key factors is making sure you associate with other 2%ers. Everyone won’t be a 2%er, but make sure they’re in the mix of your daily life.

If you have to pay for access to a 2%er, don’t hesitate. By all means, do it. Do whatever it takes to get your mind on the right track. Since you don’t know what you don’t know, you’ll need someone who is laser-focused on success to show you the way. The 98%ers can’t do that; they will only validate your current situation, making it feel like “you’re okay” and “everything’s good.” You need someone to act as a change agent in your life.

That is, unless you’re okay with A-V-E-R-A-G-E.

And the fact is that on the J-O-B, average is what you get most of the time. And have you ever wondered why?

Let’s think of a few key words that describe many people’s work situations:

BOREDOM.

PASSIONLESS.

CREATIVELY DEAD.

It’s no wonder that people go through each work day running on automatic pilot. It’s boring! Let’s examine the 10-Point J-O-B cycle we’re all familiar with….

1. Look for a job.

2. Find a job you “like.”

3. Submit your resume to the job.

4. Interview for the job.

5. Get the job.

6. Learn the job.

7. Get good at the job.

8. Show up every day at the job, and do the same thing you did yesterday.

9. Then the inevitable happens; you become extremely bored with the job.

10. Then you look for another job, hoping it won’t be as boring as your current job.

This scenario applies to 98% of jobs. I see this cycle happen again and again to people. And the sad reality is that they rinse and repeat and treat their lives as if the only thing important is “security.”

Two things always happen when you accept this 10-Point Job Cycle of Death.

1. Your creativity dies. Your creativity is what separates you from the rest of the world. Your validation comes from God, not people. He made you with specific attributes that if utilized correctly, you can go as far as you want to go in life. But until you find out exactly where your creativity lies, it will be extremely hard to become a 2%er.

2. You’ll become extremely bored. When your income becomes capped at a certain amount, you’ll die a slow, average death. Money solves problems that not having money creates. I would hate to be in a position where someone else is going to tell ME what I’ll make, when I’ll make it, and the most I’ll ever make… and then tell me when to eat, when to take vacation, etc. Do me a favor. Just shoot me if I ever have to go through that again.

Does any of this sound familiar? If so, do an inventory of your life ASAP and figure out which direction you want to go in. It starts now. Every day is precious. Treat it that way.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 15th, 2008 at 8:50 pm and is filed under Life Management. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.