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brian
January 2010 
Been working on ways to make money doing what I love...
Posted on Jan 28th, 2006
by 
~Matthew
~Matthew
Any ideas?
This is my struggle: My wife and I want to do what we love, for a living, if possible. On the other hand, we want to be free from the threat of poverty. Ayako said to me the other day, "I don't want to be another one of those hippies who don't have any money." She was specifically referring to some people who shop at the co-op she used to work at in Pittsburgh who are excellent musicians but pay for their food with EBT cards. Yeah, I don't want that either. But I've been unemployed now since June.
I started a business in January, 2005 with 12 others, and it looked like it was going to take off, then it flopped. I spent a lot of time and money in it, and at first, I really enjoyed it. Now, just the thought of it and I feel my stomache start to cramp.
So, here's my gameplan:
(For my soul): I've been trying to work with Integral Institute in whatever ways I can or they'll let me. I have a couple of friends who work there and would be thrilled to see my join the team. This is what I would love to do. I don't care if they pay me or if they take me on as a volunteer. I would really just enjoy working with that group of people. So, I am applying for any and all positions they have an opening for. So far... no luck. Recently, with the launching of zaadz.com, I've been having the same feeling about that community. That's why I commented about what Brian has called a zaadz "thinktank" here. So, now Brian is sending me a Ruby on Rails book, so I can learn on my own and hopefully contribute soon. That would be fun! The other thing I would love to do for my soul is take tons of meditation and Buddhist training classes at the Shambhala Meditation Center here in Boulder. These are the things I would do for free if I didn't have the worry of paying rent and providing for my family.
(For money): So, I am a licensed high school math teacher in two states. But I like teaching about as much as I like thinking about my flopped business. So, I've been thinking of some different ways of using my major to make money. Skipping over my initial ideas, the conclusion I have come to is that I need to get a Master's degree in Statistics. Statisticians have a much more varied buffet of choices in the job market than people with Bachelor's degrees in math. The only requirement for me to start taking these graduate level classes is that I have already taken 3 semesters of Calculus, 1 semester of Linear Algebra, and 1 semester of Differential Equations... done! So, while I'm waiting for the summer session to start, I'm going to apply for a job as a Statistician with the U.S. Census Bureau. Apparently there are a lot of openings in Denver. I will be qualified for this position as soon as I register for a Stats class, according to Claris (sp?) Morgan, the applications examiner for this position.
Ok, so that was a bunch of boring crap that I threw out there because I'm struggling with it all. It is a cry for advice/help.
The other option my wife and I have is to move to Japan and be English teachers. I would rather stay in Boulder, if possible. But... who knows?
Are there any zaadzsters out there who can relate or who might have some advice??
This is my struggle: My wife and I want to do what we love, for a living, if possible. On the other hand, we want to be free from the threat of poverty. Ayako said to me the other day, "I don't want to be another one of those hippies who don't have any money." She was specifically referring to some people who shop at the co-op she used to work at in Pittsburgh who are excellent musicians but pay for their food with EBT cards. Yeah, I don't want that either. But I've been unemployed now since June.
I started a business in January, 2005 with 12 others, and it looked like it was going to take off, then it flopped. I spent a lot of time and money in it, and at first, I really enjoyed it. Now, just the thought of it and I feel my stomache start to cramp.
So, here's my gameplan:
(For my soul): I've been trying to work with Integral Institute in whatever ways I can or they'll let me. I have a couple of friends who work there and would be thrilled to see my join the team. This is what I would love to do. I don't care if they pay me or if they take me on as a volunteer. I would really just enjoy working with that group of people. So, I am applying for any and all positions they have an opening for. So far... no luck. Recently, with the launching of zaadz.com, I've been having the same feeling about that community. That's why I commented about what Brian has called a zaadz "thinktank" here. So, now Brian is sending me a Ruby on Rails book, so I can learn on my own and hopefully contribute soon. That would be fun! The other thing I would love to do for my soul is take tons of meditation and Buddhist training classes at the Shambhala Meditation Center here in Boulder. These are the things I would do for free if I didn't have the worry of paying rent and providing for my family.
(For money): So, I am a licensed high school math teacher in two states. But I like teaching about as much as I like thinking about my flopped business. So, I've been thinking of some different ways of using my major to make money. Skipping over my initial ideas, the conclusion I have come to is that I need to get a Master's degree in Statistics. Statisticians have a much more varied buffet of choices in the job market than people with Bachelor's degrees in math. The only requirement for me to start taking these graduate level classes is that I have already taken 3 semesters of Calculus, 1 semester of Linear Algebra, and 1 semester of Differential Equations... done! So, while I'm waiting for the summer session to start, I'm going to apply for a job as a Statistician with the U.S. Census Bureau. Apparently there are a lot of openings in Denver. I will be qualified for this position as soon as I register for a Stats class, according to Claris (sp?) Morgan, the applications examiner for this position.
Ok, so that was a bunch of boring crap that I threw out there because I'm struggling with it all. It is a cry for advice/help.
The other option my wife and I have is to move to Japan and be English teachers. I would rather stay in Boulder, if possible. But... who knows?
Are there any zaadzsters out there who can relate or who might have some advice??
Access: PublicTagged with: statistics, struggle, math, make money, do what you love, samsara, brian, Shambala meditation center
What a cool post. Just caught it.
Can I relate?!!? Hell yah.
It’s called the hero’s journey my friend. We’re all on it and we all need to support one another as we courageously figure out how we’re gonna bring it all together…
I won’t even go into my saga but I will tell you it was not a “wake up one morning and it was all figured out trip”…it was painful. Lots of bruises as I bumped my head (and soul) countless times as I got closer and closer to “it.”
You’re on the right path. Just keep on doing, man. Follow your heart. Live with fearlessness. Strive to discover your greatest strengths and how you can give them to the world.
Sh*t. I simply can’t wait to show you the stuff we’re going to roll out in Q2 and Q3. I’ve done a decent amount of “coaching” over the last several years and have developed my own little framework to help people figure out what they’re here to do. We’re going to be integrating that into some pretty sweet tools that will be tied into our goals tools…helping you set your intention for you life, create your mission, goals, and all that good stuff…
Alright. I’m rambling. You and I need to chat though. I’m gonna message you and maybe we should trade: I’ll coach you and walk you thru all the exercises I’ve given my friends/family and you help us develop our tool.
Much love.
-bri
Hi Matthew,
I hear you. Job hunting is difficult and stressful yet it is a journey in itself. Through this time, we may get nervous, frustrated, and worry but trust me, those feelings will come and go. Things are unsure because we are in searching mode. Think of it like a “long vacation”. A vacation to spend quality time with Ayako, good friends and families, explore creativities you are interested in..belly dancing, painting, poetry writing..etc.. or get into training..your health by meditation, yoga, strength training, biking, gym, running..da da da..get active with your employment area, upgrade resume, browse possible jobs, read interview tips books…You are in good hands. Check out the “Rudy of Rails” that Brian introduced to you. Wink wink. He seems knowledgable :P
Thanks for that wonderful comment, Kari.
On cultivating my spirit: I am still meditating regularly and also attending the Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies. I would like to hone my practice more and more with each passing day/year.
On the JET program: I am considering applying for that if things don’t go the way I want in Boulder. Also, there is NOVA. If you really want to teach English in Japan, I would definitely check out NOVA. They don’t pay quite as much as JET, but they’re very user-friendly and the competition is not nearly so tight.
Thanks again for your thoughts!
Hi Matthew. First let me tell you is you’re not alone. So many of my clients and friends speak of the same concerns. And I too have stood in your shoes. Know too that although I am responding to you since it is your blog, I also include the amazing Ayako as well.
Just to begin, Brian has made you an incredible offer in the trade proposal. You deserve to be successful. Take him up on it. And when you are done, I too offer my experience. If you are truly sincere, I am a certified life coach/ sustainable business owner/ entrep/investor and would offer to co-create with you just as a fellow Zaadzster and friend (that means no charge) about what possibilities lie ahead. The future is bright I can guarantee that!
I too took the route of “the hero’s journey”. I know for me, it could have been a lot easier had I been true to what I really wanted to do in the world, rather than that which I thought would bring me money. If at any moment you hear yourself saying that you’ll go into a field because there seems to be alot of work available, stop and ask yourself if that is a job you would do because it excited you or is it just to survive.
What I first keyed into in your blog is that you referred to it as a “Struggle”. It may have just been a choice of word, but on the subconscious level, the word struggle creates just that. I don’t know if you are familiar with NLP, but our words are very powerful on many levels. It is important to choose them consciously. You also get to realize that life doesn’t HAVE to be hard. We humans are just conditioned to beleive that “one must work hard for a dollar”. If you are passionate about what your doing in the world, “work” ceases to exist.
What is awesome is that you know to a very good extent what you DO want. (So many others don’t even have that going for them.)That is where to place your focus. What you give your attention to you create and thus, rather than focusing on “flopped businesses” or “the boring crap”, focus on that which fuels your fire. The “flopped business” was a blessing. It brought you to where you are in your understanding. Bless it, thank it, forgive yourself and set the past free. Then turn your attention to what you love. From what I read, some of those things are the Integral Institute, meditation, Buddhist training, etc. I quote “These are things I would do for free if I didn’t have the worry of paying rent and providing for my family”.
Yahoo! Winning ticket! That is the secret. When you make your love your work, the money will fall into place. Get creative about how you can make money doing the things you love. I don’t even know you and one way I can see is through your writing. You are a brilliant and funny writer. Maybe there is a paper in your area that you can share your experiences of meditation, Buddhist knowledge, etc. with in exchange for pay? Then you can write all the thigs you love off as “research” for your career. Or how’s about becoming an affiliate for some of the products or services that you are passionate about and then linking them to your blog? Just ideas.
So as not to ramble on, I’ll try to wrap this up. What I am getting at is that if you focus on what you like/love you will keep your vibrations high. Through meditation and affirmation you open the channels to allow high energy to flow in. Know that you deserve all the abundance in the world and allow it to come into your life. Stay focused on the desire and set free all else. If in your search for that which you love, you are able to describe the activity with words such as “have to” “should” “boring” “OK” “requirement” and such…… find another activity that has you spouting “fun”, “exciting” “unbelievable” “outrageous” and then you will know you are on the right track.
I send you both many blessings. What ever path you choose will be the right one so why not choose the one that is fun? I hope there is a nugget of truth in here for your somewhere.
Here are some of the books that jumped out at me about the topic:
I highly recommend Louis Hay- Recieving Prosperity (if you email me your address I’ll send you a copy)
Here’s a free pdf of The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles. This guy understood the whole quantum attraction thingy way back in 1910. It’s a very simple read but one that has applied greatly in my success.
Others that may be at your local library:
Mr Everit’s Secret- What I Learned From The Worlds Richest Man- Alan Cohen
Excuse me Your Life Is Waiting- Lynn Grabhorn
Ask and It Is Given- Esther & Jerry HIcks
The Power of Intentions- Wayne Dyer
Do What You Love The Money Will Follow- Marsha Sinetar
Have fun! Being without a job doesn’t mean you are not working. By honoring yourself, growing, brightening another’s day, and raising your own vibration, you are raising the vibration of the whole planet. So remember, next time you are in a meditation class that you are un”hard” at work….spinning the planet. Thank you!
OMG! That was long! Didn’t look so big in the little text box. Take what serves you and leave the rest. :-)
Kari said: “don’t neglect your inner world while searching for the exterior path”
So true! wise words indeed!
Hi Matthew.I worked for the office of national statistics here in the UK.Have to say it was boring, so I left! simple as that! lol.I could have taken a course to be a statistician, but personally it wasn’t for me.Now this is subjective I know, but I mention it because I get the sense that you are not passionate about the statistics thing.Therefore my advice would be: Don’t do it!
Shelly said: “By honoring yourself, growing, brightening another’s day, and raising your own vibration, you are raising the vibration of the whole planet.”
Absolutely! This is something I have fully come to appreciate lately, so thanks for reiterating it Shelly! We all make a significant difference, no matter how small we think it may be.Keep that in mind Matthew!
All the best to you!
Just remembered this quote, thought I’d post it here:
“Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy. For if you break bread with indifference, you bake bitter bread that feeds but half a man’s hunger. And if you grudge the crushing of grapes, your grudge distils a poison in the wine. And if you sing though as angels, and love not the singing, you muffle man’s ears to the voices of the day and the voices of the night.” - Kahlil Gibran
I happened along a commencement speech made by Steve Jobs on this topic a couple of days ago. Since it is so long I have posted it in my blog.
Hi Shelly, glad you liked it.The quote is from the book ‘The Prophet’
I haven’t read the book yet, just read a few quotes that I found here at Zaadz.I have Brian to thank for introducing me to these great thinkers.And now you Shelly, in turn thank me for sharing the quote.No messenger, no message.So it’s my absolute pleasure to pass such beautiful messages along.
That’s how it works, simple really.Funny how some people don’t seem to ‘get it.’
Cheers!
Ah yes. The Prophet. A fav. and yet somehow I missed that quote. Seems time to pull it off the shelf again. Beautiful how it all works that way. One moment in life I read a book and it brings so many beautiful insights in that place of consciousness and then I pick it up a few years later and see so much that I didn’t “get” the first time.
No messenger and no message, just reminders of what we already “knew”. Simply awesome.
The messenger is the message?…lol
Theo and I went through a list in our heads the other day of what kind of jobs people have who we consider at “green or above” (referring to Spiral Dynamics developmental value memes–basically anybody who’d be interested in the mission of Zaadz).
Basically, nobody at GREEN or above that we know works for somebody else, unless they are a techie/programmer type, work for a non-profit or health food business, teach at the university level, or are a writer/graphic designer.
The techies are usually looking to leave their job to start some business, same with the writers and designers (unless they are working for a cause).
Everybody else runs their own (progressive) business/nonprofit, is a healer/therapist/coach, or freelances.
These are the jobs of the future!
Matthew you are so fortunate to have all of these people in your life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God, how GOOD it feels to have such loving clarity available to you from these amazing, giving people!! I know this blog is old but if anyone of you visits again, accept my blessings on your lives Shelly, Flex ,Kari,Yuri, Duff, and of course - Brian. Thank You Mothers all! I have taken your comments to heart for myself :) Matt’s Mom
Just doing my job M. (sorry couldn’t resist sounding like James Bond for a second, lol)
Seriously though, thanks for the blessings in return, they’re much appreciated.
Matt said: “So, now Brian is sending me a Ruby on Rails book, so I can learn on my own and hopefully contribute soon.”
What a class attitude, I tip my hat to you sir.M. I’m sure you’re proud of Matt, and rightly so.
Yeah Flex, I am. Thanks for all the support you’re giving him. I’ll be checking out your blogs, K?
~Love
Renee