You're a Business, The employed and self-employed

You probably heard it before "I enjoy being my own boss because I make my own rules and I have freedom". A very general description because you're free from WHAT? You may not have a person as a boss but that role is switched to your customers, they're your boss. You may have this false feeling of freedom but you’re bound to customer complaints, returns, paperwork and so on. It’s cool to walk around and say "I'm my own boss, I make my own rules" to your friends. But depending on the situation having your own business isn't the best idea. Being your own boss is still having a job but your responsibility is different, and many sacrifices are required to be successful.

I'm a business no matter what. If I'm an employee or employer whatever it is I'm still the owner of myself and the money I make. When I work I give my best and want to be compensated accordingly. If this can't be done, my business (myself) will switch different markets (job). When this market(job) is not cutting it then I should venture in new territories(self-employed).

There's always a flip side to the coin, a yin and a yang, risks and rewards and depending on the situation we find ourselves in we need to make the decisions for what is best. I'm all for starting your own business and it is my ultimate goal. I won't do it because I'm lazy of responsibility or work, but because my job just isn't cutting it anymore.

Hit the road Dogma

Steve Jobs said it the best "Don't go out living other people dogma". In business, programming, sports and life people want to force their opinion on you wishing they had what you have and then telling what you should do. Oh if only I had your age, lack of money, computer, size of your head, number of toes.

When someone finds out that I'm a programmer they say "oh that makes a lot of money, you should work for blah blah blah". Why? What if I want to keep programming interesting and fun, not make into a dreading job.

People will hate on someone who finds satisfaction in things where the majority won't. If a millionaire lives a simple life or if a young professional athlete is not living a party life and has a strong religion(Tim Tebow) their must be something wrong with them.

Let my neighbor do his thang and I'll do my thang. I have my style, my vision, my perfection, my imperfections and if I have to change I will but not because of dogma.

Don't look at the results

Don't look at the results, look at the direction.

It's easy to get discouraged when the results are not what you expect it to be. In reality much of the result will come much time after. You may forget what you went through to be where you are today. A farmer cannot plant today and harvest tomorrow. Depending on what he is planting it may take to 7 years to see the fruits of his labor. Not to mention the contingency such as drought, freezing, storm and so on that can keep him from seeing his fruits even longer. But as long he keeps planting one thing is certain "there's a chance"

Quote: Perseverance

To quote President Calvin Coolidge:
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

Back in 1995, Steve Jobs added: “I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance”.

Michael Jordan quote: “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Don't focus on the pain

Don't focus on the pain until the pain comes. When you go to exercise the main reason you procrastinate is because your trying to avoid pain but if you don't focus on that but focus on putting you clothes, then walking out the house, sketching and so on. Focus on the next step.

In programming I use the same philosophy. If I think about building this huge software I'll get discouraged but if I focus one day at a time, adding to a little each day makes it a lot easier to move foward.

Quote: Byproduct

Winning is a byproduct of what you put in -The Compound wrestling coach

Looks can be Deceiving

Its funny how many companies, clients and employers miss great talent to hire or give an opportunity to someone because they're blinded by their perception of how something should "look like". If you look too young, look introvert, look blah blah blah.

Even if you have shown your capability the opportunity is given to someone who "looks" capable but can't back it up. I'm tired of reading stories about people leaving their high paid jobs to start their own company and who sold their companies but later quit because they didn't have the freedom to do want they wanted. If he created a successful company that made you want to buy why would you remove the creators ability to innovate, stupidity.

In a perfect world this wouldn't happen but we don't live in a perfect world, so don't spend time worrying about it. If you don't like it, move! You're not a tree. Maybe its time to hire or give the opportunity to that person you see in the mirror that you have overlook for a very long time.

Extention of your Memory

"Usually when I want to remember something I blog about it. Because I can go back and look it up". I read this somewhere and was able to relate to it.

Most of my post are about projects I've been working on that week or that day. It helps to remember what you have learned when its organized and made comprehensive to others in writing. It gives you clarity on what's in your head and also a better understanding. Most of my writing I have to rewrite because the first draft is crazy confusing and the information is fresh in my head. But whats fresh today may not be still there a month down the road, forcing me to forget. If everything fails I can always come to my blog, run a search and BAM there's the answer. Extention of your Memory!

Quote: Discipline is the Bridge

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” -Jim Rohn

Quote: How to Fail

Failure is not a single, cataclysmic event. You don't fail overnight. Instead, failure is a few errors in judgement, repeated every day. -Jim Rohn

Quote: Stand up

"It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority".
-Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States

Don't Think

Don't think. Want to get it done? Don't think. If you do think you will think about how long it will take, think about the chances of failing, think about another time to do it (procrastination), think yourself out of it. Don't Think, DO.

Quote: Stick to it

Steve Jobs stepped down as CEO at Apple today. He is an inspiration to me and many others through his products, life and beliefs.

The problem with the Internet startup craze isn’t that too many people are starting companies; it’s that too many people aren’t sticking with it. That’s somewhat understandable, because there are many moments that are filled with despair and agony, when you have to fire people and cancel things and deal with very difficult situations. That’s when you find out who you are and what your values are.
So when these people sell out, even though they get fabulously rich, they’re gypping themselves out of one of the potentially most rewarding experiences of their unfolding lives. Without it, they may never know their values or how to keep their newfound wealth in perspective. -Steve Jobs

Self-discipline

Simple definition to self-discipline

The ability to make yourself do, what you know you should do, when you should do it, when you feel like it or not. That's the difference between success and failer is whether you feel like it or not. -Brian Tracy

Just Try

"There is nothing impossible to him who will try." - Alexander The Great

Quote: The climb is the best part

"To climb up the mountain is the best thing. you know preparing for it. Living every day in practice, working hard, talking about it, seeing the commitment out of the kids, everybody on the team is at practice, 100 percent all the time and just working hard every day. That’s where the comradely happens that’s where you bond and hopefully when you get the chance you'll be able to do it" -Russ Cozart Brandon High School Wrestling Coach

Cozart makes this statement in an interview about the next chance he gets at the National High School Dual Meet Wrestling Tournament after lost in the finals.

Watch the interview

Quote: Taking risk

Life is about taking risks. You are very young and have a promising future. Why are you willing to subject yourself to this disability just because of that 1% risk? Take that 99% chance of success and do yourself a favor."

The Power of Persistence

Below is great video about survival persistence. This man went hunting after a deer and chased it for hours even when he couldn't see it until it gave up and collapsed. There was no force only perseverance. Persistence will be painful (he rubs his knee to relieve pain) but also pay off greatly.

No security

Be careful when you trust your job. I had a couple of bad experiences at a job. You never know if your boss is going to fire you, lay you off, go out of business, or disapprove you work history. I always try to improve my skill. The main reason is that if I lose my job at least I can fall back on something. Whatever skill you acquire at your job rarely will be transferred to another. Your going to have to start from the bottom again. I worked at many places where the supervisor only watches people and surf the internet for a living. It makes me sad to know that they're screwed if they lose their job. Be like the ant the prepares for the winter, do this in all areas of life.

What to say to haters

Don't let someone discourage you in achieving your goal.
Fill in the blanks:

I was _________ before you came and I will be _________ after you leave.