The Bureau of Labor Statistics has published its list of the 30 Fastest Growing Occupations.
The list caught my attention for two reasons:
(1) First, the inclusion of Self-Enrichment Education Teachers, the 19th overall fastest growing occupation. Digging a little deeper, I found the “official” government definition:
“Teach or instruct courses other than those that normally lead to an occupational objective or degree. Courses may include self-improvement, nonvocational, and nonacademic subjects. Teaching may or may not take place in a traditional educational institution.”
That’s a significant part of what my clients and I do! It’s exciting to know we’re part of the 19th overall fastest growing occupation! Not so exciting is the government’s projection of annual income, $36,440.
This figure may be the average for those on the conventional “adult education” path, and it’s grossly low in my experience for those leveraging the Internet to teach and create multiple streams of “enrichment education” income. Thinking about the difference, it’s a powerful reminder of the economic difference your mindset, business model and marketing can make.
(2) Second, virtually every occupation on the list represents a lucrative niche opportunity personal and business coaches, information marketers and others in the field of “enrichment education.”
My first niche, Personal Financial Planners is 27th on the list. Several others on the list have generated millions of dollars in revenue for colleagues and clients.
If you speak, write, coach, consult or have experience in one of the occupations listed, there may be an opportunity for you in this list.
Make this week, outstanding!
Your coach,
Ramon Williamson
P.S. I was surprised to see Skin Care Specialist, 7th on the list. A bright outlook and opportunity for independent skin care consultants!
I walked into my office this morning with priorities in mind, and written down.
Then, I made the mistake of opening my gmail…
That’s when it happened, “gone in 60 seconds…”
A notice about a new piece of software caught my attention… and nearly an hour later I woke up clicking around the Internet with six tabs open researching something that was NOT on my priority list.
Someone had hijacked my focus with my complete cooperation.
I don’t know if this ever happens to you. And if you want to be more productive, there are at least three lessons to keep in mind:
1. Stick to your plan. I have time blocked out to review certain kinds of email on my working days. I prioritize clients, then email from trusted colleagues and collaborators, email from vendors, and finally “pitch” mail.
2. Schedule focus hijacks. Set aside time once or twice a week to explore the “jungle.” I love new ideas, information and marketing. I can easily and joyfully spend the day reading email, click around forums and exploring the Web 2.0 directory of new sites. If you’re like me, schedule it.
3. Separate your “channels.” Several years ago, I created a separate gmail account for purchases, subscriptions and pitch mail. It’s one of the best things I ever did. Now, when I buy something, download that irresistible report or just want to stay in the loop, that’s the email I use. A real “focus” saver.
So what happened this morning… a left over from before “email separation.” I have now moved this well-meaning but distracting soul to the “other” gmail account. :-)
Back to work…
There’s a scene in “Limitless” where the older businessman tells his new protege that despite his newly acquired brilliance, he is simply not ready to go it alone. He has not learned the true lessons, the wisdom not just the knowledge, what only comes from actually paying to price to be at the table.
Few people value the process of getting from one point to the another in life. Most want to leapfrog over the challenges and frustrations to get the rewards. But there is great, irreplaceable value in paying the price.
Ever notice how fast “microwave” celebrities fizzle out? The process of “paying your dues” purchases something valuable and necessary. The perspective, understanding and the inner capability to deal with the pressure that comes with higher levels of success doesn’t come with winning “Idol,” it comes from the hidden years where you learned to live above your feelings, hold true to your standards, handle the pressure in healthy ways and persist when everything in you tells you to give up.
The people who go the distance understand that growing a business, a career, a family or wealth depends of growing themselves. When you go from zero to fame in a matter of months, you are simply not prepared to maximize the opportunity. And without the right guidance, management and coaching, you fizzle, sometimes crash and burn.
Several months ago, I was reminded of the story of the bamboo tree. It’s takes years before it pops out of the ground. Then, in just a few days, it can grow 30 to 50 feet tall.
Another example of this wisdom in nature is the butterfly. You’ve probably heard the story of the person who helps the butterfly out of its cocoon crippling it for life. The struggle to break free of its cocoon is the process that makes the butterfly’s wings strong enough to fly.
That’s how life works. Most people go through life looking for the shortcuts. The run from “door” to “door” looking for that one big break that will let them skip the price others have paid.
The hidden years of inner work, struggle and frustration are a gift. The perspective, the depth, the capability, the learning to value and enjoy the process of who you are becoming is the true reward of success.
The product of this process, not the position or wealth you acquire, is what you truly have to give to another when you reach a certain level of success in life. It’s not your money, it’s not your position, but rather the perspective that comes from having walked or crawled your way up through every nanometer of the journey. That is the true value you have to share, the story of that process.
The person or protege who understands this, who wants what you know versus what you have is the one to invest in.
Where ever you are in your life right now, whether you’re 16 or 60, just starting out or starting over, decide now to joyfully pay the price. The price is not as great as most people think but it is always enough for each person to learn the lessons they need to learn.
Those who refuse continually find themselves on the treadmill of struggle.
Those who say “yes,” do more than succeed, they purchase a priceless invisible gift, the true riches that can be passed to another as the product of their lives.
Paying the price is a road less traveled. My sincere hope is that you are one of the ones who has decided to travel it.
With love and respect,
Ramon Williamson
What sets you apart in the marketplace is not your product or service, but your story.
Your story creates context.
Your story connects.
Tell your story.
The measure of a man is what he does that he doesn’t have to do, what he does when no one is looking, and what he would do if he knew he never would be found out.
I have a calendar system I like.
It uses Google Calendar.
I can access it from anywhere.
Clients can use it to schedule time with me.
It works, most of the time.
But over the past several weeks, I’ve realized that I also need a really simple, but effective digital “to-do” list — somewhere to capture that ever-expanding list of ideas, actions and thoughts.
The value of having a BIG LIST is that it helps you to be more productive, especially when you’re planning your week or when you have a large chunk of unscheduled time during your work day.
Scrolling through the app store, there are a ton of to-do list apps.
What I want is something that will allow me to create and access to my to-do lists from everywhere and anywhere. I want to capture an idea or action while working on my MacBook, using my iPad, etc. and then be able to access it from wherever.
I really like the idea of Evernote with text, pictures, voice, etc. but its not for to-do lists. Then I tried using the task list in Informant… great calendar but the task list is way too complicated.
This week, I’m checking out Things for iPad and OmniFocus for iPad.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
In the meantime, I’ve got the good ole pen and moleskin pad to keep me going.
