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Today’s episode introduces “Practical Nerd News”, where I review a few headlines from the week, and then I talk about the overdramatic attitudes of people attached to their possessions, i.e., their TVs, gadgets, cable/satellite, etc. If nothing else, tune in for the opening song and the news.
As always, if you can’t see the “play” button at the top of the post, click on the title! Thanks for listening!
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Time for another edition of Big Pile o’ Links, where I feature some of my favorite links and groups of articles from all over the wonderful world we call “The Internet”:
Ah, Evernote. It’s one of the most useful and versatile programs/cloud storage ever, and yet so few Cooler People use it. It’s not just for tech bloggers and people with lots of crap to write about – it’s also incredibly useful for normal people in their day-to-day lives. I use mine every day, and I can’t tell you how useful it has been at the office, at home, or even running around. Here are some great links from recent times that list a bunch of great, easy ways you can start using Evernote more often in your life:
Job got you down? Feel like you’re headed the wrong way? Here are a handful of great articles (and one AWESOME documentary!) to help you make some changes:
It makes the world go ‘round. Here’s a quick handful of resources to further your knowledge on the subject:
Phew! There you go! Another Big Pile o’ Links for your pleasure. If you have an article or site or tool or whatever that you want featured in the Big Pile o’ Links, send it my way at tom@thepracticalnerd.com (it doesn’t have to be yours either, just something you like!).
As I wrote about in my post detailing the value and awesomeness of podcasts, I’m a big fan of Dave Ramsey. He’s got a great sensibility, he’s brilliantly smart when it comes to tackling and defeating consumer debt, and he’s a Christian man, too. I listen to his podcast every day while I’m at work, and a couple weeks ago, he made a statement that has pushed me forward since I heard it. It was beautiful in its simplicity, while really making you think.
“We are all self-employed.”
Think about that. Doesn’t it just nail it right on the head? We’re all self-employed, each and every one of us.
You work for you. Sure, the boss signs his name on the checks, and he has the power to hire and fire you, so you do what you can to keep him happy. But that’s not why you do it. You do it for you. You do it because of the benefits that come to your life because of it, like financial security and the ability to provide for the people you love, and for yourself. You do it because it gives you the opportunity to advance in the company, down the line. Even if you’re at a dead-end job, you do it because you need a job.
I enjoy throwing on a tie when I go to the office. But when you are just answering emails all day, nobody is going to see you. So a lot of people see that as an excuse to wear whatever they want, despite the dress code. But when I stroll through with a tie on, I get smart comments like: “You’re making us all look bad” or “Oooo, THIS guy was paying attention at orientation! ‘Dressing for the job you want, not the job you have!’” Let ‘em talk.
I take pride in my appearance when I go to work, and what’s more, I take pride in what I do when I work there. I’m surrounded by people that have nothing better to do than whine about how crappy the job is. Hey, it’s not a dream job, but it pays rather decent, and it’s an opportunity. I’m thankful for that.
Self-employment tax is well-known as the crappy side of being self-employed. Full Social Security tax, a straight-up “self-employment” tax, and having to buy your own health benefits are all big chunks out of your income. With a full-time job, you get those things in the paycheck, but you give up the freedom of hours and the control over how you work.
No matter what line of work you are in, there are certain concessions you have to make. It’s just a part of working.
When you are self-employed, you take stock of every client you get – and you use that experience to propel you into your next gig. How is that any different from working in an office? You use your experience to propel you into a better position. It’s the same thing. Successful businessmen and successful office workers understand that each opportunity to work is an opportunity to show what you are made of. Even if you aren’t crazy about that job description, you go in there and you destroy it. Bring it and you will reap the rewards.
I thought my job was quite dead-end. Answering emails. Yee-ha. But I find fulfillment and growth in other areas, too. I find it in my own business-building, I find it in my relationships with my friends and loved ones, and I find it in The Practical Nerd. Don’t let your life be defined by your work. You are more than your job. A job is just 8 hours a day. You are you for all 24 hours.
Just remember your motivation – do you have goals in life? How is this job getting you there? Answering emails doesn’t get me any closer to running a business, but it pays my bills so that I can take the time to build my business properly and let it grow naturally, rather than forcing it out of desperation as I’ve tried in the past.
So who do you work for? Your boss, or you?
Today’s podcast talks about failure. I’ve failed in a lot of business ventures in the past year, and I want to tell you how I plan to respond to it, and how you can handle the failures in your life.
If you can’t see the “play” button at the top of this post, click on the post title and you should see it. Comments are always welcome! Thanks!
In today’s podcast, I take a look at the Green Bay Packers’ heartbreaking playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals from Sunday night and compare that to my past dating life. Don’t worry, I bring it all together for you. Are you doing the “If Only” Dance? Lend me your ears and I can help!
[Note: if you do not see the player at the top of this post, click on the title of the post and allow the page to load.]
