I did not see this one coming... IM is rewarding for sure... but I am getting LONELY!!

[melanied]

You might try co-working. I don't know if there is one near where you live, but if there is, it's a pretty cool concept. It's a shared office environment, where everyone is consultants, freelancers, etc. You don't have set hours, you don't work for someone - but you still get to have that feeling of "going into the office" and having colleagues, water cooler chat, going out to lunch with people, etc.

All of the benefits of a job and none of the drawbacks.

You'd be surprised how many "work from home" people feel lonely when they ONLY work from home!

[gacott]

My recommendation to anybody with these kinds of issues (I understand them well) find other people close to you to do projects with. You still get the time you need to do your own stuff, but having to get out for meetings, plan things out and work on a project with somebody else can really help keep you fresh, and sociable.

[newBum76]

Those of us who work 9-5 all complain about our jobs sure, but a lot of times these jobs are more than just a source of income and do fill a lot of social needs, so what you're saying makes absolute sense. If you're only working 4 hours a week, why not get a "normal" job to fill that void? Might be a nice change, even if just part-time or temporary.

[raylm123]

Originally Posted by Dana_W

I'm in the same boat. I was a newspaper reporter for many years, loved how social it was and also how exciting it was. I loved being part of a team and knowing that my efforts were needed.

I now make good money working from home - and I am really getting bored and unmotivated, and VERY isolated.

I'll tell you my solution. Doesn't necessarily work for everyone, but it's what I've decided to do. I only work a few hours a day. This is not a full time business; it's a side job which provides a great income stream.

I can easily work a full time or part time job outside of the home AND do this, frankly. Newspaper journalism is dying, (breaks my heart, but living in denial won't help) - so I am starting school part time next month at a local community college. Debating between being a paramedic or nursing. Either way - I'd never give up internet marketing, social media marketing, and writing press releases and blog copy for people, because I fervently believe in MULTIPLE streams of income and because I enjoy doing it PART TIME - but I'm ready to go work with humans again a few days of the week.

Actually, getting a part-time job may not be such a bad idea. It may remind you why working for yourself, at home, making 4-5 times what you could make working for someone else, is a blessing. Take a stroll on someone else's "green grass" and you may find that your own is more emerald than Ireland!

[homebasedmom]

You should go out sometime, you have money try clubbing, watch a movie with old friends like the friends you have way back when you were at school. Or go to school again, take up another course for your extra time in that way you may be able to find new friends.
Go out with your family, take them out to dinner, shopping, movies, swimming, vacation.

[Scott Ames]

Here are some ideas for ya.. this is what I might do


1. Write a book
2. Read books
3. Research my family tree
4. Travel to all the places in the world my ancestors have been
5. Learn a language
6. Paint, draw, sculpt, music do something creative
7. Get involved in Tennis or a sport
8. Do consulting to help others reach your position
9. Get involved in politics
10. Get involved in social causes, (missing children, hunger, old people ,Vets, whoever needs attention)
11. Become and adventurer ala Sir Richard Branson
12. Plan a new home
13. Sit on the beach and tan
14. Body build or exercise
15. Sneak over to poor people's homes and drop off some groceries
16. Mentor a child

Too many successful and wealthy people go bananas and start using drugs etc. because they reach the summit and wonder "is this all there is?"

I think this song sums it up better than anything:

The Climb
Songwriters: Alexander, J; Mabe, J;

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

YouTube - Miley Cyrus - The Climb - Official...

[Yogini]

What were the things you thought of doing when you felt trapped by a job. Those are probably the diversions and forms of self-development you can pursue now. Also meetup is a good suggestion as there are so many diverse groups there. Try to think about where people your age hang out. When you aren't in school or at a job the social life takes some brainstorming.

[Kevin Marshall]

Originally Posted by Creative Thinker

When I finished my graduation, I was offered a job through campus recruitment. I declined the offer and got involved into IM full time. Now I am making 4-5 times as much as the job would have paid me.

Wow... what a wonderful road to be in... the road less traveled by... a journey started with courage, confidence and positive thinking.

Now I have a home office, luxuriously finished. I outsource all the work which do not require me. I hardly go to the bank anymore, everything is online. I can keep doing this and SURELY within a few years I can be a rich man. I can work 2 hours per day and have a lot of passive income from the niche websites and blogs that I have nurtured.

This situation may be the DREAM for many who are stuck 9-5 under a yelling boss with no job security.

But as they say... THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER THAN THE OTHER SIDE.

Now, I am here where I thought I wanted to be. BUT...

• I work alone in my office.
• I hardly go out.
• I am a member of 2 social clubs but no one is in my age group.
• By applying the 80/20 rule, I have come to a 2 hour work day (if not a 4 hour work week!). But that leaves me several idle hours per day with BOREDOM!

Is this what I wanted?

I know I need some realignment of thoughts and mindset here. HELP! Advice!

Well man you can help me. I could use an extra hand with some of my article writing!

[Sylvia Meier]

I wish I had too many hours in my day, with 5 kids and a business I'm lucky if I can go to the bathroom by myself LOL...but here's my suggestions...

Get out of the house, you're never going to meet anyone hiding in it
Mentor a child
Do the big brothers thing
Volunteer anywhere
Teach others to do what you did
Enjoy nature
Take up a hobby if you don't have one
Make a part time business doing something you enjoy, like to paint...sell your art etc
Become a tourist in your own town, very few people ever see the sights right in the city they live.
Help out at a school, or anywhere that can use an extra hand

The possibilities are really limitless, just go out and do something.

[Nightengale]

This has a lot to do with why I really want a laptop even though my desktop does just fine.

I'm not a very physically active person and am pretty content with my books, my computer and my cats. I worked from home for three years in a "regular" job and didn't go out for days on end. (Too much trouble to get ready to go out.)

Even though I spend the vast majority of my time alone and am content with it, I still got cabin fever and really needed to be able to socialize. Now, I'm back in the office, but my day is sooo regimented and I hate that it's so inflexible. For me, being able to take my laptop to a Starbucks or Panera Bread or meet up with people I met through church, the Chamber of Commerce and MeetUp.com would be fantastic. And that's why I've decided to buy a laptop.

I'm not where you are, but hope to be relatively soon. Go back to what you dreamed about when you went to school and/or before you were really even aware of IM. What did you want to do but couldn't because money held you back? What big dreams did you dream? Pursue those.

Good luck!

Sincerely,
Michelle

P.S. What exactly are you doing in IM anyway? I'm curious too.

[Vikuna2009+]

Originally Posted by Jason Moffatt

Get a few hookers on Craigslist, 2 midgets, a pony, and fill a shopping cart full of your favorite beverages from the local liquor store.

I doubt you'll be bored.

Gosh, I thought I was the adventurious (spellcheck any one, WHO do you DO that?). Add that to pickin' up a chick in a mobile home park... No, I'm not trying to be sarcastic, just semi-funny, lol.

BTW, I know many GREAT women that lives in mobile home parks (part of selling real estate) so I'm not trying to put anyone down.

The OP needs to get a life, be it on booze and loose women (but preferable something more serious and honest). Years ago when boredoom hit me, I went traveling with no plans what so ever. The only requirement was not to spend more then x amount of money per day and live as frugal as possible.

Not that I could not afford it, it just became a game. Sought out a VERY remote island in Greece, rented the cheapest room I could find, went to the harbor every afternoon when the ferry arrived and started chit-chatting with arrivals.

Gosh, did I have fun! Just do it, you will not regret! Hell, you could even advertise a "class" in your specialty and have students come from all over the world to attend your class and become your friend!

Go, go, go!!!

P.s. Do not forget to send me a complimentary ticket for my suggestions , I have MORE ideas, lol.

[tofumonkey]

hmmm, just learn to give back to the community.

take part in more activities.
join toastmasters and learn public speaking.
learn to surf, learn to do whichever...

just do something! haha...

[gianne2705]

Let me first say congratulations for very successful career in marketing.It proves that money or career is not just the way of making a person happy.It's important that you enjoy.Spend your time with the things you want to do.

[Diver's]

get into some sports or hobby-outdoor,outback, outlast, apply to become as participant in 'reality show' - eco race or survivor type of business. trump apprentice maybe

indulge in cultural heritage, travel to macau or melaka, help your communities in voluntary works..

teach your brother or sisters how to start their own business, help your fathers company grow...

[Charlie Houston]

Get a boat, learn to fly, travel, get a family, climb Kilimanjaro, go to Argentina...learn to Tengo, learn photography, go skydiving, Wow, to have your problem!

[Dana Forsythe]

Here is something to think about..

I rent an office space from a local business that I actually used to work with. I dont need an office but Id rather go to an office and have social interaction than sit at home all day by myself. Find someone you know that has an office with space and see if they'll rent to you. that way youre getting out for work and you're with people you know.

[SullyUI]

I don't work at home, so I am always around people. I go to Panera or another coffee shop that has wifi. I have always been able to work better when there's people around, but not too many people. It gives me a focus, and I don't feel alone either. Occasionally, I see someone I know at Panera, which is an added bonus.

In the meantime I chat on WF and Twitter, so I rarely feel "alone." I felt more alone in college when I was sitting in my room studying all day!

[netstarmobile]

What a great answer from Jason Moffatt. If you can't laugh at someone asking a dumb question, who can you laugh at?
Creative Thinker, come on, if you're smart enough to make the amount of money you say in the amount of time you say, you can certainly find a way to entertain yourself.
The right thing to do, obviously, would be to help others, whether by sharing your knowledge to help newbies or to volunteer your time and money for those that are less fortunate. I once read, we always know the right thing to do, sometimes we just need help deciding to do it.

[Floyd Fisher]

Get out more.

Set aside 4 hours each day, and go somewhere. Goto the mall, goto the gym, hell goto the produce aisle of the grocery store and pick up chicks (or guys depending on your preference)....just do something non productive!

[Sissy76]

It's sooo easy to get stuck in a rut.
Why don't you read a book, go to an art gallery, or even go down to the pub for a drink with some mates. Go and watch a band or a movie. Start taking daily walks.
Do some charity work, give back to your community. Volunteers are so desperately needed for all sorts of things in charities, community groups, non-government organisations.
Helping those less fortunate is a VERY rewarding experience.
With your skills, you'd be able to make a difference in other people's lives in ways you wouldn't believe.
Get out of the house and start talking to people.
The world needs people like you to demonstrate how achievable your dreams can be.

Be sure to report back and let us all know how it goes.

Cheers,
Sissy

[GeorgR.]

wow.

2 hour work/day...and enough money.

You sure have a LOT of problems

I have been reading all the replies and hitting the thanks button a lot. From all the suggestions, helping others seems to have the majority votes. And helping by teaching IM would be more interesting for me than anything else.

So I am going to my college this week and try to arrange a seminar where I will be teaching my juniors IM for free. As an alumni I should have been doing this already!

And out of this I would probably get more friends, and perhaps a significant other as well

[Emmanuel Betinis]

Originally Posted by Creative Thinker

I have been reading all the replies and hitting the thanks button a lot. From all the suggestions, helping others seems to have the majority votes. And helping by teaching IM would be more interesting for me than anything else.

So I am going to my college this week and try to arrange a seminar where I will be teaching my juniors IM for free. As an alumni I should have been doing this already!

And out of this I would probably get more friends, and perhaps a significant other as well

Have you considered setting up a camcorder on a tripod in the back
of the room to record your seminars? If you haven't yet, you should.

[Randy Bheites]

Like the lady said: meetup.com

Amazing place to find like-minded folks who enjoy what you enjoy, no matter what it is you enjoy. I've made many friends through meetups over the last few years. Between Meetup.com and Yahoo Groups activities, I go out a few times a week socially with all kinds of really cool people.

I've even reconnected with old friends and acquaintances through meetups, really cool in a bigger city when people move around and you think you've pretty much lost touch.

[Bakai]

Or you could just post your profile on a dating site like adult friend finder and say you want to be a sugar daddy. Girls in the recession are looking to be taken care of like never before (except maybe in the great depression)

Or post on CL that the party's at your place, free kegger, lots of drugs, (I stopped doing that however)

[Gene O]

Originally Posted by Creative Thinker

So I am going to my college this week and try to arrange a seminar where I will be teaching my juniors IM for free. As an alumni I should have been doing this already!

And out of this I would probably get more friends, and perhaps a significant other as well

Yup, I was going to suggest to start giving back as well.

Also, pretend you had a normal job and worked 10 hour days. What would you want to do when you weren't working? Do that!

Personally, I'd be traveling as much as I could and creating more ways for my business to make even more money.

[Mustafa Khundmiri]

There are a lot of ways to waste time but the extra hours you have are a sheer goldmine if you look at them. You need to get your mind running, see if you can set up some online business, even if small, it will grow with time. Just don't waste your time. Be as productive as possible. Find work that you love. Start reading books of your interest to spark some ideas. I could just go on and on and on. But the point is, do something about it, before you regret it later on.

[derekwong28]

Originally Posted by Emmanuel Betinis

Take up R/C flying!


YouTube - Hobbyzone Super Cub R/C Airplane - First Flight!

...and chances are there's an R/C club you can
join somewhere in your area.

Hmm, I used to be completely immersed in this, spending four figures each month to replace crashed aircraft. I probably had more than 100 aircraft and helicopers.

But I have given up since I got married. Besides the huge cost, the R/C modelleing crowd seems to have a much more expensive hobby i.e. visiting prostitutes and keeping mistresses in China.

Also, the helicopter flying got so dangerous that I would never take my daughters there. Somebody almost got their head loped off by a model helicopter recently and he is now a paraplegic.

[Emily Meeks]

It must be said: "Do you want cheese with that whine?"

In all seriousness, as everybody else said - there's PLENTY of things you can do. What do you like? Go to a movie. Go drive around. Spend $50 on a chinese food dinner for one. Go to a club, bookstore, cafe, park or wherever else you like to hang out. Somebody was afraid to say this, but we're all adults here - find a shag-buddy if you need one.

Why are you doing IM in the first place? Why do you want to make money? Just to pay bills, nothing else? If that's so then IM's not for you. Think about it for a second - ever take a second to think WHY somebody wants to make money? To sit around, cry on the Warrior Forum that they're making too much money? What do you want us to do, pat your back and say it's ok we share your pain?

You get one life. It could end tomorrow.

Are you going to spend that time procrastinating, putting off your dreams? Isn't that why you wanted to make money - to do the things you WANT to do? For me, that's sure as hell what it is. I'm an author. I'm an artist. That's all I want to do - but guess what? Neither field really brings in a lot of cash, now does it? Because I also want time to pursue theatre, learn martial arts, learn multiple languages, travel the world, spend $1000 in one day without losing a bit of sleep, spend $1000 on my boyfriend in one day without losing a bit of sleep, and basically doing whatever the F**K I want - whether it be up and deciding to go to Europe, or simply staying at home with friends, pizza and beer. I'm also getting married next year - and I'm working on making enough money so we don't have to make compromises.

You have that luxury, apparently. I don't. You're flaunting it in front of me and acting like a spoiled child.

Quite frankly, this post pissed me off.

If your creative thinking absolutely cannot be budged to do anything that you enjoy, get off the WF and go get a REAL JOB.

We all make our own choices, and quite frankly, you are CHOOSING to be "lonely".

[luckystepho]

This is something I have always wondered... I'd love to be able to quit my job and work at IM full time, but I also enjoy the social interaction and chit chat at work, and have found if I have time off work to work on IM I tend to get lonely...

I am quite shy and don't make friends easily, so this post is really useful in giving me ideas of what to do about it- of course, I just need to get to the point where I can actually give up my job first!

[igorhelpsyousucceed]

Why not find a hobby? or do more work?
Maybe you can do some coaching? launch a new product?

There are plenty of possibilities to fill your time. In fact, when you
have alot of free time in solitude it can only lead to great ideas or insanity. You
get to choose.

Igor

[cowy]

Hi Creative Thinker,
This may be funny, but I'm in a REALLY Similiar with your situation.
I'm a college fresh graduate, just finished my paper this year and being in IM since I was in college (from 2007 and) now I'm earning 4-5 times as a college fresh graduate job in my country.

Well, I also feels lonely as you do. I outsource most of my jobs and now I'm just managing admin stuff and business development, so I can earn more. Well, I live in not-so-wealthy country so the 4-5 times earning as the fresh graduate in my country doesn't pay off an US family bill. I have my home office upgraded and I think for my age, money is a problem anymore because my lifestyle is not also luxurios. My friends starts to getting day job, being busy with their jobs, so I cannot hang out with them like usual. My partner also being busy in day job. In short, I have money but I also being lonely (really reallllyyyy Loneeellyyyyyy) and sometimes it leads to depression.

I'm 22 and I assume you are around my ages too. I'm not expert but here is some solution which works for me:

- We still in LEARNING age. So, learn and study whatever you want. I do apprenticeship in a company just for learn how day job works without getting salary at all! I do take some courses that interested me-we can afford it and it's effective to get new experience.

- Go Out as many times as possibles! I still go to bank, because I don't get wiretransfer and still getting cheque. So, getting a cheque is just like getting a salary, and going to bank with happy smile. When the bank visit is done, it's time for Me time. I eat in a fancy restaurant, do a window shopping for my wish list, driving my car wherever I want and many more.

- Don't miss to go out with Family/Boyfriend/Girlfriend/Friends whenever they available.
We IM usually too lazy to go out because we have comfort zone in our home. But Hey, there are sooo much happiness when we go out with the one we love than hanging out with our lovely computer Take out for vacation also a great idea.

- Do something in your passion. In my case, I love business. So I plan to open a shop or restaurant in my area. Now I'm designing it and plan to launch it as soon I have the investment

- Do you know what brings people happiness based on Psychology research?
It's not money,
It's not fame
It's leisure
There are sooo much things can be done in our leisure time which bring happiness. And we IM have it

Hope that helps

Originally Posted by Creative Thinker

When I finished my graduation, I was offered a job through campus recruitment. I declined the offer and got involved into IM full time. Now I am making 4-5 times as much as the job would have paid me.

• I work alone in my office.
• I hardly go out.
• I am a member of 2 social clubs but no one is in my age group.
• By applying the 80/20 rule, I have come to a 2 hour work day (if not a 4 hour work week!). But that leaves me several idle hours per day with BOREDOM!

Is this what I wanted?

I know I need some realignment of thoughts and mindset here. HELP! Advice!

[IM Headlines]

@ the OP

I think that you should spend more time with your friends or gf etc...

I too have a lot of free time. But, I never feel lonely because I'm very active. I play football amongst other sports, I go swimming a lot & I hangout with my friends every day.

It doesn't have to be lonely, you can just hang out in your free time or participate in some kind of sport.

Regards,
IM Headlines

[Daniel Flower]

It's a funny one alright - and I'm in a similar position to you - 21, just graduated from uni and currently doing IM full time. BUT I truly believe we're one of the privileged few to have discovered internet marketing....

Think about this - you (and I) can ALWAYS find ways to fill your spare time, but your friends (and my friends) will NEVER be able to replace the time they've lost working full time in a job.

Dan

[vual]

should this thread be in "THE BBQ PITT", And i wonder how you would feel if you did take up that job.

Originally Posted by Daniel Flower

It's a funny one alright - and I'm in a similar position to you - 21, just graduated from uni and currently doing IM full time. BUT I truly believe we're one of the privileged few to have discovered internet marketing....

Think about this - you (and I) can ALWAYS find ways to fill your spare time, but your friends (and my friends) will NEVER be able to replace the time they've lost working full time in a job.

Dan

No matter what, I always know deep inside that this I where I really wanted to be. But now I have discovered that I need not pay the price called loneliness to gain it. I can choose not to be lonely by taking some pro-active action.

I guess the above sentences are just an affirmation to myself.

[HappyCommando]

If you are truly looking for something meaningful and rewarding, what do you think about mentoring? By taking someone under your experienced, successful wing to teach them, show them, and guide them to achievement, you can initiate a "pay it forward" cycle where the mentee eventually becomes the mentor of another...etc.

You can work out any financial agreements based on results, if you want, like every other "I'll coach you" guy. Or you could be different, and work out other commitments from your mentees to continue to serve others and continue the cycle.

Seems to me that you are in a powerful position to make a significant difference bigger than yourself (and the norm).

Being a Soldier, if I were in your shoes, I would look at how I can help our wounded warriors and their families grow a new career.

Congratulations and may your success continue!

[Rezbi]

Originally Posted by Creative Thinker

When I finished my graduation, I was offered a job through campus recruitment. I declined the offer and got involved into IM full time. Now I am making 4-5 times as much as the job would have paid me.

Wow... what a wonderful road to be in... the road less traveled by... a journey started with courage, confidence and positive thinking.

Now I have a home office, luxuriously finished. I outsource all the work which do not require me. I hardly go to the bank anymore, everything is online. I can keep doing this and SURELY within a few years I can be a rich man. I can work 2 hours per day and have a lot of passive income from the niche websites and blogs that I have nurtured.

This situation may be the DREAM for many who are stuck 9-5 under a yelling boss with no job security.

But as they say... THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER THAN THE OTHER SIDE.

Now, I am here where I thought I wanted to be. BUT...

• I work alone in my office.
• I hardly go out.
• I am a member of 2 social clubs but no one is in my age group.
• By applying the 80/20 rule, I have come to a 2 hour work day (if not a 4 hour work week!). But that leaves me several idle hours per day with BOREDOM!

Is this what I wanted?

I know I need some realignment of thoughts and mindset here. HELP! Advice!

I have to agree with you.

I'm the kind of guy who can get a lot more done by bouncing ideas off others -- something a little difficult if you're working on your own.

[embrown]

I'm jealous! Well, not jealous, but all these college grads are out here making full time money. I'm going to be there by the end of this year, I've promised myself.

Anyway, I'm already setting myself up for full time IMing. I'm a member of the national guard, so I still have a job - but part time.

When I do finally go full time, I'm prepared to go back to school for something I love and always wanted to learn. If you are already making good money and have started making a good life for yourself, the pressure of choosing a 'profitable' major is reduced to zero. I know it has been for me. You can pick and choose your classes purely for self-improvement and personal enlightenment. You'll learn something new and keep busy.

Also try Meetup.com or search craig's list for a group that meets up that shares your interests. You can make groups from these sites. Especially on Meetup, there's a bunch of people just waiting around for someone to lead the group.

[Richard Tunnah]

Originally Posted by Paul Myers

Michael,My suggestion would have happened somewhere in that process.

I got bored a few years ago, and ended up with a classic Mercedes (which I love), a motorcycle, an RV, and too many ... errm... distractions.

Zen meditation helped. A little.


Paul

Paul,
I love the late 70's early 80's mercs! Can I ask what you bought?
Sorry this was kinda off topic!

Rich

[Richard Tunnah]

Originally Posted by Creative Thinker

When I finished my graduation, I was offered a job through campus recruitment. I declined the offer and got involved into IM full time. Now I am making 4-5 times as much as the job would have paid me.

Wow... what a wonderful road to be in... the road less traveled by... a journey started with courage, confidence and positive thinking.

Now I have a home office, luxuriously finished. I outsource all the work which do not require me. I hardly go to the bank anymore, everything is online. I can keep doing this and SURELY within a few years I can be a rich man. I can work 2 hours per day and have a lot of passive income from the niche websites and blogs that I have nurtured.

This situation may be the DREAM for many who are stuck 9-5 under a yelling boss with no job security.

But as they say... THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER THAN THE OTHER SIDE.

Now, I am here where I thought I wanted to be. BUT...

• I work alone in my office.
• I hardly go out.
• I am a member of 2 social clubs but no one is in my age group.
• By applying the 80/20 rule, I have come to a 2 hour work day (if not a 4 hour work week!). But that leaves me several idle hours per day with BOREDOM!

Is this what I wanted?

I know I need some realignment of thoughts and mindset here. HELP! Advice!

Here's what I do. I have a routine now that I go out for a walk mid afternoon, maybe some shopping and stop in one of the pubs for lunch. I sometimes meet someone for lunch but mostly I've just got to know people from going in regularly and I'll tell you it's great for business - easy networking as lots of business types are in at lunchtime.
I decided recently to sell my house and travel. Yes it's a poor time to sell and I'll take a big hit but life is short!

Rich

[aidanjb1]

Have you thought about renting some office space? I know its not a requirement with online businesses but it can increase productivity and you get to meet some people.

I guess the situation youre in is one many aspire to get to...try to find new challenges...

[Josh Anderson]

Originally Posted by Jason Moffatt

Get a few hookers on Craigslist, 2 midgets, a pony, and fill a shopping cart full of your favorite beverages from the local liquor store.

I doubt you'll be bored.

I met my wife at Church... we now have 3 kids and a fourth due to arrive in September...

When I was young I used to get bored... then I realized that boredom was an insult to one's creativity.

Earlier in life I used to go the inebriation route...

I find family and kids to be a little more rewarding and boredom is never an issue :-)

Even when filling my life with parties, girlfriends, and drugs and dozens of "friends" around all the time I found myself mostly lonely missing something even though I had lots of company and plenty of wild adventures to keep me entertained.

It was when I left that behind... went to the mountain tops to pray for direction... and felt the loneliest in my life...

That I finally was led down the path that found me a life filled with happiness, purpose, strong relationships, true friends, true love, and confidence.

Boredom is not only an insult to creativity... the alternatives to it, if not chosen wisely, can lead you to something worse...

Regret.

Here are some ideas:

Volunteer locally offering a helping hand at various events or organizations that make a difference in people's lives.

Get involved in local business organizations donating time to help others succeed.

If you are religious... or wish to be... seek out and find a church to be involved with.

Volunteer helping kids or troubled youth etc.

You'd be amazed at the people you meet, relationships you build, and opportunities that open up.

[elle56]

If you don't have any hobbies now, find one! Your problem is not really a problem. I have a full-time job, do IM part-time, have kids and sometimes, I still get bored with what I do. So I take short trips, go out with friends and family... those sort of things.

[Neromancer]

please teach us noobs

[CaseWhitney]

Hey Creative Thinker,

I've been in a similar position as you and have only a few things to pass on that haven't already been mentioned in this thread already.

It is wonderful that you've gotten the financial/career part of your life set. The loneliness you feel doesn't come from your financial success in IM.

It comes from a lack of fulfillment in the other parts of life that haven't gotten as much attention yet. Aside from financial, other parts of life include family and friends, romance, spiritual/religous/community, health, fun and adventure. I'm betting that you're probably not doing as hot in those other areas.

When you were a little kid what dreams did you have?
Have you come up with your own "bucket list" yet?
Are you doing something new and adventurous that involves being outside and other people?
What kinds of things are just a tiny bit outside your comfort zone? Meet them head on and watch what happens. Tim Ferris had a good exercise, the eye contact one. and the asking random girls or boys for their number to push you out of your social comfort zone.

Something else Tim wrote about in 4HWW is the idea that stress isn't bad. You've removed the negative stress of finances but you have yet to replace them with the postitive stresses (eustress) of new life challenges to take on.

If you haven't read his book, the parts on comfort challenges and the chapter on Filling the void would resonate with where you are right now. If you do half as well in the other parts of life as you have with IM, you're gonna have one hell of an amazing life! Cherish every minute, idiot move and random success that comes your way.

My best,
Vanessa

[Troy_Phillips]

I sometimes have to wonder if this op won't be the next wso offer . Sounds like a perfect pitch for a mentor program. I am so bored . I already know the ropes in Im so well I only work 4 hours a week. My only entertainment is pulling all this money out of my butt twice a day .

I could be wrong and if I am I apologize and offer a suggestion . It has something to do with a Harley , g-string , and dollar bills

Now get in the pit and love someone

[lh1234]

How I'd love to have this problem..there aren't enough hours in the day to do all I want/need to do. But I do get what you're saying about how lonely it can be working solo and not having workmates around you to chat with etc.

to get some balance in your life, you could do some volunteer work, which can be extrememly fulfilling - that will get you out and about relating/socialising with others, and start trying out new hobbies that take your fancy - join hobby groups and try them out for a certain period of time to see if its something you enjoy.

I'm envious of you that you only need to work 2 hours a day.

I know..write an ebook on the systems you implement to be able to only work 2 hours a day and share it with those of us who need 10 more hours in a day. that'll keep you busy and help out a few of your fellow warriors

[Ross Vegas]

Man that post steams my vegetables.

It comes off pretty arrogant. (and were you really finding friends at the bank prior to your online deposit arrangement? why mention that?)

But hell I'll bite and pretend it's real.

Here's what I did.

I bought the stuff I had always wanted for Christmas but nobody could afford. I did as little as possible for two years, and drank a lot of beer.

I played a lot of golf, and made videos of the alligators around the water hazzards to warn my subscribers of the dangers of working online. (...and at the country clubs you can hang with all the rich executives and laugh about the Bourgeoisie..thus providing entertainment and company)

And then recently I've been to Vegas so much that I have my own limo driver. I danced my face off in the clubs there, and I stayed up until late wasn't late anymore.

I got season tickets to my favorite baseball team and go to games every week.

I got a business degree...played a lot of guitar. Went to all the bars and clubs within a 50 mile radius and met new and interesting people.

And all the new and fun stories just made it even easier to meet new and fun people.

But that's just me.

I could never be lonely with or without money. The money just fuels my eccentricities.

My professional opinion is to watch "the Hangover" then call me up and fly me out to Vegas...I'll have my limo driver pick us up at McCarren and we'll do a re-enactment.

[Marc Jager]

Boy are you some piece of work!I don't know whether to laugh or cry!Many people would love to have your 'problem'!Study, travel - hell come to Australia, I'll show you some amaaazing rain forests and you can teach me how you set up your IM business'You freak