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Why Do You Do THIS?

by Ryan Lindner
19 replies
It takes a certain type of person to make the decision to unplug from the 9 to 5 (or 8-6 now!). A special person.

What's your driving force? Money? Sure, money drives everyone, but if you are doing this FOR money, you're going to find yourself frustrated and broke.

For me, I do this for TIME. Time is the one thing we can't get back. If you think of a corporate job, for example, and commute, that's WAY too much time for me. Or, more specifically, it's freedom of time. All people die with money unused, things unsaid, a to-do list incomplete. But time is the one thing that has any REAL value.

To be honest, outside of making money to pay bills, help others, not be financially burdened, and to travel a bit, I don't really care. How much money is too much?

Essentially, we sell our time for money. If you make great money but had the opportunity to make more if you only traded more time, would you do it? I wouldn't, really. In my mind I have a set amount of time per day that I'll willing to commit to monetary pursuits, and then I'd rather go swimming, to the dog park, or go sit on a park bench.

I get more value sitting on a park bench, cherishing the environment, than I would trading the time for cash. Because in the end, it matters more. I know a man who makes great money and who lives in a gorgeous home, but is never there to enjoy it. What's the point?

Remember, at the end of life no one ever says "Wow, that went by much too slow." They ALL say "It went by WAY too fast!"

What do you think?

1. How much would it take to make you satisfied?

2. What's your driving force? Why do you do this?

3. Do you have "a wall" (as I call it), or a number of hours you are not willing to work more than?

4. If you found out you were going to die in 6 months, how would this change your view?

Have a great day! I hope you have TIME today to stop and smell the roses!
#motivation #time
  • Profile picture of the author Meta Morph
    If time is the most valuable thing we have then learning how to prioritize that time is the most valuable skill that we can learn. When you start striving towards your own personal freedom you begin to see things differently and can start to see areas of your life that are absolutely sucking your time away from you at a rapid pace. In our modern world filled with distractions it's a major accomplishment just to get done the basic things for the day, let alone try to work on yourself or advance your skill sets towards something greater. It takes a MASSIVE amount of focus and attention to fully commit yourself to thinking and planning your future and trying to figure out what is the best use of your time.

    A good thing to do is to start "watching" where your time goes and prioritizing things based on what is the most important thing to accomplish and also not doing certain things. Like Tim Ferris expressed so well in the 4 hour work week sometimes it's about "not doing" something and letting a certain amount of bad small things happen so that you can really focus on the 20% of the things that bring home 80% of the bacon.

    I've been practicing this lately and each day I wake up and spend about 20 minutes or so just thinking and brainstorming by asking myself "what is the one biggest thing I can do to explode my business right now?" and I think about it until I think of something and then take action. So far it's been working great and I think that if more people spent 20 minutes each morning thinking and planning they could eliminate virtually 75% of the useless, menial tasks that they do throughout each day. Stop trading your TIME for dollars....instead start trading your ideas into prioritizing yourself to operate at maximum efficiency.
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  • Profile picture of the author tobyjensen
    For me it is not about time anymore. It used to be but I have that now. Now it is about enriching the time that I have. About getting more enjoyment out my every moment. This mean many things. To have, experience, realize, enjoy many things such as relationships, emotional quality, health, understanding, and, yes, money is on the list too.

    There are certain things in this world we simply cannot have or enjoy that we want and need without money. Having time without these things makes our enjoyment of it limited. Who wants that? Not me.

    I just do not see how time in and of itself has any real value. I cannot sell my time to another person. Nor can I gain more than 24 hours in a day from another person. I can sell my labor that I perform during that time but the time itself is still mine. I am using my time to perform an act that directly benefits another person (and hopefully me too).

    Maximizing my time would be a better way to put it. While saying that the only real value I have is what I do with my time. Is that not more accurate and helpful way to put it?

    I get the most value being able to cherish the present moment when I am working or when I am resting. Both are equally important. That way, no matter what I am doing I can thoroughly enjoy my life. It is the art of being able to enjoy work that is the real treat. Often overlooked and always thought, “Never achievable”.
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  • Profile picture of the author C G
    How do it for significance and freedom.

    I also love teaching and helping people.

    Cheers,

    C.G.
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    The only reason why I started my online journey back in 2002 was to be my own boss and to be free.

    When you have a WHY, when you face setbacks and challenges, you just learn and move on.
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  • Profile picture of the author JakeRhodes
    For me it's all about being my own boss and spending my time the way I want to. I've been lucky enough to be making a full-time living from internet marketing for six years now, since the age of 21, and I couldn't imagine my life any other way.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gretchenr
    For me it's about having the freedom to be there for my kids and still work at a high level doing what I love. So it does boil down to time: time to do what I love, and time to do things with those whom I love.

    Maybe it boils down to love.
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  • Profile picture of the author Derek Felton
    Why we do things evolve over time as you alluded to in your post. When I began my speaking career it was because I just wanted to help a few kids in my neighborhood. Not for money or adulation. As time passed, I realized that I could make more of an impact if I learned how to be a better businessperson.... and I could make more money by helping more people.

    In short, I do what I do because it's who I am. It's my "why" and if I didn't do it I would feel like I'm cheating the world and myself of a gift. The biggest reason is love. I love what I do.

    I don't have a set amount of hours. Somehow, I know when I need to spend more time on something and when I need to pull back and I act accordingly.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chosen2013
    My driving force is freedom
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Ryan,

    I dig it! Freedom is big for me. This ties into time. Like, I have time to travel the world, work when I want to, break when I want to, wake when I want to, sleep when I want to, work my business when I want to, work on my mind, when I want to. Setting schedules, and being free to make my own sked, and set my salary, I dig those forms of freedom more than anything.

    Thanks!
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    • Profile picture of the author Ryan Lindner
      Originally Posted by ryanbiddulph View Post

      Ryan,

      I dig it! Freedom is big for me. This ties into time. Like, I have time to travel the world, work when I want to, break when I want to, wake when I want to, sleep when I want to, work my business when I want to, work on my mind, when I want to. Setting schedules, and being free to make my own sked, and set my salary, I dig those forms of freedom more than anything.

      Thanks!
      I would love to say I'm "working" from [insert cool exotic place here].

      To make money from any place on the planet would be a true gift.

      The HR Director at an old corporate job once told me she didn't even have a passport (in her 60's). It made me sad for her...so many place she has not experienced...her life begging to be lived!

      I can't help but think of the Walter Mitty movie...
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  • Profile picture of the author Justin Lewis
    Hey Ryan,

    I really want to answer your questions from my own experience.

    1. How much would it take to make you satisfied?

    I'm pretty satisfied financially, but in terms of success I don't feel I can stop. I enjoy it so much that I want to keep going and improving my skills and abilities.

    Even if I am satisfied entirely of my life, I'll always have others to help.

    2. What’s your driving force? Why do you do this?

    Freedom. Plain and simple.

    I like to do what I want, when I want and how I want.

    3. Do you have “a wall” (as I call it), or a number of hours you are not willing to work more than?

    I don't really have a number of hours I'm not willing to work, but I do have periods of time randomly throughout the day where I just say... no work for 3 hours and go and enjoy life. It's really random and not consistent though, but I enjoy it.

    4. If you found out you were going to die in 6 months, how would this change your view?

    I'd be a completely different person. I already envision myself of "retiring" by the age of 30 so I can enjoy the rest of my life. But either way success is what drives me. It makes me happy. I'd likely keep focusing on the freedom but invest more time into the free hours of my days.

    I'm smelling the roses right now
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    My name is Justin Lewis. My digital marketing company has been in business for over 10 years with multiple six-figure years. We do provide a premium web design service.

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  • Profile picture of the author Gavin Stephenson
    In my experience working with all kinds of people, and myself.

    Why's (Reason for doing something) need to BIGGER than yourself.

    Meaning, time, freedom, money etc is not enough to keep you going when the road gets rough and you experience challenges and set backs.

    Your why has to be bigger than your goal in order to accomplish it. It's the thing that keeps you going when things get tough.
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  • Profile picture of the author Raphael Love
    The primary motivators for me are:
    Love - Also my last name
    Legacy - You have to leave something behind that will be carried on
    Freedom - The ability to live under your own terms
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  • Profile picture of the author Avocado Plugins
    I am going to go ahead and throw in something different even though I know exactly what you mean and where you are coming from.

    I think that if one does what one loves with people that one enjoys working with it doesn't matter if it is a 9-5 or a business. That's just my humble option. Let me know what you think about it.

    As for doing something outside of 9-5 I would say I do it because besides being an intrapreneur I also love being an entrepreneur. I love growing an already existing business with my skills and also love starting and growing my own business. It is just something I enjoy doing - of course time is very valuable but there is only so much time you can spend with the family and friends and traveling.

    I have done that and after a while got very tiered and unsatisfied with life - I think what makes an individual happy is having a worthwhile goal and and then jumping into it, exploring the possibilities and seeing where it takes you. The more you treat life as a journey the happier you get in my experience - and of course can't forget friends, family and times spent with them.

    Great topic thanks for starting it out!
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    • Profile picture of the author Ryan Lindner
      Originally Posted by Avocado Plugins View Post

      I am going to go ahead and throw in something different even though I know exactly what you mean and where you are coming from.

      I think that if one does what one loves with people that one enjoys working with it doesn't matter if it is a 9-5 or a business. That's just my humble option. Let me know what you think about it.

      As for doing something outside of 9-5 I would say I do it because besides being an intrapreneur I also love being an entrepreneur. I love growing an already existing business with my skills and also love starting and growing my own business. It is just something I enjoy doing - of course time is very valuable but there is only so much time you can spend with the family and friends and traveling.

      I have done that and after a while got very tiered and unsatisfied with life - I think what makes an individual happy is having a worthwhile goal and and then jumping into it, exploring the possibilities and seeing where it takes you. The more you treat life as a journey the happier you get in my experience - and of course can't forget friends, family and times spent with them.

      Great topic thanks for starting it out!
      I really like that. GREAT POINT. It reminded me of something:

      I really never set out to be a business owner. In fact, I really don't care.

      It just so happens that the perception is that the only way to get what I want--freedom--is only attainable not working for "the man."

      But the truth is that the goal isn't to be a business owner to say I am one, but simply to live freely. Whether or not I am a business owner is irrelevant to me as long as I have freedom.

      I know business owners that work 12 hour days, or from an office all day long just like the corporate job. Why are you doing it then? Not for me.

      Great point! Food for thought...
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  • Profile picture of the author tobyjensen
    I don’t do it for time or money or sex or power or any of the regular reasons like that. It is for a regular reason that I do do it. Only you may be thinking I do marketing as my primary work. It is not. I do personal development (then marketing as the next biggest thing).

    Why do I unplug from 9 to 5? Because what I want to do can’t be done there. But what do I do it for then? To grow as a human being, to bring more truth and life into this world to better humanity at large. Sure there is a part of me that is competitive and strives to be recognized as THE world’s leading expert in personal development but that is only a part of me. I have flair ups but most days it is not the drive to be THE best that keeps me going. It is the simple desire to live life better. And I can do that even better with adding my best to humanity around me.

    Far beyond time and money (of which are still important) is the simple ability to enjoy my life, the lives of those around me, and the world we live in. To be the best human possible: intelligent, social, emotionally healthy, and physically fit. Does anybody read these self statements this far into the thread? Just testing.

    For more on my ground breaking phenomenal work (including my astronomical claims) just google me.
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  • Profile picture of the author joesfortune
    A very thought-provoking thread.
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    Joseph M. Dabon
    Blogger and freelance writer. I belong to Ezine's Expert Author, Diamond, level. Visit me at
    http://withinyouisyoursuccess.com/

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  • Profile picture of the author SunnyDelight
    First off, I just want to say great post my friend. Your posts are always eye opening to me. So thank you so much for putting your time into sharing your thoughs with us and shaking us up a bit.

    1. How much would it take to make you satisfied?

    It doesn't take much for me to be satisfied. I'm a full-time internet marketer and I'm able to say so at the age of 20. I've been blessed to avoid the rat-race and to have found internet marketing so early in my like at the age of 17.

    I honestly love my life now. My time is MY TIME. For the most part, I can afford to do what I want when I want, and how I want. This is something no money can buy. The freedom you get has no price.

    2. What’s your driving force? Why do you do this?

    My driving force is my mother. Everything I do is for her. So that we can go on wonderful trips together and just enjoy quality time. So that she doesn't have to worry about finances.

    I am grateful for every day with her. Our lives were not set in stone. We almost both died together in the delivery room. But, we made it together for a reason, and I wake up everyday knowing that I have a purpose to fulfill. Not only to help my mother but to help others.

    3. Do you have “a wall” (as I call it), or a number of hours you are not willing to work more than?


    Honestly, I don't have a wall. I just go with the flow and do what I feel like doing. I love working on my businesses and creating more streams of income and helping others reach there goals. So this isn't work to me, I love it.

    But if it were work, I'd say the wall would be up after 4 hours. If you stay focused the work you accomplish doing an 8 hour job can be finished in 4 hours.

    4. If you found out you were going to die in 6 months, how would this change your view?

    I would give to as many people that I can. I would spend as much time with those that I love so that there would always be at-least one positive memory they could go back too.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ryan Lindner
      Originally Posted by SunnyDelight View Post

      First off, I just want to say great post my friend. Your posts are always eye opening to me. So thank you so much for putting your time into sharing your thoughs with us and shaking us up a bit.

      1. How much would it take to make you satisfied?

      It doesn't take much for me to be satisfied. I'm a full-time internet marketer and I'm able to say so at the age of 20. I've been blessed to avoid the rat-race and to have found internet marketing so early in my like at the age of 17.

      I honestly love my life now. My time is MY TIME. For the most part, I can afford to do what I want when I want, and how I want. This is something no money can buy. The freedom you get has no price.

      2. What's your driving force? Why do you do this?

      My driving force is my mother. Everything I do is for her. So that we can go on wonderful trips together and just enjoy quality time. So that she doesn't have to worry about finances.

      I am grateful for every day with her. Our lives were not set in stone. We almost both died together in the delivery room. But, we made it together for a reason, and I wake up everyday knowing that I have a purpose to fulfill. Not only to help my mother but to help others.

      3. Do you have "a wall" (as I call it), or a number of hours you are not willing to work more than?


      Honestly, I don't have a wall. I just go with the flow and do what I feel like doing. I love working on my businesses and creating more streams of income and helping others reach there goals. So this isn't work to me, I love it.

      But if it were work, I'd say the wall would be up after 4 hours. If you stay focused the work you accomplish doing an 8 hour job can be finished in 4 hours.

      4. If you found out you were going to die in 6 months, how would this change your view?

      I would give to as many people that I can. I would spend as much time with those that I love so that there would always be at-least one positive memory they could go back too.

      Absolutely, and I thank you for your comments!

      I really like what you said about your mother; that's such an amazing thing to hear.

      It's funny, because the other day I was passing by and noticed an AMAZING new Mercedes--fully loaded--one in which you could see your reflection. It was parked outside a shack that looked one slight breeze away from caving.

      Now I don't know who lived there, but I imagined how much that car cost, and how much having a car like that, given their situation, added to the VALUE of life.

      It struck me funny, because that particular image is vital to the quality of life of some people, and I wondered, in the spirit of this post, what real measurable value that car would add to MY life.

      To each their own, of course, but that image stuck in my mind.
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