Are You Working Today?

That's a question that I saw posted in a group that I'm a member of over on Facebook that caused me to pause and reflect.

The question partially, by it's very nature, suggests that anyone who works on New Years Day must be a bit of a workaholic, and should therefore be ashamed.

Many will interpret that question as, "Are you one of those poor miserable creatures who never gets to take time off and enjoy life and time with family and friends.

I've even had friends post private messages to me say, "You never shut down... always working!"

They are partly correct, but that's also partly because I'm just a type-A personality :-)

I DID work today, and have probably done at least some type of work every day since I started my online business nearly 20 years ago.

The difference is that I literally DO view my work as fun, and not as some drudgery.

I do what I do because I gain satisfaction from it, honestly believe that it helps a lot of people, and know that it affords my family and I, and a lot of others, a life that we couldn't have if I were in most other jobs.

Here's the thing...

Many of my friends will spend HOURS hanging out on social media, chit-chatting with friends, enjoying themselves, yet feeling that they really should be getting some much needed work DONE.

They live lives of quiet desperation, and unhappiness.

I look forward to getting to work everyday, and RARELY shut down. Many would consider that second point sad, but when your work is your passion, you perhaps fall asleep wrestling with some challenge, and while you are asleep, your subconscious mind works on it (and comes up with the solution), and when you first get up, you are ready to record that answer before you forget.

I too spend HOURS some day on social media, and I do consider this forum a form of social media.

However, while I appear to be just wasting time, I am researching, setting up projects or joint ventures via private message, indirectly link building, and just getting to know my customers (and letting them get to know me).

When I post pictures to Facebook, it's not just because I think that they are cute, it's because I have learned how to use those pictures as a part of my sales message.

For example, I've posted pictures of my travels to many different countries, of me on half-a-dozen cruises, of hanging out with friend at conferences, and of just hanging out in some fairly exotic places.

Sharing ALL of those pictures is MARKETING to me. It's sharing the message that the laptop lifestyle is real, that when you network more you do create greater success, and even that life doesn't have to be all drudgery.

It conveys the message that even if I'm not 100% aware of the causes of my success, success is there, and that merits watching... and that is marketing/working :-)

So, I'll ask you, "Are you working today?"

... and a second question, "Are you enjoying it?"

Willie