How I Turned My Dream into Reality

I have a dream. I have had it since 2011.

In my dream everyone who thinks their day-job is destroying their soul gets to earn a living doing what they want to do.

I had a day job for 35 years, so I know how mind-bending it is. I know the frustrations of trying to do your job and being unable to do so because your manager demands that you drop everything to do something he should have done weeks ago.

I have had many desk-thumping moments of annoyance at my line-manager’s cowardice and stupidity.

In 2010 my life changed. I was made redundant, sacked. It was not a happy time.

But out of sadness, comes happiness. After reflection I started work as a web writer. I made enough to stretch out my redundancy payment for a couple of years. Luckily I met a lot of good people on my journey as a writer. One in particular had an idea that really fired me up. His Name was Andrew Walton.

I have been looking for ways to pass on what I have learned to others. I struggled for a long time. Yesterday I had a breakthrough.

I have built my life on Andrew’s idea.

That might sound a bit OTT. But I see my raison d’être as being to help others to pass on their knowledge. I see myself as a lever, someone who can multiply the effort that anyone puts in.

The Idea that Changed My Life

There are five currencies; Time, Knowledge, Reputation, Contacts and Money.

The idea is a simple one. Use your Time to grow your Knowledge, Reputation and Contacts. Never think about Money because it will just come, just as long as you look after Knowledge, Reputation and Contacts.

My struggle was to make this simple concept believable, to turn it into something that people could accept and use.

It works, but is too revolutionary for most people to accept. Not thinking about earning cash is very difficult. This is not a new religion, it does not require belief, but it does require a willingness to accept and try new ideas.

I have refined the concept into a simple system that people can accept and use alongside their day job.

I will explain it in my next post.

All images (c) my colleague Chris Noble (link opens in new window).