What led to this? It was a change in my heart, brought about by God.

Three years ago I moved to a farm that is 80 miles from where I worked. Thankfully, my employer allowed me to work from home two days each week. This helped me make the situation work, for a time. In reality, it just became too much to handle a full-time job, 12 hours a week commuting, a farm, and most importantly my family.

God spoke to my heart through this verse:

There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. — Proverbs 13:7 (KJV)

I had a great job that paid very well, yet things weren’t going right with God and my family. I won’t go into details here, except to say that I found myself always saying that I was too tired, too busy, or too short on time for my wife and children.

I had spent the prior 40 days seeking God’s will about this and some other things that will remain between me and God. Between commuting and the time away from home, I was finding it hard, if not impossible, to be the husband and father that God wants me to be. While I was successful in a material sense, I was not from a relationship sense.

The only real riches are “treasures in heaven” not material wealth here on earth.  These treasures start with my wife and children, extend through my family, then neighbors, acquaintances, and other people I come in contact with. I was not doing a good job with my wife and children, much less anyone else. God woke me up to this.

I had looked at leaving my job before, but the timing wasn’t right.  This time, God gave me the assurance that he will provide for me and my family. I have the skills and ability to develop an on-line business with God’s help.

I will trust God to provide for my family. I will be diligent in building a business from my home on the farm to support us. Whatever comes in the future, I am at peace with this new chapter in my life. I will never regret leaving my job to spend more time with my children while they are still home with my wife and me.

I am looking forward to my new life. It is a blessing from God to take this first step.

Mike

2010 offers a fresh start and I believe it can work.

Here are my goals:

1. Set aside time each week to work on my business.
2. Limit the time I spend on things that distract.
3. Liquidate the remaining physical inventory from my e-commerce site.
4. Read the latest edition of The 4-Hour Workweek and apply the principles to my business.
5. Re-start one of the courses I subscribed to last year.
6. Start earning some income from affiliate marketing.

Now that I have written down my goals, it is time to start working!

The 4-Hour Workweek, Expanded and Updated

Timothy Ferriss. Crown Archetype 2009, Hardcover, 416 pages, $12.67

There lies the trouble. I only got started, then I stalled. Why did I stall? Of course there are several reasons!

1. I took on a web-redesign project. I am really interesting in doing website upgrades, so that is why I took on the project.  Even that is slow-going – NOT GOOD. This has now become my top priority to finish.
2. I didn’t set aside a definite time to work on affiliate marketing. This will be done, starting with #1 above.
3. Farm-work and my regular job are busy right now.  Both of these will right themselves in due time.

As you can see, I am almost back to navigating some roadblocks, only this time it is not as serious. I believe that website upgrades may be part of my business plan, so this extra project is really worthwhile. I know that I can get back on track, I just need to focus. Lynn Terry posted a great blog about Staying Focused When You Work Online.  There is a lot of good advice in there!

1. It has a looming, non-negotiable, deadline.
2. It is not a quick thing.
3. I tried to outsource it but that didn’t work out.
4. It’s not the most fun thing to do.

Everyone hits these kind of roadblocks from time to time.  Here is how I am planning to break through it.

1. Make it a priority.
2. Break it into smaller pieces.
3. Set a schedule to complete the pieces.
4. Block out big chunks of time to get it done.
5. Set an earlier deadline than the real deadline.

Will I get it done?  I think so. YES!  Once it is out of the way, I can do that project that I am really looking forward to.  I guess that is point #6.  Reward myself for getting through this roadblock!

One last thing.  If you think this roadblock will come up again, plan for it next time.

1. Is your job hurting you?
2. Do you have a vision and a solid plan for your business?
3. Do you already have a written goal for quitting your job?
4. Are you committed to the business? (Required)
5. What do you have to lose? (If you have little or nothing to lose, it’s a good time to quit)
6. How long will your savings last?
7. How much income is your business bringing in?
8. What are you willing to sacrifice?
9. Do you trust your gut? (And is it usually right?)
10. Will you dare to do what others only dream of?

These 10 questions look like they cover the important points for making this decision. I’m not quite ready to answer these questions yet. I will start thinking about them. What about you?