This is my second week back working the job that carries me out of the home. I’d been off for a few months. If you follow Dave Ramsey, he would call this a “Dave Job,” and while he encourages people to acquire a second job (if needed) to get out of debt, this isn’t why I chose the second job. Since I don’t have any debt looming over my head, this job is to help me reach some of my long-term goals much faster. About a year before I started working outside of the home, I sat my daughter down and told her about my decision. She’d already known, however, now she had a time-frame. After I started working, I talked with her again about her feelings and did she think there was anything I needed to do to make improvements. We are very close and I wanted to make sure that I still was spending adequate time with her. The only thing she wanted more of was car rides. Done! We take at least two extended drives weekly.
Picking up additional income, has been in my long-term plan and so as I already mentioned, this isn’t a recent decision. Anyone that knows me well, is aware of how I plan everything that I’m able. With this second job, I work nights. That brings its own challenges, not while I’m there, but when I return home. My mind wakes me up two – three hours after I’ve arrived home. Yeah… that can be hard, but I’m still moving forward. I’m determined and I have goals.
Part of achieving goals means surrounding myself with like-minded folks. It’s something I’ve always done, but as I became older, I stepped up my game a lot. Additionally, to achieve certain dreams it meant removed various things from my life. Which meant, reducing distractions. I don’t spend too much time online, it takes away from my focus and in rare cases some distractions have been people. I give respect to others so it makes sense to want the same in return, if it’s not given (after repeated chances) I distance myself. Over the past several years, I’ve only had to stop interacting with certain people two or three times.
I agree that surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals is always helpful. I recently have done that in another area in my life and it’s been so wonderful! It’s great to know there are others out there that share the same thoughts, feelings, goals, etc – but also a great way to find support, ideas, and a shoulder to lean on. It’s hard when we are alone in our goals. It’s much more fun, rewarding, and easier when we have others in a group working toward something!
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@Jennifer, IT makes all the difference. The Bible talks about this, in that sense it’s talking about Christians being too deeply involved with non-Christians, but it can apply to so many other aspects of our lives also. We discussed this a bit when I we talked on the phone about my struggle with someone that was not on the same page as myself. I’m very driven, and for me the lack of understanding on that issue, and many others, was simply not healthy for me and so they ultimately had to be removed from my life. A tough and painful lesson, but sometimes making the right choices, will cause heartache. 😉
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Any additional income would be most welcome, best if it is something we enjoy doing, as long as we do not end up becoming slaves to money, work…work…and work, no quality of life.
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@suituapui, Here in the USA there are quite a few people that are slaves to debt. I don’t quite understand making purchases when you can’t afford them. While in some cases it’s decreased hours at their job, job loss or sickness that has racked up a lot of debt (that’s the exception and is completely understandable). I can think of many instances (acquaintances) where it’s people spending more than they have and not planning of the unexpected. I’ve always been frugal. My parents were good teachers. Although frugal, my daughter and I do enjoy life a lot. Finding that balance is important and it’s something I have achieved without having debt looming over my head. Some of my long-term goals are my daughters college education. I started her fund when she was a child and of course my business. I agree everything in perspective, slave to money never, nor will I be imprisoned to debt. 😉
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