Self Employment - A One Woman Shop

I've been a paper "girl", babysitter, dishwasher, kitchen help, nanny, retail sales clerk, secretary, bookkeeper, probate assistant, night office cleaning staff, seasonal cookie and candy sales (selling my own creations to customers), telephone book delivery, hobby farmer (selling produce, eggs, meat, chickens, turkeys), auction helper, auctioneer, personal property appraiser, estate sale staff, estate "buy-outer", event promoter, artist, craft and flea market vendor, antique dealer, guest speaker, blogger, teacher....the list goes on...and will continue... until I take my last breath. 

(my friend Sue, who has supported me all these past 19 years and her husband, Dan - who has passed on - was one of my mentors in the pickin business)

Originally, I left my 9-5 to be a stay at home mom.  We were blessed with the financial security so I could do it.  That was 19 years ago.  In the list above of my work experience, most of those titles happened during this past 19 years.  I have always had the drive and desire to make my "own" money.  This was instilled in me by my mom - as she was the most ingenious and creative person I knew.  Some of those job titles above - she and I did together as a team.

Over these past 19 years, I've heard many comments..."you're so lucky," "I wish I could stay home," "how do you buy out an estate?" "if I were home, I would be able to those things too," - these any many, many others.  

I'm writing this today, because of what I read here: 

 http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2015/08/dont-be-jealous-just-get-busy.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FKCcu+%28Funky+Junk+Interiors%29

"Don't be Jealous, Just Get Busy," blog post by Funky Junk Donna.  It was so appropriate for me today.  I love this quote on her post... 

Luck is like buying a lottery ticket, hoping you’ll win.

Success is working to earn your win.

It will officially be a year tomorrow that Alan and I started our new stage of life - empty nesters.  The thought of going back to a 9-5 crossed my mind, but I've been self employed so long, I just don't think I can do it.  You know the old saying, "you can let the cows out of the barn, but it is much harder to get them back in,"  I'm too independent to work for some one else.  I have enough faith in my own talents and abilities that was built through my experiences over the past 19 years.

Donna's focus for her "success" is different than mine - that's fine - but, as fellow bloggers, we all know we write or post for a reason.  I've been inspired by reading other's blogs, looking at pictures on Instagram, following business facebook pages, tweeting - this has propelled me this past year.  

I recently read this article: 

\ http://www.marcandangel.com/2008/09/27/4-secrets-of-the-successfully-self-employed/  

An important statement was, "you only work for one person, yourself"  I often tell people, "I can make me or break me."  

If you are reading this and have hopes of chasing your real dreams and leaving your 9-5 - it won't be easy.  There  is no magic pill or get rich quick idea - however, there is a work hard at it idea!  Be prepared, Donna is right - many people will be jealous - heck, I have been too - it's hard not to compare your path with others - but, DON'T - as Donna said "just get busy."     You might have noticed that I have been writing and sharing alot on my sites - it is for a reason...I'm just getting busy.  Thanks for following along.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Linked to:  http://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2015/08/our-simple-homestead-blog-hop-13.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OakHillHomestead+%28Oak+Hill+Homestead%29