6 Habits Of People Who Thrive Without Jobs And What They Do Differently

It’s no secret that the job market has fundamentally changed in the past decade. Employment, as we have known it historically, is dead. This is a cause for celebration.

In the not too far future, we will look back on the 40-hour (or 80-hour) work week model and see it as quaint -- the way we view rotary telephones and rabbit ear TV antennae today.

What will the new work paradigm be? Smart money is on a model that freelancers and artists have been using for decades to succeed financially, while living balanced lives.

Those people, who have been thriving without jobs for decades, share certain work habits.

1. They create their own income-generating opportunities.

The universe works through them, not for them. They don’t just get the training, read the manuals, do some networking with peers and expect money making opportunities to find them.

Instead, they actively find clients – hell, they create clients by making people want something they didn’t even know existed. Who knew we needed Facebook before Mark Zuckerberg showed us the light?

2. They constantly upgrade their skills.

The basic minimum skills necessary to be successful are constantly changing.

So a ballet dancer will take hip-hop classes, a lawyer will learn mediation skills and a social media expert will make damn sure she can explain the difference between Flickr and Dropbox.

Change is inevitable. Those who adapt, survive; those who embrace change, thrive.

3. They ask what they can do for the world, not what the world can do for them.

Twenty-four years ago, Broadway dancer Jerry Mitchell wanted to find a way to fight HIV/AIDS, and created a unique one night benefit featuring Broadway’s best dancers.

Today, Broadway Bares has raised some $11.5 million through its annual events, has spawned productions in Las Vegas and London and launched Jerry’s career as a two-time Tony award winning choreographer and director.

The point of an unpaid internship or a volunteer position is not that the internship or position may turn into a paying gig, the point is that being of service is a great way to learn skills, meet people and gain the knowledge, access and abilities necessary to create your own dream job.

4. They are collaborative.

A fundamental survival skill for the new economy is the ability to put the ego aside and participate in the creation of something greater than any one person could create on his or her own. And yes, that means accepting criticism and, where appropriate, taking direction.

I have a client who held musical stage rights in the novel "BRAVE NEW WORLD" for a decade without making any significant progress; once I helped her identify the right collaborators, the project became viable as a Broadway-bound musical.

My client is preparing to make a presentation for potential investors this fall.

5. They focus on providing unique, quality services -- not the lowest prices.

Price competition is a losing game because there will always be someone cheaper out there. So the goal is to provide high quality and unique services that can’t be readily duplicated – to be both professional AND personal.

Interior designer to the stars, Thad Hayes intentionally keeps his business small so that he can be in every meeting with every client and know every inch of every project.

Personal attention to detail is his brand, and he is well paid for it.

6. They share their passions with the world.

Passion is what distinguishes the truly great service and product providers from the merely competent because people who are passionate about their work put a little bit of their soul into everything they touch.

They go the extra mile, they sweat the fine details, not just because their customers deserve it, but because they themselves deserve to do the best they can do and be the best they can be.

For example, Kit Schackner and Kelly Conklin of Foley Waite Associates have combined their passion for design with an attention to detail in manufacturing and in service that has helped them thrive while selling custom built furniture to billionaires and rock stars for decades.

The new economy is calling each and every one of us. It’s best for all of us to embrace the inevitable now and start fully realizing the opportunities it presents.

If you want to learn to thrive without a job, contact me through my website at www.esg-esq.com. I can help you turn your passion into profits.

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