What Would You Do Tomorrow If You Were Laid Off Today?

Loved the movie Steffan! It really makes me grateful to be out of the corporate environment as an employee! Not having to worry about this at all is a great place to be! In the comments you mentioned "Whats stopping you from doing this now"... To me this is the big take away from the post! If you watch the move and have a desire to do something different, start something new, change the world or just your corner of it, why not start today!

I think too many people feel stuck in their job and do not realize that they could start creating a PLAN B at any time. What better to have a PLAN B going so if your PLAN A gives you a lemon you are ready to make lemonade! :)

Alan - How could I not appreciate your enthusiasm ;-).

I actually asked the question because I think it's an important one. If you
check the reply to my question, Erica says "I did freelancing for about 8
months last year but could not make ends meet". Everyone has a dream, but
not everyone has a plan or the means to see it through - most entrepreneurs
fail the first time. That's a cold hard fact. Asking the question "why not?"
deeply is important because it surfaces the fears and realities associated
with Plan B - if you hurdle the problems that make you feel stuck, problem
solved, you're on your way to making Lemonade. That's what I was asking.

Enthusiasm is good, but without a plan it can drown you.

Oops - this was supposed to be as a reply to you Steffan! Sorry!

Yes, I do as well. I feel like I am not so good at it part-time though because it takes me so much longer to get back to people and get things done.

I would love if I could dedicate myself full-time to freelance again (I did for about 8 months last year but could not make ends meet, I did learn a lot and know what I will do differently next time.) But the smart thing for me would be to save up some money first... so thats the plan!

If I got laid off tomorrow though, I would make it work and welcome the opportunity!!! =)

I do the same. And you're right. It is tough to turn things around quickly
when you have a full time job and you're working in your free time. It's
hard to generate that focus and momentum after you get home at night and on
the weekends. Full time freelancing (and making ends meet) is surely the
most fulfilling way to live - it's not a work style. It's a life style. Have
you read escape from cubicle nation yet? I ordered it for Christmas reading.

I have not read Escape from Cubicle Nation, but I will have to pass that along to Santa ;) Freelancing is definitely a way of life!!

Thanks Steffan!!!!

Great post, Steffan. It's something I've thought a lot about lately, and something I'm experiencing firsthand:

Since my last contract, I've simply chosen not to go back into my industry - it is time to try something different, something more meaningful, something to satisfy the entrepreneurial drive. 2 years ago, I don't think I would have done it since the opportunity cost was too high.

Which for me, is the real beauty of this market cycle: The low opportunity cost, combined with the "what-have-I-got-to-lose?" factor, and the 'if-I-can-make-it-in-this-market-I-should-be-OK" factor.

This market cycle has afforded me the opportunity to explore other industries, other ideas, and other areas of life that I've always wanted to look into. I haven't been making the money I once was, but it's given me the chance to set a new and improved foundation for the future, and I feel wealthier in terms of life than I ever have.

So, to answer your question, would I try to change the world? In our small corner, my wife and I are, and it's with entrepreneurial optimism that we hope that we can do so on a much bigger scale as we grow.

Giddy Up ; )

Giddy up indeed. It's not about changing the entire world though, is it? If
you're doing something meaningful that has a positive affect on others, even
if it's only in your corner, that's what counts.

I would welcome the opportunity to go back to freelancing and work on my own personal projects =)

What's stopping you from doing that now? Many of us freelance on nights and weekends.

Honestly? I'd sleep in.

I know, I know. Not the comment you were probably expecting, but when I read your tweet, this is the first thing that popped into my mind.

Hahaha. You both work too hard on stuff that matters as it is. You dont
count. lol.

I would take 2 or more months off, cancel several unnecessary expenses such as iphone service, and think, pray, and exercise a lot.

See my comment to Fraser. ;-)