LESSON 4
LESSON 4
Build your future piece by piece with Workpieces
Our Workpieces are the way we use our time. We do freelancing, we sell online, we write, we have part-time jobs, we make things. Some of our work pieces pay us money and some don’t - like looking after our kids or looking after an elderly relative. They are all workpieces. They are all the ways to use our time. What we need to do is learn to balance these as best we can not just for income, but so that we can achieve and be all that is important to us.
There’s loads of workpieces to choose from. Let us briefly mention the top 20 workpiece categories that are emerging through 'Work It Out!'. Read through this list slowly
1. Freelance workpieces
2. Selling on-line workpieces
3. Relationship workpieces
4. Writing workpieces
5. Making things workpieces
6. Holiday workpieces
7. Charity workpieces
8. Part-time workpieces
9. Hobby workpieces
10. Family workpieces
11. Creative workpieces
12. Spiritual workpieces
13. Caring workpieces
14. Temporary Job workpieces
15. Personal development workpieces
16. Community workpieces
17. Professional association workpieces
18. Health and wellbeing workpieces
19. Bartering workpieces
20. E-Learning workpieces
Our mix of workpieces is constantly changing as we add new activities and let go of others. Just like our priorities change throughout our lives so do our workpieces to reflect this.
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Barry’s story
I met Barry in London recently. Barry is a student at college, works part-time in a pub, is writing his first novel, selling collectibles on eBay and teaching kids to play football on a Sunday morning. These are Barry’s workpieces - defined by his needs for short term income (working part-time in the pub and selling collectibles on eBay), longer-term career plans (college course), community spirit and exercise (teaching kids to play football) and plans to put some passive income in place for the longer term (writing a novel). It is such an understatement to say that Barry is just a student. |
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EXERCISE - Ideas for your future workpiecesNot all workpieces have to be turned into money. It’s all about a balanced picture. Read through the list of 20 workpiece categories above and see if you can identify just one possible idea for each of these workpieces that could relate to you in the future .… |
1. Workpieces keep you in control
Creating workpieces enables us to remain in control of our future. We are out there gathering pieces of work - adding a task here or a couple of hours there - building up our commitment. It’s positive. We are meeting people, going places, doing a variety of activities - and engaged in a wide range of ideas and opportunities.
Some things we try may not work - or may even fall into the crazy ideas category. But this is all part of the creative process. 'Work It Out!' is not about instant perfection. It’s about creating and building workpieces that move you closer to where you want to be in life.
2. Starter workpieces can be stepping stones
Part-time or temporary/seasonal work contracts are the easier jobs to get. Don’t worry about your ego or fret about the hourly rate at this stage. The key question is, can it bring you income now? Can it be your first, or a new starter workpiece? Treat this as important training and remember you are being paid while you are learning to build your workpieces. Every piece you add is a success. You can swap and change workpieces later when you have too many.
3. You are not just one thing!
When one job was the norm we would pose the question ‘What’s your job?’ and/or Who do you work for? - naturally expecting an answer such as secretary, cook or pilot, or the name of some organisation or company.
Now the appropriate questions are - What sort of things do you do? How many workpieces do you have? What are your latest workpieces? I’ve got this great idea for a workpiece , can you help me with it? Any new or exciting workpieces? What workpiece do you really want to create or build at the moment?
4. Build your future - piece by piece
When you are busy working on a series of workpieces then this creates a critical mass of possibilities - one that leads to more and bigger workpieces.
Many people are still trying to get the right job in one jump. Others are building their careers step by step with workpieces.
5. Go for the work that is easier to get – part-time
Most people are only looking for full time jobs. Yet, employers are looking for the flexibility that part-time offers. Get your first part time job and then add a second workpiece. Workpieces are simply stepping stones.
Creating workpieces enables us to remain in control of our future. We are out there gathering pieces of work - adding a task here or a couple of hours there - building up our commitment. It’s positive. We are meeting people, going places, doing a variety of activities - and engaged in a wide range of ideas and opportunities.
Some things we try may not work - or may even fall into the crazy ideas category. But this is all part of the creative process. 'Work It Out!' is not about instant perfection. It’s about creating and building workpieces that move you closer to where you want to be in life.
2. Starter workpieces can be stepping stones
Part-time or temporary/seasonal work contracts are the easier jobs to get. Don’t worry about your ego or fret about the hourly rate at this stage. The key question is, can it bring you income now? Can it be your first, or a new starter workpiece? Treat this as important training and remember you are being paid while you are learning to build your workpieces. Every piece you add is a success. You can swap and change workpieces later when you have too many.
3. You are not just one thing!
When one job was the norm we would pose the question ‘What’s your job?’ and/or Who do you work for? - naturally expecting an answer such as secretary, cook or pilot, or the name of some organisation or company.
Now the appropriate questions are - What sort of things do you do? How many workpieces do you have? What are your latest workpieces? I’ve got this great idea for a workpiece , can you help me with it? Any new or exciting workpieces? What workpiece do you really want to create or build at the moment?
4. Build your future - piece by piece
When you are busy working on a series of workpieces then this creates a critical mass of possibilities - one that leads to more and bigger workpieces.
Many people are still trying to get the right job in one jump. Others are building their careers step by step with workpieces.
5. Go for the work that is easier to get – part-time
Most people are only looking for full time jobs. Yet, employers are looking for the flexibility that part-time offers. Get your first part time job and then add a second workpiece. Workpieces are simply stepping stones.
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EXERCISE - Imagine workpieces you could start now
1. What are your current workpieces? Where are you investing your time every day? Do an audit of you time usage over the last few days and look at where you are spending your time. 2. Now imagine 3 or 4 workpieces that would enable you to do what you really want to do. What could start to give you the career or financial future you really want? What would these activities be? |
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