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It’s okay to slow down

Jeff Cohen — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:23:39 +0000

I’m a big believer in the ready, fire, aim concept. This means you don’t spend days, weeks, and months analyzing your every decision before taking action. Instead, you jump into action and fix problems on the fly. I find that this strategy leads to more progress, more decisive action, and better results.

But sometimes you can’t simply fix things on the fly. In these cases, it’s okay to slow down a little bit, reassess, and decide if you’re on the right track. It can be hard to establish a clear cut gameplan when you’re so focused on taking action. So don’t be afraid to slow down every so often, check-in on your direction, and take a new path if one’s needed. It can make all the difference.

Jeff Cohen — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:05:54 +0000

So I was sitting at the beach today with my 2 1/2 year old son watching the water. It was 10:30 a.m. on a Tuesday. To be honest, I had a pang of guilt about lounging while everyone in the rat race sat behind computers in cubicles.

Then I hit me… the whole point of working less, earning more is to have these Tuesday morning moments. Just because we’re all used to working on Tuesday morning it doesn’t mean life has to be that way. My guilt turned to pride. I was now excited that I’ve built a life where it’s okay to rest midweek.

I urge you to pay your life first too. That’s how you’ll get to everything else on your to-do list… lounging, working out, family, friends… before work fills out every waking moment.

Manuscript Finishing Touches

Jeff Cohen — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:32:41 +0000

Talk about a tight deadline… I was tasked with writing 320 pages in about two months. For those doing math at home, that’s an average of 5.33 pages per day. I’m pleased to say that I’m not putting the finishing touches on my recession proof career book to be published by Penguin.

Keep an eye out for the book. It’s going to include 100+ recession proof careers sure to withstand the most severe market fluctuations. You’ll read everything about these careers including salary information, training required, geographical hotspots, nature of the work, and even how to advance.

If you’ve been wondering whether or not your career is recession proof drop me an email and tell me about your job. I’ll be sure to write back with an analysis of whether or not you’re on the recession proof track.

Some Serious Rain

Jeff Cohen — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:25:22 +0000

The last week or so in the northeast has been one rainstorm after another. We’re in the middle of June, just days before the official start of summer. I’m looking out my window right now at golf ball size hail. Something is not right here.

Then it occurred to me that I’m busy writing my latest book on recession proof books while looking out the window. I’m reminded that I don’t have that crazy NYC to NJ commute tonight in this awful weather. I think of all those poor souls with umbrellas flipped inside out. I don’t miss these days at all.

So I’ve come to realize that even if the sun refuses to shine… well, my life of working less and earning more is still enough to put a smile on my face.

Thinking Ahead

Jeff Cohen — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:11:31 +0000

Every time I turn on the television or listen to the radio all I hear are ads for getting out of debt, refinancing your mortgage, living within your means, and anything else related to the recession. It’s clear companies are looking to score a quick buck playing on our collective economic fears.

It got me thinking that maybe now is the time to be brainstorming a business idea for when the good times return. Maybe even market the idea now, reminding people that the clouds will lift, the stock market will soar again, and now is the time to be planning for the good days ahead.

I’ve come to realize that making money is not about marketing for what’s happening now. Instead, think about what’s on the horizon, and plan accordingly.

That Nervous Stomach Feeling

Jeff Cohen — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:19:03 +0000

Do you ever have one of those days or weeks where you can’t rid yourself of the nervous stomach feeling? You know it’s caused by some decision or problem running through your head. But for some reason you can’t shake it.

I’ve come to realize that one simple word cures this nervous stomach feeling… ACTION.

Even if you don’t know exactly how to solve the problem or which decision is right for you, somehow action, any action, helps melt the nerves. Then, once you’ve got some momentum, you start making tweaks to your game plan on the fly. To me, that’s what ready, fire, aim is all about. You don’t spend hours, days, months, or years aiming, you jump into action.

Follow this plan and the nervous stomach moments will no longer be part of your life.

Why I Love Memorial Day

Jeff Cohen — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:09:14 +0000

Everybody loves the three-day weekend. It’s an extended stay away from work plus a short week when you get back. I hung out with so many people this weekend who proclaimed Memorial Day weekend as a much needed break from the corporate grind.

I certainly remember that feeling from my days in Corporate America. This stretch from President’s Day to Memorial Day always felt like an eternity without a vacation. But now, thanks to working less and earning more, I work 3-4 days per week every week. So while I appreciate Memorial Day for the meaning of the day in the history of our country, it’s not quite the much needed work break. In fact, I did some work on Sunday this weekend, just because the mood struck me.

So I’m here to say that we can all live this life if we just choose to pay our lives first. What are you waiting for?

Play Through the Fatigue

Jeff Cohen — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:37:38 +0000

Today was one of those days where I just didn’t have it. I was writing a chapter for my new book on recession proof careers and my mind was moving like molasses. I’d write for thirty minutes, expect to have cranked out 2-3 pages and only be on the first paragraph.

Suddenly it occurred to me… my working less, earning more lifestyle meant I was chilling in a Starbucks, writing a book. Many of my friends were cranking out work in cubicles and offices, feeling nothing close to freedom.

I soon found my second wind and started writing like the wind. Sometimes you need a little reminder of how good you have it to get back in gear.

Stuck in the Mud Days

Jeff Cohen — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:39:26 +0000

Do you ever have one of those days where you can’t seem to get anything done? You are filled with ideas but you can’t seem to find the motivation to make one a reality? I have plenty of these days and I’ve learned a valuable strategy to break out of the mud. I call it ready, fire, aim!

The idea is to just get something… anything moving. Even if you don’t know exactly what it will look like, that’s not a problem. You quit all the analysis, all the decision making, and just jump into action. Then you simply course correct as you go.

I’ve found that all the fears, all the questions stress, all the worries… well they just melt away thanks to a little thing called action. So the next time you feel stuck in the mud, follow the ready, fire, aim model and you just may find yourself in a better place.

Ready to Work with Randy Gilbert

Jeff Cohen — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:37:32 +0000

This weekend, my wife and I are heading to Virginia to take part in a seminar with Randy Gilbert. Known as Dr. Proactive, this is the man who knows how to make instant bestsellers. I consider him a mentor and I’m psyched to learn about all the different ways you can repackage your book to earn more revenue. When you think about it, a book is just the tip of your credibility iceberg. Imagine taking a book and turning the content into:

A profitable teleseminar based on the book
An audio CD highlighting the top ten secrets from the book
A live seminar you can teach to small and large groups alike
An eBook people can download instantly to have your content in seconds

This is just a small sampling of all the different ways your book can turn into revenue. When I come back from Virginia, I’ll share more about what I learned as I know it can help you too. Thank you in advance Randy!