Portfolio
24/7/365
"Work and play are words used to describe the same thing under differing conditions." - Twain
What is a portfolio?
The dictionaries describe a portfolio in terms of investments and the collection of work of an artist. One says
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A portable case for holding material, such as loose papers, photographs, or drawings.
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The materials collected in such a case, especially when representative of a person's work: a photographer's portfolio; an artist's portfolio of drawings.
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The office or post of a cabinet member or minister of state.
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A group of investments held by an investor, investment company, or financial institution.
The portfolio is more being referred to as a collection of documents (may be pages on a website) that has photographs and details of work completed in recent times. However, even this tends to relate to physical jobs completed and also focusses on one area of expertise.
If you went to your financial advisor with your life savings in your hand, do you think he/she would recommend taking every cent of it and investing in just one company, financial institution or business? Not likely, the key to good financial planning is diversification.
When we look at our careers or what we do for work we think nothing of taking all of our assets - our gifts, talents, abilities, dreams, desires, time and energy and investing it all in just one outlet - a job or business. What's more that job or business can become the thing that consumes us in a manner that is the detriment of our lives and life itself. How many people have worked 60 - 70 hours a week and sufferred.
This approach of one job, one income source, consuming 40 - 70 hours a week limits our expression, fulfillment, balance, income and security. Of course, this is the work model we were taught. What, then, is the alternative? Just like the financial portfolio, there is a need to start by diversifying the work portfolio.
The following 3 Steps will help you chart your path to successful diversification...
1. PASSION
What are your passions? These are your most important assets. We don't mean what drives us to work. We mean what activities, dreams and desires make your life meaningful, worthwhile? You values! How much time do you spend on your passions? Or are you so worried about work that you constantly put them on the "back burner"? Why not join your passion and work together and express your passions through work that generates an income.
2. DIVERSIFICATION
When you have identified the passions that drive you, diversify. Some expressions will produce income; some may not. If you have multiple sources of income, no one passion has to support you. There are a variety of ways to do this but here are just a few:
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Job - full time (40 hour week)
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Short term contracting
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Part-Time Work
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Consulting - advising
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Hobbies - developing your favourite hobby into a business
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Entrepreneurial Endeavors
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Leisure Time - coaching
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Multi-Level Marketing
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Volunteer Work
...and much more.
Successful living begins with understanding what drives you at the very core of your being and then developing strategies to diversify your work, income and lifestyle around these motivations.
NO ONE is lazy. You may be resistant (fearful). You may be unmotivated (lacking understanding of your drivers). You may be uncertain (undirected). Once these are addressed, however, you will be amazed at how your energy level soars.
3. SUPPORT
Successful people understand the value of support. No matter how brilliant you may be, you need allies and connections, as well as ideas you simply could not have had on your own.
NEWORK can provide this support as you meet with others of like situation as they develop their work portfolio.
So if you're ready for more fulfilling, balanced and prosperous work and life, remember, the keys are Passion, Diversification and Support!
24/7/365
So far, we have discussed the "work portfolio". But life today cannot be so easily separated into a work time and and a non-work time of the day. In today's environment, the future would indicate that there wil be fewer people working in the same place with the same "employer" for years on end. the future holds more movement, woring in some way or other for many employers/clients.
Modern technology means that there is the ability to work beyond the old geographical boundaries of a city, country or even culture. The development of the internet means that one may find themselves having to wor in New Zealand at times that accommodate other country's time zones. With changing contracts/work principals the trdition of working the same hours is not necessarily something of te future.
Therefore, it is important that we as a nation and as individuals start to grapple with the concept that our prtfolio i not constrained by the traditional timeframes.
To start this process look at your portfolio as being 24/7/365. That is
a day of 24 hours
a week of 7 days
a year of 365 days
Into that day/week/year one fits in many different activities that include
work that results in a financial income,
being with the family,
being a parent, grand parent,
doing a volunteer job/task,
supporting the local community centre or school,
attending the concert in town,
attending your faith community
following the sporting interests
going to the beach
being a friend, and
relaxation and sleep (probably the most important but also the most overlooked.
Following that passion, doing the thing or activity that you just like. Not being afraid to go and play a game of golf at the local golf club at 10.30am on a Monday morning. Remember while you are playing golf, your partner may be able to supply you with a contact that takes you to another part of your portfolio.
Life is a portfolio. A gathering of loose papers that somehow come together to make the life that we know. Its 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. There may be risks, there may be costs, there may be a way forward. Mark Twain said
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain
Go for it. Portfolio includes all life. Living "PORTFOLIO" is a way of life.
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