I got laid off yesterday and I haven’t felt this pumped up for a long time.
The world, as they say, is my oyster.
Last time I got laid off it was a nightmare.
Firstly, my then employer had gone out of business owing me a lot of money and, secondly, I didn’t have the right of abode here in Hong Kong.
This time it’s all very different.
It took me a long time to recover from those dark days in 2001 and early 2002, but the one thing that stayed fixed in my mind was the commitment that I’d never let myself get into that position again.
My first objective was to find another job so I could get control of my finances. That took a long time – I went without any income for 9 months.
Having got another job I then started looking for ways I could make myself independent of my employer.
I’ve written about that before – here.
So following my own advice (for a change), I set about learning Internet Marketing. And that opened up a whole raft of opportunities that had never occurred to me before I started.
Over the past couple of years I’ve accumulated a lot of knowledge, not only about how the Internet works and how to apply that to my own situation, but how to apply that to the corporate situation
As a result of that decision to get into IM, and what I’ve learnt since, I now:
- Earn a bit of money from product sales online
- Have another stream of income from building websites and blogs for others
- Am a partner in a business renting out short term flats in Hong Kong – purely on the strength of being able to build effective websites.
- Consult with big companies on how to make use of the web for managing their customers
I’m also marketing my own telecom consulting skills far more effectively than I was able to 8 years ago.
And now that I’ve been laid off I’m able to focus my full attention on these income streams instead of just doing them in the evenings and at weekends.
I’ve escaped the commute and the office politics, and my lifestyle is going to improve hugely.
What more could a man want..!?
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I’m sorry to hear that, it sounds like you have a great outlook. Good luck and have fun.
Tricia´s last blog ..The Doctors diagnosis… a fugal infection. And my review…
Thanks Tricia,
But seriously – it may have happened 3 or 4 months earlier than I would have ideally liked, but it’s still a great opportunity.
I’ve got so much that’s been bubbling under for a while, but for which I’ve had no time, and now I can get on with it all.
It’s all good!
Cheers,
Martin.
Hi Martin
Now you just have to take the real plunge in being ’self-employed’
In 2003 we had no choice: being made redundant in a ’strange’ land with all our ‘bridges burned’. Tough time, but never ever regretted ‘going alone’. We’re getting where we want to be and so will you no doubt.
Best of luck
Karin H (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
Karin H.´s last blog ..MyDish: Social Media + E-commerce = Dragons Den
Thanks Karin,
Yep – self employment has been the goal for quite a while now, but I could have used another 4 – 6 months to build things up a bit more before making the switch.
But I really am very excited by the opportunities – and I have more than enough on the go to keep me busy!
I can see things are going well for you, from your Facebook entries – that’s great!
Cheers,
Martin.
Good thing you have something else (maybe even better than being employed) to go to (internet marketing). I hope I could gather the skills before our company decide to kick as out (they’re not planning yet though).
Good luck on your venture.
marvin´s last blog ..Liberty Presbyterian Church 16th Anniversary.
Thanks Marvin,
Yes – always have a backup plan..!
Cheers,
Martin.
Nothing stops a man with a plan.
Ralph´s last blog ..Change – What to do when it comes at you.
Ralph, hi,
Good to see you here again – thanks for coming by!
Cheers,
Martin.
Hi Martin,
Sounds like you are about to embark on a great adventure. I just know you will be successful. You are so generous with your assistance to all of us beginners out here. We are all cheering you on. Adding some prayers just to be sure and many, many recommendations
Warm regards, Pam
Hi Pam,
Many, many thanks! Yes – I’m very excited by the prospect – it’s all so different than it was 8 years ago!
When I make my millions I’ll come and charter your boat..!!
Cheers,
Martin.
My parents are self-employed. They own a computer graphics business. My parents really like that they can work their won hours and take time off when they like. It’s a lot of work though. I wish you all the best of luck!
Tricia´s last blog ..Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) & Skullcap being used as an Alternative Treatment for Fibromyalgia?
Thanks Tricia,
Yes – I ran my own consultancy business some years ago, so I’m familiar with the effort needed
But I’m still really looking forward to this. It’s a bit different from my previous business – which is part of the excitement – and, anyway, I can still do the consulting stuff.
All good!
Cheers,
Martin.
Martin,
Congratulations! That’s EXCELLENT news. You may think the timing is out but trust yourself. The timing is absolutely spot on.
Cheers,
Jenny
Jenny´s last blog ..Change Your Thinking and You’ll Change Your Life
Hi Jenny,
Good to see you here..! Yes – it’s great and the truth is there’s never a perfect time for these things.
Good to see you on Twitter too – I hope that works well for you!
Cheers,
Martin.
Hi Martin!
I am sorry to hear you got laid off. I work for a large corporation and we had recently had some layoffs. It is scary out there.
I commute 1 hr each way to work and back. 2 hours pluse on the road. I started this online Internet Marketing to hopefully bring in some suplimental income so that maybe someday my wife could quite her job. My ultimate goal would be to be able to do this full time so like you said to excape the commute and the office bologna and work for myself. I have enjoyed learning about the ways of the internet and there is so much to learn. I really think I would enjoy it full time but for now I have to keep the job to support the family.
Anyways good luck! Now it seems you have more time to focus on what you want to do.
Jim
Jim Hardin´s last blog ..Follow Me Twitter
Hi Jim,
Thanks – and yes, I’ve finally got the time to focus my full attention onto it..
That commuting time is a real killer isn’t it? I don’t have a commute anywhere near that long now, but when I lived in the UK I did – worse, in fact: 2 hours each way, each day.
And in those days (late 80’s/early 90’s) there wasn’t the mobile technology that’s available today – so it really was dead time. I hated it!
Cheers,
Martin.
Hi Martin
I have one thing to say to you
Makorokoto!!!
Talk to you soon
Don´s last blog ..Ran Better Today
Hi Don,
Thank you baas..!
Cheers,
M.
Hi Martin
I haven’t caught up wth you in a long time. Sorry to hear the news but pleased that you are turning it to such a fantastc positive – and I’m sure it will be a door opening rather than a door closing.
Good luck!
Regards, Ali
Alison Wood´s last blog ..Need a CMS Theme for Wordpress?
Hi Ali,
Indeed, long time no hear! How are you..?
I see your tweets coming through on a regular basis so you’re clearly keeping busy – I hope it’s going well!
And yes – this is the start of a great improvement in my quality of life, so I’m looking forward to it hugely!
Cheers,
Martin.