Barbara Winter, joyfully jobless and the author of Making a Living Without a Job: Winning Ways for Creating Work That You Love, is an amazing person that I met while in line at the post office one day. We struck up a conversation, I gave her my card, and when she emailed me later that day I was amazed to find out that what she does is so similar to what I am doing online.
As a young mother back in the Midwest, Barbara came to the realization that she was not cut out to be an employee.She was an English major in college and went on to become a teacher, but this was not for her – so she quit. People in her life were not supportive of her decision, as is the case many times when we choose to change our lives in a major way.
She finally visited an employment service center and was hired to be one of the job counselors. This led to a period of research where she learned more about herself and others when it came to having a job that is meaningful. She mentions something the Buddhists call ‘right livelihood’, which is quite a deep concept.
When the student is ready the teacher appears, and Barbara met an entrepreneur who would guide her to personal development books and other materials. This eventually led to her having her own business and changing her life forever. Once your thinking changes, everything turns around. She also shares the importance of connecting with people in person who have the ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ when you are becoming an entrepreneur.
Barbara has taught her methods and techniques all over the country, and continues to be one of the foremost thought leaders in the area of entrepreneurial development and expertise.
This interview will make you think, and will also give you ideas on how you can become ‘joyfully jobless’ as an entrepreneur. You must follow your own plan for your life, and Barbara’s book and trainings will get you there.
This is a quote that says it all:
“If you are an entrepreneur or a wannabe entrepreneur or an I-might-want-to-be-an-entrepreneur-when-I-grow-up entrepreneur, Barbara J. Winter’s wise work is for you!”—Huffington Post