I believe everyone can live a life they love and earn more money doing what they love. But it’s often easier said than done. Why? All sorts of reasons. Some include:

• Getting too comfortable maintaining the status quo.
• Bumping into our fears when we want to make a big change.
• Feel like it’s too late to change.

So I want to share 8 tips from an interview I did with Gabriel Schandl.

Whether you want to start a business around what you love, or whether you want to change your business, so you do more of what you love and get paid more money …

This post is perfect for you.

Gabriel Schandl (Austrian Entrepreneur) was running a successful training business. He had 10 trainers on his team. He was earning good money. And he had what most people would consider a successful life.

But then something happened. Gabriel got tired of his business. His passion and love for what he did in business wasn’t giving him the time and freedom he wanted to have with his kids. He wanted to travel. He wanted to be there for them as they develop their natural talents and passions in life.

But he was torn. So much was at stake. The money in his business was good. He had clients on demand thanks to his reputation and networks in that business.

Leaving his business and starting another venture seemed like the LAST thing he should do.

But he did it anyway. And today, he travels the world, is paid to speak on stages internationally, and he gets to bring his family with him!

He put his life and his family’s life first. And he built another business to support that. Here are the 8 tips.  

Tip 1: Money Is NOT the Source of Happiness

Money is not the source of happiness. You are.

Like Gabriel and many others (including myself), we all at one stage were earning lots of money. That was our measure for success.

But at the end of the day, we felt exhausted, worn-out, and unfulfilled doing what we were doing.

And no amount of money could change the way we felt about it.

We can try to use money to buy expensive goods, eat rich foods, drink alcohol and other stimulates such as coffee. But that’s all just temporary.

That’s why it’s important to identify what you love and ask yourself:

• How can I do more of what I love every day?
• How can I prioritize doing what I love in my day?
• How can I earn more money doing what I love?
• Who will pay me to do what I love?

Tip 2: It’s More Stressful to Stay Doing What You Don’t Love

Picture sitting at your desk bored and disappointed with what you do in your business or in your work. Or imagine working a job that you absolutely hate, but you stay because the money is good, and you think that’s the best deal you’ll ever get in life.

Now, imagine having to do that for the rest of your life.

What is that experience like?

It probably feels worse than death.

Why? Because it gets to the point where the pain of staying as you outweigh the pain of change.

Doing more of what makes you happy can be scary. But it doesn’t compare to the fear of having to do what you don’t love for the REST of your life.

Tip 3: Start Small to Build Big

Richard Branson said that entrepreneurs jump off a cliff and build a parachute on their way down.

There’s great wisdom to that. But I also think it’s an unwise move and possibly irresponsible advice. Especially since not everyone is wired to deal with that much uncertainty.

That’s where I like Gabriel’s advice. Which is when you are clear on what you love, start taking small steps to have more of that happen in your life.

Maybe it is spending an extra 30 minutes a day doing what you love.

Maybe it’s about being strategic with your travels and holidays so that your holiday also leads to building a business around what you love.

Maybe it’s about investing some of your money elsewhere in a coach or advisor. Someone who can help you create a plan to go from where you are now to where you want to be.

You don’t have to suddenly STOP your business. You don’t have to just QUIT your job out of the blue.  

Tip 4: Make FUN and HAPPINESS Your Success Indicator

When Gabriel’s son was swinging around a chair in his office and having fun, Gabriel was tempted to say, “Stop doing that! That’s not a playground!”

But he caught himself in that moment. He realized how conditioned he had been to separate play and fun from work. Happiness from productivity.

In that moment he realized this:

“My son is right! Why NOT have a playground for us adults in the office?”

So, he let his son continue doing what he did. In fact, he encouraged it.

Look at your work surroundings. Look at where you work. And ask yourself, how can I make what I do MORE FUN?

(If you haven’t already, check out my discussion with GPS Girl Karen Jacobsen where she talks about using your emotions as a success indicator.)

Tip 5: Say NO More Often

Most people find it hard to say no. It comes with a feeling of guilt. And they are afraid to disappoint others. So instead they disappoint themselves!

But it’s not fair for you to sacrifice your well-being for someone else’s. Because that leads to no one actually winning.

My advice is always to say NO to what you don’t love more often, and say YES to what you do love more often.

Tip 6: Listen to Your Body

Your heart, mind, and body are one. If you don’t feel right in your body, pay attention. Your body is telling you something important.

When we are busy, it is easy to disconnect from our body. It’s important to stop, notice how you are feeling, and take the time to feel where in your body those feelings are.

For me, I always do this in my daily meditation and during the regular breaks I take from working (playing) on my business.

Tip 7: Get Help

I’ve trained business owners, executives, and entrepreneurs for years. And I can tell you that the last thing people think to do when they want to make big changes to their business and life, is reach out for help.

They spend thousands of dollars and months (if not years) of time trying to figure it out all alone.

For those who know me, you know how the big goal I had in business which I thought would take years, was achieved in a matter of minutes thanks to hiring a business coach.

He was on stage presenting at an event, and he showed me how I could reach the peak of what I wanted so much faster, with much less effort, and much more FUN.

Whatever you are trying to change in your life and business, look for people who have done what you want to do and learn from them. Or as Gabriel says:

“We’re social beings and we are not meant to live or be alone, so we should take or accept help, or asking for help.”
– Gabriel Schandl

Meantime, I have a question for you:

What’s the BIGGEST question you want to be answered NOW?

Post below and I’ll do my best to help you. I’m here to serve 😊

Choose Gratitude Create Freedom

Steve Napolitan