As I start writing this post, it’s hitting me – I’m honestly not sure what to aim for. It’s a difficult thing to understand and articulate, at least succinctly. Nonetheless, if we can define a methodical approach, it ought to be a worthy endeavor.
On some level we all leverage our work. You don’t start a presentation from scratch, you copy a previous one – if not the content, at least the template. You don’t look up how to get to work, you remember the route you’ve already taken. As I write this, I’m not coming up with a new idea, I’m leveraging a concept that I’ve been throwing around in my head for quite some time.
Of course, I’m hoping that this is a fresh idea. One that’s crisp, unique to the marketplace. Out of all the reading I do, and I do a lot of reading, I’ve never run across a blog dedicated to this concept. So let’s see how this experiment goes.
Is it worthwhile to Leverage Your Work?
The intent of this blog is to answer that very question. So if you’re reading this, the answer is: I don’t know (at least at the time of writing this post). However, it does bring up an interesting, and perhaps, a more important question – how should we define worthwhile? Do we only achieve success if we make money?
Before answering that, we might consider what we’re working with. Lest we be like the alchemists of the past – trying to make gold out of lead.
What to Leverage for Success?
That’s the beauty behind this blog, I’m a proponent of leveraging EVERYTHING. Why should we ever give up the residual benefits of our work?
If you work for a law company blog about your expertise. If you are a photographer, make a coffee table book. If your studying for the LEED exam, follow Pat Flynn’s footsteps and make a study guide. The point is that pretty much everything can be taken advantage of. Even if there aren’t significant direct benefits or even benefits that are readily apparent – any little bit helps.
Even if you only get 10 subscribers on your blog, that’s 10 real life people that care what you have to say. It’s 10 people that will listen when you make a recommendation. It’s 10 people that will follow your lead on a specific subject. Companies pay good money for an individual that can influence 10 people. They’re called managers.
If you’re coffee table book doesn’t sell a single copy, at least your work is published. Your name is out there for all to see you have a published portfolio. And if you don’t charge a cent for those study guides, you still helped a ton of young architects and engineers. Young professionals in your field. Kids that are going to remember who helped them pass that exam and are likely going to respect and admire you for it. And if there is one thing that we always need more of in this world, it’s friends.
I’m not suggesting you leverage your work only to reap the rewards. I’m saying why not partake in a mutually beneficial relationship, a symbiotic relationship, with the world.
Define Success
I know it’s cheesy but there really isn’t one clear definition success. Even if you were to define it completely materialistically, there are versions of success that can help you get closer to that Ferrari.
For example, you might not make a dime, but earn a following that can eventually be monetized. Perhaps you might buy a property that at first only earns you a modest $1,000 per month. Yet the property can provide you with substantial returns if sold.
It really is all about defining what’s right for you, or perhaps, not defining it and seeing how things play out.
This brings me to the point of this post and, in reality, of this blog. To see how things play out. Thus far, it’s honestly too early to tell. I’ve got too many ideas and not enough execution. This site. A drip shipping site. Multiple blogs. Multiple ebooks. All on top of a high demanding career. It’s honestly nerve wracking. But hey these are just my thoughts. Stay tuned for more on my current ventures and my state of mind as I figure out how to make the most of everything I do.