You might have noticed that I run a timer (down there in the right sidebar) that is counting down to the day I will be walking out of corporate life. When I read it yesterday is said two years six months till that momentous day. Two years + …plenty of time…cool
Then I converted it to months and freaked out. Thirty months. Only 30!
You see for the last 8 years I have been paid monthly. I pay my rent monthly. I pay my bills monthly. My life is organised around months. To realise I only have thirty of these time units to complete my plan for world domination has been an icy splash of water to the face.
In reality it is not a bad thing to have these wake-up calls every now and then. Creating a sense of urgency is a well known tactic for ensuring the procrastination monster does not entirely take us over. Setting ridiculously short deadlines will get work done, and done quicker. But you can only pull that a few times before burnout starts to become an issue.
Back to my thirty months.
I started thinking about the things that I have created in a short period of time. Last year’s Thirty Day Challenge for example seemed fairly leisurely even though we were performing tasks on nearly a daily basis, and I had a good outcome from that.
Then my plan to get a MacBook Pro without digging into my bank account is now $2000 realised after about 6 hours work over 2 weeks writing Knewsroom* articles. Not bad going, but still it is “work” for cash not passive income…
I have been slack with my ebook only writing a couple of hundred words every now and then. This will not do and so I will set the realistic goal of having it published on or before June 14. If I do not then I don’t get my Macbook Pro, I will put the money into the mortgage.
As we go forward the next two months are starting to get booked out. June is Thirty Day Challenge pre-season. July is erm…winter. August is the Thirty Day Challenge proper. Somewhere in there I have to flick the switch and get the niches up and earning money. No more mucking around with piddly amounts and things only for fun.
Well apart from Spore when it comes out.
*If you want an invite to Knewsroom drop me a note in comments, or Twitter 
Planned and executed my exit from the corporate world. Walked away with a 6 figure payment to boot.
Hi Allison–found your awesome blog through the TDC forums. We share a similar mission to exit Corp. life forever…..my new blog is just getting up an running and I am excited to learn more through the TDC. You are right, when you put things in months like that it is pretty eye-opening.
I know you will do it. If you could throw an invite to Knewsroom my way I’d be so grateful!
Best,
Christine
Hey Allison – Yeah, what a wake up, huh? It’s interesting how subtle changes like switching a counter from years to months will create those little moments.
I haven’t done as much as you since last years challenge – you know life tends to get in the way sometimes?
But I’m already getting excited for this year and am enjoying the pre-season stuff.
I don’t doubt you’ll make your goal. Just remember to take it one step at time and try NOT to think about that “only 30 months” left thing or it’ll overwhelm you. Believe in yourself.
Blessings,
~ Annie
(silverlunace on the forums and twitter)
PS – Oh almost forgot – could you send me an invite to Knewsroom? I’d love to check it out. Thanks so much!