Before the industrial revolution, each family really operated as its own business of sorts. Groups of families were villages. There were towns, but the majority of the population was rural.

It was entirely possible to trade one of your hens for an equal value in fresh-baked bread. Money wasn’t always necessary.

You could usually get all your food, beer & wine, and entertainment within a mile or so of where you lived.

Having and cultivating a family and a strong community to support it was once a strong calling for Americans.

It is not anymore, jobs and careers tend to take precedence for most Americans today. But there's no saying that we can't get back to what once made us strong. It is within all of us.

We wrote yesterday about finding your calling. In other words, you don't just have to "get a job." (But you better get to getting, if you haven't considered a calling.)

After yesterday's email, someone wrote back…

Last night, I was talking to my son and his girlfriend. The topic turned to: “what about all the people who just want a job?”

Incredulous, I asked them to explain.

“Some people just want a job. They want to be told what to do, and do it in exchange for enough money to live on.”

“Funny you say that. I was just reading about this very issue in an email. Let me tell you what Brian O'Leary says about that way of thinking…”

The takeaway from yesterday was intended to be about having a calling, realizing it, and doing something about it.

People do just fine doing just enough. That's normal. Normal is acceptable. Normal is average.

I'm not in the business of being acceptable or average. I'm not normal.

In fact, if you're willing, I'd encourage you to become abnormal with me.

As always,

Brian

P.S. – Your income, if you choose to maximize it, will represent the value of the problems you can solve multiplied by the number of people you help.

Simple formula.

Some people have the problem of being fat, and they’d rather be thin.

Some people have the problem of not having money, and they’d rather have some.

Some people have the problem of not being clear about spirituality, and are seeking clarity.

Acceptance. Self-image. Health. Sports.

There is not, and never will be, a lack of problems. People will pay you for a solution to their problem.

That's business in a nutshell.

If you want to talk more about it, hit me up. Either respond to this email or go to