LESSON 3 - Build your future with Workpieces - Work It Out!

LESSON 3

Build your future with Workpieces

Workpieces are the way we use our time. We do freelancing, we sell online, we write, we have part-time jobs, we make things. Some of our work pieces pay us money and some don’t - like looking after our kids or looking after an elderly relative. They are all workpieces. They are all the ways to use our time. What we need to do is learn to balance these as best we can not just for income, but so that we can achieve and be all that is important to us.

There’s loads of workpieces to choose from. Let us briefly mention the top 20 workpiece categories that are emerging through 'Work It Out!'. Read through this list slowly

1. Freelance workpieces
2. Selling on-line workpieces
3. Relationship workpieces
4. Writing workpieces
5. Making things workpieces
6. Holiday workpieces
7. Charity workpieces
8. Part-time workpieces
9. Hobby workpieces
10. Family workpieces
11. Creative workpieces
12. Spiritual workpieces
13. Caring workpieces
14. Temporary Job workpieces
15. Personal development workpieces
16. Community workpieces
17. Professional association workpieces
18. Health and wellbeing workpieces
19. Bartering workpieces
20. E-Learning workpieces

Key Point - Workpieces change to meet our needs

As our life unfolds or our circumstances change we vary the make up of our workpieces - to suit our growing families or retirement or unexpected circumstances.

Exercise - Workpieces

Not all workpieces have to be turned into money. It’s all about a balanced picture. Read through the list of 20 workpiece categories above again and see if you can identify just one possible idea for each of these workpieces.

Starter workpieces

Creating workpieces is different because we remain in control. We are out there gathering pieces of work - adding a task here or a couple of hours there - building up our commitment. It’s positive. We are meeting people, going places, doing a variety of activities - and engaged in a wide range of ideas and opportunities. Some things we try may not work - or may even fall into the crazy ideas category. But this is all part of the creative process. 'Work It Out!' is not about instant perfection. It’s about creating and building workpieces that move you closer to where you want to be in life.

Starter workpieces can be stepping stones to the workpiece you really want to create.

Part-time or temporary/seasonal work contracts are the easier jobs to get. Don’t worry about your ego or fret about the hourly rate at this stage. The key question is, can it bring you income now? Can it be your first, or a new starter workpiece? Treat this as important training and remember you are being paid while you are learning to build your workpieces. Every piece you add is a success. You can swap and change workpieces later when you have too many.

Reminder

Barry's Story - my workpieces

I met Barry in London recently. Barry is a student at college, works part-time in a pub, is writing his first novel, selling collectibles on eBay and teaching kids to play football on a Sunday morning.

These are Barry’s workpieces - defined by his needs for short term income (working part-time in the pub and selling collectibles on eBay), longer-term career plans (college course), community spirit and exercise (teaching kids to play football) and plans to put some passive income in place for the longer term (writing a novel).

It is such an understatement to say that Barry is just a student.