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In my quest for human happiness and fulfillment I read a ton of e-books. I am always on the lookout for something that makes me jump up and say “wow!” Honestly, it doesn’t happen as often as I would like. This morning was different. I saw that Jonathan Fields had updated his Facebook status stating that he was launching CareerRenegade.com, and releasing The Fire Fly Manifesto. I have to admit the very names of both the site and the manifesto were a big draw for me. I kind of like the idea of being a renegade and I have always been fond of manifestos in general. So I just had to go check it out.
Three paragraphs into the manifesto I was pumping my fist, nodding my head vigorously and crying “yes, yes, yes” as I read. I was truly blown away! Jonathan’s words need to be read by as many people as possible in the coming months. People who have already been laid off need to hear his message, and people living in fear of the pink slip need it even more. If you can change the way you view the loss of a job, you can change your life. We are at one of those turning points in history and we can either choose to make some thing wonderful from it or we can cower in fear and get whipped by the winds of change. Thousands and thousands of people are being given the chance to hit the reset button their careers and their lives. The question is how many of them will see the chance for what it really is and dare to become career renegades?
Check out Jonathan’s The Fire Fly Manifesto and let me know what you think. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m off to pre-order Jonathan’s Career Renegade: How to Make a Great Living Doing What You Love
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Melissa,
Thanks so much for this amazing review! I’m so glad you enjoyed the manifesto, it’s great to know that people are reading and getting some value from it. That’s what it’s all about.
Jonathan
Melissa,
I’m glad I stumbled across your site several days ago. I was even more surprised at clicking on the “Wealth” link and finding this (and subsequently following and reading the site). I’ll try to make my story brief (concerning this), so please bear with me. For the last 8 years (since being out of college) I have been in the same “career”, though at different places. The first seven years I was with a good company, and overall I enjoyed what I did, though I had bouts of “I want to do something different.” Then, they relocated out of state and I chose not to move. Several months later I found another job, doing the same thing, but it was what they called “permanent” contract. Again, I thought it was fine, but yearned for something different (at that place, though, I never truly felt comfortable). Then, for no reason at all, I was let go after almost being there a year. (As a side not, but important, this job loss was difficult for me, not only because it was the first time I had been “fired”, but also because my husband and I were 2 weeks ago from closing on our first house.) Not only did I end up losing a job, but we lost the house as well (or rather, we decided to walk away). I wondered why, but tried to remain hopeful that “all things happen for a reason.” Several months ago, I came across something that made me start thinking that maybe I could do this career freelance, but the prospect of doing that scared me, and I didn’t know where I could begin. But I found another job. It was okay, doing the same thing, but the pay was worse than what I began with 8 years ago out of college, and the hours are not great. I thought that I should take it, because it’s better than nothing and so many people out there don’t have jobs, so I should be grateful. I even thought, since I don’t go into work until later in the day, I could use the mornings for researching that freelance thing. Until I realized that this job requires extensive overtime. They expect you to basically live to work.
And I realized through all of this that while I enjoy what I do (and, I think I do it well), I do not enjoy corporate America, office politics and gossip, constant berating of what was done wrong, and very little true appreciation of what was done right, the micromanaging and the continuous increase in work, with decrease in overall pay or benefits.
So, I’m quitting my job to jump into a freelance career wholeheartedly. The money we had saved to put down on a house (the full 20%) will be our cushion as I attempt this. We will try and be frugal, though and try and live off my husband’s humble income, and try not to touch that savings.
But, every once in awhile, I have been having doubts. However, I am grateful for the tender mercies (as a leader in my church calls them) that the Lord provides — little things that many of us would call “happy coincidences” that maybe don’t transform our lives, but at least give us something to smile about. When I came across this post, I thought to myself “This is the reassurance I need.” And I have been getting them. AND support. I told one of my sisters-in-law what I was wanting to do, and she said to go for it, that she had been reading a book about how, in times like this (economic stress) there are many self-made millionaires made.
So thank you, for sharing. It truly has inspired. ^_^
@ Gabby,
As I read this I got chills. I am so glad that you read Jonathan’s manifesto and that it came at such an important time for you. I applaud your decision and it sounds like you are blessed with an amazing family. With them at your side and God walking with you, I know you will succeed. I don’t know what your field is, but I have a ton of contacts. So feel free to email me at melissa@melissathinksoutloud.com and tell me what you are up to. You never know who I might know who can help.
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