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Occupational Therapy is all about independence. Independence in all areas of our lives and this includes financial independence. The contents of this post deals with a topic that is important for anyone wishing to live their life to the full. That is finding the right path that will enable you to obtain independence.
In a previous post, I mentioned a book I have written about my personal and professional journey with a chronic illness. While writing the book, I wished to use certain quotes from other works. I have met some interesting people in applying for permission. One of them was the then director of the Chofetz Chaim Foundation. Writing this I wonder whether my desire to share about the importance of guarding one’s tongue has provided some blessing to unravelling a journey. Very possibly, in the meantime, join me to meet some incredible role models.
Introducing 5 of my Role Models
After completing writing the manuscript, I began searching for a publisher. Along the journey I thought I had also completed a second book that would help to promote OT. Frustrated with rejection after rejection I turned to the director of the Chofetz Chaim Foundation and he suggested meeting Bob Burg in order to find out about self-publishing.
I am so delighted that I did. Bob Burg has become a friend and role model. From our email interaction he shared about his book Endless Referrals. He also shared about a mindset that he mastered which has helped him to become successful as an author and motivational speaker. I’ve remained in touch with Bob over the years and so delighted that I have. I learn so much from his positive FB posts and inspiring work.
When I moved to Israel, I thought I had a perfect plan. I had mapped out a path to master Hebrew, obtain my license, get work in my field and then gradually develop a private practice. This was all with a view to develop my dream centre. I have been amazed by how many try to dissuade one. By how many will encourage or even force one into minimum wage work. As I strove to find a path that would enable me to obtain the financial independence I require in order to establish my centre, I have come to know several who are my role models. They paint a very different picture to those who promote minimum wage at all costs.
The next one was Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income. I find it so inspiring that after he was retrenched from a good position as an architect, Pat went on to learn and master everything he could about passive income. He teaches every step of the way how to develop not just passive income but smart passive income. Since we had tried to set up an affiliate store without success and dabbled in a few other options too, having someone willing to teach and share all he learns has been wonderful. I very much appreciate the respectful, positive newsletters that he sends out too.
There have been a number of OTs and PTs who have been inspiring too. One who has become a tremendous support is Scott Harmon. Scott is an OT who has a successful private practice and yet gives of himself through his website Start a Therapy Practice, helping other OTs to develop a private practice too. I’m so excited to see that he has also added his Academy. This is something I wish was around when I wanted to get into working privately. These tools help OTs to find the right path to becoming successful private practitioners.
The next profession who has helped drive home the importance of the right focus is a psychologist by the name of Ramit Sethi. Ramit wrote a book I Will Teach You To be Rich. He has a few programs which help one to get from nothing to earning a thousand dollars. This can be on the side or as one’s income. I love Ramit’s very direct approach and the way he so cleverly demonstrates that you cant purchase a house by eliminating cafe latte. This is playing with small money. What a person needs is to aim for earning correctly and this includes more per hour.
A very inspiring role model for me is Bamidele Onibalusi, Bamidele has a website Writers In Charge. I love that concept! Bamidele wanted to find the right means to earn what he needed when he was still a teenager. How I wish there were computers in my day. Well, Bamidele mastered how to earn from freelance writing. Like the others above, he does not keep this to himself, neither does he consider that anyone should earn a minimum wage. A year ago, Bamidele began a challenge to help those who wish to earn from freelance writing to learn what it takes to earn $1000 in 60 days. His newsletters are also so inspiring, respectful and filled with encouraging words and strategies to earn effectively.
Conclusion
Having spent a few years learning from these wonderful, inspiring entrepreneurs, there are a few lessons I wish to highlight. If you wish to gain financial independence, you need to find the right path. Do whatever it takes to search for the right teachers and role models who will help you to learn that you do not have to remain stuck in minimum wage. NO-ONE should ever tell you to be happy struggling. There is another way. It takes work and effort and that comes from developing the right mindset, developing the right map. In order to help you to develop your map you need to set appropriate goals. Next comes setting suitable strategies to help you to reach your goal. All of these details help you to develop the right path that will help you to reach success.
This post is prepared for you by Shoshanah Shear, occupational therapist, healing facilitator, certified infant massage instructor, freelance writer, author of “Healing Your Life Through Activity – An Occupational Therapist’s Story” and co-author of “Tuvia Finds His Freedom“.