| We have all heard some version of the old saying, | | | | Immediately he saw the opportunity, maybe, |
| "find something you enjoy doing and make your living | | | | hopefully, to add a feature to improve the |
| in that field". For most people that would seem to be | | | | performance of his boat in races based on these |
| easier said than done. Millions of these working Jane's | | | | bird's wing angles. He took the boat to berth and |
| and Joe's go to employment that is not physically, | | | | rushed to his home workshop. |
| psychologically or financially particularly rewarding. | | | | It took months of tinkering, testing, fitting and |
| They toil to earn a basic living and count the days | | | | retro-fitting before Carlos perfected a design for a |
| until Friday, Holidays and vacations. | | | | stabilizing wing that could be easily attached to the |
| Clients, students and entrepreneurs often ask me | | | | hull of his boat. Finally the day was at hand when he |
| how to they can find a career that is fulfilling, exciting | | | | would test the wing in a regatta. His result was |
| and lucrative. I do not believe there is a road map | | | | stunning. He came first and won Best in Class with his |
| that one can follow to workplace happiness. | | | | newly enhanced Morgan. He had never experienced |
| However, I do know this; the happiest people I | | | | such speed. |
| know are self-employed, own small businesses or are | | | | Initially, Carlos was happy just to enjoy the additional |
| extremely entrepreneurial. Often the basis for their | | | | speed and stability in rough water that his wing |
| success is that they are providing others with a | | | | provided. However, one day he invited a friend |
| product or service that they themselves created to | | | | aboard. The friend knew sailing and was amazed and |
| satisfy a need in their life. | | | | thrilled by the performance he experienced on the |
| Here is an example of a fellow that is doing exactly | | | | day sail on the Morgan. He began to nag Carlos about |
| what he wants, in the environment in which he is | | | | taking the product he had created to market. |
| happiest and earning a lucrative income to support his | | | | This was when we met Carlos. He had a production |
| family and a number of social services to which he is | | | | quality prototype and 3D CAD art for his perfected |
| committed. Several years ago, a Spanish accountant | | | | stabilizer wing and wanted to market the product. He |
| (that is exciting work) was introduced to my | | | | made all of the right moves in choosing a |
| marketing consulting firm. Carlos lived on the Costa | | | | manufacturer, customizing a marketing strategy |
| del Sol in Andalusia and his passion was sailing. He hit | | | | utilizing a guerrilla strategy, building a realistic business |
| the sea almost every day after work in his Morgan | | | | plan and test marketing the product. |
| Cutter and spent almost every weekend and holiday | | | | The product was initially demonstrated at sailing |
| on his boat. Carlos often sailed to Morocco, across | | | | regattas on the Mediterranean and Atlantic costs of |
| the busy and treacherous Strait of Gibraltar. | | | | Spain. Orders started to come as word of mouth |
| For many years Carlos was an active contestant in | | | | about the product spread from racer to racer. Soon |
| sailing regattas (races). He loved the speed, the | | | | Carlos had a choice to make: concentrate on selling |
| freedom and the competition. Like most sportsmen | | | | his product or continue with his number career as an |
| that pursue speed he was always looking for an | | | | accountant. Easy choice! |
| edge to wrench more speed from his Morgan. He | | | | Today Carlos life is centered on sailing to marina's, |
| raced the boat with as much weight removed from | | | | ships chandlery's and regattas in Spain and France to |
| the hull as he could safely risk. He bought specialized | | | | demonstrate and sell his wing. He is making as much |
| sails and endlessly practiced his tacking skills. The | | | | money as he made as an accountant and is having a |
| faster the boat cut through the waves the faster | | | | whole bunch more fun tacking his boat than punching |
| Carlos wanted her to go. | | | | a calculator. |
| One morning while sitting on the deck of the Morgan, | | | | This is only one anecdotal example of "making your |
| sipping Spanish Espresso, dark and thick, he observed | | | | living doing what you love". We believe that more |
| a flock of birds gliding overhead. He began to process | | | | people could enjoy similar success and happiness by |
| the sight of the graceful birds whisking by, actually | | | | seizing opportunities available in their personal |
| bursting into the wind. | | | | universe. It is a realistic goal for most! |