Feeling stuck in your work? Start by learning the life skills that matter for thriving in the 21st-century economy.

In the inaugural episode of the new Life Skills That Matter podcast, we’re going to explain why more and more of us feel stuck in our work. We’re trying to play by the old rules to a new game and it’s not working.

I’m Stephen Warley and I’ve been self-employed for the last 16 years. I was once a reluctant entrepreneur. I created my own work out of necessity and now I could never imagine returning to traditional employment.

When I was laid off on Election Day 2000, I asked myself, “Is there another way to work than the way I was taught?” Turns out there is! There are lots of different ways and possibilities you can’t even imagine!

But first, you need to change your mindset about work by . . .

1) Accepting self-employment as the future of work for the majority of us.

2) Learning the life skills that matter for building businesses in the 21st century.

3) Designing a business model in alignment with your purpose, values, needs, abilities and circumstances by first assessing your most important business resource: yourself.

You know that inner voice begging you to do the work you really want to do? Stop ignoring it!

You might have successfully repressed those feelings about what you really want to do for work, but as the old paradigm of economic security continues to breakdown, those feelings are going to get harder and harder to ignore . . . that’s why I think so many more of us are feeling stuck than ever before.

Stop ignoring those feelings and start exploring them! Get started now!

Life Skills That Matter In This Episode

1) Tell your story.

2) Purge and simplify your life.

3) Practice self-awareness.

4) Build community.

5) Self-direct your learning.

6) Align your habits.

7) Reframe your mindset.

8) Planning.

9) Embrace discomfort.

10) Manage your energy.

How Stephen Works and Thinks

Wake up time: 6am (spring/summer) 7:30am (fall/winter)
Core work habits: 1) engaging community 2) writing 3) researching
Ideal Work Environment: Fun public places like museums, courtyards or hotel lobbies that make me feel like I’m traveling.
Superpower: Getting stuff shipped. Making things happen.
Definition of success: Helping people become self-employed one person at a time.
Self-reflection practice: Writing, meditation and self-talk.
Wants to meet: Leo Babauta
Book recommendation: Linchpin, The End of Jobs and Essentialism
Work purpose: Help people make the transition from employment to self-employment.
Favorite productivity tool: Calendly and LastPass
Unproductive habit: Overextending myself.
90-day goal: Produce 5 more Guides.