4 Ways to EARN MORE MONEY While WORKING LESS

Next year will mark 10 full years that I have been self-employed. That's a decade without a boss, without a dress code, without waking up to an alarm clock, and without asking permission to take a day off. Many people are drawn to entrepreneurship for what I consider shallow reasons, such as a perceived sense of prestige or the delusion of making millions passively. However, my motivations have always been simpler. I've only ever had three goals: never having to wake up early, never answering someone else, and working fewer hours.

My first goal was to avoid waking up early. I'm not a morning person; sleep is my top priority, and I never wanted to compromise that for a paycheck. The second goal was to avoid answering someone else. I dislike following arbitrary rules without logic or reason, so being my own boss allowed me to make all the decisions. The third goal was to work less. At my last traditional job, I earned $13 an hour, working 40 hours a week, which amounted to about $25,000 a year. I hated that job, was always sleep-deprived, and felt underpaid for the number of hours I worked. Thus, my aim was to earn a full-time income while working part-time hours.

Over the years, I have discovered ways to achieve these goals. One strategy is to double your hourly wage, which might sound difficult but is often achievable by seeking higher-paying positions or acquiring new skills. Another effective method is freelancing or self-employment, especially in trades, design, consulting, web development, or bookkeeping. By cutting out the employer, who acts as a middleman, you can charge significantly higher rates for your services.

Leveraging technology is another critical tactic. Tools and software can automate mundane tasks, freeing up time to focus on more important aspects of your work. For example, I use a Chrome extension called Magical, which saves me hours by automating email responses and data entry. This kind of efficiency allows me to focus on revenue-generating activities or simply enjoy more free time.

The 80/20 rule, or Pareto's Principle, is also vital. It states that 80% of outcomes come from 20% of efforts. By identifying and focusing on the most productive tasks, I have minimized time spent on less important activities. For instance, I used to offer unlimited lifetime support to clients, but this led to a small percentage of clients exploiting this offer. By discontinuing this service, I freed up significant time without impacting my bottom line.

Outsourcing tasks that can't be automated or eliminated is another useful strategy. Hiring specialists for specific tasks can increase overall productivity and income by allowing you to focus on what you do best. For example, outsourcing digital marketing or photography can free up your time to concentrate on core business activities that generate more revenue.

My journey began with the realization that my life had become a cycle of work, sleep, and chores, leaving no time for hobbies or personal enjoyment. This realization pushed me to find a better way to live, which I achieved through strategic thinking and smart working methods. Reducing my work hours allowed me to rediscover hobbies and create new ones, such as this YouTube channel.

These strategies are not limited to the self-employed. Employees can also improve their income and life quality by thinking creatively and strategically. However, self-employment offers a unique advantage as your income is tied to results rather than hours worked, opening up more possibilities for a balanced life.

In conclusion, the idea that more work equates to being a better person is a misconception. Instead, working smarter, not harder, ensures that your job remains a means to an end, providing a life rather than becoming your life. Remember, work is just one part of your life, and it's crucial to maintain a balance that allows you to enjoy other aspects as well.