We’ve all heard the saying that the best things in life are free and money can’t buy happiness. While that may be true, we still have bills to pay and rent to cover.
The key is to find a way to make a living doing something you truly enjoy. And let’s face it, a traditional nine-to-five job might not be the answer for everyone.
That’s where this blog comes in. Instead of presenting you with a typical business plan, we’ll offer a fresh perspective for those creative thinkers who want to break free from the daily grind and pursue something more thrilling, all while maintaining financial stability.
Created by entrepreneur Danny Schuman and enriched with practical advice from over 100 successful self-starters, this business model could be just what you need. Start implementing it today, and who knows where you’ll find yourself tomorrow. The possibilities are endless.
UDOT: Where Passion Meets Profit—Why It Matters
Imagine a workday where you’re stuck in an office, watching the clock tick by, and desperately waiting for it to end. We’ve all been there, right? Well, imagine instead earning money by doing something you absolutely love. That’s where Us Doing Our Thing (UDOT) comes into play. It’s an entrepreneurship model that adds structure to pursuing your passions and allows you to figure things out as you go.
UDOT entrepreneurs, also known as UDOTs, work for themselves rather than having a boss. They focus on what they’re good at and what truly excites them. Sounds pretty amazing, doesn’t it? But here’s the catch: UDOTs aren’t particularly skilled when it comes to the logistical and technical aspects of running a business.
This poses a problem because success partly relies on these foundational elements. After all, a business won’t make it if it can’t establish a website or comply with laws and regulations. However, UDOTs either don’t care about these things or simply struggle with them. They prefer to figure things out on the go.
If this sounds familiar, then you’re in the right place. Think of these insights as the business side of your own venture—the essential elements that support the fun stuff. The UDOT style of entrepreneurship may sound like the worst business model ever due to its chaotic nature, but it also brings great rewards.
Sure, it doesn’t align with the traditional idea of meticulously planning and minimizing risks at every turn. It’s not solely about making as much money as possible either. What UDOT is all about is embracing the present moment, being adaptable, and defining your own version of success.
Of course, you still need to earn enough money to live well, but as your parents probably taught you, money can’t buy happiness. Nothing nourishes the soul quite like freedom, and that’s what UDOTs value the most—the opportunity to explore thrilling new possibilities and never be bored.
It may involve project-based work and some financial uncertainty, but the benefits are worthwhile. What are those benefits, you ask? Well, they include having the freedom to choose when and where you work, spending more time with your loved ones, pursuing your passions, and having the ability to turn down projects that don’t resonate with you.
In a nutshell, Us Doing Our Thing makes entrepreneurship a more human and approachable journey, allowing you to live life on your own terms while doing what you love.
Pricing Your Work and Embracing Self-Trust
Starting out as an entrepreneur can be tough, especially when it comes to writing proposals and determining your pricing. It’s easy to underestimate the value of your work and charge less than you deserve.
But here’s the thing: you need to trust yourself and have faith in the worth of your work. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but charging what you truly deserve is essential. If you undervalue yourself, you won’t earn the money that matches the quality of your work.
So here’s a helpful tip: ask yourself what you believe is a fair price and then double it. Don’t be afraid, even if your client is a friend. If they feel it’s too much, you can have a discussion and find a compromise.
Believe it or not, charging more actually makes people value your work more. When they pay a decent amount, they assume you’re worth it, and that motivates you to deliver even better results.
However, self-trust isn’t only about the financial aspect. To truly trust yourself, you need to create an inspiring narrative that propels you towards your goals.
Avoid falling into the trap of feeling sorry for yourself; it’s difficult to escape once you’re caught in it. Don’t start believing that the world is against you when it isn’t.
Instead, when things get tough, remind yourself of a time when you achieved great success. Recall a previous project that impressed your clients, where everything went smoothly, and everyone was delighted with the outcome. Use this memory as a reminder of your capabilities whenever you’re tempted to dwell on a sad story.
So, trust yourself, charge what you’re worth, and tell yourself an empowering tale of your past triumphs.
The Importance of Helping Each Other as Entrepreneurs
Believe that the world wants you to succeed! If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur with great ideas, you might wonder who can help you bring them to life.
To succeed, you must learn to trust the world around you. This means overcoming the fear of sharing your time and ideas with others.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “You reap what you sow.” Well, life works that way. Whatever you give, you can expect to receive in return, and even more.
When you have knowledge that can help others, think about the positive impact you can make by sharing it. Imagine assisting fellow entrepreneurs in building websites, avoiding financial and legal pitfalls, or creating invoices.
Danny Schuman is an entrepreneur who has experienced this firsthand. When he lost his job at an agency, he sought help from other professionals to get back on his feet and start his own business. They generously shared their advice and insights over countless dinners.
He realized that people can be incredibly generous with their time and wisdom. Since then, he has made it a point to help young entrepreneurs who are struggling to find their way.
Trusting the world also means having faith that the next opportunity is just around the corner.
As an entrepreneur, financial uncertainty is something you’ll have to get used to. Your funds will eventually run out. However, there’s always another opportunity waiting for you.
The key is to keep believing that it will come your way soon.
Danny experienced this too. His marketing company, Twist, failed after only six months due to a lack of funding.
Although it was a tough setback, there was a silver lining: he had time to return to his passion for writing. After sharing his experiences through blog posts, one of his readers reached out and offered him a project. That project sustained him and gave him the motivation to move forward. Before long, his business was thriving again!
Remember, having faith doesn’t mean being passive. When you need work, don’t hesitate to let everyone know about your situation. Utilize social media, reach out to friends and colleagues—keep those communication channels open.
How Clients Shape Your Success
You might be on your own, but that doesn’t mean you’re alone. Remember, it’s important to be generous and share what you have.
UDOTs (people who genuinely love their clients) see things differently. They believe that loving your clients means you’ll never be alone in your business.
Building strong relationships with clients is rewarding both financially and emotionally for UDOTs. It’s not just about money, but about having mutual trust.
Danny grew his business by taking potential clients out to lunch and hoping they would give him work. Even after years, these clients are still the core of his company and provide regular gigs.
Small business owners understand this well. Most of their earnings come from repeat customers. But it’s not enough to simply appreciate them – you also need to show it.
Even small gestures can make a big difference. Sending loyal customers notes or articles that might interest them goes a long way. Giving them small gifts on holidays or special occasions is also impactful.
Loyalty is rewarding in itself. If you stay true to your business partners, you’ll never be alone.
Whether it’s an IT specialist helping you build an app or your hairdresser, every relationship can be beneficial in its own unique way.
These are the people who are most likely to go above and beyond to help you meet tight deadlines or accommodate you on busy days.
Simple Strategies to Jumpstart Your Business
Get up and start taking action by cutting down on time wasted in meetings and jotting down ideas before they slip away. Let’s explore two simple ways to save time and kickstart your business.
Believe it or not, one effective approach is to skip the extensive preparation for meetings. Many entrepreneurs spend hours studying and researching their clients before a meeting. However, UDOTs (entrepreneurs who follow the UDOT entrepreneurship model) have a different, more efficient strategy: active listening.
For instance, Danny spends no more than five or ten minutes preparing for a meeting with a potential client. This short amount of time allows for a quick look at basic information. Some might argue that this is being underprepared, but Danny sees it differently. By avoiding the time-consuming groundwork, he enters meetings with an open mind.
This approach enables him to actively listen to the other person and demonstrate attentiveness by asking relevant questions. Actively listening is an effective technique because it helps you understand people’s real problems and what excites them. Not only does it save time, but it also enhances your ability to acquire new clients. Think about it from the clients’ perspective: who would be more helpful, someone who brings assumptions based on extensive research or someone who truly listens and understands their needs?
Here’s another valuable tip: Whenever important thoughts or ideas come to mind, write them down immediately. We’ve all experienced those frustrating moments when a brilliant idea pops up, but then a distraction derails our train of thought, and the idea vanishes.
Perhaps you’ve encountered this situation: you wake up in the middle of the night with a dream-inspired solution to a problem. Instead of jotting it down, you go back to sleep, convinced that you won’t forget it. But by morning, the idea has vanished into thin air.
To prevent losing your valuable ideas, make it a habit to write them down as soon as they occur. Consider it an autosave function that safeguards your important work. You can choose to keep it old school with pen and paper or embrace modern technology using tools like Apple Notes or QuickVoice Pro. The key is to record your ideas before they slip away!
Balancing Work, Play, and Personal Growth
Embrace the joy of life by prioritizing activities you love and constantly exploring new things. You’ve probably heard countless times that working hard is the only path to success. While there is truth in that, there’s an important element missing: playtime.
Allowing yourself to take breaks and engage in playful activities actually enhances your creativity. It’s essential to carve out time and space for this to happen.
This can be as simple as taking your dog for a leisurely walk, playing a musical instrument, watching TV, or even daydreaming. Let your mind wander, and you’ll be surprised at how often inspiration strikes!
For a more adventurous approach, consider following the lead of Kate Kimmerle, the CEO of Revolution Beauty. When she runs out of ideas, she boards a plane to a vacation spot with just a notepad, waiting for that “aha” moment.
Another inspiring example is author Gretchen Rubin, who took an entire year off to discover what would bring her greater happiness. Her experience led her to write a book called The Happiness Project.
Expanding your horizons and learning new skills are just as important as playtime. It means challenging yourself and stepping out of your comfort zone occasionally. Yes, it might feel uncomfortable, but that discomfort is a sign of personal growth.
The rewards are immensely fulfilling. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of acquiring new knowledge. Push through the initial discomfort, and you’ll emerge on the other side feeling more self-assured and ready to conquer the world.
In conclusion, entrepreneurship comes in various styles, unique to each individual. You can choose to prioritize chasing money or focus on doing what you love while generating ideas to solve problems. Succeeding in this journey requires self-trust, trust in the world, nurturing strong relationships, and staying open to inspiration. Approaching your venture with a positive mindset can lead to numerous opportunities knocking on your door.
Inspired by a book “The Worst Business Model in the World”; Danny Schuman