Episode 06: Money, money, money
This is the sixth episode of The Life and Times of Mike – Navigating a Scenario 2 workscape
Mike’s got money on his mind, but that’s not the only value he wants to create for himself.
Self unLimited says not to think about Revenue as only money – that there are other things you want to get that have value. I’m going to start with the money, ‘cos that’s what I’m most familiar with.
I’ve got a good wage coming in from the factory job, the house is paid off, and I’ve got my Super. That’s a pretty good situation to be in. So anything I earn from music goes to building up the band and then add to my savings if there’s something left over.
‘Mike and the Side Hustlers’ isn’t about the money. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to be paid for performing – it means something, that someone out there thinks we’re good. But I’ve realised that it means more to me to have started a project I can call my own, to enjoy it, and to find out about myself while I’m doing it.
So if money isn’t the value I’m getting from the side gig, what is? Here’s what I’ve come up with.
- Reputation – getting a new one as someone creative and being inspirational in leading a team of people
- Knowledge & Experience – I’ll know more about the music industry and running a small part time business
- Fun and Joy – I get to do something real with something I love
- Skin-in-the-game/Ownership – This is my thing. I get to own it and shape it.
To get the band started is going to cost money, so I’m investing some of my own (see Episode 5). But it’s not the only thing of value I have that I’ll be contributing:
- Time – 10-15 hours per week (on top of the 40 hours a week I work at the factory)
- Energy and commitment to rehearsing, performing, organising
- Skills – as a musician and performer
- Accountability – as the leader I’m making the scary decisions and carrying the can if anything goes wrong!
Thinking about value like this has got be re-thinking about value in my day-job. Of course, I like to earn money, but that’s not the only thing of value I get from working at the factory.
- Experience – in leading a team; to teach the younger ones
- Learning – get to go on paid courses to get new skills; and support for trying out the band-on-the side
- Belonging – I feel like I’m part of a team and enjoy working alongside most of my colleagues.
And I contribute more than just my Time and Skills, they also get Energy and Loyalty from me.
That’s a pretty good exchange all round. Value, value, value!
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(Amended) Photo by Miroslava on Unsplash