It was a full page ad. The woman wore funky glasses and an angled, blunt haircut. Her posture, her smile, the sparkle in her eyes emanated a happiness, a confidence, and a freedom I wanted. But none of that is what drew me in. As I flipped through the catalog for the Boston Center for Adult Education that day, what caught my eye was the title of this woman’s course: Making a Living Without A Job. Well, who wouldn’t want to know how to do that?
The course had the same title as her book. A book? You mean there was a whole book on how to make a living without being tied to a soul-sucking 9-5 job? As it turns out, there are quite a few shelves of books on this very topic. On my trip to the bookstore, however, I was on a mission. I picked up Barbara Winter’s first and, as I do with all books before I buy them, I opened to the first page and started reading. I couldn’t stop.
I bought the book, signed up for her course, and wouldn’t be living the life I live today had I not seen that ad over ten years ago. If you dread Monday mornings, don’t have time to do the things you love most, are forced to commute the same time everyone else does, or have to commute at all, I highly recommend checking out Barbara’s Joyfully Jobless web site and book. As far as I can tell, we only get one life. Might was well make it one you enjoy living.
RenaissanceRebecca 
Oh, Rebecca, thank you a million times for your kind words and your earlier message to me. You know I’ve always seen myself as a modern day Johnny Appleseed and, like the original, never know what seeds I’ve planted are going to bear fruit. Now I’m having the fun of watching your current adventure which is totally brilliant.
Your fan,
Barbara
I’m so enjoying your blog entries! I have one question, though. Why not try to find a job that is not “soul-sucking”? You could have the best of both worlds. :O)
Juliet
Hi Juliet –
I should have clarified this post a bit. The author herself says that the title of the book can be a little misleading. It’s not that you don’t have a job at all, but that you find things you enjoy doing and do those. She encourages you to become a “self-bosser” – you dictate what you want to do, when you want to do it, with whom you want to work, and then make it happen. What this usually means is becoming self-employed and having multiple streams of income, all by doing things you want to do. 🙂
I have passed on the information about Barbara’s Joyfully Jobless web site and book to Jason. On his continued quest for a job he enjoys, he will start yet another job on Monday!
I’m sure he’ll enjoy it! And get a lot from it:)