When I first quit my job, I used to dread that question. Now, I love it.
When I first overcame my Just Over Broke (JOB) condition (e.g. I quit my JOB!) back in July 2009, I used to stumble pretty badly when asked this question.
“Uh, hmmm, let’s see.” Is how I’d normally start. Then I’d continue on with something like, “Oh, I’m working on lots of things. Keeping really busy. Doing things I never had time for when I had a job.”
“Like what?” They’d invariably ask.
“Oh, I’ve created a blog and a website. Two things I never seemed to have time for when I had a job. I’m writing about my property investments.” I would explain with as much authority as I could muster.
And, every time I could see the doubting look in their eyes as they thought to themselves, “I wonder how long this guys gonna last without a job?”
And, I have to admit, I wondered the same thing. What was I doing? Throwing away a big fat – high paying, benefits laden – job. Who in their right mind would do that?
I was on shaky ground. Been in the JOB too long. I was afraid I had become institutionalized.
I can think of one word to summarize this condition – SCARY! No, make it two words – VERY SCARY!
I had doubts about my decision to quit; serious doubts. I was fearful that I’d made another big mistake. But, what did General Patton say, “Never take council of your fears!” So, I listened to General Patton’s advice.
And, overtime, guess what happened? That’s right – I overcame the doubts. I knew getting out of the JOB was the right thing to do. When you know something’s right – you know it. You don’t need a committee to tell you. You just know it in your heart; in your gut. And, now, over a year and a half later, the doubts have all disappeared. My biggest regret is not quiting sooner!
So, what do you do?
Now, I love getting asked this question.
What folks are really asking me is “What do you do to make a living; to make money?” So, when I used to answer with my “website/blog”, “I’m busy doing all kinds of neat stuff”, they were very doubtful. None of these activities are money makers (yet!). So, to them, I wasn’t answering the question. They really wanted to know what I did to make money now that I no longer had a JOB.
They were looking for answers like …
- “I’m working as a independent contractor for a fortune 500 company.”
- “I landed a JOB with the state government in the contracts division. I oversee contracts worth millions.”
- “I’m working with an investment firm out of Adelaide as the regional representative.”
When they didn’t hear it, they more or less tuned out. My in-depth explanation of how I was working on things I enjoyed but didn’t make any money seemed ridiculous to them; didn’t make any sense. I’d get to the third sentence of my explanation and their eyes would start to glaze over in disbelief. The message they were sending out was clear, “Not interested.”
I began searching for a better response.
Finally, after getting adjusted to my new lifestyle (and it did take some getting used to after being in JOB jail all these years!), I somehow stumbled onto my favorite answer to this most often asked question.
The more I thought about what folks were asking, the more the correct answer became clear. Or should I say, the answer that would satisfy them became clear.
The answer is so easy, so simple, so basic. And, so I started using it. And, much to my surprise, it worked. It gives my questioner the answer they’re seeking and I usually get an added bonus; a nice chuckle out of my listeners response. They’re invariably thrown off by the simple answer. They don’t know how to respond; and I enjoy watching their reaction.
So, now, when I’m asked the question, “So, what do you do?” I answer as follows:
First, I gently smile and say, “Well, let’s see, I don’t really do anything. Yeah, that’s it, I do nothing.”
Then, after they get over the initial surprise, they’ll respond with something like, “What do you mean you do nothing?”
“Well, I call myself a property investor, but let’s face it, what does a property investor do? Nothing really.”
By this time my interrogator is smiling and it’s not unusual to hear a response like, “I would love to do what you’re doing.” Or, “That’s what I want to do.” Or, “That’s my goal, to become a property investor full time.”
From there the conversation usually picks up and I’ve made a new friend.
When someone asks you, “So, what do you do?” How do you answer?