Does a “DIY Career” Appeal to You?

While doing research for my client MobileGear.com – a company that was created to support the rise of today’s “mobile” worker – I came across some really interesting websites that inspired today’s post. These sites are about “lifestyle design” and building tiny businesses that allow people to live their ideal life without worrying about the 9 to 5, limited vacation days or living by someone else’s rules.

Corbett Barr, founder of ThinkTraffic.net feels this shift in perspective is a career movement. He calls it the “DIY Career” and the concept took him from Fortune 500 consultant to being his own boss (and making 6-figures to boot). Here’s an excerpt from his e-book “18 Months, 2 Blogs, 6 Figures.”

Here’s what I realized on our trip — relying on permission from other people to build your career is so last century.

Compensation based on facetime, employment practices that favor seniority over competence and hard work, and distribution models based on physical media and back room deals instead of fair artist compensation and consumer preference are all dying.

I decided none of that was for me anymore. Instead, I decided to pursue a “Do-It-Yourself (DIY) career.”

I knew I wanted to achieve the ultimate in flexibility  I wanted a business I could run from anywhere, that I could scale up as needed and take time away from when I wanted to.

Corbett’s concept of a DIY career or “lifestyle design” is a definite parallel to MCG’s mission of helping women “Style their Lives.”

So I have a question for you: does the DIY Career appeal to YOU?

Please leave me a comment explaining WHY it appeals to you and what holds you back from styling your life as a solopreneur.

If you’re not quite sure how you feel about it, check out the 5 lifestyle design sites below, then let me know.

If styling your career via an online business is something you guys are crazy about, then I want to provide more content around the subject. I’ll read each of your comments and your emails (nicole@mscareergirl.com).

• IttyBiz
• Chris Guillebeau
• Adam Baker
• Gary Vaynerchuk – one of my personal heroes.
• Marianne Cantwell