You know that saying… when life hands you lemons, make lemonade?

Four years ago, I got handed a big ol’ plate of those lemons, in the form  “corporate acquisition.”  My whole life I’d worked in the world of software and technology, and I was one of the best in the business.   I had a wonderful team and together we built some amazingly innovative products –  and had a blast doing it.

And then my company got bought – not once but twice, and I ended up in a job I didn’t like, working with people I didn’t like, and living in a place that was “just ok.”

When the assembly line stops, and you look around and say, “what the hell am I doing *here*,”  something is wrong. Breaking news:  it ain’t going to fix itself.

I know a thing or two about that sinking feeling that happens when you end up in that place where, as I like to say, life makes your life redundant. It’s that sinking feel that the world has shifted, and it might have shifted without you.

Nobody should have to end up in a scary place like that.  But unfortunately, these situations happen – life can make your life redundant when it decides to do so, often without warning.

• Companies or entire industries change, sometimes closing down completely.
• Families change – kids grow-up and leave home, parents grow old and pass away
• People get bored, retire and freak out, or figure out they’re in the wrong place.

The problem is that in Western culture, we define ourselves by what we do.

We put a tremendous amount of importance on our jobs and professions – often staying in the wrong types of roles because change would be too difficult.  And when you’re in the “wrong place,” it causes friction.  And that friction starts causing mayhem all over the place.  In my case, I developed serious health issues triggered by all that stress.  I know others who have had relationship issues with their family, insomnia, anxiety disorders, and all sorts of other nasty shit.  Not worth it.

But today, because of technology and economic opportunity, it is easier than ever before to build a business around you and your talents.

I went from “that guy on the assembly line” to “that travel guy.”  It wasn’t easy, but every day I am thankful for the opportunity to have built a business, to do something that I enjoy, and be a part of making the world just a little bit of a better place. Today I own a successful travel magazine, run a smart tourism marketing company, and own a few other web-related businesses and sites.

To me, entrepreneurship is the answer to taking back control of your life.

If you work for yourself, you get to call the shots.  You take all the risk, but you reap all the juicy reward too.  It isn’t for everybody, but for many people, in this day and age, it certainly is the best option.  It is a hell of a lot better than letting a faceless corporation beat you down, and at the end of the day decide when they’re done with you.

Aren’t you ready to leave your life of redundancy behind and build something new for yourself?

Life can be a little disorientating. Maybe even a touch scary.  But I ask you: what have you got to lose? Take that next step.  Take action.  I’ve got your back.