24 Things You Can Do TODAY To Create YOUR Power Hustle!

What do you think of when you hear the word “hustle?” Many people see hustling in a negative light. They think that a person who hustles is someone who is dishonest, fast-talking and conniving. What if I told you that the word hustle was first used in the 1800s to describe a person moving aggressively towards success? It defines a person who is clear about their goal to succeed and actively moving towards that goal! Is that you? Are you a hustler? Do you have a clear financial goal outlined that you are committed to achieving? 

The times have changed! Gone are the days where working for a company for 20 years is rewarded with a retirement and gold watch. Now companies will often “downsize” more seasoned employees to be able to hire two or three for the salary of that one. Social Security is a joke and even if it’s around when you are older, do you really want to live off $797 per month? I don’t think you can do very much traveling and enjoying retirement with that. There’s much to complain about, but complaining doesn’t change anything. It’s time for us to get passionate, educated and moving towards creating financial independence!

Psalm 112- 1-3 tells us that the man who fears God and honors his commandments will be blessed with wealth and riches in his home. Why are so many Christians broke? I believe it’s because many believed riches would just happen – like fall out the sky. While I’m fully convinced that God can have someone walk up to me and give me a million dollars, I’m also convinced I can make my own million (and when the other person shows up, I’ll have 2 million)!

Almost 18 months ago I decided I needed to become a hustler (remember that’s a person moving aggressively towards success). My husband has a good job and we live fairly well, but that wasn’t enough for me. I got passionate about leaving a legacy of wealth for my children. I want them to go to school without student loans and to help them purchase their first homes and invest in their business and our current income didn’t make that a reality! I wanted to be a millionaire overnight, but it doesn’t work that way. It takes a plan, a mind shift and ACTION to create wealth so I started with a goal that stretched me but didn’t overwhelm me! My goal was to make an additional $40,000 without having to work 9-5. I wasn’t sure where to start so I decided to try several different avenues to accomplish my goal. By the end of 12 months I had accomplished my goal! It wasn’t easy. I had to be willing to be committed to the outcome but flexible in my approach.

One thing I learned is “opportunity is everywhere.” The more I looked for opportunities to make money the more I found. Not every opportunity I found was for me, but I found enough things that I loved to do until I was able to accomplish my goals. Now over a year in the process I’m learning how to monetize my passion and get paid for doing what I love. I believe everyone can do it!

Even if your goal isn’t to be an entrepreneur, I encourage you to find additional streams of income because the last several years have proved trying for many people. When gas goes up so does everything else and most employers aren’t giving raises to match the speed of gas prices, but you still have options!

Below I’ve listed 24 things you can do TODAY…every item on the list was actually tested (by my friends, clients or myself) so I know they work!

1.     Have a garage sale – I know a couple of people who paid their mortgage doing this – Most people have a bunch of stuff they don’t use. I bet you do too!

2.     Have a private sale, inviting people expressed appreciation for your fashion sense – I had a friend make $300 selling costume jewelry she wasn’t wearing – You can sell shoes, clothes, art, etc. This is an upscale garage sale!

3.     Babysit – you know at least one couple that would like to go out tonight without the kids!

4.     Sell books on Amazon – Especially textbooks – I made $100 in less than 2 hours (check out www.amazon.com for more information)

5.     Sell your gently used items to a consignment store – One of my clients made $150 at one store selling items she was no longer wearing.

6.     Braid or Twist hair (this service is usually in high demand especially if you are GOOD!)

7.     Use your truck to help people move items or pick up items from a store

8.     Use your truck to haul off unwanted items

9.     Sell your cds/dvds – A lot of stores will purchase these items if they are in good condition

10. Sell cookies, cakes or cakepops or other desserts – People love sweets!

11. Sell plates, especially soul food – People love good food and a lot of us hate to cook

12. Prepare someone’s taxes (only if you are qualified)

13. Donate plasma (that would be LAST for me)

14. Provide rides for people who need to run errands (this could become a fulltime business – there is a great need for transportation for the elderly)

15. Do alterations for people – both tall and short people are always looking for a good tailor.

16. Design a t-shirt and sell it (have your customers pre-order and pay) – This is where my company “Conquer Tees was born” check out .www.shunstrickland.com for a few cute and empowering t-shirts!

17. Clean homes

18. Organize closets and/other spaces

19. Sell your gold (make sure you shop around for the best price)

20. Make and sell gift baskets

21. Sell your old phones and electronics

22. Sell handmade items – scarves, quilts, jewelry

23. Be a personal trainer – works better if you are in shape

24. Tutor

I’m sure there are many more ways to make money. Maybe you can’t do all of these, but you can do at least 1! Doing one is a great start! The more you train yourself to look for opportunities to make money outside of a traditional 9-5, the more opportunities you will see. With the money you earn, you could pay off a debt, take a vacation or my favorite – use the money to invest in something that will make even more money. The purpose of this list is to help you see – you have options! You aren’t stuck! You don’t have to wait on your boss to give you a raise or the market to improve. You can improve your own economy, starting TODAY!


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No Envy Allowed – Embrace What Makes You Special

If you’ve read any of my previous posts, I’m sure you know that I believe EVERYONE was born with God given dreams. We are each created with a unique combination of giftings, talents, passion and personality. When properly cultivated we can live a life that honors God, blesses others and gives us personal satisfaction. I’ve encountered many people who believe that following God means the abandonment of all their dreams. And if that dream included being the biggest drug dealer in the United States or a stripper then I would agree because I can assure you God has better dreams than a life of crime or a career that demoralizes women. However, if your dream has the ability to help people live a better life then it’s probably from God. It’s important to recognize that dreams of becoming a doctor, lawyer, musician, rapper, entrepreneur, dancer or teacher can be inspired by the heart of God. God is interested in touching people in every arena and to do that He needs people who love Him and love their jobs to make that happen. For this reason, God puts different dreams in the hearts of different people, but each dream will help fulfill God’s desire to touch humanity. Don’t allow anyone to tell you that your dream isn’t from God, but God.

In Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life” he talks about gift envy and gift projection. Gift envy is when we are jealous of the gifts of another. We wish that we could be like someone else, the same voice, or knack for decorating, but that my friend, is an insult to the creativity of God. According to Psalm 139 we are each fearfully and wonderfully made and God took great care in forming each of us. To prefer another’s giftings over our own is to minimize what God has placed in you. We must remember that there are many gifts, but one Spirit. Each gift matters and has the ability to impact the world in a life changing way. Each person matters to God. Don’t waste time comparing yourself to others. Celebrate who God has made you! Don’t waste your time being envious instead identify and cultivate what God has placed in you to be used to honor Him and impact the world.

Gift projection is the tendency to expect or demand that others are passionate about whatever we are passionate about. I must admit that I’ve been guilty of this on a few occasions especially where my husband is concerned. Have you ever done that? I love to read and to write and I’ve held him hostage quite a few times making him listen to me read something that I considered “life changing.” I’ve FINALLY learned that God wired us differently. We have different interests, passions and abilities. When we use those differences to complement each other then we are left without weaknesses. I don’t have the right to make him passionate about what I’m passionate about. God made us different. The same is true for the Body of Christ and the world at large.  Imagine the world if everyone wanted to be a firefighter, we’d have an abundance of firefighters, but we’d lack in every other area. Who would teach our kids, run our government and feed the hungry? We need to learn to value our gifts and to value the gifts of those around us. We should resist both the urge to be like others and the urge to make others be like us.

I once read a quote that said, “Whenever we choose to live out our full potential, we give those around use permission to do the same.” Can you imagine the problems we could solve if everyone walked in their purpose? Would education be different if every teacher LOVED to teach and taught at the level the best suited his/her personality? If you’ve ever encountered a teacher who loves to teach, you know there’s a big difference in the quality of work he/she does. I’ve had teacher who literally changed my life because of their passion. What if people selected careers based off passion and purpose instead of just for a paycheck? Would there be an increase in productivity and solutions? I believe so because there is great satisfaction in doing what you were born to do.

Here are a few questions to help you gain clarity:

1. What are your gifts and talents?
2. What are you passionate about?
3. Do you believe this passion is from God?
4. How are you using them to impact your world?
5. What steps could you take to make your passion profitable?
6. Who has done what you want to do? Who could serve as a mentor?

Answering these questions is a great place to start, but now you have to act. Where can you start using your gifts immediately? Someone, somewhere is waiting on you!