48 Days to the Work You Love Internet Radio Show

1.  I am miserable at my job because I am on salary and working 60-70 hrs a week and not much time for anything else.  I would love to just quit my job and go pursue my dreams, but I do have a wife and 3 children that I dearly love and need to take care of.   

2.  I wonder, is it too late for me? Is it too late for me to go to school and learn the things I always wanted to do? I don’t know, I feel like I’m too old. It seems like everybody around me knows what they want to do except me. I’m very frustrated. I’m ready for change. I just don’t know what to do.

3.  I am a 60 year old woman; I found out last year I have muscular dystrophy.  My question is in regard to two student loans I took out about 6-7 years ago.  I was trying to get a Master's degree to obtain an easier job that paid well. This is not going to happen. In light of my health condition and financial situation, is there any way to get a student loan forgiveness? 

4.  In one of your books you intrigued me by the prediction that there may be more jobs in the future for "people whisperers."  Obviously we don't see the term "people whisperer" in job listings, so could you tell me some types of jobs/positions that require this skill?  What type of personality do they have?  What skills are essential?  What passions might a people whisperer have?

5.  A few years ago, a friend shared with me an idea she had for a cooking product.  She asked me to sign a non-disclosure agreement, which I gladly did.  All these years later, I know for a fact that she didn’t end up taking her product idea anywhere, and I think it has real potential.  Is there a ‘statute of limitations’ on the document I signed, and more importantly, is it ethically wrong for me to try to get this product to market without my friend’s blessing? I don’t want to make enemies, but I do want to make some money!

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1.  How do I answer questions about my current salary on online company job applications?  I know you recommend putting off answering what my salary expectations are for the position being interviewed until the right time, but didn’t know how to answer if they outright asked about my current salary. 

2.  Quick question, in the book 48 Days to the Work You Love, it mentions sending an introduction letter and a cover letter. What’s the difference? 

3.  I have had five great jobs in the past 10 years and have been laid off from all of them due to downsizings, buyouts/takeovers, reorganizations, and company bankruptcies. I am completely exhausted by all the job searches I have had to do, and I feel that the next job I get will not last anyway.  What can I do to have a better attitude toward the job search and toward my future employer?  I am a good employee and get great performance reviews, but the companies that hire me keep going under!

4.  A prominent health expert recently asked me to read his new book and give an endorsement.  Unfortunately, I am about half-way through the book and, well, it is not good.  He goes too far into unproven techniques and methods that I do not agree with.  I would love for my name to be associated with his but I'm not sure how to handle the endorsement.  I don't agree with what he has written and don't feel it is best for patients.  

5.  Can you suggest some reasons to put in a cover letter and use in an interview about why I'm leaving my current position? I've read that you should never bad-mouth your current/former employer. 

6.  Dan what I love to do is evangelize. I go to the streets pass out tracts, preach, talk with people, feed the homeless and pray with people. Only problem is that I have no income from this but would like some. How can I use this passion to create one?

1.  How do I answer questions about my current salary on online company job applications?  I know you recommend putting off answering what my salary expectations are for the position being interviewed until the right time, but didn’t know how to answer if they outright asked about my current salary. 

2.  Quick question, in the book 48 Days to the Work You Love, it mentions sending an introduction letter and a cover letter. What’s the difference? 

3.  I have had five great jobs in the past 10 years and have been laid off from all of them due to downsizings, buyouts/takeovers, reorganizations, and company bankruptcies. I am completely exhausted by all the job searches I have had to do, and I feel that the next job I get will not last anyway.  What can I do to have a better attitude toward the job search and toward my future employer?  I am a good employee and get great performance reviews, but the companies that hire me keep going under!

4.  A prominent health expert recently asked me to read his new book and give an endorsement.  Unfortunately, I am about half-way through the book and, well, it is not good.  He goes too far into unproven techniques and methods that I do not agree with.  I would love for my name to be associated with his but I'm not sure how to handle the endorsement.  I don't agree with what he has written and don't feel it is best for patients.  

5.  Can you suggest some reasons to put in a cover letter and use in an interview about why I'm leaving my current position? I've read that you should never bad-mouth your current/former employer. 

6.  Dan what I love to do is evangelize. I go to the streets pass out tracts, preach, talk with people, feed the homeless and pray with people. Only problem is that I have no income from this but would like some. How can I use this passion to create one?

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I begin by talking about - How much should we give away to help the less fortunate?

1. I appreciate my job and all it affords me but I want to work where my gifts will be used best. Not to mention, I do not know how much longer I will be able to be employed doing less and less work (I make a little more than 50k). I thought about being a social studies teacher or a social worker but the pay is a little more than half of what I make now. Also, I love design and decorating but what do I do with that?? I would hate to lose the almost eight years I have put towards a "federal" retirement, but something has got to give.

2. Do you have any helpful advice on how the mental aspect of a person relates to their ability to focus on a task in respect to industrial safety and what can be done to enable a person to mentally work through those difficult situations while at work?

3. By some measures, my wife of 25 years & I have a dream life. We have two loving, bright, and successful daughters and a supportive family. We have our health, a lovely home, and a combined 6-figure income. Our current jobs, especially my wife's, are largely unrewarding other than the pay. Neither of us has a college degree, and both are fearful of making a major career change. We both feel we are trapped, and wearing "golden handcuffs". I know there is a better way...a way that helps us to have meaning as well as an income. My wife is not so sure...she is at wits end. I purchased the 48 Days system, but can't even get her to look at it. She is in a total victim state (I am not too far off of it myself), and I've been unsuccessful in helping her out of it.

4. Love your show. A recurring theme are Christians who seem paralyzed and unable to take action as they wait for God's will or some kind of sign from God. I think I have been in this situation as well. I found this Frederick Douglass quotation very helpful. He of course was enslaved at the time.

"I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs."
Frederick Douglass

5. Hi Dan, my wife is 5 months pregnant and has quit working, due to some issues with back pain. She currently stays at home and is bored out of her mind! She wants to work, but thinks that no one will hire her because she is pregnant. Is this true? Her only work experience is in the fast food industry, and she feels this limits her opportunities. Are there any legitimate work at home opportunities here?

I begin by talking about - How much should we give away to help the less fortunate?

1. I appreciate my job and all it affords me but I want to work where my gifts will be used best. Not to mention, I do not know how much longer I will be able to be employed doing less and less work (I make a little more than 50k). I thought about being a social studies teacher or a social worker but the pay is a little more than half of what I make now. Also, I love design and decorating but what do I do with that?? I would hate to lose the almost eight years I have put towards a "federal" retirement, but something has got to give.

2. Do you have any helpful advice on how the mental aspect of a person relates to their ability to focus on a task in respect to industrial safety and what can be done to enable a person to mentally work through those difficult situations while at work?

3. By some measures, my wife of 25 years & I have a dream life. We have two loving, bright, and successful daughters and a supportive family. We have our health, a lovely home, and a combined 6-figure income. Our current jobs, especially my wife's, are largely unrewarding other than the pay. Neither of us has a college degree, and both are fearful of making a major career change. We both feel we are trapped, and wearing "golden handcuffs". I know there is a better way...a way that helps us to have meaning as well as an income. My wife is not so sure...she is at wits end. I purchased the 48 Days system, but can't even get her to look at it. She is in a total victim state (I am not too far off of it myself), and I've been unsuccessful in helping her out of it.

4. Love your show. A recurring theme are Christians who seem paralyzed and unable to take action as they wait for God's will or some kind of sign from God. I think I have been in this situation as well. I found this Frederick Douglass quotation very helpful. He of course was enslaved at the time.

"I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs." Frederick Douglass

5. Hi Dan, my wife is 5 months pregnant and has quit working, due to some issues with back pain. She currently stays at home and is bored out of her mind! She wants to work, but thinks that no one will hire her because she is pregnant. Is this true? Her only work experience is in the fast food industry, and she feels this limits her opportunities. Are there any legitimate work at home opportunities here?

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1. Dan - I had an ethical question that I would like your opinion on... I had an idea for a new business. In doing some initial Internet research, I came across a franchise opportunity that was very similar to my idea. I now feel conflicted about starting a business so similar to the franchise opportunity (both from an ethical perspective, and certainly from a legal perspective). I'm not asking for a legal opinion from you, but would be interested in your thoughts on the ethics side of this dilemma.

2. Hi Dan. I've often entertained the idea of writing a book, and feel that it would not only be fun, but a good source of additional income should it become successful. However I'm just not sure where to start or if anyone would even be interested about what I have to say. Do you get that a lot? I'm curious about what are some of the topics that your fans choose to write about.

3. I took out $150,000.00 to go to a top 15 law school and pursue what I thought would be a fulfilling career. The only job I got offered in the city in which I wanted to live was for a different area of law than what I wanted to practice. It was also not for great money, but I took the job anyway just to be employed. I've paid off about $50k on my loans, but I'm miserable in my job. After a lot of soul searching, I want to do something with my interest in history (I have a BA in history), preferably in a museum. I'm terrified of making another mistake in my career planning, but I'm also scared I'm going to have a nervous breakdown if I stay in my current field for much longer. Any advice?

4. My passion is farming, which, as you know, is typically a high capital, low return business. My wife and I recently built a home on some acreage and I am working toward developing a farming operation. I now often find myself thinking that the only way forward is to sell the house to free up capital for the farming operation. I am not a fan of this sort of one track thinking, but need help in breaking the thought cycle that leads me to that conclusion. What are some practical steps I can take to open my mind to the other options are available to me?

5. I’ve brainstormed ideas for a service I could provide with a “unique selling proposition” that would 1) allow me to be outdoors, 2) be something I’m passionate about and competent in and 3) be just different enough from what's already out there. I thought about using my lawn mowing expertise and coupling it with the current trend of environmentally-conscious goods and services: my idea is for a lawn mowing service that uses only a reel-type lawn mower, as opposed to a mower powered by a gas engine. The unique selling proposition of this service is three-fold: 1) reel mowers are “green” in that no fuel is used, 2) reel mowers are quiet since there’s no engine noise and 3) reel mowers provide a better cut, as they “slice” the grass instead of ripping it. do you think this type of service offers enough of a unique selling proposition to differentiate it from the dozens of other lawn mowing services that are in my community?

6. I have been kicking around an idea for a TV show that is clean funny,fun to watch and partake in and will be a win win for all involved. I am interested in using the idea for charity fund raising but not sure where to start. I am from the UK and live in Nicaragua with my family where we are building a bilingual Christian school from scratch.

7. Today I saw several references talking about 'praying with your legs'. If this statement has been mentioned before or in your 48 days packet (which I also have) forgive me but I don't know what it means.

1. Dan - I had an ethical question that I would like your opinion on... I had an idea for a new business. In doing some initial Internet research, I came across a franchise opportunity that was very similar to my idea. I now feel conflicted about starting a business so similar to the franchise opportunity (both from an ethical perspective, and certainly from a legal perspective). I'm not asking for a legal opinion from you, but would be interested in your thoughts on the ethics side of this dilemma.

2. Hi Dan. I've often entertained the idea of writing a book, and feel that it would not only be fun, but a good source of additional income should it become successful. However I'm just not sure where to start or if anyone would even be interested about what I have to say. Do you get that a lot? I'm curious about what are some of the topics that your fans choose to write about.

3. I took out $150,000.00 to go to a top 15 law school and pursue what I thought would be a fulfilling career. The only job I got offered in the city in which I wanted to live was for a different area of law than what I wanted to practice. It was also not for great money, but I took the job anyway just to be employed. I've paid off about $50k on my loans, but I'm miserable in my job. After a lot of soul searching, I want to do something with my interest in history (I have a BA in history), preferably in a museum. I'm terrified of making another mistake in my career planning, but I'm also scared I'm going to have a nervous breakdown if I stay in my current field for much longer. Any advice?

4. My passion is farming, which, as you know, is typically a high capital, low return business. My wife and I recently built a home on some acreage and I am working toward developing a farming operation. I now often find myself thinking that the only way forward is to sell the house to free up capital for the farming operation. I am not a fan of this sort of one track thinking, but need help in breaking the thought cycle that leads me to that conclusion. What are some practical steps I can take to open my mind to the other options are available to me?

5. I’ve brainstormed ideas for a service I could provide with a “unique selling proposition” that would 1) allow me to be outdoors, 2) be something I’m passionate about and competent in and 3) be just different enough from what's already out there. I thought about using my lawn mowing expertise and coupling it with the current trend of environmentally-conscious goods and services: my idea is for a lawn mowing service that uses only a reel-type lawn mower, as opposed to a mower powered by a gas engine. The unique selling proposition of this service is three-fold: 1) reel mowers are “green” in that no fuel is used, 2) reel mowers are quiet since there’s no engine noise and 3) reel mowers provide a better cut, as they “slice” the grass instead of ripping it. do you think this type of service offers enough of a unique selling proposition to differentiate it from the dozens of other lawn mowing services that are in my community?

6. I have been kicking around an idea for a TV show that is clean funny,fun to watch and partake in and will be a win win for all involved. I am interested in using the idea for charity fund raising but not sure where to start. I am from the UK and live in Nicaragua with my family where we are building a bilingual Christian school from scratch.

7. Today I saw several references talking about 'praying with your legs'. If this statement has been mentioned before or in your 48 days packet (which I also have) forgive me but I don't know what it means.

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1. I was laid off after almost 25 years of service, last October. I received six months of severance and outplacement services. I am excited and scared at the same time, as I will be trying to make up a six figure salary and benefits.

2. I consider myself one of the lucky few in that I absolutely love my job. I work as a teacher's assistant in a special needs classroom. My problem is that it doesn't pay very well. I am a writer, and am desperately seeking ways to write from home and supplement what I get from the school.

3. Is there a good way to make money being an amateur photographer?

4. I want to start an Internet service business. Do you think it would be viable to create a smaller but more focused eLance-like website exclusively for art, and take a small fee for each commission sale generated?

5. I am currently a bather at Petsmart which leads to becoming a groomer. The schooling is paid for as long as you stay with the company for at least 2 years. Otherwise, you refund them $4000. My question is, I've been working over a week in this job now and I do not feel a spark or a sense of excitement. I don't even like dogs licking me!

1. I was laid off after almost 25 years of service, last October. I received six months of severance and outplacement services. I am excited and scared at the same time, as I will be trying to make up a six figure salary and benefits.

2. I consider myself one of the lucky few in that I absolutely love my job. I work as a teacher's assistant in a special needs classroom. My problem is that it doesn't pay very well. I am a writer, and am desperately seeking ways to write from home and supplement what I get from the school.

3. Is there a good way to make money being an amateur photographer?

4. I want to start an Internet service business. Do you think it would be viable to create a smaller but more focused eLance-like website exclusively for art, and take a small fee for each commission sale generated?

5. I am currently a bather at Petsmart which leads to becoming a groomer. The schooling is paid for as long as you stay with the company for at least 2 years. Otherwise, you refund them $4000. My question is, I've been working over a week in this job now and I do not feel a spark or a sense of excitement. I don't even like dogs licking me!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1. I'm tired of working hard for others and making them all the money. I have designed my own line of inspirational and Christian based posters. I want to produce these posters on my own and sell them. In other words, I want to become my own publisher. Do you think this could work? I'm not sure where to market this and how to make the sales.

2. I would love to bridge the gap between the church and colleges by providing one on one career counseling to church attendees from all denomination. My issue is should I make this a profit or not for profit? I do want to make money but I don’t know if people are willing to pay for such a service.

3. I am an artist and did 2 large paintings for my hairdresser’s new salon. We agreed on the amount and terms she could afford comfortably. When it was time for the payments, she started giving me excuses why she could not do it although promised me she would really like to pay it off. By the way we have a written agreement on the payment terms which she has signed. Looks like this does not bind her at all. What is the best way to handle this?

4. My employer offered me a leave of absence, which I accepted. I thought that perhaps after 8 months in the Amazon jungle I would be ready to return to the office. However as my time here is coming to an end I found that is not the case. If anything, I'm less ready to go back to an office after spending so much time working outdoors in a less structured, free-flowing environment. Last week I decided to quit my job rather than return at the end of my leave. Now, I have no definite plans for the future. I have no job lined up when I return to the United States and no definite idea about what I want to do.

5. I work as a sales consultant at a car dealership and have been there only three months. A similar opportunity may become available in my own town in a couple of months. There are obvious advantages in going to the new dealership. But I feel somewhat guilty in leaving my present position. Should I leave the current dealership if the hometown position is offered to me?

6. I've actually been working on some book ideas for a while and would love to gain the information from the Write to the Bank conference this week, but I'm a pastor and have a wedding and will be unable to attend. Are you guys planning to podcast or record the sessions at all? Mostly what I hate is missing the community of writers, but I would enjoy receiving the information.