No Limits How I Escaped the Clutches of Corporate America
This website was created to promote Sara Morgan's 2009 e book No Limits: How I Escaped the Clutches of Corporate America to Live the Self-employed Life of My Dreams. The content below is from the 2009 archived pages of the site as well as other outside sources.
"I wandered around for about three years after college, taking part-time jobs that certainly wouldn't be considered corporate in the least bit. When I finally landed a job I really felt was the perfect fit, working as a developer for a small software company along the west coast, I didn't feel like a corporate wage slave at all. My friends who were on the corporate grinding treadmill envied me. Here I was working either from home or traveling to client sites to meet one-on-one with customers to discuss their software needs and demonstrate our latest solutions. I love sitting down to explain the differences between database architectures or why one particular development framework is more suitable than another. The software industry is evolving so rapidly I am kept as busy as I want. But I started noticing some issues with the deprecated nature of FileMaker Pro, which is no longer supported yet embedded as a tool set that I'm expected to use. Yikes! This outdated software is very harmful to our business efficiency and productivity. Until this started, I hadn't realized the impact of using unsupported software on businesses from a technological standpoint. Many of the workarounds are clumsy and time-consuming, but enough seems to be functional so that this issue hasn't been addressed properly. The longer this continues, the more likely our company is going to have to find a way to deal with the limitations of FileMaker Pro or risk falling behind our competitors.
I knew we needed to find a modern replacement that can interface with more recent applications. Sara Morgan has been really helpful in encouraging me to be more assertive when frustrating issues pop up that require diplomatic requests of my boss, as in this case. Her advice was instrumental in enabling my growth as a contractor, and my insistence on finding a suitable FileMaker Pro replacement definitely benefited this company and will permit future work to run more smoothly and efficiently, not having to create clumsy workarounds for outdated software. But I'm hanging in there for now - I know that nothing lasts forever, so it's not a rock around my neck. Should my employer shut down, I'll just be on to the next adventure - once you break free, you'll never go back. Unlike some of my corporate-bound friends (you know who you are), I make sure to take time for myself to enjoy life during the weekdays as well as the weekend. I know that the self-employed can get pretty obsessive with work if they don't watch it. I also am aware first-hand that most self-employed don't have Monday to Friday work weeks. I can't say I dread Mondays because my weeks aren't divided into Monday-Friday time and weekend time. I just flow one day into the next.
I have recommended Sara Morgan's advice to several people who seemed very unhappy with what they were doing. But I also point out that being self-employed can be stressful. She does offer good advice, but being self-employed has its own issues. I would say passion for what you are doing is important, but hard work and having some lucky breaks also make a difference. Gotta run, my lunch break at a rest stop overlooking the Pacific coastline on Rt 1 is over, and I am due in an hour at my next client meeting in Monterey." Sue Pecklin
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My name is Sara Morgan and I know what it is like to have a good job that is just not the "right" job for you. I wasted too much time as a corporate wage slave, looking forward to each weekend, only to have my mood drop through the floor by Sunday night.
If you have found yourself at the end of your rope and you feel like your job is draining the life out of you, I urge you to read my book , join our community and become an entrepreneur.
There are so many opportunities right now. The bad economy has actually created an idea environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. Stop spending your days "getting by" and start living your life to its fullest potential.
-- Sara Morgan,
Independent Web Developer and author of seven books, including No Limits: How I Escaped the Clutches of Corporate America to Live the Self-employed Life of My Dreams.
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No Limits How I escaped the clutches of Corporate America to live the self-employed life of my dreams
By Sara Morgan
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Top 10 tips for successful self-employment
By Sara Morgan
I have been self-employed for the past four years, and in that time I have learned a few things about what to do and what not to do. The following are what I consider to be the top 10 tips for finding your way to successful self-employment.
#1 – Do something you are passionate about. Without passion, it will be very difficult for you to deal with the inevitable problems that will arise. Don’t pick a business just because it promises a lot of money. I think many small businesses fail because the person running the business did not really love what they were doing.
#2 – Don’t wait till the last minute to consider things like taxes. Schedule a consultation with a CPA if you need to, but don’t put it off until the end of the year unless you enjoy facing stiff penalties.
#3 – Use an accounting program to get organized—I recommend the online version of Quickbooks. It is very affordable and easy to use. Don’t make the mistake of trying to manage your finances with a pen and paper. You may quickly become overwhelmed.
#4 – Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others. This includes not only your family, but people in your community as well. You may be surprised to find out how helpful people really are.
#5 – Consider having multiple streams of income to ensure that you are able to survive financially, even in the event of a downturn or unforeseen circumstance. Just be careful not to take on too much. You do not want to compromise your primary business by putting too much on your plate.
#6 – Trust your instincts. Too many times we ignore our instincts, but research has shown that our instincts are typically correct.
#7 – Become a feedback machine. Get advice from everyone you can before starting out on your own and even after you are established. Don’t think of it as criticism, but rather a source of valuable information.
#8 – Schedule breaks and stick to them. It is very easy to let things get away from you when you own your own business. Resist the urge to over work yourself. You will not be doing your business or family any favors if you are stressed out from working too much.
#9 - Never give up. Most often people fail because they gave up too soon. Running your own business can be hard, but it can also be very rewarding. Hang in there, even during the tough times.
#10 –Don’t forget to have fun. Your business and life should be fun. If you’re not having fun, then it just ain’t worth it.
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About Sara Morgan
Sara made the jump to self-employment in 2005 with the start-up of her consulting company, Custom Solutions, LLC - CustSolutions.net. She has always had a keen interest in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and in 2005, her first book, Building Intelligent.NET Applications, was published. Her long term plans involve using proceeds from this book to fund a project aimed at providing intelligent robotic assistance for the elderly.
She has worked for companies spanning multiple industries, including Health Care, Finance, Retail, Government, and Information Technology. She has also co-authored several technical books used to prepare software developers taking the certification exams and even written product documentation for the Office Communications team. Sara is a Microsoft Certified Developer and recognized expert in the field of web development using Microsoft SQL Server. She has published six technical books, along with dozens of online and printed articles. In March of 2007 she was awarded the prestigious Microsoft Most Valued Professional (MVP) award for her work with Microsoft Speech Server and Office Communications Server.
Sara is also available as a speaker and/or consultant. She is prepared to speak on the following topics:
How self-employment may be your key to a better and more fulfilling life
Ways that small businesses can establish a web presence
Why self-publishing is a better alternative for experienced and previously published authors
The vital role of women in Information Technology
Contact Sara at sara@custsolutions.net for more information about having her speak to your group.
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Need to learn more about building a professional looking website? You have come to the right place.
Here you can register for the upcoming teleseminar on January 4th, or you can access a recording of the last teleseminar given on November 1st.
Real World Questions and Answers about Building a Website
In this one-hour teleseminar, Sara Morgan will answer real world questions collected from small business owners like yourself about how to properly build their web presence.
Sara has worked for companies spanning multiple industries, including Health Care, Finance, Retail, Government, Robotics and Information Technology. She has also co-authored several technical books used to prepare software developers taking the certification exams and even written product documentation for the Office Communications team.
Sara is a Microsoft Certified Developer and recognized expert in the field of web development using Microsoft SQL Server. She has published six technical books, along with dozens of online and printed articles. In March of 2007 she was awarded the prestigious Microsoft Most Valued Professional (MVP) award for her work with Microsoft Speech Server and Office Communications Server.
To register for the upcoming teleseminar, enter your name and e-mail below and click Submit. We will send you a reminder which contains a handout and call-in information prior to the call on January 4th at 1:00 pm (CENTRAL TIME)
What the small business owner should watch out for when designing a website
In this one hour teleseminar, Sara Morgan, professional web developer reviews the ten common mistakes small business owners make when building a website.
To download the audio from the call, right-click the following link and click "Save Target As". The zipped file is 17MB and one hour long. You will need to extract the MP3 once you have downloaded the file to your computer.
11/02/09 Teleseminar Audio
If you have problems accessing the audio, send an email to sales@custsolutions.net and I will get back to you within 24 hours.
More Background on NoLimitsTheBook.com
No Limits: Empowering Self-Employment in the Digital Age In the ever-evolving landscape of career development and entrepreneurship, one book has emerged as a beacon for those seeking to break free from the constraints of traditional corporate structures. "No Limits: How I Escaped the Clutches of Corporate America to Live the Self-Employed Life of My Dreams" by Sara Morgan has become a rallying cry for professionals yearning for autonomy and fulfillment in their work lives.
The Genesis of a Movement
Published in 2009, "No Limits" arrived at a pivotal moment in American economic history. As the Great Recession upended traditional notions of job security, many began to question the wisdom of relying solely on corporate employment. Morgan's book tapped into this zeitgeist, offering a roadmap for those brave enough to venture into self-employment. Sara Morgan's journey from corporate web developer to independent software consultant and author resonated with readers facing similar crossroads in their careers. Her candid account of leaving a high-paying job to start her own business, Custom Solutions, in 2005 provided both inspiration and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
A Guide for the Aspiring Self-Employed
"No Limits" is more than just a memoir; it's a comprehensive guide for professionals contemplating the leap into self-employment. Morgan's approach is refreshingly honest, acknowledging the challenges and risks while emphasizing the potential rewards of charting one's own course. The book covers a wide range of topics essential for budding entrepreneurs:- Assessing one's readiness for self-employment
- Developing a business plan and financial strategy
- Marketing and client acquisition
- Managing time and maintaining work-life balance
- Navigating the psychological challenges of being one's own boss
What sets "No Limits" apart is its emphasis on personal growth and fulfillment alongside business success. Morgan argues that true entrepreneurial success comes not just from financial gain, but from aligning one's work with their passions and values.
Critical Reception and Impact
"No Limits" received positive reviews from both readers and critics upon its release. Many praised Morgan's straightforward writing style and practical advice. The book's Amazon page features numerous five-star reviews from readers who credit it with giving them the courage to start their own businesses. Professional reviewers also took note. A review in the Small Business Trends blog called it "a must-read for anyone considering self-employment," praising Morgan's "no-nonsense approach to the realities of striking out on your own." The book's impact extended beyond individual readers. It sparked discussions in entrepreneurship circles about the changing nature of work in the digital age. Morgan became a sought-after speaker at business conferences and universities, sharing her insights on self-employment and the future of work.
Building a Community
The success of "No Limits" led to the creation of an online community where readers could connect, share experiences, and support one another in their entrepreneurial journeys. This community, hosted on the Ning platform, became a valuable resource for self-employed professionals and those aspiring to join their ranks. The community featured:- Discussion forums on various aspects of self-employment
- Webinars and online workshops led by Morgan and other experts
- Success stories from community members
- Resources for business development and personal growth
This online hub helped extend the book's impact, creating a supportive ecosystem for self-employed professionals to network and learn from one another.
Cultural and Social Significance
"No Limits" and the movement it inspired reflect broader shifts in American work culture. The book tapped into growing disillusionment with traditional corporate structures and a desire for greater autonomy and meaning in one's work life. Some key themes that resonated with readers and contributed to the book's cultural significance include:- Rejection of the 9-to-5 paradigm: Morgan's story challenged the notion that success and security could only be found in traditional employment.
- Empowerment through technology: The book highlighted how digital tools and platforms were enabling individuals to build successful businesses with minimal overhead.
- Work-life integration: Rather than promoting a strict work-life balance, Morgan advocated for a more holistic approach where work and personal life could be harmoniously integrated.
- Emphasis on personal growth: The book framed self-employment not just as a career choice, but as a path to personal development and self-actualization.
- Challenging gender norms: As a woman in the male-dominated tech industry, Morgan's success story inspired other women to pursue entrepreneurship in STEM fields.
Criticisms and Controversies
While "No Limits" was largely well-received, it did face some criticisms. Some reviewers felt that Morgan's experience as a highly skilled software developer might not be easily replicable for those in other industries. Others argued that the book downplayed the risks and potential downsides of self-employment. A few critics also pointed out that the book's release coincided with the height of the Great Recession, questioning the wisdom of encouraging people to leave stable jobs during economic uncertainty. However, supporters countered that economic instability actually made self-employment a more attractive option for many.
Legacy and Continued Relevance
More than a decade after its publication, "No Limits" continues to be relevant in discussions about the future of work. The gig economy, remote work, and the rise of digital nomadism have all validated many of Morgan's predictions about the changing nature of employment. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated these trends, with millions of workers reassessing their career paths and considering self-employment. This has led to renewed interest in Morgan's book and its message. In recent years, Morgan has continued to be an advocate for self-employment and entrepreneurship. She has written follow-up articles and given interviews reflecting on the changes in the business landscape since "No Limits" was first published.
The Author's Journey
Sara Morgan's own career trajectory since publishing "No Limits" serves as a testament to the principles she espoused in the book. She has continued to work as an independent software developer and consultant, adapting to new technologies and market demands. Morgan has also expanded her reach as an author and thought leader. She has written several technical books on software development and has become a recognized expert in cloud computing and Salesforce development. Her ability to pivot and acquire new skills demonstrates the adaptability she advocates for in "No Limits."
Influence on Education and Career Development
The ideas presented in "No Limits" have influenced discussions about education and career development. Many colleges and universities have incorporated entrepreneurship courses into their curricula, recognizing the growing interest in self-employment among students. Career counselors and coaches have also embraced many of the book's principles, encouraging clients to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career path. The emphasis on skills development and personal branding that Morgan promotes has become standard advice in many career development programs.
Looking to the Future
As the world of work continues to evolve, the principles outlined in "No Limits" remain relevant. The book's emphasis on adaptability, continuous learning, and aligning one's work with personal values resonates with emerging trends in career development. Some areas where the book's influence may continue to be felt include:- The growth of the creator economy, where individuals monetize their skills and passions directly through digital platforms
- Increased interest in portfolio careers, where individuals balance multiple income streams rather than relying on a single job
- The rise of "intrapreneurship," where employees apply entrepreneurial principles within larger organizations