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It's not even the end of April yet, and I've already more than tripled what I earned in March. Of course, half of April was basically wasted in terms of earnings, and totals half of what I earned in March - or, 16% of April's earnings.

That is thanks in large part to my virtual assistant (as I tweeted earlier, if you're curious about getting a virtual assistant, check out http://tinyurl.com/5bpf2m & http://tinyurl.com/5bhk8j)

I've been working on releasing several ebooks and courses - one at a time of course - but I've been doing a lot of reading in preparation. 6 ebooks this week already... and that's on top of earning about $800 this week... all thanks to the free time afforded by having a virtual assistant.

I just can't believe how much I've gotten done. It's insanely awesome!

Ever have one of those "duh" moments where you realize something you think is profound, but should have been thoroughly apparent? Yeah, just had one of those.

I learn through feeling.

I do through logic.

In other words, I don't learn the same way I do the things I'm best at. I'm best at working with numbers, analytics, statistics - "hard" facts. But that isn't the stuff that sticks with me and becomes an applied skill.

I learn through intuition and feeling - applied skills are those ingrained in my "gut feeling." The "hard" facts aren't consciously remembered by the time I'm good at any given skill. It just feels right.

Take for instance, several years ago when I was writing a commissioned blog (spreadingthought.blogspot.com, or the former Mayobrains.com for those that have been around that long), the proprietor of the company said I should write in beat poetry and prose.

I didn't know what the heck it was, but with a nudge and a notion, I went for it. Somehow, I had a knack for that kind of flow and alliteration.

I didn't count my syllables, didn't pine over rhyme, and I paid no heed to speed or any other such nonsensical analysis. I just read it aloud, and if it rolled from my lips and "felt" right, I went with it. I'm much the same with spelling and grammar.

All this time I've been trying to learn new skills, but I have been obsessing over getting all the reports and statistics that I can - because numbers and "hard" facts are my most favorite thing in the world - but without much success.

Now I know why.

And I'm not just talking about French Vanilla Cappuccino or chocolate...

Maybe it would be best if I started with an example.

For me, I need an accomplishment to look forward to - something that will provide a reward of value to me. Historically, a valuable reward to me has been one of two things, stemming from something I have created: external praise, and giving someone thought / knowledge / a new perspective.

Not fame, not recognition, and certainly not money. Money, to me, is a means, not an end - as are the other two mentioned.

Since a job takes up most of our time, and typically becomes our identity, it makes sense that our job should be a source of happiness - but all too often, I see people taking jobs that do not align with things which make them happy.

For me, I can't stand to work for a boss because it typically does not align with what makes me happy. Working for a boss, I produce, I do not create, and the only feedback I get is not from the people whom benefit from it the most.

I have found that I must be in front of my consumers in order to be happiest. This means I must work for myself in order to be both the creator and "customer service" representative.

What about you? What do you need to feel happy?