Part 1: Get behind the wheel of your own life
Freelancing is a lot like driving in a convertible. You are setting out on a new adventure. With the top down and the wind blowing through your hair, the independence you’ll feel will be much like shedding the confinement of the closed-in car. You’ll be rid of the claustrophobia of that cubicle at your desk or the punching of a time clock. You’ll feel a connection with the open highway… that road that will lead you to a mysterious destination every day. You will be taken on many winding roads of the up and down hills of challenges and successes. Yet, the inner energy you posses will be rewarding, as you look forward to the spirit of adventure your convertible gives you.
Before we hand over the keys, there’s a lot you need to know. With this convertible comes much responsibility. You need to know how to start it, how to maintain it, and how to drive it to where you need to go. Do you know where that is? Do you have a destination in mind?
Sometimes, the life of a Freelancer is not all its cracked up to be. There are more rewards than losses, so the appeal of Freelancing is still something that intrigues many people. The main reason to consider venturing out on your own is to live your life without boundaries. Anyone can do it if they set their mind to achieve success. But most don’t have a clue on how to begin or what to consider before they delve wholeheartedly into this unchartered world of independence.
You are about to embark on a spirited journey of the unknown. If you need stability and comfort, this concept may freak you out a little bit. Every day is different, which is a good thing. You will never be bored when you work for yourself, because once you have conquered each obstacle that may pop up in front of you, it will give you a new feeling of success. There will always be new goals to strive for. Do not be afraid – you can do this. The good news is that your convertible has a great set of headlights, so even if you don’t know what may be around the corner and you will sometimes feel like you’re driving in the dark; the lights will be bright enough for you to make that journey through the dark.
Go When the Light is Green
The first thing you need to do is to figure out what you WANT to do. This unanswered question leads many people to a career in complacency. People become content with survival – with settling for a job that is “good enough” because they have no idea what else they might be capable of. Their jobs are a crutch of stability and of boredom. People like to know how much the paycheck will be every week and how many hours they will have to work. They like to worry, complain and dream of better days.
Others wouldn’t know what a “dream job” is if you asked. Rather, they just continue to endure punching a time clock while they do their time. Doesn’t that sound like a prison sentence? Meanwhile, misery takes its toll; causing people to live in lack, deficiency and fear. Often all of these negative unhappiness characteristics result in declining emotional and physical health.
“Apathy can be overcome by enthusiasm, and enthusiasm can only be aroused by two things: first, an ideal, with takes the imagination by storm, and second, a definite intelligible plan for carrying that ideal into practice.”
- Arnold Toynbee
Don’t let fear keep you from living in the bliss of life. Grab the steering wheel and give it the gas. Define what you want to be and to achieve. Startle yourself out of that rut of 9 – 5 and barely living within your means. You can attract the Freelancing career of taking on your own life. Your boss is not really your boss because YOU ARE THE BOSS of your own life. Whether you are the head honcho at a large corporation who is burned out; or a cashier at the local convenience store – you can launch your Freelancing career right now. No longer will your job be simply a way to “get by”. It will give you personal satisfaction that you are making a difference to the world and contributing something to its people through a service, that will in turn better your own financial status and confidence. As an old man once said, “We’re not here for a long time; we’re here for a good time!”
What Do You Want to be When You Grow Up?
I got news for ya. If you’re over the age of 25, you should already have some idea of what you want to do. Right? Isn’t that what society teaches us to believe? On the contrary, people change careers throughout adulthood an average of at least three times. If you’re approaching the half-century line and are thinking you’re too old for a career change, then just put those thoughts right out of your head. Think of natural aptitudes you might have developed over the years as hobbies. Now brainstorm and think about how you could use that inner gift and talent you have to earn a living. Could you develop an internet business out of it? Could you create lessons or instructional videos? Could you consult others? You know you are good at something. It could be that you are the best golf caddy on the East Coast, or the most creative makeup artist south of Hollywood. Write down every talent you have because the best job you will love doing every day is the one you are most passionate about. You will not be able to fail because whatever God-given talent you have was given to you for a reason. To share with others.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.”
- Albert Einstein
So after you assess those talents you do so exceptionally, think of how they may be of value to other people. Somewhere out there, someone needs what you have. You could have an invention, an idea, and a piece of art or a way with words. Those talents were given to you to use since the time you were born, and to not do so is a damn shame. Your purpose here on earth is to experience the joy of sharing your talents, ideas and inventions. This is what the order of advancement is all about.
“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.”
- Carl Sagan
Most Freelancers have either a service or a product. With the era of technology upon us, it is easier than ever to launch a successful career as a Freelancer. The Internet eliminates boundaries that were once set by the inability to effectively communicate with people except in surrounding cities. Now, people are meeting and doing business with other people around the world. You can hire a web designer in California while you’re working in Massachusetts. You can chat with them, do business with them and even pay them without ever leaving your own cozy office.
So really, the main tool you need to launch your own Freelancing career as virtually anything is to have a computer and a connection to the Internet. That’s just about it!
Outside of the worldwide web, there are plenty of opportunities to venture on as a Freelancer, but inevitably you will make your way into having an online presence because it is the shortest and fastest route to making the kind of income you will be looking for. If you’re not online, then you will be working harder, not smarter. You do not want to limit yourself to just having a local presence or you will be forced to the mercies of the economy, including the potential for any major catastrophe or setbacks to wipe you out.
There are plenty of great Freelancing ideas outside of the internet. Just a few of those include photography; repair; delivery services; caterers; home professional services; beauty services and more. However, any of these can additionally be considered as ventures online through clever concepts, like EBooks, articles, by selling products related to the profession, advice columns, advertising mediums and many other ways. This means a Freelancers can now achieve multiple streams of income just by coming up with innovative ideas from a particular hobby or skill they possess.
The Brain is wider than the Sky ~ For put them side by side ~
The one the other will contain ~ With ease and You beside ~
- Emily Dickinson
