That’s why I decided to become a freelancer. Life sometimes happens faster (or slower) than we expect, and I don’t like to let people down. However, the importance of that goes in this order: God, family, friends, employer. At the same time, I don’t want to cause problems for an employer.
Things have been coming at me steadily over the last couple of months, and since I can only juggle so much, I am incredibly relieved that I don’t have a boss to answer to when things get rough. I don’t have to ask permission when I need to check on family, tweak my knee or back, plan a family event, or just need to take a nap. The only person I have to explain things to is myself, and technically, it’s a lot of responsibility. I’m slowly building a daily work schedule that can be adjusted when my family needs me, and that is more important to me than working for someone else.
Is it tough some days? Yes, it is, but at least I’m not dealing with the fallout of inconveniencing supervisors and coworkers. It just means I have to put in a few more hours later in the day or earlier than expected.
Is it a massive learning curve? You bet it is, but I love the challenge that I’m up against because it’s something new every day.
Is the budget a bit tighter? Sure, it is, but I’m finally using things I’d bought before and hadn’t had the time or need to use.
My creativity, which had begun to die a slow, painful death while I worked for other people, is so fresh and full now that I can’t always keep up with my own ideas. I have scraps of paper everywhere with writing and business ideas. There’s a difference this time. When I worked for others, I could always find an excuse for why it wouldn’t work. Now that I’m working for myself, I either know for certain what I won’t follow through on, or I take the attitude of, “I’ve got nothing to lose.” Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If I don’t try, I’ll regret that far more than if I try but fail. At least I learn from failure. I just sit and stew in regret. I’d rather try and fail because I just might try and succeed.
Whether you are changing careers, looking for a new job, or striking out as a freelancer, remember one thing: it’s okay to fail. Get up, dust yourself off, and evaluate what you can learn from it. Now remember another thing: when you try something new, you just might succeed. Life happens whether we’re ready or not, and there will be no perfect time so go ahead and try. Just imagine where you might end up!
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Inspirational Verses for the Day:
Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away. Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, HCSB)
All Things Subject to Change 