Do you experience any of the following symptoms?
- inability to find happiness in employment
- constant dissatisfaction with your job, no matter how much money you’re earning
- susceptibility to various distractions, such as a hobby, passion – or kids and spouse
- weakness for dreams of adventure, like traveling, bungee jumping or living a bohemian lifestyle
- short attention span for structure, or at least those structures that others set up for you
If you suffer any or all of the symptoms described above, I’m afraid the prognosis is not good:
You’ve got a freelancer’s heart.
It’s an illness for which there is only one cure: to engage in what may be the scariest, most challenging journey of your life.
But it’s the only thing that will take away the constant feelings of discontent, longing and soul-lessness you’ve been getting from employment.
How do you know if you really have the heart of a freelancer?
I believe a freelancer at heart has the following qualities, more or less:
A Creative Spirit
Just being able to imagine a life outside the cubicle reveals you have a strong ability to think outside the box. No wonder, you can’t be contained by hierarchies and structures imposed on you by employment. You long to create, to leave a legacy to the world in your own terms.
Adventurous, Risk-Taker
You crave adventure, or at the very least, are willing to take risks for the chance to achieve what’s most important to you: freedom. You’re willing to give up the stability and predictability of a j-o-b if it means being able to live a life by your own design (creative, remember?).
Freedom Lover
You value your personal, creative and financial freedom more than you do security. You don’t mind the occasional (or is it constant?) uncertainty of being “on your own” because the ability to take off to new directions whenever you feel like it is much more fun and fulfilling than knowing you’re receiving X amount of dollars every week.
Independent
You take responsibility for yourself. You don’t blame others when things go wrong. You’re independent. Even though you know you need others to succeed and be happy, you acknowledge that, ultimately, you’re in charge of your personal happiness and success. You take control of your destiny.
Idealistic
You’re an optimist. When everybody else is running around yelling, “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” you take a deep breath and seek opportunities where others see none. You believe that you have something to offer the world, something so valuable that you will never go hungry (well, at least not for long). You have a dream and you believe it will come true.
If you see these qualities in yourself, then you know why you’ve been unhappy in your job, even though you may have been making more money than you’ve ever dreamed of.
Now you know why you’ve been feeling like your soul was being sucked out of you as you sat in your cushy office.
Now you know why you were always looking for something else, something more… and it wasn’t the next step in the corporate ladder.
You’re a freelancer at heart. Go and live your dream.
PS: Do you believe there is such as a thing as a freelancing personality? If so, what qualities does a freelancing personality have? Did I miss any? Post your thoughts in the comments box below.
PPS: I’ve been living my dream for nearly 18 months now and the journey has been more awesome than I ever expected. I’d love to help you live your dream, too. Sign up for my monthly cost-free, pitch-free webinars. See you there!
photo credit: Shahram Sharif
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Great article. Feel to go freelance now.. RT @lexirodrigo: Do you have a freelancing personality? => http://bit.ly/oJMe9 #freelancing
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
RT: lexirodrigoNew at The Savvy Freelancer: A Freelancer’s Heart http://is.gd/34T1a (What defines a freelancer’s personality?)
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
RT @lexirodrigo: Do you have a freelancing personality? => http://bit.ly/oJMe9 #freelancing
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Live life to the fullest I say. And the only way to do that is not doing the same exact thing everyday. I work in a factory and it’s the same thing, every day, all day. Drives me batty.
It’s not so bad now that I”m working getting out of there with my writing and marketing. But it was extremely depressing to me. I always felt like I could be doing something besides this. Still do.
SomedayI’ll be able to drop my things and go travel somewhere. Soneday I’ll be able do the things I dream about. Someday I’ll be able to escape whenever I please.
Hmmm…. I guess I have a freelancer heart too. I connected way to much with this post lol.
Chris Anderson´s last blog ..Are You Challenging Yourself? Make Yourself Uncomfortable
Do You Have The Personality Traits of a Freelancer? => http://tr.im/ykO3 #freelancing
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
RT @lexirodrigo The Freelancing Personality http://bit.ly/2jQUzZ
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
RT @lexirodrigo: Do You Have The Personality Traits of a Freelancer? => http://tr.im/ykO3 #freelancing(LOVE this post!):)
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Thanks for sharing @Chris!
Your comment touched me very much. I used to be in the same situation as you, longing for something else. It took me 10 years, but I was finally able to start living my dream almost 18 months ago. (I had to make sure my kids would be ok even if I left my job.)
Hang in there! It will happen for you, too. Make your escape plan and stick to it.
Thanks @canderson3 for the touching comment you left => http://bit.ly/YiQKz
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I answered yes to everything on the above list. I’m actually looking for a better work-life balance which I am not getting from my current job. Maybe that’s why I want to try freelancing.
That’s awesome @Mj Ces!
You can try freelancing on the side and see how you like it. Although I have to warn you, it’s going to be tough juggling freelancing with full-time employment. However, I’ve heard of a lot of people doing that and eventually going freelance full time.
Keep us posted!
I also see myself in the qualities you listed. I can’t hardly believe I have just began my dream of working from home. It’s wonderful! Thanks for the post
Tanya Watson´s last blog ..Test Post
Awesome @Tanya! I’m so happy for you!
RT @lexirodrigo: Do You Have The Personality Traits of a Freelancer? => http://tr.im/ykO3 #freelancing good post
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
This post is resonating with many freelancers: A Freelancer’s Heart => http://tr.im/yqVJ #freelancing
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
RT @lexirodrigo This post is resonating with many freelancers: A Freelancer’s Heart => http://tr.im/yqVJ #freelancing
This comment was originally posted on Twitter