Today, I’d like to talk about inspiration.
What inspires you to keep freelancing?
I ask because freelancing isn’t always easy.
Why Freelancers Need Inspiration
Sure, we enjoy a lot of perks. Just the other day, for example, I got out of bed after 9 am. I can do that, because my work schedule is flexible. I can work anytime, anywhere I like, just as long as I meet my deadlines.
That said, freelancing isn’t always easy. In fact, it can be pretty darn hard.
For example, those of us who freelance from home can feel pretty isolated at lot of times. We don’t have co-workers to socialize with. No water coolers to hang out in for some small time. Sure, there’s Facebook and Twitter, but it simply isn’t the same.
And then there’s the constant need to hustle. We always have to be marketing and promoting our services.
I can go on and on about the disadvantages of freelancing… but that’s a topic for another blog post.
When the going gets tough, it helps to go back to our inspiration.
What inspired you to become a freelancer anyway? And what inspires you to go on?
My Inspiration
What inspires me is an ideal. It’s an ideal world where I can take care of my family–be there physically for them–while at the same time doing something I love and am passionate about.
My family and my professional life go hand in hand.
I don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. I don’t have to relegate the care of my kids to strangers in order to pursue my passion. At the same time, I don’t have to put my creativity and professional growth on hold to care for my family.
My children inspire me to model a different way of living. One that isn’t characterized by dragging yourself out of bed in the morning, because you have obligations to meet and bills to pay. One where being “out of the mold” is rewarded, not punished.
Other parents inspire me to prove that it can be done. It’s possible to be a good parent, a good provider and a fulfilled individual all at the same time.
Other moms and dads who have gone ahead of me and created their own freelancing lifestyles inspire me. People like Kelly McCausey, Lynn Terry, Alice Seba and Nicole Dean inspire me. They’ve living my ideal! They’re living proof that you can be your own boss and be a good Mom and support your family.
How About You?
Now it’s your turn.
What inspires you?
photo credit: Kyle Kruchok
I agree 150%! I find a little bit of inspiration every day from even the tiniest of things. Mostly my kids inspire me – amazing little beings they can be. If it weren’t for being inspired and motivated by the little things in life (whether it’s something we already have or something we aspire to) we probably wouldn’t do the things we do.
Thanks for sharing, Loretta! You’re right. Our inspiration doesn’t have to be big, profound things. Little everyday, beautiful things can inspire us
Just this week I received such an unexpected yet welcomed (!) surprise from a client. He’s a repeat client whom I do copyediting for. He sent me a whopper manuscript and I provided a quote. Turns out I put in seven hours more than I expected. I reflected that in the invoice but deducted that amount from the total due (as a goodwill gesture and to remain true to my guesstimate on the quote). When he sent the (prompt) payment he had added in an amount equal to 1/2 the additional hours. Wow! This gesture really made me feel that he values my work and the value-addeds that I always strive to provide. This leaves me feeling inspired and fired up to keep on keeping on as I work to grow an 18-month old business.
I love this post, and you’re absolutely right! I wrote a similar post on my blog just last week. I have two answers. 1: It’s hearing from other freelance writers who share your experience. When you see yourself reflected back in the form of blog comments or personal notes that something you said has touched someone, you feel fulfilled for being able to bridge the gap and isolation fades away. 2: It’s being able to choose what’s on the docket each day. Some days I am more inclined to write, some days I am more inclined to market. It changes all the time. Since I am “out of the mold” as you said, having the liberty to pursue my inspirations as they strike me is, in itself, one of the most inspiring things about it. I can shift gears whenever I want and if I need to just get out of the house and take a walk to keep the juices flowing, that’s all part of the job.
Thanks for sharing, Jennifer and Rachel! Dream clients and other freelancers can be inspiring. Glad you brought that up