How to Let Go of Having It All

July 13, 2012 by 4 Comments

In viewing an infographic developed by JESS3 that aims to give readers a peek inside the mind of freelancers, I was completely unsurprised to learn that “lack of clear direction / path” is one of the top three things that keeps freelancers up at night.

I can certainly relate. I’ve recently been engulfed in my own period of ennui. Though I’ve been working on many different things, I’ve been feeling a bit ambivalent about it all. As I asked my husband just the other day, “What the hell am I even working toward!?”

(I also suggested that I might do better as a housewife, but Michael just rolled his eyes and told me I’d snap out of it soon.)

Part of this is probably due to stress over unsuccessful IUI treatments, the continuing short sale process, and the up-in-the-air status of my book.

But could it also be that – gasp! — I’m just doing too much? [Read more…]

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Career Stalled? What You’re Doing Wrong

July 23, 2010 by 3 Comments

Ever feel… stuck? Wheels spinning? Frustrated because you were desperate to move forward in your career, but were too busy trying to bring in the bucks?

Yeah. That does sound familiar.

Last week, I was feeling overwhelmed by everything on my plate, so I drew up a to-do list on GQueues. Later on, my pal Nicole came over to talk shop. She wanted to pick my brain about products blogging, online shopping, and what different brands are doing right. (Obviously, she came to me because I used to be a products blogger… and because I’m also the poster child for shopping problems.) After plying me with a massive bottle of Chianti, and taking notes, she took a look at my to-do list and determined that it was all wrong.

[Read more…]

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Link Love: January 17, 2010

January 17, 2010 by 1 Comment

I hope you’ll forgive the lack of original content around here lately. I’ve been looking for a way to get my freelance groove back but, for the moment, it eludes me. This is partly because I’m enjoying my office job so much. I’m really into the work they’re giving me, and I’m allowing it to spill into my at-home life (naughty, naughty). I’ve also been feeling groggy, and blocked when it comes to the big copywriting project I’m working on. When I’m writing something good, I can feel it. My pulse races. I’m totally psyched. And it’s fairly easy for me to whip up a first draft. But lately, it’s been like pulling teeth, and this makes me nervous. I feel as if I can’t force it but, at the same time, it needs to get done. Soon. Any advice for me?

But that’s not what you’re here for! This past week’s link love:

[Read more…]

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To Be Or Not To Be a Generalist

August 6, 2008 by 1 Comment

My husband once said something he found absolutely hilarious (I found it obnoxious).

It was in response to my complaint that I was always handing out his business cards, but he was never handing out any of mine. “It’s a two-way street,” I insisted.

“Yes, but my side gets more traffic,” he said, smirking.

It’s times like this I worry that I’m too picky about the work I’m willing to do. It’s a worry that many freelancers wrestle with. Should I settle for little or no payment, or a small-name client, just to build my portfolio? Should I take on every little job I can, even if it’s only peripherally related to my specialty, just to keep my head above water? Should I widen my net? Offer additional services? Find additional areas of expertise?

[Read more…]

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