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Everyone knows the saying "Do what you love, love what you do." But what if you don't know what you love to do? How do you figure out your passion? Steven Kotler, New York Times–bestselling author, journalist, and executive director of the Flow Research Collective, is an expert on human performance, and he has a lot to say about curiosity and passion. One recurring concept: Discovering the things you're curious about is one of the key stepping stones toward naming your passions. To do this, Kotler suggests 1) making a specific list of all the things you're even vaguely curious about, 2) reviewing the list for areas of overlap, 3) devoting some time daily to exploring your overlapping interests (e.g., reading about the subject or practicing the skill), and 4) sharing your findings with others. This process not only uncovers things you're curious about, it also activates dopamine, which means "more motivation, and—over time—a bit of expertise." I admit I didn't follow Kotler's steps to discover my passion before starting my freelance career, but I did do my best to follow my natural inclinations toward things that piqued my interest and avoid forcing myself to do things I didn't really care about. I knew I enjoyed reading and admired the power of the written word, so I pursued a BA in English—despite not knowing what I was going to do with my degree. I knew I enjoyed books more than magazines or other forms of media, so I looked for internships and jobs in publishing—despite not knowing what department I would be best suited for. I knew I enjoyed reading books about personal development and how people create, break, and stick to habits, so I limited my career scope to nonfiction book publishing—despite not having any specialized training. And on and on until one day I woke up and realized I had accumulated genuine expertise in a unique specialty. Considering you can't/don't/won't know everything all the time, it's safe to say some trial and error is necessary to discover your passion, and then to build upon it and create a successful career. I relied heavily on trial and error while breaking into the publishing industry, first as a full-time employee, then as a freelance copy editor and proofreader. It worked out for me, but I would have saved a lot of time and energy had I explored my overlapping points of curiosity beforehand. By determining early on what you're most curious about, you give yourself the chance not only to avoid distractions down the road, but also to work with your natural tendencies rather than against them. So, try Kotler's exercise at least once, and be honest with yourself. Then, I would add, consider what you are not curious about. I believe this list is equally as important as the first. For example: You write out a list of all the things you're curious about, which includes copy editing, biographies, and health and fitness. What points of overlap are there between these three seemingly unrelated things? Well, you could easily explore opportunities to copy edit biographies about health and fitness experts. You make a plan to research best-selling books in this category, buy the most highly rated title from your local bookstore, and read one chapter from it every day. (This is an excellent way to explore overlap without exhausting yourself.) But you quickly find that health and fitness is a huge category, and the top three best-selling biographies are about a doctor, a chef, and a bodybuilder, respectively. You could use trial and error to figure out which of these you're most interested in, or you could take a moment to reflect: Am I equally as curious about each of these topics? No. Am I seriously turned off by medical speak and physiology? Yes. Instead of wasting time on either of the other books, you decide to follow your curiosity and read the second-place best-seller, the biography about a chef. You enjoy reading it, you're focused on its content, and it's hard to put down. This is exactly the kind of reaction—one of curiosity and intense interest—you'll have when you work with your interests rather than against them; this is how you start to love what you do. When you stop to consider what you're not interested in, and vow never to do those things—regardless of what others might think or what you're being offered in exchange—you cast a vote of confidence in favor of your inner voice, your eventual specialty, your passion. Focus on the things that interest you, know the things that don't, and you'll find yourself doing more of what you love every day. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/09/07/curiosity-is-the-key-to-thriving-as-a-freelancer/
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Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894 to celebrate the immense gains of the labor movement. After decades of struggle, union members at the time had won protections - among other things, the 8-hour workday and the weekend - and respect for the workers who made the economy run. 101 years later, Freelancers Union was founded to work for the same recognition for independent workers, a fight we carry on to this day. Freelancing has many amazing benefits - that’s why more people choose it as a career path every year - but it still lacks many of the basic protections that employees take for granted. The most basic of those protections? Getting paid for your work. 71% of freelancers have dealt with nonpayment from a client who reaps the benefit of the freelancer’s hard work but never pays for it. And freelancers have lost countless hours to chasing late invoices, sending follow-up after follow-up, worrying about appearing pleasant enough to win more work while being stern enough to get results. The Freelance Isn’t Free Act, passed in NYC in 2017, enshrines the right of freelancers to be paid for their work in law. To get this landmark legislation passed, Freelancers Union members in New York shared their stories, lobbied their local representatives, and showed up for their community. It’s our goal to bring these same protections to every city in the U.S. In January of this year, Minneapolis enacted their version of the law. And right now, Los Angeles is on the verge of doing the same. Two weeks ago, City Council members voted to draft a version of the bill that will address the needs of L.A. freelancers. It's a huge step forward! When the draft bill is complete, it will go up for debate before going for a final vote. Now is the time for Los Angeles freelancers to get loud. Every member of the City Council must know that their freelancer constituents demand these protections. They need to understand the damage that nonpayment can do to an individual. If you have a nonpayment story, share it! If you have a specific concern that you want to make sure the law addresses, let us know! And to work with us to bring Freelance Isn’t Free to your city, email [email protected]. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/09/03/the-latest-fight-for-freelancer-rights-is-happening-right-now/
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Freelancers in a creative industry or niche have the luxury of using their creative chops and artistic freedom to stand out in a sea of peers. For instance, if you’re a graphic designer, you can showcase your uniqueness not just with what’s in your portfolio but how you put it together. But the future of freelance work indicates a massive shift into industries that aren’t necessarily deemed creative, which influences how you can differentiate yourself from other freelancers. For example, a jazzed-up portfolio may not be the best way to separate yourself if you’re a freelance IT specialist, but a list of notable software certifications may be. Even if you’ve joined the many freelancers infiltrating industries outside of creative ones, you still must be proactive about setting yourself apart from the freelance competition if you want to be successful. Luckily, this article can help. Here are five tips for standing out as a freelancer, no matter the industry or niche you’re in. Create an Outstanding ResumeRegardless of the industry you’re in, paying special attention to your resume can give you a leg up as a freelancer. Unfortunately, many freelancers neglect their resumes and rely heavily on their portfolios to attract clients. However, most clients will ask for a resume, and you want to be prepared with one that’s polished, detailed, and accurate. Take the time to create an outstanding resume. Even if you don’t have a lot of professional experience as a freelancer yet, you can still highlight hard, soft, and transferable skills that demonstrate how you can help a potential client solve their most pressing problems. Take Cover Letters SeriouslyA cover letter is an additional opportunity to impress potential clients with your qualifications and explain why you’re a good fit for their needs. Unfortunately, many freelancers use a generic cover letter, if they submit one at all. By taking the time to write a solid cover letter, you show potential clients that you aren’t anything like the freelancers who ignore the cover letter requirement. Instead, you’re a part of the elite group of freelancers who take the cover letter seriously. You can use a template when writing any cover letter to ensure it’s structured appropriately, but the information within it should be personalized to each role and client. Grow Your SkillsetContinually developing in-demand skills takes an incredible amount of effort. Because most of their energy goes into running a freelance business, many freelancers don’t even bother developing their skills until much later because they don’t have the extra effort to give. At the same time, those who do prioritize strengthening their skillsets certainly stand out amongst the crowd. Whether it’s keeping up with current events, learning a second language, or advancing tech or social media-related skills to stay relevant in our increasingly digital world, ensure you’re taking advantage of upskilling opportunities. Hopefully, growing your skillset will prompt a budding freelance career that produces quality work samples, testimonials praising your talent, and a growing knowledge base. You can and should showcase all three in a robust digital presence. Build Your Brand in the Digital WorldThe digital world is crowded. But if you don’t grow your presence in it as a freelancer, potential clients will have a hard time finding you, let alone pick you out of the crowd of freelancers in your industry. Contrary to popular thought, many freelancers haven’t thought about building their freelancer brand or digital presence. So, start establishing yourself as a top freelancer in your industry with a professional website that has your portfolio of work on it, shares who you are as a person and freelancer, and details the services you offer. Then, you can take your website a step further with a blog to advance your reputation as an expert in your industry. Continue to build your digital platform by sharing your freelance journey and networking with other freelancers in your industry on social media. Lastly, you should explore how you can grow your freelancer brand in the physical world as well. Consider Relocating to Where Your Ideal Clients AreAs a freelancer, much of your work will be done remotely, and you may never meet some of your clients in person. Although many of your clients will be okay with the distance, others may prefer to see you in person as often as they can. If your ideal clients are people who prefer in-person interactions, think about relocating to where they reside. Even if they’re working with a freelancer far away from them right now, they’re still likely on the hunt for one that’s local. You have a chance to set yourself apart by being that one. Before relocating, consider the following: ● How much it will cost you ● What you’ll need to do to keep business smooth during the move ● How you’re going to notify current clients ● What you’ll need to do to prepare for the move ● Creating a moving budget ● How you’re going to pack your belongings ● How you’re going to keep your freelance business materials safe Ultimately, relocating to where your ideal clients are, allows you to work with them in person when your competition can’t. ConclusionStanding out as a freelancer in a sea of peers requires consistency and a touch of creativity in your approach. No matter the industry or niche you’re in, create an outstanding resume. Take cover letters seriously when reaching out to potential clients. Intentionally grow your skillset, so you have more to offer. Develop a website to showcase your work and expertise as a freelancer, and prioritize building your freelancer brand on social media. Finally, consider relocating to where your ideal clients are to take your efforts to stand out to the next level. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2021/09/01/how-to-stand-out-in-a-sea-of-freelancers/ |
AuthorI have 5+ years experience working as a medical transcriptionist. When I am not working, I enjoy sports like playing basketball or judo. I love making friends and connections. Archives
April 2023
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