Freelancing: Ready to work for yourself?

Before going solo, I imagined freelancing was similar to flying like a bird. That sense of being uninhibited, boundless and the sky being the limit. No more instant coffee or people stealing your food out of the fridge were additional perks.

Now I’ve taken the plunge, I have discovered this image of freelancing to be true, but not in the way I first imagined. So to gain a different perspective on the journey of a soloist, I thought it may be interesting to compare it with that of a bird.

The early days

Every person has a season in their life to draw from others and be, in a way, spoon fed. I have always thought baby birds look so odd. Bald and squawking, all they seem to do is eat and grow. The significance of learning from those who have gone before us is invaluable to our own career. If we think we know everything at the age of 21, we will never learn to fly.

Practice tests

As birds move closer to leaving the nest, they often practice flapping their wings as they cling on to a branch. This strengthens their muscles and prepares them for take off. If you are looking to step out in business and work for yourself, you must plan and prepare. Research the market, do some test runs and ask advice. Also be sure to put together a business plan or a vision for your business that you can constantly refer to. This will help to keep you on the right track.

Leaving the nest

No-one should ever stop learning, but there reaches a point where it’s time for us to do it on our own. The thought of stepping out into the business world and freelancing is always a scary one. There are no safety nets or assurances but if it were easy, everyone would do it. No one is immune to mistakes. Have you ever seen a bird first start to fly? It’s awkward to watch. The wings are shaky and the bird often takes a few tumbles before it soars into the sky.

The purpose

Birds give the impression that they are always having fun. They have the privilege of flying. They get to go where they want and do what they want. It’s the image of freedom. I used to think about freelancing in this way until I began to ponder about the purpose. Why do birds fly?

I realised they actually have a huge weight of responsibility on their wings. They fly to hunt food and gather materials to support themselves and their families. Yes, there are enjoyable moments of play then there is the time spent working hard.

Ultimately, the freelancing lifestyle is unique and not meant for everyone. However, as one of the many that have stepped out on the journey, I can say that it is definitely worthwhile.

• 27 Feb 09
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Building confidence (10) | Business start up (26) | Choosing a career (9) | Office administration (8) | Setting business goals (12) | Working from home (15)

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11 comments | Add your own 1 2 | Next» View all»

• Very nicely put article. Keep flying Bronwyn Judit Nagy from Sydney

• Way to go Bron..its been fun watching you learn to fly! YOu have great talent and are open to help and advice. I'm sure you will be giving more and sharing more of your journey with others as time goes on!
  PS You have great response time to your clients too!! Kim Parry-Jones from Gosford NSW

• Great article Bron. Very inspiring, and a good kick in the pants for me! Thank you for the enthusiasm to keep going. Andrew Potts from Graytown

• Great analogy, Bronwyn. Somewhere between "no guts, no glory" and "your attitude determines your altitude" lies the essential need to remain true to your goals, beliefs and dreams whilst retaining the focus and vision that allows you to alter them to suit your journey! Grant Hyman from Sydney | Read my articles

• Brilliant article, it will be an inspiration to many! You have a great website too! Love the quote from CS Lewis. Dante Botha from Sydney

• Thanks so much for the encouraging feedback! This is my first online article so it's always a bit nerve-racking uploading it and pondering how it will go. I'm all inspired to write more now! Wishing you all the very best in stepping out on your own freelancing adventures! Bronwyn Simmonds from Sydney, Australia | Read my articles

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