For the past few months, I’ve been enjoying blog posts over at pleasefeedtheanimals.com. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a great resource for anyone who has recently found themselves….displaced on the employment train. The “owner” of the site, Erik Proulx, has even made a movie about it, LEMONADE.
Anyhoo, there is a series of entries inspired by the book, Linchpin, by Seth Godin. This series is just a few of the wealth of great ideas constantly being generated by the contributors of PFTA, a lot of which I’m really needing to see right now. After seeing my freelance business “stall” during the first 6 weeks of 2010, I need something to keep me motivated and moving forward. Seeing the following on Seth’s blog is definitely something I need to chew on, and upload to my way of thinking.
There’s a lot of pressure for freelancers to fit in, conform and comply. It seems easier to generate new business that way. That’s not really true. It’s easier to become an easily-described commodity that way, but the person who’s willing to push themselves out to an edge that matters is on the only path that actually leads to success. And then it’s up to the client to care enough about the project and in making a difference to have the guts to hire you.
Granted, in this economy, it’s not easy to find the gutsy clients. I’m sure they’re out there. The key now is to make myself into the edge-sitter and remind myself that I am worth the price of admission.
Two days ago, I received my copy of Linchpin, plus a few other books recommended or mentioned on PFTA. It’s time to start energizing my creativity with the help of some wise people who look at things a little differently than me. I’ll look forward to posting about my “progress.”
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