The Freelance Manifesto – Creating the Life you want by Choosing Less

January 29, 2008

A second house. A brand new truck. A completely remodeled office. I not only dreamed about having these things. I worked hard to get them. I set goals. I met goals. I did whatever it took to achieve my dreams and I spared no expense.

But, I had already been working from home for more than two years. I was living my freelance dream. However, something had changed. As my business expanded—and the money got better—my desire to buy more things increased.

Suddenly, I wasn’t satisfied with the things that had once satisfied me when I worked as an employee. I felt the urge to buy more things—the things that had always been out of reach when I didn’t have the money.

I hardly ever watch the news. One night, however, I couldn’t sleep. So, I headed downstairs and flipped on the TV. I don’t remember the details, but I do remember the news anchor reporting on a celebrity who’d been admitted to drug rehab—for the umpteenth time.

Now, a celebrity I’m certainly not. And I certainly don’t make anywhere near what this celebrity makes. But something clicked. I started questioning my motivations and the feelings I had about my “deserved” consumptions.

The one question that I couldn’t shake was, “What if I’m just like that celebrity?” If he makes millions of dollars a year and ends up on drugs and in rehab anyway, then is more money—and more spending—the answer to my restlessness?

After that night, I began to question my goals. Why wasn’t I happy with my house? Why did I think I needed a new truck, even though my car was already paid off? Was more money—and the work required to earn that money—what I needed to be truly satisfied?

The answers to those questions are what I’m planning to share with you over the next few weeks.

If you’re dreaming of starting your own freelance business, I’m here to tell you that you can. And a lot faster than you think. In this manifesto, I’m going to give you a few life changing ideas. Not ideas that are life altering.

Ideas that you can implement which should help you move towards your goal of starting your freelance business. Ideas that may challenge your current mindset about starting a business, the freedom it gives, and the role money plays in creating the life you want.

If you keep an open mind, and you’re willing to be flexible, you can escape your 9 to 5 job and live a comfortable and satisfying life.

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