Freelancing - Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow

April 1, 2008

photo credit: iDream_in_Infrared

How many times have you talked to someone who’s miserable in their job, hates to get up in the morning, and tries to pack in a week’s worth of “fun” in one Saturday? Maybe you’re one of those people. I know I was.

Fact is, most people view their work as a necessary evil. As something that has to be endured until retirement when they can do what they want to do. So why do they stay in a miserable job? Why don’t they find out what would make them jump out of bed every morning, eager to get started on the day’s work?

M - O - N - E - Y

I call it the “Golden Handcuffs”. We end up slaves to our jobs because, heck, by this point the money’s too good to give up. Because of peer pressure or other reasons (parental), people end up in jobs they hate because they choose a career for the money only.

Whether you choose to stay in your career and run your business part-time through retirement or leave your company altogether, more than anything, make sure you’re doing something you love. Forget about the money for just one moment and think about something you’d love to do.

If you’re too worried that giving up the money will hamper your lifestyle, consider what can happen as a result of working for money only…

• Dillusionment, unhappiness, grouchiness
• Constant feelings of stress which spill into other relationships
• Always feeling like you are “owed” more money
• Not willing to take on a more appropriate job because it doesn’t pay as much
• Staying with an unethical company
• Lowered self confidence
• Hopelessness, depression
• Finding a way out via inappropriate means (drinking, smoking, drugs)

Making money the sole focus of your life will take away what really makes people wealthy. I remember a quote from a movie I saw a few weeks ago, an older guy told a younger guy, “Never measure wealth with money.”

Take it from someone who’s been there. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel when you start doing something you love. Your creativity will soar and, amazingly, so will your pocket book. It seems counterproductive but true—by not focusing on money, you’ll make more money.

Related posts:

1. How to Live with Freelance Success
2. 3 Steps to Planning your Freelance Startup
3. Starting Out: It’s All About the Visual

Posted in Freelance Success, Freelance Support, Success Skills