Personal Crisis as a Freelancer Cont.......

Tips for Handling a Personal Crisis as a Freelancer

I think the most important thing is to evaluate the crisis - determine how major the event is in your life. When you make your own schedule, it is so easy to let a small crisis turn into a major event. Then again, if you are facing deadlines, you may not feel you can take the time you need to deal with a major event.

For many, the path they have chosen for their freelance career has always served as an outlet for them. Thus, writing, drawing, doing graphics - whatever your pleasure - can do more to help you heal than taking a break.

Here are a few ways that help me face a crisis:

1. Take one moment at a time. When facing a crisis, each moment can be drastically different. One minute, you might feel okay - the next, you might feel overwhelmed. Make the best of the moments in which you feel you can handle your work.

2. Take a break if you need to. Rather than push yourself when the creative juices are not flowing, take a few minutes (15, 30, an hour) and do something that relaxes you - or something that excites you. Take a walk with your kids, swim a few laps in the pool, relax in a hot bath.

3. Determine your obligations and make arrangements if you can't meet them. One of the most important aspects of working as a freelancer is keeping your word. If you find that a personal crisis will keep you from completing an assignment, get in touch with your client as soon as you can and explain the situation - although, this step should only be taken for a major event.

4. Find a support group. Many people who work freelance find that there is not a lot of support from family and friends. The reason is because most people don't understand making a living from home - that is just not the norm. Just as people overcoming drinking or drug problems or people trying to quit smoking or lose weight have found, a support group of like-minded individuals can go a long way in helping you to overcome both personal and professional crises.

5. Do your best. That's all any of us can do anyway. Just do the best that you can - and lean on your friends when you need to. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Ok, that's what I've come up with! If anyone else has any other ideas or tips, please feel free to leave a comment.

Later,

Cindy

Why I Became a Freelance Writer

I know this is not the topic that I was supposed to do next, but I'll get back to that one. I ran across a discussion in the Absolute Write Water Cooler (a fantastic place for writers, by the way!) titled "Why Did You Become a Freelance Writer". There are lots of interesting answers. Here's mine:

I became a freelance writer because......

1. I was born with spina bifida and scoliosis. Combined, those two things made it hard for me to work, but I did anyway. Now, I have degenerative disk disease added to the mixture - and although I can do a lot, it was becoming harder to hold down a steady job. I could work months at a time with no problems, then suddenly a few months with severe problems, and it just became difficult to keep a job.

2. I LOVE to write! When I discovered that I could make a living doing something that I love to do, and do it on a schedule that my body allowed, it was one of the greatest days of my life!

The biggest problem I've had with my freelance career is, that unlike working for someone else where I don't have a choice of when I can work, having ADD and suffering from chronic depression has really made freelance writing a challenge for me.

I've been reading since I was 4 and writing since I was 5 - both have always been a passion for me, and writing has always been a type of therapy for me - so, now I get to do what I love the best - and pay the bills! Win-Win!

How You Handle Personal Crisis as a Freelancer

Ok - so, I didn't make it the very next day. But at least I didn't wait several months. So, we are making progress, right? Of course we are!

A couple of days ago, one of my friends posed a question in the Absolute Write forum. As a freelancer, whether you are a writer, graphic designer, whatever you do as a freelancer, how do you handle a personal crisis? Do you keep going or do you take a few days for yourself?

One of the major benefits of being a freelancer is that you make your own schedule. You are the boss - you are in control. Well, most of the time, anyway. A lot of the time, there are deadlines looming.

I think being a freelancer does make it harder on a person sometimes. For instance, if you have a 9-5 job, you are expected to be there barring a major event in your life. Being a freelancer, however, makes it easier to take a day off. The only problem is that it is easier to take a day off and if you are not careful, you could start taking days off at the drop of a hat.

Now, I'm not saying everyone would do that, but it would be a habit that would be easy to slip into. So, how do you determine when to take time off for yourself and when to keep going?

I'd love to hear some ideas from others on this subject. And, tomorrow, I'll talk about what I do to keep myself going when I would rather not. I suffer from chronic depression - and it is so, so easy for me to fall into the trap of taking time off or just simply staring at the computer. I think you can tell that from the long periods that lapse between posts.

Just leave a comment with your thoughts. I'd love to hear them!

Until next time,

Cindy

So Sue Me! Oh - sorry, broke writer here!

Well, it seems that procrastination is the thing that I am best at! I want to write on my blog every day - but, something always happens. Always! Come on, give me a break! Can't the day have just 5 more minutes? Can't the kids do their own homework - without any help? Or feed themselves? I mean - jeez! What do I look like? The mommy?
Ok - so school has started and I have the whole day to myself. Yeah, right! What world do I think I live in? So, maybe - just maybe (crossing fingers behind back) - I will remember every day to post something to this blog. I know I have lots of things just rolling around in this brain that you guys want to read!

On another note:

My book, Reverse Mortgage: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply, is now published and ready for purchase! Just click on the words Reverse Mortgage and it will take you there! If you know anyone that is considering a reverse mortgage for themselves or a loved one, this book explains everything you need to know - the pros, the cons, who a reverse mortgage is for, and how it works. (Shameless, Shameless Plug!)

So, now that that is out of the way, I'll see you guys tomorrow! Will it happen? You'll just have to wait and see!

Peace!

Cindy