I have a secret. I cheat.
A few years ago, I decided to become a freelancer. With a strong business background and plenty of skills, expertise and knowledge, I had exactly what it takes to make it. But I didn’t just make it. I wanted to make it big.
I got off to the right start. I paid attention, I researched, I learned, I applied my skills, my talent, and my charm. I worked hard to make a name for myself and worked harder to create a solid reputation. I worked hard on building my business and pursuing my dreams.
I did everything – literally. I promoted, marketed, did customer service, maintained the books, planned, plotted and strategized. Oh, yeah, and I worked, too. I had personal projects and client projects and more ideas than I had brainpower.
It wasn’t long before I realized I was going to end up where many freelancers are today.
I ended up tired. Really tired. I worked long hours every day, seven days a week. I had to – big dreams take big workweeks, right? Besides, I was a business owner. This is what it was all about.
My family and friends complained that I was always holed up tapping away at the computer. “Take a break,” they urged. “Stop working so hard. You’re going to burn out!”
Okay. I was all for that. I sure could use a break. When I asked who’d pay the bills while I went on vacation or who would help me cut down my workload yet still make financial ends meet, everyone shuffled their feet and looked the other way.
Right.
People talk a lot about the freelancing dream, the one where you leave corporate cubicles so you can lounge around eating chips, watching movies when you felt like it, or playing in the sun just because you can.
Personally, I think that’s a crock.
I know many freelancers, online business owners, and entrepreneurs who burn out on a regular basis. They run like hamsters in the wheel, scrambling all the time and rushing through their lives because that’s all they know.
For a while, that was all I knew too. I went back to working hard, scrambling to get everything done, burning the candle at both ends, and isolating myself. I felt like if I stepped away from my business, it would crash.
One fateful Tuesday night, I stared at a document on my laptop screen for nearly an hour. It was blank. So was I. I reached out my hand, picked up the phone, called Harry and said five words: “I can’t do this anymore.”
“You don’t have to,” Harry answered. “You know what you need to do.”
I was an idiot. I did know what I needed to do. I had been too stubborn to ask for help, too determined to make it on my own steam, too ashamed to say I couldn’t do everything myself. I’d been working too hard trying to prove myself and had forgotten about taking care of myself.
I looked at the successful businesspeople around me. They weren’t burning out. They had figured out the game, stacked the deck, and slipped aces up their sleeves. These people lived the dream of doing what they loved, making money, and enjoying wild success.
That part isn’t a crock. Today I live that life, and I’m not near done living it yet.
Even better? You can have that life, too.
Today at 9am, we’re launching your ultimate freelancer guide and telling you the secrets successful business owners use to get ahead. It will change the way you do business, whether you’re just getting started or have an established venture of your own.
The Unlimited Freelancer isn’t a weakling book. No sir. It’s the ultimate freelancer guide, with almost 200 pages of expertise, details, tools, resources and specific recommendations to help freelancers and small business owners get off the crazy wheel and reach better business success – even wild success.
You have the skills. Now get the knowledge you need.
Click here to buy your copy of The Unlimited Freelancer – and start unleashing your ultimate freelancer potential to work less, make more money, and do what you love.
Sounds really interesting – did you mention before that it might be released in proper (sorry for the terminology) book format?
Iain Broome´s last blog post…Embrace your writing community, but don’t be scared to say ‘no’!
@ Iain – Those are the plans, to send it to print publishing and hardcover format. Alas, those plans are not in my hands, so I can’t tell you when that’ll happen.
Okay, no problemo. There’s nothing wrong with a technoread, not in this day and age.
Iain Broome´s last blog post…Embrace your writing community, but don’t be scared to say ‘no’!
One of the things I resolved to do this year was to follow or even emulate other freelancers who have gone through what I am about to; Men with Pens and Writer Dad in particular.
Your book’s release couldn’t have been timed better and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Best of luck with the print format; there’s nothing like the touch or smell of a real book
@ Marc – I highly agree. Which is why I have far too many books in my home.
I’m always up for a good read.
bonemaster´s last blog post…Meh, Another Sword +1
Looks very interesting James – and you had me at “we’re not doubling the price in two weeks”. I think I’ll bite.
I understand why some folks do that, but let me say I appreciate you not doing that.
(No offense meant to people who do that, either – if you want to do that, hey, go for it. But that’s not for me.)
Brett Legree´s last blog post…ultimate self-help tool – free for a limited time!
Bought it, read it, cried my way through it. Your heart shines through and this will change lives, James.
Bought a second copy for a friend, it was that good.
Jamie Simmerman´s last blog post…The Unlimited Freelancer: the Book and the Dream
Huzzah James! I’m so glad you are publishing this book. My story as a freelancer tracks with yours, and I have come to same conclusion: There is no need for freelancers to suffer for their art or their money! I’ve taken a different tack–coaching rather than publishing–but the bottom line is the same: It’s all about freedom–no excuses!!!!
Trish
Trish Lambert´s last blog post…The right tool for the job…
@James – did I hear right? The Great James asked for help? The Great James is incorporating personal time into his life? AND the world did not fall apart? … oh, congrats on the book launch. Rock on! *grin*
@ BoneMaster – I like to think you won’t be disappointed.
@ Jamie – Actually, that’s it right there. I see so many freelancers, friends and peers just burning themselves up or down into the ground. The complaints are always the same – late nights (and I mean REALLY late), being dead tired, missing their families… It’s just not right. There are other ways to do it. So yeah, I hope I do change lives – for the better.
@ Trish – Oh, you’d get a kick out of this book, I bet. You’re such a go-getter that I can fully see you putting this into practice for a kick-ass coaching business!
@ Urban – Hush now. You’re not allowed to comment. You know me too well.
The world did not fall apart. In fact, it got better – and it’s not finished getting better yet.
James Chartrand – Men with Pens´s last blog post…The Unlimited Freelancer: Unleash Your Full Potential
This looks like an excellent read. I think I might just buy it
I know this is completely unrelated to the article, but the background for the text (concrete texture) makes the text really hard to read. It’s also low res and pre-2000 looking which doesn’t help. Is there a chance you could make it plain white?
@ Andrew – Ahh, the background. Well, there’s a long story behind that which began with its polar opposite black (see our home page), and it ended up being a situation where I nearly cried, so we settled on… something. We’re not 100% happy with it ourselves, but at least I’m no longer receiving nasty emails about it.
Re: Plain white – I think that’d just look ugly and mismatched with the rest of the theme. No?
Wow fast reply! Thanks
Funny you should mention it, but I got so annoyed with the background image, that I opened firebug and replaced it with a plain white background, and it actually looks fine. Perhaps you might want a light grey if white doesn’t suit you? But black text should only be placed over subtle mellow shades of white, not harsh contrasting textures.
I’ve only just discovered the site and I REALLY love the content you guys are putting up, and I think I’ll be using your services soon
but I cannot continue to read the way it is. I find myself highlighting all the text so I can read it.
Maybe I’m over reacting, but I’m very particular about things like this.
Just my 2 cents
For what it’s worth I agree with you Andrew.
I empathize with the desire to hold to the design aesthetic. However I have an awfully difficult time actually reading the posts. If I really want to absorb it I have to copy and past the text into wordpad.
Your story is great.
I like the progression from pain to pleasure. Then again, I’m a fan of happy endings.
J.D. Meier´s last blog post…How To Use Timeboxing for Getting Results
@ Andrew/Gina – Alright, thanks for your comments. I think RSS should resolve the need to read on-site, so maybe that’s the best option. I’d really hate to think you both stop reading just because you don’t like the colors!
Anyways, let’s move on. I’d really rather not fill the comment second for this post with complaints, eh?
James,
Late to the party, but there’s a reason. One, I came by directly yesterday a.m. at about this time and there was nothing. Probably to time with the release of the book? Two, the post never showed up in my email. So I thought you forgot what day it was, and tried again today. Don’t know if anyone else had delivery problems. Hope not.
Anyway, you told this beautifully, and very convincingly. I know you’ve lived every word of it. If Jamie cried all through it… Maybe I’d better go get me a copy and see if I can hold up.
I can always use a couple of good cheats, passed on to me by a friend.
Jamie—you must be some kind of speed reader!
Best wishes for the book (and tell Mason to hurry with a hard copy, I can’t curl up with my Mac),
Kelly
Kelly´s last blog post…The Open Box
Hey Kelly!
My email post came this morning. Happens a lot
I cried for lots of reasons, but it really was that good. The cheats are great! And yeah, I read fast. Lots of practice.
Love the shoes.
Jamie Simmerman´s last blog post…The Unlimited Freelancer: the Book and the Dream
@James – hey, I did well with my comment! My initial reaction was “Huh, and where have I heard this advice before?” BUT, I refrained, and I did not say it. Let it be said, the Panther is not one for I-told-you-so’s. Nope, I would NEVER throw a conversation back in someone’s face.
Urban Panther´s last blog post…Let there be organization … and there was!
this is what I like. people that whant something more , not just creep around the web and makeing website. keep it up (your skills ^^).
I’m not a businessman. But I would love to check out the book. I’ve been pondering of one day starting a business.
Well, my dear Pen Man,
I made some time today to read TUF. Ooh, I rather like that acronym.
Actually, I’ve read about a third of it.
The rest will wait until the weekend.
I came back to say that while no tears were shed, it is a very well-written primer, and I put sticky notes on a few ideas that I’d like to implement myself.
Smooth writing style, practical, and an easy read that a freelancer (or an Experience Designer) could be pulling ideas from for years, especially if they’re just starting out.
Geez, and I paid money for it. You should be paying me! Hehe.
Oh, yeah, and there’s a typo on page 45.
Until later,
Kelly
Kelly´s last blog post…Inspiration Points: Crunched for Time?
All typo warnings should be sent to emailme@james.rocks for reasons of discretion. Or write to the editor at ididntdoit@someone.else
@ Kelly – Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed what you read so far, and I appreciate your words, knowing your experience in business. Keep me posted on how you enjoy the rest!
James,
LOL. I thought you might know somebody, like maybewe’lldoarevision@someday.mediapa
Curiosity made me part with 25 bucks. Your fine writing will make me keep reading.
Later,
Kelly@whatarefriendsfor.bigwink
Kelly´s last blog post…Inspiration Points: Crunched for Time?
Congrats on the book, James. Here’s to a gazillion sales!
*smiles*
Michele
Michele´s last blog post…News: Top Health Blogger
James, sorry to join the ranks of complainers. I didn’t mean to be a pest. Mea culpa.
My RSS feed shows up in about 8 pt tiny font so I only can use it to decide if I want to click through to the blog post. The happy news is your blog’s font is a nice readable font size! Better than most other blogs.
@ Gina – S’alright. I’m going to see what I can do this week with the boys. It sucks having a theme that has to look good and read well at the same time – heh, but if you’re trying to read 8pt font, I don’t blame you for speaking up!