As the year draws to a close, and before we start again, it's time to consider embracing new possibilities for a new year.
Specifically, freelancing (you knew I was going to say that! 🙌🏻) is the art of selling your skills and expertise independently, offering income, engagement, and personal growth.
Whether you're seeking supplemental income, the freedom to travel while earning money, the opportunity to live abroad, or just the enjoyment of working the way you want, freelancing can provide a more fulfilling and enriching lifestyle.
Here are the reasons I freelance:
Continued Financial Independence: Living on a fixed income doesn't align with our current life. Freelancing keeps the income flowing.
Flexibility: Making money is a necessity, but why not do it on my clock and from wherever I want? It's not just about the income; it's about staying engaged in life.
Staying Energized and Valued: Staying engaged and feeling the satisfaction of a job well done continues to be important to me. It's about still getting that 'I nailed it!' feeling.
Learning and Growing Together: Surrounding myself with others, learning, and growing is exciting and fun! Freelancing connects me with a community that shares my growth mindset.
The Joy of Working: Doing what I love is necessary. Freelancing brings fulfillment, fun, and a boost to my well-being.
Unleash Your Skills and Embrace Flexibility
Freelancing is a dynamic and empowering choice that allows you to leverage the skills you've acquired over the last two to four decades to offer valuable services to clients worldwide.
The freelance opportunities are growing (check out the stats for people 50+!), from web development and graphic design to marketing, writing, proofreading and editing, project management, operations, and more.
Freelancing allows you to set your schedule, work from anywhere in the world, balance your professional commitments with personal pursuits, and stay engaged in the world.
The Vital Role of Learning and Freelancing in Holistic Well-Being
In freelancing, immersing yourself in learning becomes not just a professional pursuit but a vital tool for holistic well-being, particularly for those of us in the 50+ age group.
As we embrace the idea of continual learning, it isn't only about acquiring new skills for the gig economy; it's a proactive stance toward health and fulfillment.
The flexible nature of freelancing provides a way to apply our well-honed skills and foster a sense of purpose and engagement.
Beyond the monetary gains, freelancing is a way to stay mentally agile, emotionally fulfilled, and physically active. It's about leveraging the wealth of experience we've accumulated over the years, offering it to a global audience, and, in doing so, contributing not just to professional pursuits but to our health and well-being.
As we expand our skills to freelancing, we broaden our horizons, develop our minds, engage our brains, and continue our human need to contribute and be valued.
Craft Your Blueprint for 2024: A Checklist for the Year Ahead
Crafting a blueprint for the upcoming year is like preparing a compass that guides us through the uncharted territories of opportunities and growth.
The following checklist goes beyond New Year's resolutions (which I never make) — a practical guide to shape your freelancing journey and overall well-being in the coming year.
I'm here to support you and your goals by assisting you in envisioning your long-term trajectory as a freelancer by aligning your freelance aspirations, whether long or short-term, with the life you want to live.
✅ Define Your Freelancing Goals
Do you have specific freelancing projects you want to undertake?
Are there new skills you want to acquire to enhance your freelancing ability?
Are you thinking about freelancing but unsure what to think about or how to start learning more?
✅ Financial Planning
Evaluate your current financial situation.
Set realistic income targets for your freelancing endeavors — Full-time? Part-time? Supplemental?
✅ Skill Enhancement:
Identify the skills currently in demand in your freelancing niche or a niche you'd like to work in.
Plan how you will acquire or enhance these skills over the next year.
Consider help if you don't know how to do either of the above 😉
✅ Long-Term Vision:
Reflect on where you see yourself in the next 5-10 years.
Consider how freelancing aligns with your long-term life and career goals.
✅ Health and Wellness:
Plan health-related goals, such as exercise routines or mindfulness practices.
Consider how a healthy lifestyle can positively impact your ability to think, plan, and be productive.
✅ Technology and Tools:
Evaluate your tools and consider upgrades or changes.
Stay informed about emerging technologies that keep you engaged— communication tools, i.e., Zoom, Slack, Microsoft Teams, AI, ChatGPT, Bard, etc. You don't need to be an expert in any of these, but being familiar with and understanding how they shape our current world makes a difference in your ability to make offers and care for yourself.
✅ Assess and Adjust:
• Regularly evaluate your blueprint throughout the year.
• Be open to adjusting your plans based on evolving circumstances and opportunities.
Chart Your Freelancing Future: Start Now, and Thrive Soon!
Freelancing is not just a career path; it's a journey of self-discovery, financial freedom, and personal fulfillment. You can prepare your freelancing lifestyle, which I recommend you do while still working.
Imagine freelancing as a supplemental income source, a way to build a clientele, and a means to acquire new skills—all while you continue your current job.
As you learn, grow, and navigate the world of independent work, you'll develop a renewed sense of confidence, independence, and adaptability.
Embrace the challenges, celebrate the successes, and enjoy the freedom to shape your career and lifestyle according to your aspirations.
Stepping into 2024, let freelancing be the catalyst for a transformative new chapter that doesn't require you to wait until the end of your current job.
If you're ready to embark on this empowering journey or have questions about freelancing while still working, I invite you to reach out.
I'm here to offer guidance, support, and conversation.
Let's make the coming year the beginning of your freelancing dreams and aspirations, even as you continue your work.
Cheers to learning, growing, and BECOMING to stay healthy and happy!
Pura Vida! ❤️
Jeanne