Friday, April 03, 2009

What I Really Want

While I was away last weekend enjoying a couple of days in Atlantic City with My Love, I received an email from a someone interested in hiring me for some technical writing work. Extremely excited that this person found me through my website and wanted to speak with me about some potential work, I contacted him and we set up a phone meeting. It seemed to be perfect timing, since I've been trying to build up my freelance business so that when I'm finally ready to let go of the full-time job I'll have some steady work to pay the bills.

Unfortunately, the new project wasn't meant to be. It turns out the company needs someone for this particular project who is available during business hours. When the contact told me this, I actually considered quitting my job and throwing my hat in the freelance ring immediately. The thought was fleeting, but I think it was pretty revealing. I think it gave me a real glimpse into what I really want for my life.

I desire so much to take on this "freelance thing" full-time. I know it will be a challenge, and maybe I'm naive to think that I'll be able to make enough money to live off of, but I want to give it a try. Sadly, that fear of not making it, of having to go crawling back to my full-time job--or worse to find another one--keeps me firmly planted in my chair at The Job with one foot over the freelance line.

Thankfully, this new contact is interested in using my services for future projects and asked me to keep in touch, which I'll gladly do. Maybe the right work will come along at just the right time and I'll be ready to take the step over that freelance line. In any event, I've made a new professional connection and that makes me excited for whatever might be around the corner.

8 comments:

Over Coffee - the green edition said...

Is there any way you can do both? Cut back your full-time job to 2 or 3 days and do the free lance job the other days? Kind of ease into it?

Good Luck to you!

Allison said...

You "can" make it and you "will" make Ami, just feel the fear and keep pushing foward.

Everyday that passes will put you that much closer to reaching your goal. You can do it!

Ami said...

Over Coffee - I've considered this, but I work for a very small company and unless there were extenuating circumstances they're not likely to let me do that for fear others might get the same idea. I'm working on a similar exit strategy and a way to present it that makes it worth their while, though.

Allison - Thanks for the encouragement. I'm trying to push through.

patresa hartman said...

oooh, how fortuitous! maybe this was laying the path for the right decision at the right time? cool.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Hope that connection leads you to a bunch more, and they're all lucrative.

Ami said...

Patresa - That's what I'm counting on.

Angie - Let's hope so! It would certainly make my decision easier if my client list started to grow.

Stesha said...

Keep pushing forward and all your dream will come true:)

Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha

Ami said...

Stesha - Thanks so much for the encouragement.

I'm so thankful for all the great people who read my blog! You all rock!

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