Great day yesterday. I love when I can say that. I made good progress on some ongoing projects, and I’m enjoying very much the work. I got a link to one of my articles and was asked to write two more. Also, a collaboration is shaping up and I’m exciting to be moving into new areas for me. For a Wednesday, not bad.
Today will be spent working on a few new client projects and transitioning all my files from the old computer to the new one. After about eight years, the Dell was outpaced finally by technology needs, but no shame for it. Eight years is a long time for a computer to serve – even with a bigger hard drive and more memory. I need something faster. So files are being transitioned and I’m hoping by the weekend I’ll have all my programs on the new computer. I’m excited to transition also to Windows 7 and Office 2007. With just a little time spent on Word 2007 on the laptop, I think I’m going to love it once I learn it.
I will say a rather large, red-faced thank you to Microsoft, which has been the subject of many a rant here. Their Easy Transfer program has just saved me countless hours of physically walking files from hard drive to hard drive. For what seems like the first time (to me, anyway), the company anticipated that people would rather buy a new computer than perform the upgrade to Windows 7. This transfer app was waiting when I went looking. I’ll still have to reinstall applications, but the data’s there waiting. Amen. I may end up actually liking the company again. Pinch me. I’m still not sure it’s this easy.
Since this is one busy Thursday for me, I thought we could get reflective for a moment. So tell me this – what was one of the best decisions you made last year? I’m talking business decision, but if yours is a personal decision, those are welcome, too. Conversely, what decision did you make that you’d take back if you had the chance? You can list a few in each case, if you like.
For me, my best decision included saying no. One client had to be told no because the price I was working at was suddenly called into question – not because of my work, but because of their budget. I walked away. I didn’t want to, but I shed my personal feelings for the clients (I really like them) and made a business decision. I didn’t regret the decision, especially when they came back a few months later, now willing to pay my rate due to what they couldn’t get at the old price.
One of the decisions I’d take back was ever expressing my opinion about content mills. You know how I feel, and have known for a year or more. I should have left it at that. Instead, I opened this place up to scrutiny by those who staunchly support it. That was okay, but what ensued is not. I’ve been called elitist for wanting writers to expect more from themselves and their clients. That indicates to me that I’ve not clearly expressed my desire to motivate and inspire others to try harder for themselves. And I let a little too much “They’re killing all of us” into my posts. Yes, I’d take that back.
What about you? What were your bests and not-so-bests?
Best decision for me was to withdraw from the wardrobe union, so I don't have Broadway as my safety net. It makes me take more risks as a writer.
You expressed your desire to inspire quite clearly. Those who are obsessed with their commitment to content mills don't WANT to be inspired. They'd rather stay in a comfortable, underpaid slot than work on their craft and take the risk of growing as a writer.
They are not worth your time
I think your decision to leave Broadway was a good one, Devon. Brave, too. It's always tough leaving behind a sure thing. But it's when the door is closed that the windows open, right?
Thank you for saying that. I'm not one who cares to get into heated battles with people over opinions. My problem is I assume everyone else can also argue their point but not take it personally. Wrong! Lord, the things that were said! It's regretful that new writers may have lost the message in all that.
My best decision was to take ownership of my ideas and my work. That is, instead of thinking, oh, I'll send my idea to an editor and wait for him/her to decide whether it's good enough (sometimes waiting for months), I sent my pitches to multiple places and gave it to the editor who offered the best deal. I think I'm going to take much more control over situations going forward.
My worst decision was the same as yours. I didn't talk about it too much– just a simple blog entry– and yet I got vilified and told how I'd been "given" opportunities in life that these poor people didn't have. I too, want to inspire people to achieve the best they can, but I have understood now that not everyone wants to achieve the same level I do, and some are happy writing for $2 an hour, and that's their decision and choice. It's not my place to judge that or to convince someone that my way is better. If they're happy doing what they do, more power to them. But I'm no longer going to express my opinions on how they could be doing better.
Mridu, I understand. And I've taken the same position. I'll help them if they want the help. If not, party on.
Lori, I lovelovelove Office 2007. It does take a bit of getting used to, though.
I'm getting the hang of it, Amie. The trouble is I use a LOT of Word's features, and they're scattered around that tab system they have. Inserting a symbol took me a few minutes to FIND them again. 😉