Welcome to Day Nine of the Fifth Writers Worth movement! Today’s our last day in Vancouver, and my last chance to check in, assuming I’m able to wrestle the laptop from my husband (he may need it for the conference) and secure decent WiFi.
Know what the best part of asking you to share your thoughts on what worth means to you and your business? It’s knowing that people like Cathy Miller will come up with something fantastic to share. Cathy is what I call quiet genius — she’s unassuming in her personality, yet her words are packed with wisdom and been-there-done-that experience. She’s one of my favorite people I’ve never met, and I’m thrilled to have her guest posting. You will be, too. Her posts are always worth remembering.
She’s done it again. Cathy’s post is one we need to print out and nail to our walls above the work space.
Thank you, Cathy. Love!
The Freelance Writer’s Dictionary Worth Reading
By Cathy Miller
You may have freelanced for years. Or felt pushed there when you could not find work. Or you could have slammed the phone down on a room full of executives and quit your day job on the spot.
Yes, that last crazed scenario describes my entrance into freelancing. I wasn’t particularly proud of the loss of control, but it did signal that I waited too long to start my freelance writing business. Why do we do that? Why do we put our dreams on hold?
We let others define what makes us worthwhile. I know I did.
· I charged less than my writing was worth
· I did work from my corporate days I did not like
· I got talked into exchanging work for referrals (that never happened)
Why would a reasonably intelligent, professional writer sell herself short like that? Because we think we are not worthy to follow our dreams. We need to be more practical. Well, how practical is it to let others define what we should and should not do?
It’s time we created our own freelance writers’ dictionary.
Worth it From A to Z
- A
– Attitude – Adopt the attitude that you are
worth it – however you define that. - B
– Bold – Be bold and believe in yourself
– two Bs for the price of one. - C
– Confidence –
Confidence in your writing and your business is your calling card to
success. - D
– Deserving –
You are deserving of praise. - E
– Escape – Escape the limits you put
on yourself. - F
– Freedom – You have the freedom to go
after your dream and make it real. - G
– Gift – Your writing is a gift – be
thankful. - H
– Honorable – Your profession is an honorable
one where you belong. - I
– Inspiring – You have the power to inspire
and influence others. - J
– Justified – Your belief in yourself is
justified. - K
– Knowledge – The knowledge you share is
priceless. - L
– Limitless – You have limitless
opportunities to shape your future. - M
– Merit – Belief in yourself has enormous
merits. - N
– Noteworthy – Believe what you have to say is
noteworthy. - O
– Open – Open yourself to the
possibilities. - P
– Praiseworthy – When you feel worthy, praise
will follow. - Q
– Quiet – Quiet the doubt and use the
silence for bigger dreams. - R
– Reflections – Reflections are the building
blocks of creativity. - S
– Sacred – Self-worth is a sacred right. - T
– Trust – Trust in yourself and others
will do the same. - U
– Ultimate – Success is the ultimate reward
for believing in yourself. - V-Vision – Open your eyes to the vision of
your success. - W
– Worthy – Tape the word worthy to your
dreams and awaken your soul. - X
– Xanadu – Create your own Xanadu of
success. - Y
– You – You are the builder of dreams –
make it happen. - Z
– Zeal – Finish each day with zeal for
who you are.
The author of this quote is unknown, but it
nails the sentiment.
“If
you really put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will
not raise your price.”
Write your own destiny.
has a business writing blog at Simply stated business, a health care blog at Simply stated health care and her personal bog, millercathy: A Baby
Boomer’s Second Life.
18 responses to “Writers Worth Two: Freelance Writer’s Dictionary”
Love this, Cathy. My favorite is 'escape the limits you put on yourself' but they are all great. (And I agree with Lori: you're one of my favorite people I've never met!)
Aww, thanks, Lori and Sharon. I'm humbled. As a middle child of seven, I have a few siblings who would be rolling on the floor laughing at the "quiet" part. 🙂
Both of you I include in my many gifts I've received since starting my business. We are all worthy. 🙂
This is so awesome, Cathy. I need to print this and post it on the wall in my office. I chuckled at "X – Xanadu – Create your own Xanadu of success." I'm so working on that!
I have to admit I was wondering what word you'd find for X, Cathy! Lots of great words to focus on. I think a lot of writers will print it out and hang it prominently in their offices.
Escape, Freedom, Xanadu – all things I could use right now.
I'm trying to focus on the positives (lots of new assignments, a large sum invoiced out, and tomato plants that are growing), but keep letting myself lose sleep worrying about two outstanding invoices (totally over $1300) that have left me with only about $20 in my checking account while I have three bills that need to be paid by Monday; my lone window AC broke; and I have three dogs here for a long holiday weekend with three consecutive 90-95 degree days in the forecast.
Send cool thoughts (or better yet, a cool front!) my way.
Good stuff. Chuck
Kimberly – thank you for the kind words. I am glad they inspire you. I think we're all working on our Xanadu of success.
And speaking of Xanadu, you weren't the only one, Paula, wondering what X would be. 🙂 And I love how you zeroed in on Escape, Freedom & Xanadu.
Freedom is the theme of my personal blog graphic.
Thank you, my online buddies & fellow writers for commenting. 🙂
Thank you, Chuck, for the kudos. I appreciate it.
Great post, Cathy!
Hang in there, Paula — something wonderful will happen soon!
Cathy, turn this into an ebook for sure.
Very cool list, Cathy. I absolutely love they way you did this. "D" sticks with me, because often I feel like who the heck am I? "Anyone can do this", but that isn't true. What we bring to the table is unique and should be valued.
I love Lori's community-you are the best!
Devon – thank you and I'll 2nd your sentiment to Paula-hang in there – a change is always around the next corner. 🙂
Anne – thank you – so many ebooks – so little time 🙂
Wade – unique is my favorite word, Wade, because that definition is different for each one of us. And isn't that great?
You are deserving and I am thankful with a capital T to have you in our writer community.
Well guys – the good news is an old client just e-mailed asking if I wanted to do a short article. That should cover the installation costs.
I know the BTUs, etc… I need so now I need to narrow down the brand and see which credit card has the lowest interest, LOL. Of course, with any big purchase I always fear it will be on sale two days later.
That's great news, Paula! :~) Send positive thought that the other two outstanding clients will settle up asap. Best of luck on the AC purchase as well.
I HEART this. 🙂 Thank you, Cathy. Wonderful stuff. 🙂
Hugs from the Canadian Northwest!
Congrats, Paula!! See, that corner was closer than you thought. 🙂
I heart you right back, Lori. I love the Canadian Northwest, too. I hope you're enjoying. Thanks so much for the opportunity.
I hear you! I too took the leap into freelancing when I was fed up with the 9 to 5 slog.
In fact, today was my first official day as a full-time freelancer! This is the perfect post to mark the occasion and keep my creativity and confidence surging.
Thank you! 🙂
I'm late to the party but OMG Cathy! Brilliant!
Not only should you turn this into an ebook but it'll make for a great board on Pinterest. The A-Z of believing in your worth as a freelance writer.
For me it'll have to be Y. I've stood in the way of my own dreams and goals often enough to realize that sometimes, I'm my biggest hurdle.
Kat & Samar – so sorry for the late reply. I was doing a wrap-up of some guest posts and just now discovered your comments.
Kat – Welcome to our world! I have never regretted leaving the 9 to 5 (which was waaaay more than 9 to 5) behind.
Samar – thank you for the kind words. Y is the most important piece of your business. 🙂