What’s on the iPod: Into the Dark Unknown by Holcombe Waller
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(That’s me over there on the right — a photo caught in Ireland.)
I know I’m going to regret saying this, but I’ve caught up with most of my work. One small project to finish this morning, then I’m spending the day taking care of this neglected house. We have a Samhain party this weekend, and it’s been two months or better since I’ve had time to do anything but collapse on the sofa at the end of a day.
I loved our discussion yesterday about the misinformation that’s passed among writers in our tight little community. Dava Stewart said it best: “There are many paths to success….” She said more, but that little gem was enough. It’s a brilliant truth.
In fact, as I thought on it – a lot – I realized that every one of us reading and convening here has a different path. I would venture to say we’re all successful in our own ways, and that there are two factors at work that make that true for each of us.
Your path works because you’ve made it.
Isn’t that great? You’re working and earning and interacting with clients because you’ve made your own goals, you’ve chosen your own methods, and you’ve reached out in your own way. Any of us could post an entire business plan here, but it wouldn’t help you as much as doing it yourself would. You may have similar elements (like marketing every day, which I think is the only essential we should all have), but it’s not going to look the same as mine or Devon’s or Paula’s or Dava’s, etc.
Another factor:
Success is up for personal interpretation.
She may need close to six figures a year to be successful due to say her geographic location, family needs, economic demands, etc. He may need closer to say $40,000 because his area is cheaper to live in, he doesn’t have children at home, or the mortgage is paid and there are fewer financial needs.
Success doesn’t come pre-determined.
So anyone who tries feeding you the line “If you want to make BIG money, you HAVE to follow my way” may mean well, but they don’t know what will work for you. That knowledge comes by trying out different methods and finding the one that fits you best.
How does your path differ from some of the advice you’ve seen?
A lot of people equate success with fame. I don't. I consider it living life on my terms.
LOVE the photo — how beautiful — you and a rainbow.
I've thought about this before. I've got so many ideas of what success could look like, that I don't know what it would take to actually feel successful. Getting to work on my own time frame? Doing work I love? Creating projects that are interesting to me and that make me proud when they're finished? The joy of having someone tell me they're succeeding because of work I've done?
Really, all of those things feel like successes to me.
On the other hand, because I've been doing this for less than a year, I've been striving to reach — at minimum — the salary I made at my last full-time job. Because until I reach that point, I kind of can't believe this is my "full time" job.
Great photo, Lori.
I have a very different concept from most advice-givers (or it seems that way).
I respect each individual's choice. I am in a very different place in my life. I don't want to work myself silly for some 6 or 7-figure goal. I don't want an empire. I don't want employees.
What I do want is work I enjoy, time for life, and the freedom to appreciate both.
My idea of success is being able to pay your bills – however large or small – by doing something you love and enjoy. (And by my own definition, some months I'm more of a success than other months.)
I could never hold down a job I hated just for the paycheck. When people say freelancing is "brave" – working without the safety net of a steady paycheck and benefits – I remind them that I may have to work harder at times, but I can never be fired.