At the start of the year, a few WWD writers explained their plans for 2010. You probably made a few resolutions yourself. We all know how easy it is to forget the plans we’ve made, and, seeing as we’re about half-way through the year, now’s a great time to take a look at those plans and see how you’re tracking.
When I undertook a review recently, I found that although things had changed dramatically, I’d learned so many new things in the last six months — and found a new work groove — that the shifting goal posts hadn’t really been an issue.
Sticking to the Script?
Let me say up front that the plans I made at the beginning of the year didn’t exactly execute with military efficiency.
I swiftly realized that the focus I wanted to take in my work was going to make it difficult to earn a decent living. Trying to upskill and work in my “dream” industry as an unknown freelancer at the same time proved tough. It also proved unprofitable.
Meanwhile, I was offered new opportunities in the areas of my work that were going well. Freelancing can seem to open up a world of choices, and freelancing online can intensify that feeling. But when faced with seemingly endless possibility, I found that it was easiest to perceive and create potential in the areas I naturally gravitated towards.
By following that interest as a freelancer, which means that I’m free of the expectations of a person paying me a salary, I’ve been drawn to exciting projects, new clients, and some opportunities to develop myself further in this field. Bingo!
Skills, Setup and Other Wins
OK, so my work focus isn’t as I’d planned. But I have managed to keep the areas of clients, skills and setupĀ on track. I’ve taken on a few new, ongoing clients so far this year, and I’m attributing these wins to my “marketing strategy.” As a writer, that strategy involves writing a lot of stuff, promoting the stuff I write, and talking to people about the topics I write on. My “strategy” entails a lot of social networking online, but also offline, at face-to-face get-togethers. It also entails a lot of self-motivation, since I often want to write on topics that are left-of-center and don’t fit a particular publication. Fortunately, the web provides numerous ways to engage in public discussion freely, without needing the sanction of a big brand or publisher, and I’ve taken full advantage of that as a way to publicly develop thoughts, concepts and approaches that I can apply in my paid work, and use to build my unique skillset and philosophy.
By creating a “space” for myself in a particular arena, and choosing a space that I really enjoy, I’ve been motivated to expand my passion, which increases my offering and the sense that I “own” that market “space”. This, in turn, gives me very solid credentials in the eyes of prospective clients and work contacts who need the kind of work I do. Through my engagement with this space, I’ve had to do a lot of research — the legwork I predicted in my earlier post. That’s helped me build skills, but it’s also required that I adopt and experiment with numerous tools I wouldn’t have tried otherwise.
Earlier this year I wrote, “I’m one of those rare web workers who’s not wildly passionate about technology”. While I still may not be “wildly passionate”, my attitude has changed significantly since then. And so has my setup. As well as new hardware, I now continuously trial new tools in my remote work setup. This is a good way to test ideas and technologies — and build my confidence with them — before I recommend them for use with clients or colleagues.
Staying on Track
My six-month review revealed that although I’d shifted my work focus, I was still on track with the developmental goals I’d set for myself at the start of the year. They say it’s about the journey, not the destination, and I think I’m in a good position to continue that journey over the next six months.
How are you tracking with your goals for 2010? What have you learned about your industry, and yourself, that you can share?
Image by stock.xchng user weloo.
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