Stephanie Diani for The New York Times
Sometimes being creative means compromising. Career and life guru Lee Silber recently shared his list of forty items to remember (we'll get back to that list soon with info on his new book). Meanwhile this was #39;
"Find Work You Love So Much You’d (Almost) Do It For Free. Most of my fan mail comes from creative people who hate their day jobs. They are also trapped in those same dreaded jobs because they must make a certain amount to survive. I have found that the freedom of finding work you love—and being able to pursue it—can come from cutting back and living on less. Not having to make as much money means you may be able to do what you truly desire, even if it doesn’t pay top dollar."
Being a freelancer seems to go hand-and-hand now with living smaller and living more green. And it's now in style! That said, here's an amazing slide-show in The New York Times by Bethany Little, please click the above photo. And here's the story she wrote. There was just another grest story in The Times by on tiny homes by Steven Kurutz.
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5 comments:
Yeah, find work you love. Bull! When you do something for a living, no matter how much you love it, it becomes work and a pain in the butt. The problem is, no matter what we do these days and even if we live like paupers, it's still not enough money. It's becoming impossible to afford the basics.
John, it's disheartening to read your comments. I know I can't be the only one who is been able to make good money doing something that is fun (time flies), functional (it makes money), and fundamentally good (it makes a difference). Is every aspect of what I do a joy? No. But for most people life is 90 percent maintenance, and 10 percent joy. My ratio is more like 25 percent maintenance, and 75 percent joy.
For instance, I spoke at the HOW Freelancers Conference in Chicago last month. The time I spent preparing was a learning experience, the travel was quick and easy and I was able to read a novel with no kids screaming, they put me up at the Hyatt, I did a marketing materials makeover after dinner and hosted a design roundtable at breakfast that was awesome, and my presentation in front of 230 people was the highlight. The only downside was the return trip. I wanted to leave early to get home to play a benefit concert with my band so I flew standby and was squished between two people for four hours. Oh, but the travel was paid for by HOW and I received a fair fee for my presentation.
As for cutting expenses, I agree, everything costs more—especially here in San Diego—but I have been able to (easily) eliminate $1,000 in monthly expenses, and cut another $750 (not quite as easy). It's a mindset. As a family we have gone back to nature and eliminated almost all of the things we have to pay for (Disneyland, Seaworld, the Zoo) and we now do hikes, parks, the beach, and play dates. My wife and I have become interested in cooking, and prepare a lot more meals at home (and when we do eat out, we use coupons).
I could go on, but I want readers to get another perspective that what I am talking about isn't bull, it's working for one freelancer—me.
Thanks, Lee, for sharing your fresh perspective. I'm packing my bags, filling up the tank and facing the car toward San Diego...sounds great there. Everything, of course, is relative and let me share my numbers because it'll make some readers feel alittle more in control of their situation. My expenses are about $3,000 a month (mostly rent and health insurance). I made more in the '80s then I have now. While, I'm more careful then ever with my spending (I'm just meeting my bills), I've never been happier as I love what I'm doing (cartooning and humor writing) and how much I make is not a top priority (or less I would have stopped). Of course, I'm working at reversing what you would call a negative cash flow situation but I'm confident one of the projects I am currently working on will take off (I just turned in a new book proposal to my agent at lunch.). It's what being artist is about. It's never been easy but you can't put a price on the luxury of being creative. I tried squeezing a lengthy subject into a comment. I highly recommended readers to explore Lee's books as he really helps on this particular subject. This is not a sales pitch. I never met the guy but asked to interview him for this blog after reading his books and he's help me to be a more successful freelancer. Interview and book details here.
Lee,
I understand your point, and I don't disagree with it. But I get disgusted because if I cut back anymore, my wife and I would be living in a cardboard box...
My auction business (which I love and work at with all my soul) is definately getting better and I'm starting to make more money. However, as my income increases, so do my expenses. And these aren't new expenses brought on by, "Hey I have a bit more money. Let's buy this." No, no. The bills I'm already paying (groceries--we never eat out--heat, electric, gasoline, insurance, etc.) just keep going up.
So it gets frustrating. I'm trying to get my writing career off the ground, and I don't have to tell you how hard it is to get your foot in the door.
So yes, I love my auction business. I love being an auctioneer. I also love writing. Composition is like breathing for me. It would just be nice to be able to pay my bills and live comfortably without having to constantly worry how I'm going to keep paying to live.
Actually, I interviewed John here and will post the entire interview very soon!
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