The Job Loss MythWritten by Jean Fritz
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What kind of jobs are available to independent contractors? Well, here are some of indie jobs I’ve done: 1)Telephone psychic ($20.00 per hour, work from home) 2)Mystery shopper ($15.00 per hour + expenses) 3)Virtual assistant ($15.00 - $30.00 per hour, depending on task) 4)Editor ($35.00 per hour) 5)Ghostwriter ($50.00 per hour) Many creative and professional jobs, such as technical writers, webmasters, graphic designers, programmers, teachers and tutors, etc. are done by independent contractors on a project-by-project basis. However, FedEx Home Delivery and Schwann’s Ice Cream drivers are also independent contractors, so not having professional credentials is not necessarily a barrier to indie work. Not everyone is suited to life as an indie. If you absolutely need structure imposed by a job, a manager and a time clock in order to function, then don’t consider going indie. If, however, you like having some freedom, are self-disciplined enough to complete jobs on time without being told, and can organize your day and yourself to maximize your productivity and meet your clients’ needs, you have necessary personality traits to become a successful independent contractor. Ignore gloom and doom scenario painted by politicians eager to have a job with perks you pay for. Join indie revolution, and gain an income – and a life – without a traditional job. It’s a choice you won’t want government to “help” you out of.
Jean Fritz indies in the areas of copywriting, editing and graphic design. She can be reached via e-mail or through her website, JMT Publications http://jmtpubs.tripod.com).
| | Five Steps to Vocational Passion: A Disciplined Plan for Major Mid-life ChangesWritten by Craig Nathanson
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Anyone making a change needs supportive friends, and lots of them. I suggest a three-tiered model for analyzing your personal support network. The three tiers will include people who are 1) “interested” in your work; 2) “supporters” who are not only interested, but offer creative ideas to move you forward; 3) “believers,” which includes your most active supporters. Make your lists now. Examine whom you have in your support network and rank them according to these tiers. Focus on networking with your tier-one supporters, while trying to move those people in tiers two and three up ladder. Step Five: Assess Your Risk When taking action to follow one's passion, people trying to change their life fall into one of four categories. Each requires a different strategy. Category One: Plenty of money and plenty of time. People in this category have a high tolerance for risk based on their relatively young age and solid financial means. Category Two: Plenty of money and little time. Because of failing health and/or advancing age, those in category two have some risk tolerance. But they probably lack a solid support network, since most friends will advise against change because they are “too old” or “too sick.” Category Three: Little time and little money. I define “little money” as having less than six months of cash flow in bank. Risk tolerance is low in this category, and supporters are probably hard to come by. Most people are in this category. Category Four: No money and no time. I define “no money” as less then three months cash flow in bank. Anyone is this position will have a very low risk tolerance. They will find little support to help them move toward doing what they love. What to do? Take calculated risks now. Make solid but flexible plans Get aligned around your abilities and interests Get more education if necessary Talk to people who do what you want to do! What's worst that can happen? Remember this: You won't die or become homeless if you pursue what you love. You may, however, find that your relationship to your money will change. You’ll respect money more, and you’ll find that you can manage on less of it. Also understand that pursuing vocational passion doesn’t always mean making less money. But it does mean that money is not only consideration – or even most important consideration – in choosing your new vocational path. If you don't act to pursue your vocational passion, then every seven seconds someone else will come along and ask themselves: “Is that all there is?” Many of them will answer, “No,” and will do something about it. You can be one of doers.
Craig Nathanson, The Vocational Coach, is the author of “P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day,” by Book Coach Press. He publishes the free monthly e-zine, “Vocational Passion in Mid-life.” Craig believes the world works a little better when we do the work we love. He helps those in mid-life carry this out. Visit his online community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com.
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