For about a year and a half, I have been working out of the house as a freelancer. I have found it to be an interesting experience to say the least. I must admit, I have enjoyed many aspects of this career choice.
The first that I have enjoyed is the way it has made me more available to my family. Today the school called because my youngest was sick. Nothing major, but a head cold had made her dizzy and she wanted to come home. Old me would have had to say "no" because I would have been unable to get the day off work (most likely). I have time to deal with school and the Sparks unit I help to run. Sure, it makes me less productive, but it is worth it.
The second is that I am doing something I love. It doesn't hurt that it is something that I love doing done in such a way that I am able to work in my pj's. Today, the only reason I got dressed before 4:30 is that my daughter's reading tutor came by for a session. (note to self: dressed by noon. No exceptions).
However, there are things that I don't love. Not at all. Not one little bit.
The first is that I am, as always, fighting the time management monster. With my husband posted, all duties are now on me. That means that I need to fight the urge to (blog) do laundry, play around on Facebook, etc. so that I can get my work done. I am often somewhat successful. I am also sometimes writing until 2am because I have a deadline and other things got in the way.
The second, and the one that has led me to posting this is that I hate, hate, hate, hate dealing with money. Many of my clients are fantastic and pay promptly. They do not haggle. They send me accurate assignments complete with payment amounts. There are others that tend to take longer to pay (usually because I have worked on larger projects for them) but they still pay. Then, there is the final category. The non-paying, can't keep track of what I am owed, doesn't send accurate work orders kind.
When you are a freelancer and writing for a living every. penny. counts. It really does. It really, really does. And when you find out that suddenly, two of the dollars were gone because the client was not clear about the terms of the assignment it is very upsetting. Ah well, I guess that its a good thing I don't need to buy work clothes.
The first that I have enjoyed is the way it has made me more available to my family. Today the school called because my youngest was sick. Nothing major, but a head cold had made her dizzy and she wanted to come home. Old me would have had to say "no" because I would have been unable to get the day off work (most likely). I have time to deal with school and the Sparks unit I help to run. Sure, it makes me less productive, but it is worth it.
The second is that I am doing something I love. It doesn't hurt that it is something that I love doing done in such a way that I am able to work in my pj's. Today, the only reason I got dressed before 4:30 is that my daughter's reading tutor came by for a session. (note to self: dressed by noon. No exceptions).
However, there are things that I don't love. Not at all. Not one little bit.
The first is that I am, as always, fighting the time management monster. With my husband posted, all duties are now on me. That means that I need to fight the urge to (blog) do laundry, play around on Facebook, etc. so that I can get my work done. I am often somewhat successful. I am also sometimes writing until 2am because I have a deadline and other things got in the way.
The second, and the one that has led me to posting this is that I hate, hate, hate, hate dealing with money. Many of my clients are fantastic and pay promptly. They do not haggle. They send me accurate assignments complete with payment amounts. There are others that tend to take longer to pay (usually because I have worked on larger projects for them) but they still pay. Then, there is the final category. The non-paying, can't keep track of what I am owed, doesn't send accurate work orders kind.
When you are a freelancer and writing for a living every. penny. counts. It really does. It really, really does. And when you find out that suddenly, two of the dollars were gone because the client was not clear about the terms of the assignment it is very upsetting. Ah well, I guess that its a good thing I don't need to buy work clothes.
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