When i get job, i set aside all things and oput all my time and efforts in the job.

Absolutely true. Don’t know if this is the case any longer, but years ago Mary Kay would have its associates dress up as in going to an office, even if just to make calls (pre-Internet) from home so that they could get in a business “mindset.”

Is that why I feel like a serf (on the better days)?

I’ll have a biased view, but here’s my take on your question:

You’re starting the right way — ask questions. Ask more of yourself: Why do you want to write? What do you like to write about?

Personally, when I was your age — a LONG time ago — I wanted to get paid for broadcasting sports. And a couple of years later, I realized that if I wrote, too, that would give me a leg up on a sports caster who didn’t write, and it would give me something to fall back on in the event of a recession.

In radio, and in journalism, you go went where the jobs were (this is pre-Internet — Al Gore hadn’t invented it yet). Three months as a midnight disc jockey drove me into print forever. I was a sportswriter for seven years, then started to take accounting courses to prove I could write other things. Getting pigeonholed is dangerous. I’ve moved from sports to education to transportation to business to financial services to technology during the course of my career. The key in each was to find the experts and ask the questions in order to write the articles. I’ve seen enough PR over the years that I do some of that now, too.

Others could advise you on blogging or book writing, those are out of my area of expertise.

But a caveat: There’s a ton more competition today than when I broke in — and I spent my first three months after college carrying golf clubs (after interning at a “superstation” the year before). So develop other skills, too, so you can go in another direction if life dictates — I’ve known a lot of people who’ve taken on different jobs in order to meet the needs of a family, even if they really liked the job/career thy left. Other times, jobs will leave you. I went on my own about the time you were born because my job moved.

Although, one of the perks I do enjoy is not having to share a bathroom with co-workers.

I’m not a full-time freelancer (yet), but I’ve done freelance projects and I’ve never found myself stressed or feeling like I’m overworked or have less free time than I would at a 9-5 job.

Honestly I think that freelancing is an awful lot like school and homework. In high school, you have someone holding your hand all day and forcing you to do things and watching over your shoulder (a la some 9-5 jobs). In college, you’re responsible for showing up for class, you’re responsible for budgeting your time for homework assignments, and you’re judged based on your deliverables. Freelancing is very similar. You get an assignment, you work with a client or clients, and you produce the work that is needed in the allotted time frame. How you get there and how long it takes you is up to you. Keeping yourself disciplined is also up to you.

If someone has trouble focusing and disciplining themselves, then perhaps a traditional job is the better route to go. I find motivation to discipline myself in the freedom in scheduling and being my own boss that freelancing projects allow. Aside from a ‘workaholic’ type of personality, maybe the people that find freelancing to be completely time consuming or hard to stick to are the same people that spent longer on homework and found college to be hard? (I don’t mean this in a demeaning way, just literally maybe that’s the situation.)

To each his own. I think freelancing is fantastic and the idea of being able to take time out for a doctor appointment or errands without having to answer to anybody makes it worth the struggle for me. Work in PJs all the way! *shrug*

I really enjoyed the post. Being a self-employed individual, no matter where or what, is not an easy task. There has to be an element of self motivation, self discipline and organization. BUT – it can be learned. It just may mean a longer learning curve than others experience.

I’m in the camp of getting dressed each day. I just think it prepares me for the unexpected – because the unexpected WILL happen. Because I have the kids home with me all day, work in the middle of the chaos (in the kitchen), and deal with the normal working of the home, it is good for me to dress casually. But I dress nice enough to go to lunch with a friend or meet quickly with a client when necessary (but not so nice that I worry about getting a little dirty or dusty – I have boys and it’s going to happen).

I also have to admit, I wear PJs a lot . . . just the bottoms. But then, I never leave the house and don`t get many visitors.

Needless to say, I was also single at the time and I don’t think my wife would get so excited about that these days. Also, you can’t play poke online for money like you used to.

Same with schedules, etc. The beauty of freelancing is that we can all do it our own ways, without having to adhere to a firm set of ground rules. I got enough of that in the corporate office life.

For me, it’s similar to folks telling me I will be more productive if I make lists. I’ve made lists. They’re useless for me. I no longer bother. What makes 80 percent of people more productive doesn’t work for me, so why would I want to fit myself into the norm?

I’m all for the sentiment of if you’re not productive, try this or that. If a new writer came to me and said “I’m sitting around in my pajamas all day, and I’m not getting anything accomplished. I feel depressed, yada yada,” then by all means I’d suggest that she try getting dressed in the morning and see if that helps. But if something’s not broken, I say don’t try to fix it.

I’m new to stay-at-home freelance writing. This article was actually quite encouraging to me. Many of the problems people face seem not to apply to me.

I do not have children. I have two dogs, but I find they are a great way to make me rip myself away from my computer for a few minutes every couple of hours for a potty break! Getting outside in the sunshine does wonders for my energy level and focus.

I never considered myself a very disciplined person. However, I do consider this job as real as any office job I’ve worked. So it hasn’t been an issue getting up, dressed (even if I am wearing shorts and my pajama top) and to the computer in the morning. Of course, that’s after taking the dogs potty and giving them their breakfast!

I was also relieved to read being able to stay focused at work and not needing a boss looking over their shoulder are two big attributes of successful freelancers. Additionally, I was never the type to talk on the phone, surf the net or chat at the water cooler. Who are these people anyway, where do they work and how do they keep their jobs?

Reading the anyone can do it myth was my favorite. Of course starting out, I’m relying heavily on the sites where you bid on jobs. Huh? One or two dollars for a 500 word article? I don’t mind eating the ramen noodles, but I draw the line at living in a card board box!

So as I set out on my freelancing journey, I will definitely read the advice you all write and posts you leave. Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Heather
i_write@ymail.com

I do get interrupted alot from the kids, (especially the breaking up of arguments)I unplug the phone from 9:30 to 12:00, my house isn’t always the best, (never filthy!) but not always dusted. I don’t always have dinner cooked… sometimes it’s “whatever’s in the fridge sweeties!” and sometimes I don’t even have enough time in the morning to read my favorite FWJ! But thankfully, I’ve been doing this for many years now and have a pretty good routine going. And I must mention, I also have a ton of support from my prince of husband of 16 yrs of which I would probably not be able to stay and work from home. I guess I’m one of those that thinks whatever works for you…
Have a good weekend to all!

@Cara – I’ve worked in my pajamas at times as well. Generally it’s a day where I’m sick or I’m not going anywhere, but it’s constantly in the back of my mind that I’m in my pajamas. I agree people discount the work, that’s a major frustration. My son is in school full time now which is such a big help.

@Monica – I can imagine roommates and significant others can be quite the distraction. At least you have somewhere quiet you can hole up for a while, right?

@Ann G -Since the school bus comes at 7:30 I’m usually first dressed in sweats. After the bus leaves I work out, shower and get into my day to day clothes. Like you the doorbell rings, plus there are the guys who mow the lawn once a week or the people who stop by the house on an almost daily because my husband’s old car is just sitting in the driveway( because he can’t part with it)and they want to know if it’s for sale.

@Dave Navarro – I can imagine how it can be with three kids! One child takes up enough time. Like you I woke early – at 4:00 and worked for several hours until my guys woke. After that it was two hours while preschool or kindergarten were going on and evenings. Full time school has freed up my evenings for family, thank goodness. More power to you! Thanks for the retweet and for having my back. Rock on.

@Lindsey – It’s hard not to resist the call of the bed or napping couch, isn’t it?

@Lisa – Thank you! I have the neediest dog ever. If he’s inside he’s whining for something – company, his frisbee, food, a walk…and if he’s outside he spends the whole time treeing squirrels and barking. Lordy, what a racket!

@Aurora – I scheduled too, up until last year. It was generally when my family was asleep or at school and work. Having a plan always helps.

@Diana – Good for you for finding a way to make it work. I work at the library or coffee shop when I’m lonely, but mostly these places prove to be a bigger distraction because I like to people watch.

@Jared – Maybe you’re on to the next make money online scheme.

@Sirena – Even on days my husband is “in charge” my son – and even the dog – come to me when they want something. My son will come to me for a snack “Isn’t Daddy in the family room with you…?” And after Daddy says yes, he still has to come back and say, “Daddy said yes.” Plus the dog only comes to me when he wants to go out or play.

Chris – Freelancing definitely takes up your free time. Even though I still work at home, I find I have more time with a full time job than I did freelancing. Having the flexibility to take my son to the shore or park or somewhere cool during the day was a great trade off though and I have no regrets.

@Terreece – Solidarity on the Barney thing. I’m so glad we’re past that phase!

@Amy – I don’t think it’s a clients business what we wear either, it’s all about the work. Sounds like you have a nice, flexible schedule!

@Dionne – I don’t know about working in the Buff. I’m not a prude but I’ve never been one of those people who is confident in walking around without clothes on.

@Rusty Bedsprings – So that’s what you’re calling yourself today? Sorry you made it past the spam filter this time.

@Mel – I don’t wish to make anyone feel bad about their choices. If working in your pajamas makes you more productive, so be it. I’m from the live and let live camp, myself.

@Kori – So we agree to disagree on this one.

I think it’s time for a poll!

Luckily for me, all my friends and family understand that I’m just as busy if not, a lot busier than they are. So nobody (who matters to me) really spews comments that could irk me.

@Deb –
Keep rocking. Ignore the tool and enjoy the real commenters who appreciate you.

At least we writers can scroll past it, imagine living in Deb’s house, her poor husband and long-suffering kids have to listen to that nasally, annoying voice lecturing them 24/7. God help them and their eardrums.

I do work more and harder than nearly anyone else I know, but I do it on my terms and since it benefits me, how can I complain?

That said, I don’t have kids and I doubt that I would be as focused or successful working at home if I did.

“Is it really possible for me to earn money writing?”
What a loaded question! One with a lot of “if’s” in the answer, and you’ve pulled no punches in painting the reality of life as a freelancer.

Sometimes it’s so busy I feel like I’m an air traffic controller landing planes.

It’s a business that can quickly and easily grow so big that you could work 18 hour days and not run out of work. Of course, you’ll eventually collapse.

That’s one reason I stress the importance of getting into info marketing with every writer I coach. I’ll tell you, the sweetest money coming into my bank account is the money that comes from work I did a year ago!