A while back, a blogger I respect a lot, Carrie from Careful Cents, wrote a post about how she increased her freelance income by more than $2000 per month (totally go check this post out. And the rest of her site. It’s got good, good stuff). One of the key points was to say yes more often. It’s a point that stuck with me since I first read it.
It’s hard for me to say yes to opportunities. I have a variety of trust issues regarding people. I’m terrible with taking chances and seizing opportunities. Some of the reasons for this stem from my own insecurities; some of them stem from experience. And, also when it comes to my career and success, I’m a pretty pessimistic person, which is attributed mainly to my lack of self-confidence
This last part is perhaps the most dangerous when you’re trying to make a living as a freelancer. When you’re trying to freelance, you need to be confident in your skills and knowledge. You need to have a thick skin. You need to network, take risks, and make opportunities come to you as well as create your own. Not an easy thing to do when you’re a textbook introvert, new people make your nervous, and you get overwhelmed easily.
But I’m working on it. Every day, I work on it. It’s getting better but I have a long, long way to go. And in the back of my mind is always Carrie’s point about saying yes.
Which is why, when the nice guys at Credit Forums (a sort of local company. They’re based in Philly) approached me about writing a page for their newest guide, I agreed to do it. Well, I hesitated at first and did some research but I agreed to do it. I figured it was a great way to get some practice writing for a book, which is ultimately what I want to do, and who knows what else it could lead to? Everyone has to start somewhere. Why not start here?
And, I’m not going to lie to you, a bunch of really selfish factors got tossed in the mix of reasons I said yes. I’m glad I did, too, because not only has it panned out but it’s a quality finished product that I’m really proud to be a part of (and one of the other contributors is my very first mentee, Pauline, from Reach Financial Independence so that’s extra aca-awesome).
Oh, the best part? You guys get a copy of the guide, 21 Days to Healthier Finances, for free just by following this link. You don’t have to sign up for anything, register, give any information to access the guide (although there are bonus chapters that you get if you register by email. Totally your call).
It’s a really quick and easy guide to read and it gives a number of tips from a variety of experts on getting your finances under control if that’s something you’re interested it. Or, you can read it just to see what I wrote. That’s cool, too.
And, apropos of nothing except I totally ripped off the title of this post from it, here’s the video of The Lonely Island’s “I’m On a Boat”:
Kraig - Young Cheap Living says
Hi Jana,
I got an email about this, both back when they wanted me to participate and today saying that it was published. I did see your name in there. How sweet is that! Congrats!
I’d love to hear about how it goes for you.
Also, neat job with this new blog. Let’s connect so I can hear more about the journey you’re on. I’ve made some big changes too lately.
Are you going to FinCon13? Hold on, there’s some big Bloggers Helping Bloggers things going on, right?
Take care,
Kraig – Young Cheap Living recently posted…Freedom Can Be An Emotional Roller Coaster
Jana says
Thanks, Kraig! And yes, BHB will be representing at FinCon13. I’m excited about that.
We definitely need to catch up!
Kevin Fleming says
This was kind of a giant experiment that could have gone either way, but I am really happy I was able to convince you to contribute and I’m extremely proud of how it turned out.
I think that most bloggers get bombarded with guest posting requests and other “opportunities” that don’t provide any real value and are skeptical of any new opportunities because of that.
So it took a bit of persistence to put this together but it couldn’t have turned out any better!
Kevin Fleming recently posted…Pay Off Student Loan Debt Faster
Jana says
You did a great job, Kevin. I’m really glad I said yes.
Laura says
Congrats! It’s hard to know the difference sometimes between a good opportunity and a waste of time – that’s where our gut comes in I guess 🙂
Laura recently posted…How to avoid the pitfalls of back-to-school shopping
Jana says
I tend to listen to my gut; it’s really never let me down. I’m glad that this time wasn’t any different.
Christy says
Congrats. That is a huge accomplishment.
Christy recently posted…Top 15 Must Haves to Pack into Mom’s Hospital Bag During Pregnancy
Jana says
Thanks! I’m really excited about it!