To Blogger, or To Wordpress?

I'm pretty sure that a few months ago, I decided to merge my Wordpress blog into this one, but ended up forgetting to actually post any of the imported content. Now that I've flooded the blog with old stuff, and updated my format, it's time to get down to business.

I missed Blogger.

Working with Wordpress day in and day out, I still can't get the appeal. It's not difficult to use, but it's difficult to look at my dashboard and see basic things without needing to go hunt down a plug-in for it. When I find myself looking back at this blog, and my old ones from ages ago, it's easy to see that I've had X amount of views and clicks this month, along with all sorts of other data and pretty graphs. I still can't figure that out with WP. 

Now that I have a Windows Phone, though, I've pretty much accepted that I won't be able to do things like I used to. No blogging on the go, no real social on the go, which is fine. But for the sake of having a place to post again, as well as having a good clean blog to work with when I DO get around to it, I'm starting this up again anyways.

Let's hope I can develop a habit of posting regularly, and stick to it.

What's the goal of freelancing?

The goal of any form of work is to gain experience, make new connections, and get paid. But what if you finally had everything you wanted as a freelancer: full-time work (or as much as you need) at the rate you want, savings and retirement accounts, and no fear regarding tax season. Your bills are paid, you are successful, what more could you need?

Some employers and contractors think that the goal for everyone is a full time, staff position with benefits.

Even if you are gainfully self-employed with the benefits that come along with it, a chance at that salary + health insurance job is pretty much gold.

Imagine two jobs, both with the same gross salary and benefits, except one is as a self employed contractor and the other is as a remote-working employee. Apart from being able to collect unemployment as a laid off employee, I can't really see the difference.

What is the goal of freelancing, then, if it isn't to get a 'real' job?

The Chatty Introvert

LinkedIn just sent me the article "Best Career Mistake: Drawing a Blank With a Powerful Executive." I started reading it, then cut myself off. I've done this. I've made this mistake. I've blanked when approached by execs, and when blindsided by hiring managers.

I talk a lot. I hate talking, I hate talking on the phone, and I really don't like people. But I trick myself into being social during those 'blanks' by gabbing like a crazy person about any and everything. I hold onto the actual important things, and end up blurting them out at the end of a call, or sneaking them into an odd email. It must be a nervous habit.

I make all of the mistakes. But I think there's a reason. Why did I blow that interview? Because another, better opportunity was right around the corner.

The Fearful Freelancer

Some people can make the switch to freelance life seamlessly. They know their audience, their business, and what they can provide and go with it. They roll with the punches, and learn when they could normally just give up.

For years it seemed that my transition was also seamless. I started taking on oDesk contracts while in college, kept a few when I had a day job, and got more whenever the job market hit. In every lapse in employment, I've always been able to turn to oDesk.

But even after all this time as a writer on oDesk, a writer who actually does more social media and research than anything, I still find myself crippled with fear when asked to write an article.

What if the client doesn't like it? What if I spent too long researching? What if it sounds like I'm as dumb as I feel when writing about your sound equipment?

I most struggle with the fear that I'm not good enough. I get daily invitations from people needing articles, bloggers, ghostwriters... But apart from the fact that I hate '20 Unique Excellent, SEO-optimized articles in 1 Hour!), I hate when hourly jobs ask me to write an article.

I'm just not good at it. I almost feel like subcontracting everything I get to someone who actually enjoys writing for businesses.

Sunday Before Tax Day

My mind is a bit of a mess. I have a headache from the number of worries and hopes running through me right now. But I know that I'm happy.

Today is my little bro in law's birthday party day, and I haven't gotten his gift yet. Tomorrow is tax day, and I can't actually afford the bill from Michigan. I'm sitting in Barnes & Noble, one of my favorite book chains, surrounded by books I can't afford to buy.

My eyes hurt, but it's so beautiful outside after a week of wet and cold weather.

I actually have work to do this week, oDesk jobs that I just started, which is great. I really need to get creative though, and start managing my own social media like I manage other peoples' accounts!