Quite frankly I’m sick of people waiting around for something better to come along. I’m also sick of news outlets setting fuel to the fire of a struggling economy. And finally, I’m sick of labor statistics that seem to think that full time jobs with benefits are the only jobs worth counting.
Here are the facts we actually know…
U.S. unemployment is still hovering around 9%.
Gen Y unemployment is at a whopping 16%.
And here is what we need to face…
The economy of our parents WILL NOT exist for us. Companies are cutting back, the government is overspending and this multi-faceted financial shit show isn’t going away any time soon.
You’re dreaming if you think the government or any other huge American entity can fix this.
Where I’m going with this…
I don’t mean to shed any more negative light on the situation – our media outlets have that covered. I also don’t mean to tell Gen Y that we’re screwed. We simply need to face some facts so we can start fixing this for OURSELVES.
We are responsible for the paths we take in this life. Not Wall Street. Not the government. Not your boss. Not the economy. Not your parents.So grow some cojones and start finding some viable options for yourself.
No one ever said you had to wait for someone to give you a job. They never said you couldn’t create a job either. In fact, if anyone ever says that I suggest you disregard anything that comes out of their mouths again.
There is a silent revolution going on in this country that you can be a part of. Thirty percent of the American work force currently considers themselves freelancers, contractors or consultants. You wouldn’t know that though because the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics hasn’t counted them in any significant way since 2005.
If 41 million people could figure out how to create a job then why can’t we do it too?
Why can’t we break the old system – which clearly didn’t work out too well for us anyway – and start something new?
Freelancing and entrepreneurship are viable options people! The stereotype of a starving artist who hates corporate America is a thing of the past as more and more people find themselves creating their own work – whether it was because they wanted to or this economic situation forced them to.
11 Reasons Why Freelancing Is An Option in This Economy
By not creating your own work you are closing the door to some great stuff that can only benefit you in the long run. I could give you a million reasons why freelancing is a smart decision but I’ll stick with the top few.
1. Freelancing allows you to become resourceful and learn how to make money on your own.
2. You can make money amid these abysmal unemployment numbers.
3. If you are one of the lucky ones who found a job, you can make extra money on the side.
4. You can gain important skills that could land you a traditional job later on.
5. You can’t get fired because you are your own boss. On a similar note if a client is pissing you off you can drop their asses like a sack of potatoes.
6. You can create work from your passions – whether it’s personal development or ponies.
7. Creativity keeps the mind sharp.
8. You can do work you actually WANT to do rather than doing some busy work your manager handed to you.
9. The internet makes this easier than ever before. Job boards, marketing, you name it – you can freelance from your laptop.
10. You start becoming more self reliant and it’s f*ing exhilarating.
11. More and more businesses and individuals are looking for freelancers to do some of their work for them – writing copy, social media management, managing blogs, web design, even writing Java.
Conclusion
In the face of another possible recession, why wouldn’t you give freelancing a go?
I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s easy – it’s definitely not (then again most things that are worth it in life aren’t easy). But it is certainly easier than most people make it out to be – and it’s easier than ever before because we practically have the world at our finger tips.
If this economy is leaving you pissed off and you want to do something about it – look into making work for yourself. If the idea of freelancing or digital entrepreneurship makes you squeal with excitement then look no further than starting to educate yourself on the subject TODAY.
Here are some resources to get you started ASAP:
FreelanceFolder.com - I can’t even pick out specific posts because the entire blog is a gold mine for anyone thinking about diving into freelancing. From starting out to dealing with clients this blog has got it all!
MakeaLivingWriting.com – This blog is run by a successful freelance writer who shares the different ways she has created an income for herself. There is a big focus on marketing yourself on this blog – a skill many beginners (including myself) seem to lack.
Freelancedom.com - Another great blog run by a freelance writer. The author strives to share tips with other freelancers and create a community where they can come together and share their stories.
FreelanceSwitch.com – FreelanceSwitch is another great site that talks about everything freelance – regardless of what kind of freelance work you may be looking into. They seriously cover just about every kind of freelancing there is.
Freelance Writing Jobs Network – Find tips, resources, and jobs! Great resource for those of you who want to dabble in freelance writing. I’ve actually been able to land a couple of clients using their job boards.
Modern Freelance – A great resource for any kind of freelancing there is – including long lists of job boards.
Blogging Pro – Ever thought about how to make blogging profitable? Don’t hesitate to check this site out! I’ve landed a couple of my best clients by looking through their job boards.
Hope that helps some of you out!
Thanks for the advice! Trying to find a way to go freelance can be quite difficult – I’m trying to find ways to get clients and build my portfolio outside of my blog.
This was really great. I do think that the people who can, should look into freelancing or finding more creative ways to approach the job market.
In my opinion its not about following rules, it’s about doing what works. Freelancing works once you get the hang of it
Hey man. I love your writing style – it’s abrupt yet informative. Usually this shit’s pretty boring, but you make it interesting.
Thanks for the read.
(I thought this was written by a guy, before I saw your name. I thought I’d leave that “Hey man” in, insult or compliment.)
Thank you! It’s actually not the first time someone has thought it was a guy writing lol. What can I say? Dudes get to the point.
THANK YOU for this. I am trying to make the switch to freelancing from a draining day job and this list of freelance jobs sites is exactly what I needed. I’m so glad I found this blog!!
You’re welcome! I’m right there with you trying to make the transition
Great post Amanda! I’ve found this both reassuring and inspirational