Waivering...
I’m currently feeling very restless in my position of employment. I say currently, but I’ve had this feeling for quite a few months now. Mind you, I really like the people I work with (and I love developing websites and web apps - but every project in my current job is starting to feel the same), but I have this feeling that there are other, much more exciting projects out there that I’d love to be spending my working hours on.
I’d really love to go back to freelancing which would allow me to manage my own work/hours, and would also give me more time to work on my own projects, of which I only seem to have 3 to 4 hours a week to work on now. A lot of time that I used to spend on my own projects is now being spent on more important things, like actually getting away from my desk and enjoying the summer with Krista and some friends from the Maritimes that have recently relocated to Alberta. That being said, I cannot seem to get ahead of financial roadblocks that would allow me to freelance full time. Monthly bills, wanting to buy a home, doing a bit of travelling (time allowing), and other expenses seem to prevent me from setting aside enough of a security blanket to keep us comfortable while I make the transition to freelance and do a bit of marketing for myself.
I’ve spoken with a number of different companies since the start of the year regarding some new and exciting projects that I’d love to be a part of 1, but no one seems to be able to give me any certainty on the duration of employment/contracts outside of two or three months. Two or three months would be great if I knew I’d have something else to move on to for sure at the outset. But, because of the reasons I listed above, I just don’t feel comfortable taking the chance that I could be doing this all over again when the project is completed.
Maybe with this career that I’ve chosen in web development, I just need to quit whining and get used to the idea that nothing in this industry is certain or secure, and unless I switch to a different career (or take a job that is secure, but so boring and stagnant that I can hardly take it), I’m just going to have to suck it up, live with it, and take a few chances, even if it means that things could get tough for us again financially.
I’d love to hear opinions from any of you, or if I’m just being a big wuss about the whole thing, just give me a swift kick in the ass!
1 I should note that I’m also somewhat picky about team situations in these new opportunities. I don’t relish working with a large team, because in my experience, large teams often breed politics, which is something I can’t stand. I also find that the fewer cooks in the pot, the better the result. Thus, my considerations so far have been limited to smaller teams of around 5 people. Back
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No, you?re not a wuss. It?s a tough decision. When freelancing, your working hours get longer and your pay smaller. Usually, sacrifices must be made like traveling or other luxury items. You also need to find it in the budget to market your self. It's not easy in a small market like Edmonton. Good luck.
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Jeff, I feel your pain. The reason I went freelance when I did was that the company I was working for decided all of a sudden to crack down with their freelance policy - they wanted to approve every project of mine, both current and future. I said no way and left. And yes, I was restless there. Everything was the same. It was getting boring and frustrating.
I already had a few freelance customers, and a gainfully employed wife that trusts I'm not an idiot, so she supported my decision. Now, I might be extremely fortunate, but in contrast to Pawel, I think I'm working LESS hours and making MORE (or at least equal) money to what I was making working with the team downtown. I've only been doing this since April 2006, so maybe I'll crash and burn later this year, but things have been going well. If you're not too upset with your current level of pay at your secure job, figure out what you would need to do to equal that freelancing. I would think if you could equal your "secure" job's pay level in your first year, that's really good.
Think about this too: You've got some skills. Look at some of the absolute crap web design people/firms out there and ask yourself "How are they doing it?" You know if some of these schlubs can make a living web "designing" that you can too. You get it, and that's a great addition to the recipe for success.
Edmonton might be a small market, but you have to remember that as a web designer you can work for anyone. Almost all of my clients are out of state. I live in Michigan, but my main bread comes from Colorado, Wisconsin, and Connecticut. Go figure. I spend nothing on marketing and have never advertised (ok, ok, I have some business cards, but who doesn't). My form of advertisement is making people happy with my work because the word-of-mouth that comes out of that is free, effective, and worth more than gold.
Anyway, I'm trying to give you a swift kick in the ass. Pretty rude seeing as we've never met, but you asked for it. You have skills, you get it, and I'm sure you'd be fine. Maybe set a date for yourself. Bite the bullet for 6 months, save money during that time, and take the plunge again. And good luck!
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Thanks very much for the words of encouragement ryan. I know that once I get rolling and get a steady stream of clients rolling in, I'll have no problem making as much or more money than I am at my day job. It's just that first rough patch when I'm getting started that really worries me, but I guess I should just get myself a savings account and start tossing some money into it every paycheck, and I'm sure before long, I'll start to feel more comfortable about the whole idea.
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An interesting post, seeing as it relates to what I'm thinking about at the moment. I think what's stopping me is I don't have a lot of contacts - and it would involve probably a lot of cold-calling, enticing and blagging to get work that would equal my current income - which is frankly very good. From my point of view, I'd rather earn less and enjoy what I'm doing rather than earn a lot and go stagnant.
I need a kick as well :-)
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Jeff as a in house designer I find myself having those same feelings. I have talked to a lot of my designer friends and most of them feel the same way. I know that I enjoy the creative freelance jobs that I have but at the same time I find that there are alot of designer fighting for the same work and it hard to live off just freelance jobs. I find that sometimes you have to suck it up. But in the same token you have to be happy. So enter contest, thinking out side the box on project is a way to get out of that way of thinking.....
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So far the comments here are pretty much in line with what I'm thinking. I'll take a bit of a harder edge and say that you just need to commit to doing it. Worry is the killer.
When you start thinking about all the things you'll have to pay for or save up for you'll never make the leap. On the other hand, once you've made the leap and you start thinking about those things it's a great motivator, believe me.
The kick start I used to launch my self-employment was the completion of a large contract project (on the side at the time). I ended up taking 2 months off and almost blowing the entire stack of money I'd saved/received.
Since then I've had moments of satisfaction knowing that a big project will cover me for a couple months and my fair share of worry filled nights wondering when the next cheque will come. No matter how much worrying I do, that next cheque always comes.
You've got a good network on contacts, use them. In the end though, it's completely up to you. Make a list with your wife and weigh the pro's and con's for going it on your own. That's probably the best way to put the issue to rest.
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I stumbled across this blog as i was looking for "good looking" pages for work. I'm an intern with Spikefin for two months or so and I was given charge with making this brand new page look a little better in.... well everything! I have been drawing up some new ideas and color schemes, but i feel the same way, just on a much smaller level.
A couple of years ago I thought I wanted to go into Web Dev. but found out that flying is really my passion. I took a Web Dev class in high school and really enjoyed it, but I think it'll stay as my Hobie.
As far as feeling restless, I think that if you do one thing for long enough, you will start to feel that way. I wouldn't say that I have ADD, but when I sit down to work on a project (a web project that is) I find that I can't work on it for too long. I start to get frustrated in the way that I can't think up any more good ideas or solutions to problems.
I'm not sure that I'm making much sense so I think I'll stop.
Oh, one more thing. I know you wanted to work with smaller groups, but have you thought about google? When I was thinking about going into web Dev stuff I always thought about working for them because they come up with some "out side the box" stuff. Maybe I just think that... oh well, thanks for reading my mindless post. I hope you find something that keeps you interested and happy. Good luck.
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