Job Security? Fuggedaboutit!
Ok, I’m not from the east coast, and I don’t really say “fuggedaboutit” when it comes to job security, but I thought it was catchy in the title, no? You liked it…come on…
Love what you do.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted on my personal site. Hell, it’s been a while since I’ve even updated this site with new work–or even my plugins! I logged in today and saw I had to update 10 plugins, WordPress itself, and let’s not get started on the theme…or my name. I got married, started a business, yadda, yadda, yadda, this fell to the wayside. But I’m back, writing this post because I f*cking LOVE what I do.
Back in 2010, I was at a job I absolutely loved. I loved what I was doing, I loved the office, the people, the work–everything. In 2012, when it came time to move to be near my fiance after 2 years (yes, that’s how much I loved that job), I was feverishly looking for the same kind of gig here in Florida. Unfortunately, it took 2 years after that to find a place I loved. After a financial downturn with that company, I was back in that same position of “shit, what am I going to do?” I took a couple weeks off, figuring out my next move when it hit me–start my own company! I had no money, no idea what I was doing, and worst of all–no clients. But, it was something I had dreamt about since I found the design business in 2004. I was still on contract with my former company but only had about 15 hours A MONTH with them. I needed to act fast and find some money.
Here I was, a business-shy person trying to shamelessly promote by “business” to every person I met, I felt icky. I am not a sales person–well, selling services anyway. I would have people laugh in my face at my prices (I’m sorry, I’m not going to build you a site for $600…), or scoff at the amount of time something would take. It sucked. I looked online at freelancer platforms, joined a few, but the same thing: everyone wants the best-of-the-best for pennies. That is until I found Toptal. I looked through their website and they only have the best-of-the-best working for the best-of-the-best. It’s a win-win for everyone! They actually have a screening process more in depth than “hey, you got some samples to put in ‘yer folio?” Anyone can do that. And, anyone can lie about it. I am proud of my work, I am proud of what I do, and more importantly, I am proud of the relationships I build with my clients. Freelancing isn’t free. We are contractual employees that love our jobs and our lives.
“So, Lauren, what does this have to do with job security?” Nothing and everything. Yes, once I was laid off, I could have found another job somewhere with a steady paycheck but I wanted something more. I wanted to be proud of my work, to be able to choose my work and to love again what I started out doing. Some months sucks, others are hair-pulling but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Job Security? Fuggedaboutit! Love what you do and get after it.
June 08, 2017 | No Comments
