This article is aimed at people who are considering freelancing, freelancers who want to go full time and other freelancers who want to convince their friends on how much freedom it warrants (although it’s really hard work).
Recently, I spoke to a friend (who happens to be an employee) about freelancing. I asked him why he did not give his job up for freelancing and live a more free life rather than one where all your blood sweat and tears go to fulfilling someone else’s dreams. He gave the obvious responses of job security and the sort. I could have argued with him on all the points he mentioned, but I didn’t because I only had one point to explain to him.
The Internet
Never before in the history of mankind was there globalization the way there is today because of the internet. The opportunities which you have in front of you have never ever existed before. So when people use the age-old arguments such as “job security” and it being “easier” to just have a 9 to 5, their arguments can no longer stand.
From a very tender age our children are taught by a failing education system how to be a slave employee as opposed to being given the tools to make a living themselves. On numerous occasions as a child I was asked “What job do you want to have in the future?” or “What do you want to work as?” and every time it was expected that your response conform to society. Students would say they wanted to be lawyers and doctors but never did I hear somebody say “I want to be self-employed” or “I want to have a business of my own”.
As opposed to adapting to new changes, society as a whole is trying to force changes to adapt to it. There is no reason why in the year 2010 you should be doing a job which you hate. If you are a doctor who loves to help people, then you should stay put. But if you hate it, get out and do what you love.
Freelancers are freelancers because there are things which we love and that is what we want to do. Take Taiyab Raja as an example. He is passionate about web design and he pursued it as a hobby when he was younger. He loves it and the internet has proved to be a platform where he can make a living on his passion.
A life doing what you hate is a life wasted. Whatever it is you love to do, from fishing for salmon to driving cars, the internet is the perfect platform to make a living doing or talking about the thing you love.
Alhazen
There is a crater in the moon called “Alhazen”. It is named in honor of a scientist called “Ibn Haitham” commonly referred to as Alhazen – the first scientist (pictured).
Alhazen was a scientist and a polymath from the 10th Century who faked madness so the King would place him under house-arrest. While under house arrest he continued his passion and by the time he had died he had contributed mountains of knowledge to the world.
He pursued his passion, yet it is his work which is responsible for modern optometry and everything we know about the eye. Cinema, photography and television are only possible because of the work which Alhazen did. His contributions to maths, engineering, philosophy, Islam and theology changed all these subjects for the better.
Now imagine if he had settled for “job security” as opposed being bold and pursuing his dreams. Mankind as a whole would not stand where it does today.
Final Word
If you spend your life working on something you hate, your life is wasted. If you spend your life working on something you love, you will change the world for the better. Are you man enough to take on this challenge (no sexism intended)? Subscribe to our RSS for more awesome content. Also tweet or email this article to those people you feel need it the most.
Places To Find Work For All Types of Freelancers
Elance – They have over 30,000 jobs posted. They also cover many different categories, almost any type of freelancer can find work here.
oDesk – With almost any set of skills you have, you should be able to find freelance work here. They have a wide variety of categories. This is a heavily posted website.
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