Flying Solo in a Sluggish Economy
Alright. Sluggish is an understatement. But scanning the Web (and print) there are reasons to be optimistic if you are a freelancer, solo practitioner, VA, consultant or the like. Increasingly there is discussion around the verbiage A Broken Life film Titanic movie download
Enough rip we are using about the economy and I’d like to propose the same thing is true about how you think about growing your business right now. This past weekend, on CBS Sunday Morning, Ben Stein Five Across the Eyes psp spoke about our doom and gloom economic attitudes and how the more we talk about how bad things are, the worse they are likely to get. Negative chatter can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I happen to think the same is true for how we feel about growing our businesses right now. In fact, TVLAI is going strong and many of our colleagues are doing well also.
Having your head in the right place is crucial. Understand there will ALWAYS be successful solo practitioners, regardless of the economy. It might as well be you! Entrepreneur magazine has a great interview
with Michelle Goodman, author of My So Called Freelance Life, who says that being ready is key. Have a plan in place and keep working it is her best advice. Have proposals developed and ready and be open to opportunities appearing that you don’t expect. Continue to network, both in person and online and reach out to others doing the same kind of work as you.
As businesses are forced to do the same work with fewer permanent employees, they are more open to contract help because freelancers are available on an “as needed” basis and businesses don’t have to pay for benefits, workers compensation or unemployment insurance and a whole host of other expenses. Alan Weiss says this in an excellent article on ContrarianConsulting: “In this economy, right now, people desperately need your help, your services, your products, to thrive, to beat the competition, to prepare for better times ahead. It’s hard to be knocked out when you’re swinging with energy and accuracy. In fact, it’s easy to win.” Don’t let fear of failure become YOUR self-fulfilling prophecy. It’s all about attitude!
Here’s one more great article on going solo Brain Damage film
in a more challenging economic environment. For our readers who are solo practitioners, how is business for you right now? Any tips for those who are concerned or might be struggling?
Tags: alan weiss, ben stein, CBS, consultant, economy, freelance, michelle goodman