7 Tips for the Perfect Career Transition

Freelance Switch - Posted: 07 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT Let’s face it. Some freelancers don’t always want to be freelancing. Some want out. How about you? Is  freelancing what you really want to be doing, long term? Is it a means to an end? Do you have something that you’re gearing up to do? Maybe you haven’t decided yet what comes after your freelance career. If you have decided where you’re headed — whether it’s into freelancing, out of freelancing, or into a different type of freelancing — do you have a plan for your career transition? Even if you do, you know better than anyone how much time client work takes up, and how much “free time” is left over. You might feel confident that your next career will happen, but do you really have the time to make the switch, and do it properly? The sum of those parts usually means that many freelancers do not follow their dreams. It’s been said many times before that if you’re sufficiently complacent in your life right now, you have little motive to change it (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs). You’re not “hungry” enough. The spirit of your goal might stay with you, but it’ll never have form beyond that unless you “get hungry” and take action. However, that action doesn’t have to be painful, or rushed. Just the Facts If you have a notion for a career transition (whether into freelancing or out of it), here are some hard facts: Desire needs action. You have to put in the extra time and effort. Make the time. Give up at least some time-wasting activities — such as watching that Law & Order or CSI episode for the umpteenth time. Not everyone likes change, even if it’s someone else’s change. Ask your family for a “time out” period each day, where they’re not to disturb you. It’s OK to pace yourself. You don’t have to learn everything at once, nor do a complete 180. Funds will be a factor. Bootstrap yourself. Only spend the minimum necessary — earned from current work — for your transition. If you gain some revenue, try setting it aside for long-term savings, as your operating capital for when you have fully transitioned. You need a plan. Where do you actually want to be when you are “fully” transitioned? What kind of income do you want, and what type or amount of work is necessary? Where will that work come from? Is it sustainable? Time doesn’t have to be an issue. We’ve become slaves to time and setting dated goals — a problem that’s possibly a deep-seated type of ageism. That is, “If I don’t reach this goal by a certain time, I’m not worthy.” I now believe it’s a very bad thing for most people to set dated goals — unless you have some overwhelming reason to do so. If progress is slower than expected, the experience might be demoralizing or even depressing. Making the Transition After a couple of decades of goal-setting and coaching others to set and achieve goals, I’ve come to the conclusion that the concept of time is fiction. I no longer subscribe to the idea that “I must” complete a goal by such and such a date. Pragmatism is sometimes hard won, but you’ll probably be happier than if you force yourself to reach a goal by a certain date. Have a look at the following animation (created with Google Graphs and Windows Moviemaker): In the animation above, the 24-hr day is divided initially into 40% client work and 60% free time. (40% ~= 9.5 hours, which includes lunch, breaks, and a bit of leeway. Free time means any time that has nothing to do with work, and includes sleep.) The animation shows the work day transitioning from no “personal project” work to no client work. (”Personal project” simply means whatever dream career you’re transitioning to.) The % of free time never falls below 45%, because nothing is worth not having a bit of a life, even during transition. Once freelance work — or a particular type of freelance work — has been phased out, you can start returning free time back to the 60% level. (This is just an example. Choose whatever 24-hr breakdown you’re comfortable with.) This animation is aimed at current freelancers, but it applies to those of you wanting to transition into freelancing. Just keep in mind that it’s easier to cut back on contract client work than salaried work. You may have to factor in weekends, which the animation does not consider. Summary Whether you’re transitioning into freelancing or out of it, be realistic in your goals. Ask yourself, “Do I know where I want to go? Do I really need to get there by a certain date?” You might be surprised to learn how much better you feel about your current work if you have an outlet for pursuing your dream career. Ease into it; don’t rush. If you’re already there, fantastic. If not, then godspeed to you.