Beyond the Rhetoric

There are several sources of inspiration that you can use in your everyday freelance writing life, whether they be sources that help you with blog post ideas or ones that help you better run your freelancing business. Although they sound like seemingly unrelated topics, the way that you drive your car can have a profound impact on how you approach the business of freelancing as well.

Yes, when you were getting those first driving lessons from your instructor, he wasn’t only teaching you about how to parallel park and reminding you that the brake is on the left. He was training you for a world of freelance bliss (even if he didn’t know he was doing it). Let’s take a look at a few driving lessons that actually apply to freelance writing, as well as online entrepreneurship in general.

Weaving In and Out of Traffic Gets You Nowhere Fast

There’s nothing wrong with changing lanes when you need to do so, but constantly shifting gears and changing lanes in order to get ahead will just frustrate you even more. Many of us have had to deal with rush hour traffic. We may have felt inclined to take the other lane, because it looked like it was going faster. Inevitably, after making your way into this other lane, your original lane starts to pick up pace again. And let’s not forget that weaving around like that will increase the likelihood of an unfortunate fender-bender. You don’t want that.

Now, I’m not saying that you should be stubborn and stick to your guns when something clearly is not working, but there is something to be said about patience and persistence. For your freelancing business, you may not want to hop on every latest trend as they become available. That can be a huge waste of time and effort. Weave a little and explore new opportunities, but don’t overdo it.

Always Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Much more important than your ability to parallel park is your ability to be fully aware of your surroundings. While driving down the road, you should know exactly what is going on. Check those mirrors. Look ahead and anticipate any potential hazards. Get ready for the traffic light about to change rather than accelerating into it and slamming on the brakes.

As with driving, it’s easy to develop tunnel vision as you embark on a freelance writing career. Keep your eyes and ears peeled, because you never know what you may see or hear. Maybe there’s a great gig waiting to be found or a fantastic piece of advice waiting to be read.

The Popular Route Isn’t Always the Best Route

While it may be safe to take the exact same route as everyone else, you can only expect to achieve the same level of success as everyone else if you choose to do so. The entrepreneurs who are able to achieve the greatest level of success (and happiness) are those who can view the world in a slightly different way and embark on a slightly different path.

Instead of getting stuck in traffic with all the other drivers on the road, take out that map and try a different route to your destination. You can potentially avoid the rush hour gridiron and get to your destination sooner. Don’t be afraid to take a chance and expand your portfolio beyond your preferred niche. The worst thing that can happen is that you’ll find yourself back in the same rush hour traffic that you were experiencing in the first place.

It’s All About the Journey

As rewarding as it may be to finally arrive at your destination, you shouldn’t forget to enjoy the ride along the way. Take in the surroundings and enjoy the journey, just as you would with a lazy Sunday drive. After all, driving can be fun. Just don’t forget to carry a good insurance policy.

Filed under Freelance Writing.