When you’re stuck in your career, it’s helpful to look to the wisdom of others. To learn from the people who really have things figured out, who know exactly what they want and how to get it.
People like my cat, Levi.
Levi’s confidence, people skills, and expertise in his field (that field being napping and stealing chicken off dinner plates) make him someone to truly look up to.
I’ve learned quite a bit from him, so now, I’m going to impart some of his valuable wisdom to you. Here is some tried and true freelancing wisdom I’ve learned from my cat.
Don’t Be Ashamed to Call Attention to Yourself
My greatest challenge as a freelancer has been getting in the habit of putting myself out there. Calling attention to myself doesn’t come naturally. I have to push past imposter syndrome, the fear of “bothering” people, and a hatred of posting on social media generally.
Levi doesn’t have that problem.
No, Levi knows the importance of calling attention to himself to get the treats and attention he so dearly needs. Not only that, but he has gathered data on the actions most likely to get a response. A meow, for example, typically elicits a “Yeah, yeah, I’ll get to it,” from me. Rolling over on his back and exposing his tummy, though, is guaranteed to earn him whatever he wants because it’s just so darn cute.
(He didn’t do this when I first adopted him. He has learned to do this over time after realizing that it’s an effective way to manipulate me.)
Levi reminds me that if I want more business, I need to learn what gets me the most attention – and to not be afraid to show others my vulnerable belly in the process.
Stretch Yourself
Several years of writing similar content can lead to complacency, but Levi reminds me to always stretch myself – in whatever direction I can.
That’s why I try to give myself simple writing challenges (avoiding overused words, for example) to keep myself sharp. And more importantly, I try to go for jobs or clients that are just a little bit more complex or advanced than what I’ve done in the past. Because even if something feels like a stretch, I know I’m a quick learner and great at understanding what clients are looking for. Whenever I stretch myself, it tends to work out.
Arrange Your Environment So You’re Comfortable
The nice thing about freelancing is that I don’t have to work on someone else’s schedule or in a place of someone else’s choosing. I can arrange my workspace and my time as I see fit.
Yet traditional approaches to working can be hard to break free from. And sometimes I’m just too lazy to improve my physical space or find a new organizational approach that works better for me.
But Levi understands that if a certain way of doing things isn’t working for you, you change it. He’s not afraid to alter his surroundings to suit him.
He reminds me that if I’m not comfortable – physically or otherwise – I owe it to myself to rearrange things to change that.
Explore New Heights
Promotions aren’t technically available to freelancers, so it can be tempting to forget that I’m supposed to climbing a career ladder – even if I have to first build that ladder myself.
But advancement is always an option for anyone willing to be proactive. Levi reminds me of this by always climbing to new heights.
How did he even get up there, you ask? I was baffled by that, too, the first dozen times he did it. It turns out he performed a strategic series of jumps from the counter, to the fridge against the adjacent wall, and finally to the top of the cabinets. He plotted a strategic path and executed it. Truly a career inspiration.
Remember to Rest
Taking time off and giving yourself space to rest is difficult to justify when you’re self-employed. But burnout isn’t worth it in the long run. When I’m tempted to pull extra long hours or take on more assignments than I can reasonably complete, Levi reminds me to let myself rest.
At the End of the Day, You Just Need to Get Your Paws on the Keys
It can be hard to maintain motivation when you’re solely responsible for motivating yourself. But when I’m tempted to procrastinate, Levi reminds me of the importance of getting my paws on the keyboard. (I then get delayed further because I have to remove his paws from the keys, but the thought is there).
If you enjoyed this article and would like work with me so I can buy more treats for Levi, get in touch.
Nicole D'Angelo 