Taking The Plunge… I Am FREE!
Posted by Selene M. Bowlby on June 13th, 2008 /
Author’s Note: I wrote this post on Saturday, May 31, 2008. Something I couldn’t publish right then, but had to get down “on paper” to be sure I remembered my thought process. I hope it will help some of you reading, who might be going through a similar dilemma - wondering if or when it’s time to take the freelance / solo plunge. As of the time of publishing this post, everything is official - I am FREE!
Times They Are A-Changing
Big, big changes have been in the works! I am almost completely FREE!
I just finished drafting my resignation letter for my full time job of over 9 years. Yes, that’s right, I’m going to be taking the “freelance plunge” - 2 more weeks before I officially go solo and can call myself a self-employed entrepreneur.
This is something I’ve been looking forward to for such a long time now! Anyone who knows me knows of the insane hours I’ve been keeping - working 60-70 hours a week, with not more than 4-5 hours of sleep a night. All to juggle working a full time job, running my own web design business part time, and not to mention that thing called having a life - which in my case is heavily centered around an almost 3 year old.
What Made Me Decide It Was Time?
Let me tell you… this didn’t come without a LOT of preparation and thought. My poor husband has had to deal with the worst of it, LOL. My friends and family, and even general acquaintances have been so incredibly supportive. You know who you are, if you’re reading this!
My AH-HA Moment
I had my “AH-HA” moment last weekend - the Sunday before Memorial Day. I was playing outside with my daughter in the sandbox, while sitting in a lawn chair right beside her. Watching and hearing her play… looking up at the clouds floating and birds flying by in the sky… hearing the relaxing sound of wind rustling through the palm trees… watching the squirrels playing (and napping) in the trees…
A combination of things in that single moment, made me realize THIS is what it’s all about.
My husband and I moved here a few years ago - we had this house built on the lot that we picked (much more bang for your buck than where we were previously renting an apartment). It finally hit me that we moved to be in this beautiful place - to enjoy each other and our house and our lives - now with a beautiful baby girl… ok, toddler - she’s NOT a baby anymore!
In The Blink Of An Eye
I realize these last few years living here - especially since my daughter was born - have literally flown past me in the blink of an eye. This year in particular has gone by so quickly! And what was I doing? Instead of enjoying the back yard on a regular basis, I was couped up inside this office. Missing out on her growing up - missing out on LIFE!
Now, I must say that I do work from home, and it’s something I am so incredibly grateful for! I have been able to witness so many of my daughter’s “first’s” - her first smile, first bath, first time rolling over, first time crawling, first time walking… heck, even the first time she tried to get something from her Daddy (chocolate covered raisins), and then came to ask me when he said no! Where did she learn to do THAT so quickly! LOL
It’s a lot of the little things, too. Working so much now, I am constantly tired and stressed - thinking of work. So even when I’m with them now, my mind is still at least half on work, if not completely checked-out and wishing I were asleep.
But WHEN?
I had been flip flopping for the longest time, as to if or when I should take the plunge. My initial plan was to wait until the end of the year to make the big move.
I worked my butt off this year, though, and much to my surprise and joy, I realized I had reached a point where I could take the solo plunge much sooner, rather than later. Amazing! I’ve been astonished, to tell you the truth.
But is it safe? How do you know it’s time to leave a steady paycheck for something more? Well, you don’t…
I recently read an interview by Akemi with Naomi of Itty Biz. I’ve hired Naomi twice already, with some more stuff in the works! Anyway, a few weeks ago, I read an amazing interview titled “I Can’t Not Do This” - All I could say is WOW! It’s like she was talking right to me!
You’re Never 100% Ready
To quote my favorite part of the interview…
Any advice for people who dream to have
their own business and yet find it hard
to make the leap?Make the leap before you’re totally ready. I read in a magazine once that you should never be 100% ready to have kids. If you think you’re 100% ready, you’re missing something. I think the same thing applies to business. If you wait until you’re 100% ready, you’ll be dead before you launch. Be 80% ready. Do the best you can and just go for it…
Jump and the net will appear.
Something about this quote really struck a nerve with me. I literally have the quote up on my bulletin board as inspiration!
When my husband and I were deciding when to have kids, I had said to myself that I was not 100% ready… I don’t think you truly can be! You just have to decide when you are “ready enough” and trust that the rest (knowledge of parenting at that point… running a successful business now…) will come naturally!
Well, this is a similarly life changing event, just in terms of career rather than family - although in actuality, they do all connect as part of the circle of life…
First Things First
So, here I am, on a Saturday night. Planning on a big conversation that’s about to take place at work. Not one I’m particularly looking forward to, I admit. But the outcome of which, is something that I’ve been dreaming about for such a long time now!
It’s time to put me and my family first. I deserve this! I’ve worked hard, and I deserve to be successful.
I’m so ready for this move, and can’t wait to start this new phase of my life.
I hope you’ll join me for the ride! 
Author’s Note: I can’t end this post without linking to the great article that Naomi just published yesterday with some amazing advice on starting a home business. THANK YOU, Naomi! You made my day with your post, and to be honest I even welled up reading it. Thank you for Everything!
Tags: free, freedom, freelance plunge, going solo, taking the leap
June 13th, 2008
Congrats girl! You have insane drive and talent. I can’t wait to see where it takes you.
Kellies last blog post..Making some kitchen progress
June 13th, 2008
Congratulations!!!! I’m so excited for you!!!
June 13th, 2008
Congrats on your much deserved freedom and best of luck!
June 13th, 2008
Woohoo! Congratulations! Your post brought tears to my eyes. I’m sooo happy for you! You deserve this and you will be crazy successful.
Nicoles last blog post..Sleep Quick Tip - Which breast is next at 3am?
June 13th, 2008
Rock on, chicita. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!
Naomi Dunfords last blog post..Starting a Home Business? The One Piece of Advice You Can’t Ignore
June 13th, 2008
Congrats Selene! Enjoy the work, but more importantly, the time with your daughter!
Hope everything goes well for you!
Michael Martins last blog post..Make The Web a Less Colorful Place
June 13th, 2008
Wishing you TONS of success in your VERY OWN web design business. You WILL do great!
June 13th, 2008
Great move! I know what you mean when you say you suddenly realized this was the time. . .
Thank you for the link love. I’m starting my Get Clients Now! program tomorrow — all the plan is laid out now — and I’m reading this post feeling some kind of synchronicity. Hope everything is well.
Blessings,
Akemi Gaines
Akemi - Yes to Mes last blog post..Gratitude Friday
June 13th, 2008
ROCK ON, GIRL! I’m so happy for you to hear the good news! I’ve transitioned to part-time from full-time on my “regular” job to concentrate on internet business. It has only been a short time, but is already scary and rewarding. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. That’s the feeling I want to always carry around with me, that I wouldn’t trade this for anything. Here’s to hoping you will feel the same way.
June 15th, 2008
Selene, I am so happy for you! This post is just what I needed. I literally jumped into my freelence career with little warning — my husband’s business ended unexpectedly and we needed an income ASAP. It worked out for me and will for you too!
I found myself panicking this week when I lost a client unexpectedly, but more work came by the end of the week. I still have to work on turning off those negagtive voices in my head, but I know this is the life for me! You post has such a positive vibe, brimming with possibilities. Congrats!
Kimberly Bens last blog post..Observing Online Etiquette
June 16th, 2008
Congratulations, Selene! I’m very happy that you are finally able to get rid of most of your late nights and spend more time with your little girl.
Now go catch up on your sleep!
Joshua Clantons last blog post..How Twirling Brides Can Help Your Website
June 16th, 2008
Thank you ALL so much for the congratulations and well wishes!
I’m happy to say that I had a great and very relaxing weekend - it involved lots of family time and even a nap, LOL. I’m even happier to say that I didn’t do ANY work over the weekend - the weekend is supposed to be about relaxation, right?
I’m very excited about this week - so much so that I actually looked forward to getting up at 4am this morning to get a jump on the day. I’ve got my whole week already planned out with both client work, as well as some planned (and long overdue) updates to my own web site and blog.
Heck, I even get to run some errands tomorrow morning, and we’re taking our daughter to go see Kung Fu Panda this week (yes - in the middle of the work-week!) I’m already enjoying the flexibility of timing that this move brings - knowing that I can “make up” my hours at any point that’s most convenient to me, without having to have it approved by anyone other than myself, LOL.
Anyway, thanks again to everyone for sharing in my joy!
@Akemi - Good Luck with the Get Clients Now program! I think you’ll be very happy with the results!
July 3rd, 2008
Thanks for sharing this - I need all the inspiration I can get!
Trishas last blog post..Interview: Sally of Aprovechar
July 7th, 2008
@Tricia - You’re very welcome! I am glad that you found this inspiring… and I hope you’ll be posting a similar article on your blog in the near future, as well!
July 11th, 2008
I saw your comment on WorkIt Mom and had to come read your post. With a 2nd child on the way (and the first child entering school), my husband and I have been tossing around the idea of me freelancing a bit more and giving up my day job. I missed so much of my first son’s ‘firsts’ that I don’t want to do it again.
Thanks for the inspirational post, it’s so cool to see the thought processes and experiences of someone who has been there, and done that.
Good luck for continued success!!!
July 11th, 2008
@MistressOfTheDorkness - First, I love that title, LOL!
Second - thank you so much for the well wishes and kind words on my post. I’m so glad you found it to be inspirational - I was hoping it would have that effect, as I had been looking for similar posts myself when I was going through the decision making process as to when to take the leap!
Congrats on #2 on the way! I really do hope you are able to move from your day job to freelancing full time so that you can experience more firsts with your second child. It’s time we’ll never get back (and goodness it goes by SO quickly!) Best of luck to you! I hope you’ll come back to let me know When you’ve taken the plunge, yourself!