Unlike most Canadians I know, I’m doing a little happy dance inside this week because fall has unofficially arrived. Yep, it’s my favourite season, despite the promise of you-know-what it brings. The weather still feels like summer, but there’s a noticeable shift in the air, almost inexplicable. September brings change and renewal.
Over the weekend, I spent time in my favourite place in the world (the mountains, of course) and took time to think about how I want my business to move forward this year. As many of you who have been reading my blog for a while know, September always feels like the start of a new year for me (old habits die hard – I’m still a student at heart), and so I treat it as such.
One of the biggest challenges I faced last year was information overload. Books, articles, friends, family, peers, mentors, instructors – the list of influences is vast, and the advice is endless: work hard, build the foundation, slow down, live life, work harder, make more money, find more time, find balance, make time, do what you want to do but within reason, do nothing, just have fun, be selfish, give back. You’ll be successful if you do this. You’ll be happy if you do this.
Okay. Back to basics. Over a cup of market spice tea in the company of a dear friend, I wrote in the margin of my September business goals page: “It’s inevitable. You will always have people telling you the best way to go about things. But no one else has to live your life. What. Do. You. Want?”
Truly, I know I need to be more in tune with my own vision and goals. But pulling it off? Another story. Making a decision without worrying about someone else’s opinion or input is one of the hardest things for me to do.
But what’s the point of freelancing if others are running the show?
Who’s in control of your life? What do you want this year? How are you going to make it happen?
Song of the Week: “Blood” – The Middle East
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjB2hbMYIXo
Namaste 
Rachel
View of Lake Louise from the Lake Agnes trail
Freelancing to Freedom 
Thank you Rachel, you always make me think, of where I want to BE. 🙂
By: bawbsravenfeathers on September 4, 2012
at 1:28 pm
And you always make me think of how I want to be 🙂 Thanks, BawB.
By: faultlessfinish on September 5, 2012
at 2:43 pm
Yes, ask yourself what you want and need. Enjoy Autumn!
By: Victoria-writes on September 4, 2012
at 2:12 pm
You too Victoria! 🙂
By: faultlessfinish on September 5, 2012
at 2:43 pm
Great entry to make us all think! And remember that our life is ours, no one else’s. And our work, our writing is just that…Ours. The first time that hit home with me was just about a year ago. I was working on the third manuscript and my best friend was helping to make sure I stayed on track. I had a great idea but it would change a fairly large chunk of the story. I asked her “Do you think I could…?”
She gave me the strangest look. “It’s YOUR story. You can do whatever you want to it. You don’t need to ask permission.”
That was so true, but I hadn’t let it BE my story. I’ve taken that into my life, slowly, and realized that I don’t have to live someone else’s idea of what my life should be.
And now I’m moving forward finally!
Namaste
Peggy
By: Peggy Nicholls on September 4, 2012
at 3:08 pm
Thanks for reading and for sharing your story, Peggy! It’s great to hear you took charge of your writing. It’s amazing how quickly we allow others to take control of our lives without even realizing it. Here’s to moving forward 🙂
By: faultlessfinish on September 5, 2012
at 2:46 pm
I really enjoy reading your posts. I wanted to add that I love your picture of Lake Louise. That’s my favourite place to go for relaxing and just getting back on track with life. Usually make it at least a couple times a year, but I’ve never done the hike up to the teahouse. Maybe…
By: Peggy Nicholls on September 6, 2012
at 5:35 pm
It’s well worth the hike! That was my first time hiking in that area and I’ll definitely be back. Thanks so much for reading – it means a lot to me!
By: faultlessfinish on September 7, 2012
at 2:26 pm
At the moment, there is a wedding (our son) and nothing beyond it. After that I will make a plan – maybe 🙂
Jim
By: redjim99 on September 4, 2012
at 10:19 pm
Relax and enjoy 🙂 Thanks for reading!
By: faultlessfinish on September 5, 2012
at 2:47 pm