Many of my friends and colleagues asking me to list down my experiences as a free lancer/ contractor, hence the below post
I worked as a permanent employee for almost all my 5 years career with a single company. When I decided to move on, with that continuous employment history I would have continued another so called safe permanent position, but dunno somehow unable to do so. Hidden thrust to experiment something different continuously disturbing me, then I decided to work for myself to satisfy me at that time. After some time an offer came to me as an independent contractor, with out any hesitation accepted offer leaving permanent offers in hand. The decision itself was not an easy one.
The journey began.
When I was a permanent employee traveled to many countries, many more flight travels, never ever bothered about my flight tickets or hotels or foreign currency or guidance in the foreign country etc..etc.. Everything was spoon feeding, company’s travel desk, people function, so many people are at your service. Company find you job, find a place to live, escort you for your first day, make you comfortable with people and place etc... You are no more with these facilities as a contractor…everything is “SELF” managed, you have to change mindset and have to start living with ultimate truth of life “don’t expect anything from anyone”.
Then your work life starts, you should burn your ego completely, you should not say no what ever work comes to you which you wouldn’t have taken that risk as a permanent employee, you should be acceptable by everyone, you should prove to your manager and to your colleagues that you add value to the team, you should not even discuss work politics by chance, you should be optimistic always, you should take inspiration from everyone and in turn inspire the team in at least one good thing, you should always focus on delivery … if you observe all are “should”.. there is no other option…..everything is should……then only you have a place and eventually you will build a career in this path.
As a free lancer pay is more, why should clients pay you better pay unless you have something extra in you. This is where true life starts to explore that “EXTRA”. Keep questioning this always, then sooner you will find that extra in you. Always focus on delivery; you should impress the client only with results. If you do this perfectly then you will build very good contacts, you will have the best around you and this best will always help you for your career graph.
As a contractor you are a bit insecure deep down the heart, because of this bit of insecurity you always want to give best of your abilities, you work to do some thing better and different to be recognized, you unknowingly do many things which adds more value to the team and to your career.
Its all about you, you own everything here, you represent your self, any recognition comes to you directly, good or bad you build your brand name, you report to your self, you set and review your objectives for yourself, more control on your life, in all this process you realize where and how you want to lead your life.
When it comes to me personally, it’s the best experience of life , I met and interacted with best people of this industry, worked with best managers , I am able to imagine and do better than ever, my confidence level has gone up to altogether different level. If I didn’t try this, I should have missed something great in life.
Free lancing is a very exciting and challenging path. It’s nothing but running your own company with just you as everything. A bit tough to decide, find and adjust in the first job, but worth going through this phase which gives many rewards in so many ways. End result of this journey is as beautiful as the attached flowers.
I worked as a permanent employee for almost all my 5 years career with a single company. When I decided to move on, with that continuous employment history I would have continued another so called safe permanent position, but dunno somehow unable to do so. Hidden thrust to experiment something different continuously disturbing me, then I decided to work for myself to satisfy me at that time. After some time an offer came to me as an independent contractor, with out any hesitation accepted offer leaving permanent offers in hand. The decision itself was not an easy one.
The journey began.
When I was a permanent employee traveled to many countries, many more flight travels, never ever bothered about my flight tickets or hotels or foreign currency or guidance in the foreign country etc..etc.. Everything was spoon feeding, company’s travel desk, people function, so many people are at your service. Company find you job, find a place to live, escort you for your first day, make you comfortable with people and place etc... You are no more with these facilities as a contractor…everything is “SELF” managed, you have to change mindset and have to start living with ultimate truth of life “don’t expect anything from anyone”.
Then your work life starts, you should burn your ego completely, you should not say no what ever work comes to you which you wouldn’t have taken that risk as a permanent employee, you should be acceptable by everyone, you should prove to your manager and to your colleagues that you add value to the team, you should not even discuss work politics by chance, you should be optimistic always, you should take inspiration from everyone and in turn inspire the team in at least one good thing, you should always focus on delivery … if you observe all are “should”.. there is no other option…..everything is should……then only you have a place and eventually you will build a career in this path.
As a free lancer pay is more, why should clients pay you better pay unless you have something extra in you. This is where true life starts to explore that “EXTRA”. Keep questioning this always, then sooner you will find that extra in you. Always focus on delivery; you should impress the client only with results. If you do this perfectly then you will build very good contacts, you will have the best around you and this best will always help you for your career graph.
As a contractor you are a bit insecure deep down the heart, because of this bit of insecurity you always want to give best of your abilities, you work to do some thing better and different to be recognized, you unknowingly do many things which adds more value to the team and to your career.
Its all about you, you own everything here, you represent your self, any recognition comes to you directly, good or bad you build your brand name, you report to your self, you set and review your objectives for yourself, more control on your life, in all this process you realize where and how you want to lead your life.
When it comes to me personally, it’s the best experience of life , I met and interacted with best people of this industry, worked with best managers , I am able to imagine and do better than ever, my confidence level has gone up to altogether different level. If I didn’t try this, I should have missed something great in life.
Free lancing is a very exciting and challenging path. It’s nothing but running your own company with just you as everything. A bit tough to decide, find and adjust in the first job, but worth going through this phase which gives many rewards in so many ways. End result of this journey is as beautiful as the attached flowers.
2 comments:
Hi Anil,
Great post !! A lot of juniors like me are so impressed by your career path and one day hope to take follow it too :) Been trying to read all d other posts.. very simple and nice to read.. keep it up, sirjee.. u rock!!
Nice thoughts Anil, appreciate the details and balance of risk and reward in the description.
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