Personal Growth in Freelancing

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. In the case of freelancing, yes, this saying applies. Your contacts are your most valuable assets aside from your skill. You will need people to give you business, whether it is a neighbor, your parents, classmates, etc.

Questions when considering freelance work via referrals:
1. Do you know anyone inside a company where you can get the latest scoop on what’s the current industry trend?
2. Do you know 20 people who can recommend you?
3. Do you know 10 people who are interested in freelance services?
4. Are you willing to invest on more than 20 hours on sales, marketing and networking?
5. Are you familiar with decision-makers in companies as your list of potential clients?

Though most successful freelancers make a lot of money compared to their employed counterparts, money isn’t stable in the freelancing world. When you decide to become a freelancer, you are giving up a steady paycheck. Work and money will be scare, and you will be at the mercy of clients who pay after 30 days.

When you start working as a freelancer, your contracts will always vary. Some may run from 3 to 6 months, sometimes shorter. Work will be cyclic --- one month you’re overworked while you’re bored the next. Plus, a freelancer’s taxes can become complicated and are quite high. You constantly need to market your skills and expertise in order to find work. Nothing is definite.

Freelancing is rewarding both professionally and financially. There is never a dull moment with freelancing, and if there were, it only means that you’re not putting yourself out there more. You get to decide what projects appeal to you; you get to run the show!

Since freelancing is a high-risk endeavor, this lifestyle is not for everyone. It’s better to talk to present and former freelancers and investigate what and why works for them in the freelancing game. And since this is a complete transformation, make sure to discuss it with your partner as it will greatly affect your finances. There is a need to be constantly motivated and self-sufficient. Perfectionism is mandatory if your skills are being outsourced. You also need to be flexible enough to cater to the whims of your client. You also need to develop the patience and tenacity to troubleshoot equipment, software, etc. As a freelancer, access to help desk staff and network admins will be nominal. Basically, you would have to tackle them on your own, learn it and eventually apply it. Being a freelancer means also getting your hands dirty; after all, you are a one-man show.

The freelancing lifestyle was never like a walk in the park. It entails a lot of sleepless nights and stress. Coffee will become your best friend. Somehow, going fulltime will consume your finances as well. It’s better to set aside money when the going gets tough as you make your transition gradually.

Attitude is everything in freelancing. If you take every problem with a grain of salt, correct, improve then move on --- life will be less stressful and more fulfilling. After all you’re working for yourself now.

Article Source: http://www.happy-living-articles.com

Your Mind and How it Works

Your mind has two parts: the Conscious Mind and the Subconscious Mind. Together these two parts control all of your actions and ultimately the results you have in your life. As we explore each area of your mind, understand that while these ideas may seem simple and elementary, they have a wide reaching and profound affect on your life. They control every aspect of what makes you who you are and will continue to control everything in your life until the day you die.

The Conscious Mind

The Conscious Mind is where you do all your day to day thinking. This is where you make decisions and where you primarily operate from in normal life. When you hold a conversation or watch a t.v. program you are using your conscious mind. Both the conscious mind and the subconscious mind think in pictures. If you think about your family members a picture of them will flash on the movie screen of your conscious mind.

You also can only hold one image on the screen of your mind at a time. For example you cannot think of a red apple and an orange in detail at the same time. While you might be able to project them side by side you are not able to see the grain in the skin of the apple or the dimples in the peel of the orange at the same time.

This ultimately means that you cannot think of a negative idea and a positive idea at the same time. While your mind might be able to flip back and forth between negative and positive ideas or images very rapidly, it is not able to hold those two images at the same time.

The Subconscious Mind

Most people would think that the Conscious Mind controls the Subconscious Mind, but this is not so. The Subconscious Mind is the real mover and shaker in our lives. The Subconscious Mind stores all our beliefs about who we are, what we are capable of, what we are not capable of and every other detail we believe to be true about the world. We can refer to the Subconscious Mind as the emotional mind.

The subconscious mind operates in the background of your life and while you sleep. Dreams are a product of your subconscious mind. You can think of the subconscious mind as a computer program running without your help at all times. An example of this would be when you have suddenly realized that you have not been paying attention while driving and you are almost home from work.

The entire drive to and from work is a program that you have put into your subconscious mind through repetition. Your driving is almost automatic and takes very little thinking on your part. In fact without consciously thinking about going to the store when driving that pathway you will drive straight home. Your programming will take over and you will "forget" to go to the store unless you hold the image of the store at the forefront of your mind when driving home.

To convert the things you want in your life to reality you must understand how to use both your conscious and sub-conscious mind. By continually thinking about the good things you want and visualizing these images you will impress them on your subconscious mind. Over time your actions will change and you will start to move the things you want into your reality.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

You're Never Done Growing

I’ve talked at length in the past about setting realistic goals, and planning each step of your self improvement journey intelligently and carefully, but I think that I’ve failed to mention one very important point that needs to be mentioned. And it’s this: That doesn’t mean that there’s actually a greater end goal.

Oh sure, sometimes there will be smaller to intermediate goals, such as finding a new job, for example. But the grander journey, in actuality, never ends. You’re always going to be growing, if you’re smart about it. And I’m pretty sure you are. And you should always want to learn and grow. And I’m pretty sure you do.

And that’s the point, actually. I don’t want you to get scared off or intimidated by the prospect of having to work on yourself forever, because that’s what you should want to do.

Too often, someone will go through the trouble of trying to improve their life with the idea that they’ll get to a certain point and that’s it. They’re done. But it doesn’t work that way. How could it?

And it really isn’t work in the way most people think.

Think about your own past experiences. And think about how you’ve changed and grown over the years due to everything you’ve seen and done, and your encounters with others. Think of all of the people you’ve met who have made an impact on your life, and therefore altered your development for the better.

Why would you want that to end?

The truth is, it won’t. Unless you become a hermit or something like that. Otherwise, you’ll always meet new people and experience new things. And that means that you will always continue to develop.

Once again, I’ll use my kung fu training as an example. We get some new students every now and then who think that they’re supposed to put in a certain amount of time, or a certain number of years, and then they will have completed their kung fu training, and know all there is to know. Then, I guess, they’re expecting to move on to something else and master that, too. Those people always seem to be in a hurry. They want to load as many achievements under their belt as they can in as little time as they can. And they usually quit before achieving any of them, as a result.

Once again, it doesn’t work that way. We have a saying that roughly says that once you get your black belt, that’s when you start learning. I may have reached the sifu (instructor) level, but I’m still learning. And my sifu, he’s still learning, too. And his sifu is still learning, too.

And that’s really the point of it. If you accept that you’ll be learning for the rest of your life, then you come to realize that there is no hurry. And you become more patient, and so you stay with it and continue to improve.

Well, the same is true of your personal development. When you come to realize that there’s no hurry, and that you can always make improvements, and learn and change, then you naturally calm down, relieve a whole lot of stress, live more peacefully, and continue to grow.

Yes, you can have goals, and you can achieve them. I’ve always said that, and I encourage it. But you can also always change and grow if you’re smart and pay attention, and if you do it with the right perspective and state of mind. I encourage that, too.

Besides, you’ve got an average of 70-80 years on this planet. What are you going to do with all that time if you’ve “finished” everything already, anyway?

Article Source: http://www.knowaboutyourself.com

The Power of the Negative

The vast majority of us learn very early on that we are expected to deal with facts. In and of itself this might not be such a terrible thing. The trouble starts when we combine with this the idea that we also learn very early on where these facts come from. Typically we are not learning that facts come from testing hypotheses and finding evidence for a piece of information, but rather that facts are synonymous with statements. As we have learned that facts are true, when we are provided with a statement that is held up as a statement of fact, we tend not to question it. Obviously there are times when taking this approach to dealing with the world is hugely advantageous.

“The stove is hot”

“It’s raining”

Provided with these statements and taking them to be facts our understanding of the world, at an emotional and cognitive level, adapts appropriately and we can tailor our behaviour to deal with the implications of these facts, for example, “stay away from the stove”, “get a coat”.

Such statements don’t need to be questioned. This of course doesn’t mean that they can’t be, but for practical purposes taking them at face value is unlikely to cause any of us anxiety or distress. If one were to take a Gibsonian view of these statements (which admittedly is a little odd as Gibson’s theories were concerned with visual perception) we might say that these facts “afford” a clear understanding of their meaning and implications. We are not bound by those implications, just as one is not bound by affordances in visual perception, but they provide opportunities and information for decision making in the widest sense, including thinking, feeling and behaving. Crucially, such statements are neutral, they are not laden with values and this might explain why we tend not to question them. However, the situation is not so simple. If we consider statements that are value laden there still is a tendency to treat them like they afford clear understanding of their meanings, and we don’t question them even though there may be a broader set of possibilities behind them.

Let’s consider some positive statements.

“You’re performance today was brilliant”

“You have a nice way of dealing with people”

Would you be prepared to take these statements, perhaps feel a little embarrassed, but take them as statement of fact and not question them? Probably. But what exactly do they mean? What makes up a brilliant performance, and how does knowing that help you hone your skills, adapt your emotions, thinking and behaviour? Equally, what constitutes a nice way of dealing with people? Knowing what “nice” consisted of, when regarding dealing with people, you could gauge your performance and use this knowledge of your attributes in other situations. We don’t tend to question the positives, but naively accept them, and in doing so we don’t really learn anything from them.

Objectively this is pure laziness, but if we explore this issue a little more deeply we can understand why this laziness makes a certain amount of sense. Think about the effort that would be involved in trying to tease apart the deeper meaning of what someone is trying to communicate with these positives. How would someone react if you asked in return, “What exactly do you mean when you say nice?” How would you react if someone asked you that after you had complimented them? It feels a little strange. Just like when we ask a casual acquaintance, “How are you doing?” we don’t expect to hear anything other than, “Not too bad”, we expect that a compliment should be enough. You look good; you did well, great goal, what else is there that you need to know?

Social convention dictates that positive information stops there, and this means that other than being a sense of comfort, reassurance and fostering good relations, it isn’t particularly functional. That isn’t to say that it isn’t pleasant and enjoyable, and can have strong motivational influences, but what do you learn?

Now let’s get a little paranoid - how much do you trust compliments and positive statements? 100%? Do you completely and absolutely take everything positive said to you without a tiny pinch of salt? Does your critical voice ever speak up and place nagging doubts in your mind, either about the speaker, or about how their opinion might be different if they knew you better? Let’s pretend that there are sometimes doubts. So, positives are not particularly informative, you can’t really learn from them and you can’t be entirely sure that they are 100% truthful. As far as personal growth goes perhaps they are not quite the bargain the might be. Feel good, yes, and that is powerful, but their power is coming from someone else. You haven’t increased your power from them, your personal understanding of your talents, skills, biases, weaknesses etc. Someone else is in a position of power to convey these blessings upon you, and as we’ve begun to suspect, they may not be 24 carat gold.

If neutral statements aren’t going to help us in our quest for personal growth and understanding, and positive statements aren’t, the only thing left would be the negative statements.

How could negative statements help us develop, after all, the negative statements that we are so good at keeping in our heads, that running commentary that intervenes and deflates us, probably couldn’t be considered to be a source of vital information that leads to our self-growth? That’s true. But it is through what we can learn from the negative reactions of others - the things they say, the way they respond, - that we can start to challenge the voices in our minds, and the voices outside.

If you know what it is that you are doing wrong, you can change it if you decide to do so. The great thing is that people are only too happy to let you know what it is that you are doing wrong. Probably the only thing people like better than talking about themselves is telling other people what’s wrong with them. Remember that you aren’t obliged to change to satisfy anyone, but if you want or need to develop in a certain area of your life, then knowing where you are now, and how that isn’t as good as required, and knowing the specifics of where you are going wrong, it’s almost like you have been given a map of how to develop. Now that’s a map worth having, and you’re getting it for free. Whilst someone else might feel that they are getting to vent at you, you can collect useful information and use that to build up an understanding of what is expected, and develop strategies to get there.

Who is it that is benefiting, the person criticising, or the person criticised?

Article Source: http://www.articles4sites.com

What Jobs Provide: Personal Growth and Satisfaction

Jobs are one of the most important facets of American life today. They provide us with a plethora of things we wouldn't be able to obtain anywhere else. Not only do they offer a practical way to maintain a steady living and earn the things one wants in life, but they also increase self worth, improve overall attitude, and even help build and bolster one's social life.

The most obvious thing that jobs provide is a means to an end. By getting and maintaining a steady job, people can live life the way they really want to. They can make sure they have a good place to live, necessary things like food, drink and clothing, and the means to provide for those that mean the most to them. By working, people can also afford to go out and do the things they want to. Entertaining things like going to fancy restaurants, attending sporting events, or buying big ticket items all cost plenty of money, and having a job is the best way to make sure that you can do these things from time to time and still stay afloat financially.

Jobs also help boost self worth. Having a job makes people feel accomplished, like they are really doing something that makes a difference in the world and helps improve their standard of living. People also tend to feel happier and more upbeat about their day-to-day lives if they have a job. It's much easier to keep a positive outlook and a great attitude if things are going well professionally and financially, and having a job is the best way to accomplish this. A sometimes overlooked benefit of having a job is the possibility of making new friends and getting to know a diverse group of people. You meet people at jobs that you wouldn't otherwise, and oftentimes the best friends people will ever meet are found at work. After all, these are the people that one sees on a daily basis, and it is easy to get to know them very well in a short period of time do to how much exposure one gets to the people around them.

Jobs also allow people to meet others from all sorts of different and diverse backgrounds. One meets people at jobs that are from different countries, different economic backgrounds, and different upbringings. Exposing oneself to different types of people is a fantastic way to become a well-rounded person, and jobs readily allow for this.

Jobs are a long-standing staple of American life, and they always will be. They do far more for people than they may seem to on the surface. Whether it be the pay they offer, the lifestyle they can provide, or the friendships they cultivate, jobs are one of the most valuable resources in the world today.

With all that they encompass, jobs are perhaps they most central part of most people's lives, with everything else revolving around the center that they create. Without them, none of us would be able to do all of the things we ever dreamed of, let alone meet the people we always wished to.

Article Source: http://www.happy-living-articles.com

The Best Self Hypnosis Techniques For Self Improvement

If you've ever wanted to learn self hypnosis, all you need to do is learn a few self hypnosis techniques. You don't need to buy a collection of self hypnosis books, audio tapes and you don't even need to visit a hypnotist or spiritual guru.
Putting into practice a few simple techniques to bring yourself to a state of deep relaxation can be very easy and rewarding. The most important thing is to find a place that offers complete comfort and quiet. The last thing you need once reaching a state of deep relaxtion is to be disturbed part way through.
You will also need to learn how to completely relax all your muscles and whether this is best achieved by sitting up or laying down. Learning what you need to do once in a subconscious state is also very important.
Going Under
Reaching a subconscious state can often be referred to as "going under". Generally this means that the conscious mind is "asleep" and the subconscious mind is more accessible. You will be able to achieve this yourself after learning some basic self hypnosis techniques.
Various people will use various techniques to put themselves under, so it is best to try a variety and then use which is best for you. You could even dicover your own technique.
Firstly chose a comfortable and quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Reaching the subconscious state can often take quite a while, so you need to know that you will not be interrupted for some time. you need a place that will offer you complete solitude and sanctury. Remember to turn off phones and any other items that may disturb you, you will need complete concentration.
Apply yourself to your breathing, focus on the air entering and exiting your body. Relax all the muscles in your body and empty your mind of all thoughts. You will find yourself profoundly relaxed. This state is often compared to sleeping without being asleep. Once this state is achieved you can do almost anything you please.
Many people often have a manuscript they use whilst they are under to help them achieve a goal. The script is often a mantra to aid in things like quitting smoking, dieting, improving their memory or to learn self love. Most often it is used for some form of self improvement.
Let yourself be your own guide as to what you want to achieve. Only you can know what it is that you want. With practice and experimentation you become an expert at self hypnosis.

Article Source: http://www.articlegoldmine.com

3 Benefits Self-Empowerment Can Bring Into Your Life

There are many tangible benefits that self empowerment can bring into your life and this article lists down 3 of the most important ones that universally apply to anyone looking to bring some ray of light into them.

The first benefit is of course kicking bad habits. Now, everyone has the power to say no, and that means you too. Almost 90% of the developed world is being plagued by problems of addiction and it can come in any form. Smoking, over eating, drugs, watching television, retail, sugar; the list is endless. And because of this it has created a global society of the obese, of the sick and of the mentally unstable. It has caused healthcare costs to go up almost 50% in the last 3 years because the world is getting sick by the day. It is time we all as a human race kick the addictions that only seek to bring us closer to the grave. With the power of self empowerment through subliminal messages, you can do this. The root of addiction lies in the mind and it is time to use the delicate tools to wrench them away from good and bring pack the colour into our lives.

Self empowerment can also give us ambition and drive that has been waning away all our lives. Self empowerment can lead us out of the office cubicle, out of a job that we don’t even like to do and out of situations that only seek to disappoint us. No longer will we be a population of people who are merely content with that we have, but we will be one that constantly drives itself to break barriers and create new goals once the old ones have been achieved. The weaknesses of the human spirit lie deep within the mind, and they get reproduced by our subconscious. Using self empowerment technology like subliminal CDs, we can drive away the tired projections of ourselves in the mind and reinvigorate the body to be ambitious, to have energy and to look at life with a new set of eyes.

Self empowerment can also give us the tools to progress in our relationships. Bad attitudes and even worse love cycles can be attributed to character flaws and emotional disorders that drive people away from us. As a result, we end up lonely human beings, bitter at the world, continuing on a downward spiral towards oblivion. We can reach in to the core of our human soul and turn things around. Live better, be happier and have more potential to reach out and love another person. That is the power of self empowerment and it is something everyone should have access to.

These are the three benefits that self empowerment can bring into your life. And the good news is that the technology that can make it all happen is readily available on the internet. It is just up to you to reach out and grab one - see the results for yourself.

Article Source: http://www.exchange-articles.info