My first month running my own combination freelance paralegal and writing business has flown. I thought I might miss my previous employer but I really haven’t. Eventually I’m sure I will begin to miss some of my co-workers but being the self-centered loner I am it takes a long time for me to begin to miss all but the most important people in my life. I have been in touch with my best friends from my prior employer so thankfully I’ve not had to endure missing them anyway. I don’t even miss the coffee. I definitely don’t miss the drama and office politics.
The only thing I do miss about my prior employer is the money. I got approximately 1/2 of my goal amount of hours which is actually pretty good considering I’ve only been in business for one month and the sure-thing client I thought I had failed to materialize. As I suspected it would be, the downside to starting my own business–and really the only con, though it is a big con–is lack of steady cash. The goal of all start-up businesses is to grow to obtain at least as much personal profit if not more than they received at their prior jobs; therefore, the hope is lack of cash will one day cease to be an issue. And for me, there have been so many positives they have so far outweighed that one big powerful con. Some of those positives have been, in no particular order:
1. My work uniform consists almost entirely of comfy pants.
2. I can grocery shop during the day when the stores are less crowded and the only children present are under five years old. And they are either cute or make me chuckle and think how glad I am THOSE days are over for me.
3. I can eat breakfast and lunch whenever I want plus I have the time and convenience of being able to make healthy meals (I’m saying I COULD, not necessarily I HAVE)—but I don’t buy fast food out of desperation.
4. I’ve been able to volunteer to help plan the first annual Quad City Book Fair scheduled to take place on May 8, 2010.
5. I’ve been able to speak to Paralegal students about my experiences.
6. I got to visit a friend who has been home with her newborn on maternity leave.
7. Whenever I want to take a break to play a game on Facebook, I don’t have to worry about my computer being “monitored”.
8. The only drama I’m forced to witness is from my kids and I can send them up to their rooms if they get too unruly.
9. Quiet—at least when the aforementioned kids are at school.
10. Similarly, I can watch TV or blast music without bothering anyone except my cats.
11. I can burn candles or spray air freshener without sending anyone into an asthma attack.
12. I can swim laps during the noon adults only hour at the Y.
13. I decide what I do when I do it and how to get it done.
14. I’ve been able to actually WRITE!!!
15. When school was cancelled I didn’t have to scramble to find alternative child care.
16. I can use the restroom without someone needing me the second I sit down (again, at least when the kids are at school)
17. I was able to help my daughter find her cell phone in the snow before its battery died.
18. I can crank the thermostat up as high as I want or turn it down when I start to sweat.
19. Did I mention the lack of drama???
Though I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the extra time just meeting 1/2 of my goal hours has provided, it is time now in February to buckle down and get some more hours if I plan to make it to my trip with my husband hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado in August. So it is now time for marketing–letting lawyers and law firms know I am out here ready, willing & able to assist them with their paralegal needs. (If you happen to qualify, please see http://www.jodiet.com/ParaInnovHome.html)
ur doing good