Why Freelancers Should Take a Part-Time Gig

As many of you know, I quit my “real” job to be a pastry chef about a month ago. This is a half-truth. Classes were supposed to start in December but the effing bank wouldn’t give me a loan so I’ve been transferred to an April class. Regardless, my classes are at night and during the day I’ve been slowly expanding my freelance business. While still in early stages it’s been a hodge-podge of writing for various publications, blogging for various companies and doing odd jobs for authors and publishers. I also teach old-fogies (like my dad) how to tweet. Since this is all early however, I’ve had to take a day job to pay the bills. But the last thing I wanted was another 9 to 5 which left me too exhausted to do anything but eat peanut butter and watch Bones at the end of the day.

Initially I had two part-time gigs. One was as a hostess at a fancy-pants restaurant in Chelsea, but that ended up not working out (long story, not very interesting). I still have the other job and it’s pretty awesome.

Now, while my fellow graduates may scoff if they found me working the ticket booth, I’ve established that they can suck it. While the pay leaves much to be desired, I have an enormous amount of fun, and I have to say, it helps my psyche and my social life as I’m really just talking to cool people all day. It also helps my writing. Today my dad asked when I would have time for my writing and my answer surprised me… It actually helps my writing. It makes me more productive. In fact, I think all freelancers should consider a part-time or temporary job and here’s why:

• A set schedule gets you out of your pajamas and into a routine.
• You get out of the house and actually talk to people (and talking to anyone is technically networking).
• Being productive – whether or not it’s work related – makes you feel accomplished and therefore more productive. Funny how that works.
• Ummm… money? ‘Nough said.

Part-time gigs are also perfect because you have the stability of a job but not enough stability to allow you to fall into slack-off mode….

Now, it’s almost time for my shift. Gotta run!

Tagged as: blogging, freelance, just for fun