Do Away with the “Starving Artist” Mentality
There’s a general attitude in many freelance associations, meetings, conferences and blogs that’s becoming increasingly popular. It’s what I call the “starving artist” mentality.
Basically, it’s the general feeling that good-paying freelance work is hard to come by. That it’s a struggle to make a good living as a freelancer as companies lay off employees and hire freelancers (without paying them benefits). That clients beat you down on price, expect you to bend over backward and then take forever to pay you.
That it’s a “war” out there, and you need to do everything you can to survive.
There’s a reason why we like to engage in these conversations. We create a bond with someone when we talk about a struggle we share. Especially if there’s a lot of emotion around the issue.
But guess what? If you engage in these discussions, they will absolutely KILL your performance!
And your income.
They will lead you to even more situations where you’ll be forced to work for peanuts. They will help attract even more terrible clients. Which will make you even more miserable. And so the endless cycle goes.
Here’s a fact I’ve learned the hard way: You get what you think about most of the time.
If you talk and think about the struggle, you’ll get struggle. If you engage in discussions about lousy clients that don’t appreciate quality work, you’ll get more lousy clients.
Conversely, if you focus on the fact that organizations everywhere are hiring freelancers at a faster pace than ever before—and the fact that millions of freelancers have figured out how to make a very nice living while enjoying more freedom and flexibility—you’ll start getting the kind of success you want.
I don’t know why that is. And frankly, I don’t care why it works. I just know it does. Just like I know my cell phone works and my MacBook is running fine (even if I have no idea what’s going on under the hood). So I’m mindful of what think about, what I talk about with others and what I feed my mind.
And I stay the heck away from people who want to get down in the mud and talk trash. You should too.
I know, I know. Those “let me tell you about this clients that screwed me over” rants can be cathartic. But engaging in them is like having a big fat slice of triple-chocolate cheesecake. It tastes wonderful. But you feel like crap an hour later.
What do you think? Am I crazy, or do the conversations you have with others affect you at a deeper level?
And isn’t it better to spend time thinking about how to improve your situation and your freelance business rather than waste valuable time complaining about it?
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Ed Gandia is the co-founder of TheWealthyFreelancer.com and co-author of “The Wealthy Freelancer: 12 Secrets to a Great Income and an Enviable Lifestyle”. As part of their book launch celebration, Ed and his co-authors are giving away $321 worth of products to freelancers who grab “The Wealthy Freelancer” by midnight this Friday, March 12. To learn more, visit www.TheWealthyFreelancer.com/amazon.
nice article, thanks for sharing.
Nice words Ed! I couldn’t agree more.
I noticed a funny thing being on Twitter for a little over a year now. After conversing with other freelancers who have successful blogs, tweet out great information, plus are ALWAYS positive, I noticed my own work was improving and evolving and I was earning more during that time.
Surround yourself by people that are what you want to be and you’ll soon follow (faster than you think)!
This is a wonderful opinion. The things mentioned are unanimous and needs to be appreciated by everyone.
Ajuas – Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Johnny – Right on! I’ve noticed a difference in my persona life, too. I refuse to hang out with negative people or take part in negative conversations (that one’s harder!). I find that my life is fuller, richer and much more fun! And I agree that it shows your business results!
Thanks for your comments.
Hi there,
Totally agree with your sentiments.
If you open yourself up to positive vibes (by mentally staying positve and not allowing others to suck you into their “sorry state of affairs” or their “i’m such a victim” attitude) the universe works with you and gives you positive vibes back.
You get what you give. And smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone.
If someone has a negative story and is looking for a “misery loves company buddy” find the positve in there, don’t join in the self-bashing, lift the other person out of their negative attitude by showing them you won’t be sucked in. Complaining is a cry for help. So help the complainer find a solution and a reason to be positive..
Most people who complain don’t do, they just complain. The do’ers get on with life while complainers make excuses why they can’t.
Just being on oDesk is enough to keep you positve, as the sharing and caring here is great.
Oh, last bit. The night I joined oDesk, I got 3 jobs. Have applied for lots more. How? by being positve, and believing I will get the job. Why? the Buyer feels my positive ‘can do” vibe and responds accordingly.
Not bragging here, just being positve and opening mysellf up to positive bibes that come back.
TS
Hi Ed,
Nice points. I think I am starving… for free time as I am full of work, haha. You are definitely right. This kind of thinking will eat your sanity away, specially when you are a newbie. I wonder whatever happened to freelancer’s self esteem.. Personally, I’m an avid fan of “The Secret” and positive thinking worked well for me.
Issa – Isn’t it amazing what a huge part mindset plays in your freelance success? Great to hear from you! Thanks for the comments.