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How Writers Can Conquer Uncertainty

Carol Tice

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Jonathan Fields

Have you ever taken a writing gig you didn’t really feel qualified for? I was rapping with Renegade Writer Linda Formichelli about this recently.

Lately, we’ve both found we keep getting asked to do stuff that’s pretty far out of our wheelhouse. I just recently rewrote 400 pages of government transit-agency documents, when I’d never covered transportation or done a government contract before, for instance. But we keep taking it on and loving the adventure, and the challenge of stretching our skills.

It takes that kind of daring to be a successful freelance writer. You have to be willing to step into the void sometimes and just try to write something. Maybe it’s your first e-book. Or your first big corporate client, or national-magazine byline.

Jonathan Fields, author of the new book Uncertainty, has been studying how successful businesspeople overcome the fears that dog most of us and keep us from taking that leap of faith that could move our business forward.

In case any writers are missing my drift…whether you know it or not… you have a business.

How can you get over the fear hump and get out there? Fields has some ideas for you.

As regular readers know, I learned a lot when I got lost trying to go hear him speak at SOBCon. Here’s what I learned once I finally found my conference and got to hear him talk:

Stop thinking you’re the only scared one. Interviews with risk-takers have debunked the myth of the fearless leader. Successful innovators are scared just like you. They just push through it and do the hard thing anyway.

They’ve trained themselves to feel their anxiety and still move forward. This can be learned.

Be willing to bet on yourself. When Fields had a yoga studio, he ended up getting the studio mentioned in a national magazine. The editor said, “It’s too bad you don’t have a video — then people all over the country could benefit from your yoga techniques, and you could earn from them, too.” Fields had no video, but responded, “It’s funny you say that — we’re just in post-production on our first video.”

Then he hung up the phone, and got going to make a video. Obviously, it was a risk to claim he had a video. He’d never made one before. Would he be able to do it? Fields trusted he could. The video went on to become a hit and took his yoga business to a whole new level.

Change your tape. Fields says the biggest problem most creative people face is that deep down inside a tape is playing. Often, it’s saying, “I suck, and this thing I’m working on sucks, too.”

Kill the negative self-talk. Fields says many of us are just playing that tape so that we won’t have to step out of our comfort zone and feel the nervousness of confronting something difficult.

Unleash your creativity by reducing anxiety. When you’re anxious, your body is in fight-or-fight mode — and the creative side of your brain is in lock-down. Whether it’s learning to meditate, going for morning walks, or a calming cup of tea, find what helps restore your calm. You’ll accomplish more and grow your income.

How are you overcoming uncertainty as a writer? Leave a comment and let us know.

20 Ways to Find Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners

20 Ways to Find Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners

Best Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners. Makealivingwriting.com

Right now, a record-high number of people are considering a freelance writing career. My inbox is overflowing with questions from newbies. And the first question is: “Where can I find freelance writing jobs for beginners?”

If that’s you, sending hugs! I totally feel your confusion. The freelance marketplace is a big, complicated place. There are lots of types of paid writing, and different kinds of clients, too.

I’ve been helping writers get started for a dozen years now. And I know how mystifying it can be. You feel like there’s a door you need to find, a person you need to know, a secret you must unlock to become a freelance writer.

But really, the path to freelance writing jobs for beginners is simple.

You need to find someone willing to let you write for them. That’s it.

You get a few samples and boom — you have a portfolio to show. And you’re on your way.

There are fairly simple, break-in writing assignments that newbies tend to get. I’m going to outline what they are below.

But first, I need to explain something…

How to Write a Personal Narrative (And Why It’s So Important)

How to Write a Personal Narrative (And Why It’s So Important)

The purpose of a personal narrative is to describe a specific story in your life. No matter who you are, you have a plethora of life experiences, events, and stories that can be crafted into a compelling personal narrative for use in an article, blog post, case study, etc.

Writing an Article vs. Writing a Blog Post: What’s the Difference?

Writing an Article vs. Writing a Blog Post: What’s the Difference?

Ever wonder what the difference is between writing an article and writing a blog post? It’s a topic that comes up a lot when people ask how to become a freelance writer. Besides style and research, you might be surprised by one of the key differences between blogs and articles.