A new challenge you say? Let me look at my diaryā¦
This week was the first week where itās actually felt like Autumn has arrived. Itās my favourite season for a reason - the crispy leaves on the ground, the smell of bonfires in the air and the *thrung, clunk, clunk* sound of the heating going on for the first time since March.
With autumn comes a sense of change - as the nights get darker and it starts to seem impossible that just last week you were leaving the house without wearing 3 layers, we all feel how the seasons shift and our routines may change a little to adapt to that. This year, however, change is feeling a little scarier.
Itās no surprise that some of us are feeling a little overwhelmed - what with the pandemic still rolling ominously along, the upcoming US election weāre trying not to think about and work (hopefully) picking back up a bit from the lockdown days of freelance famine. So whilst it might feel like we donāt have a choice but to do everything and anything thrown our way now (for fear of losing out if lockdown happens again), itās a good idea to take some time out to think about what projects we really should be grabbing with both hands and which, we should let pass us by this time. Although we might try to kid ourselves, we can do anything, but we canāt do everything.
As someone with the worst timing in the world, this is the year I decided to go back into higher education! This week, I am starting my MSc in Career Coaching. My first lecture is this evening, from home, possibly in my best pjs, and Iām hoping against hope that I can get away without brushing my hair for it, just like my original uni days over a decade ago!
Iām excited about it, but Iām also feeling like this is the very worst time to be taking on such a momentous challenge. This weekend, myself and my fellow students had our induction - which, usually done in person at the campus, was a very different affair to anything any of us had ever done before. We were briefed on everything from academic writing and literature reviewing, critical reasoning and evidence-based practice to the specifics of our chosen course, how to get into the mindset of a āreflective practitionerā and given the low-down on which books weāre best to start off reading immediately. It was a LOT.
But, what I quickly realised, was that I wasnāt the only person trying to sail this boat. The new challenge weād set ourselves was coming for all of us, having chosen to take this path together, from completely different backgrounds, for very different reasons. The change and challenge felt scary - but suddenly completely manageable, with the right support. The support we had for each other was self-evident. Not only because weāre studying to be coaches, but because weāre all people who have decided that this year is the year for a big change. Looks like Iāll have more hands on deck than Iāve ever had before and that feelsā¦ promising.
I hope you enjoy this weekās newsletter. If thereās anything youād like me to share in a future issue, or ideas for what youād like to read about, just drop me an email me at graceamymaud@gmail.com.
This newsletter is an extension to the 2,500+ strong freelance force we have congregating atĀ @FreelanceCollectiveUK. If you donāt already follow us there, come on over!
Until next week, with love,
Grace x
Become an entrepreneur in 5 quick steps!
Have you thought about starting your own side hustle but donāt know where to start? In this 15 page interactive PDF workbook, I tackle why having a gig on the side is aĀ greatĀ idea, how you can launch one in 5 simple steps and what the implications on your tax situation areĀ (itās not as complicated as youād think!)Ā š¤«
Interest & inspiration for the week ahead
āIām working in something that I stumbled into, Iām miserable, and I have no idea what to do next.ā Sound like you? Donāt panic - and definitely donāt do anything drastic. Hereās how a few small, incremental changes can bring you closer to the career you actually want.
Michaela Coel is a woman to be reckoned with and I was very excited when I saw that sheād recently done an interview with none other than Childish Gambino himself, Donald Glover, for GQ. The way she tackled ensuring she retained ownership of her IP as a creative in the TV industry was class personified and a lesson for us all. This article also includes my favourite word, ever: verisimilitude.
āYou almost have to shrink who you are a little bit sometimes to fit into that mould of your job description.ā I think thatās reason enough to sack off the job and do your own thing, personally! The Atlantic writes about the modern phenomenon we all know as the āSunday Scaries.ā
People who see stressful events as āchallengesā, with an opportunity to learn and adapt, tend to cope much better than those who focus more on the threatening aspects ā like the possibility of failure, embarrassment or illness. Apparently thinking like a Norwegian might help stave off the ālong polar nightsā of Winter, and this article strikes a chord with me in its discussion of how your mindset can influence your mood.
āWeird shops that smell bad are unavoidable in the childhood quest for holiness.ā Sentimental Garbage writes a hilarious take on their favourite Simpsonās characters secondary outfits. Theyāre right, Mr Burns is far more vulnerable without his jacket!
The Art (of freelancing)
Lieke van der Vorst is an illustrator from the The Netherlands. I love her work because itās so strongly themed around nature and features a lot of animals. This piece is called Cambodia - you can purchase her prints at her website here.
If youāre a freelance artist, illustrator or designer and would like to be featured in the art of freelancing, reply or DM me.
The Freelancer Conundrum #5
Every week I tackle a question a freelancer has sent in. Hit reply or drop into the DMs over atĀ @FreelanceCollectiveUKĀ if you have a freelancing question I can help you with!
Q:Ā Iām a new freelancer and currently a sole trader. How do I find a good accountant?
A:Ā The number one rule is always to ask around. Join communities of freelancers on social media (hello!) and ask those in a similar industry to yourself for recommendations. Obviously your choice will be influenced by what level of accountancy support you require, but as a sole trader, your requirements are relatively basic. Finding a good accountant is the first step you should take when you become freelance and arguably the most important, to ensure you don't fall foul of the taxman. I've also seen plenty of independent bookkeepers and accountants launching their own businesses, especially during lockdown, so when thinking about going freelance, it might be worth reaching out to an accountant in the same boat as you, for general freelancing support, as well as their accountancy know-how.
Do you know someone who has just been made redundant or might be facing redundancy after the furlough scheme winds down?
Iāve written about my own experience of redundancy in the workbook below and given my tips for how to spruce up your CV and cover letter, as well as your social media profiles. You can access it forĀ FREEĀ - just click below.
The Weekly Atty
This week Atticus got left outside in the rain for several hours. When he finally got back in to the house, he was not a happy pussy cat. Here he is clearly demonstrating his disdain for my new course text.
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Thanks for subscribing! I'mĀ Grace, Iām a career coach in training and the person behind this newsletter. I am the founder of the freelance community, The Freelance Collective and you can also follow me on InstagramĀ here, and TwitterĀ here.