Today, I couldn’t be bothered to write another “how to” or “practical” post. Boring. Overdone? Out of alignment today, for sure.
I couldn’t even be bothered with all the official blog-y type rules with images every few paragraphs and all the official SEO rules in place.
This had to be from a deeper place inside, because I think the world needs more of that right now. Don’t you think?
Less surface-level sharing, more depth.
This all sounds way too serious, but stick with me.
This is actually a feel-good post.
Because everyone feels better when they work from a place of alignment.
So, what am I talking about, alignment?
Well, it means being true to your values.
Being true to who you really are.
Being true to your worth as a person.
Being true to your life’s purpose.
That’s all pretty esoteric, so let me explain in more concrete terms:
If you value time with your family, then don’t let your freelance work interfere with family time.
If you value meaningful work, then pursue freelance writing work that lights you up, that contributes to the world. For example, if you’re passionate about mental health, pursue work from mental health organizations.
If you believe you’re worth more than pennies per word, then stop accepting $.03 per word because you feel like that’s all that’s available to you! By the way, your worth is already beyond measure just by being born and being in existence. You just have to start living in your worth to stop settling for less.
If you truly feel that writing is a key part of your life’s purpose, then pursue it with your full heart!
If you feel like your position at your corporate job isn’t allowing you to be who you really are at your core, then listen to that voice! Start to actually face yourself from deep inside and reflect on what you’re doing there.
Let me give you a few examples from my own career as a freelance writer where I’ve made choices from alignment.
- I chose a niche that was near and dear to my heart and I hardly veer from it. I’m a health and fitness writer and I can say with absolute conviction that I LOVE writing about these subjects.
- I’ve passed over paying gigs for subjects like astrology and tarot because it goes against my religious values and passed over companies that had questionable values themselves. If it seems like they’re more about money than true consideration for humans, forget it.
- During slow times, I fight the urge to look into another corporate job because I know my life’s purpose will not be fulfilled in those positions. I know I’m in the right place and that the right work will present itself to me (after I’ve done the footwork, of course).
- I pass over numerous opportunities if the prospect doesn’t find value in my work. I won’t settle for $50 per post when my time is worth more than $75, for example. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said no to paying projects because I didn’t feel like they valued the worth of my work.
- I concentrate on projects that make a difference in this world, even minor, like helping sad people find help or helping people enjoy their favorite hobbies or helping entrepreneurs avoid roadblocks.
- I’ve structured my business so I don’t have to do a lot of sales type work or face-to-face business because I’m an introverted homebody. I do make time for social stuff and push myself beyond my comfort bubble, but I just know salesy work isn’t for me.
- I wrote this post instead of another freelance how-to based on what I think is expected because of what others in the industry are doing out there.
You’ll know when a project or prospect is out of alignment. You’ll feel it.
It will feel yucky, (yes, yucky, because sometimes toddler terms explain it perfectly).
It will feel like something you need to hide from other people.
It will feel not quite right, like a little niggling at the back of your head going uh uh uh.
It will feel like, if you just took a step back, like you’re only considering the project because of the money, at the expense of your values and worth.
It will feel like you weren’t really meant to be doing this.
It will feel like you’re just not adding much value to the world.
It will feel like you can’t quite be yourself.
It will feel like you’re doing things that aren’t quite “you,” that make you feel insincere.
On the other hand, you’ll know when a project is in alignment when you check in with yourself and you can see:
The organization you work with is in it to help people
The project makes you excited to show it off
You feel energized and expanded, not contracted, when you’re done with the project
Your work contributes to a bigger picture that means something to you
The people who hire you value your contribution
You feel like you’re using your natural talents to their fullest potential
Take action today!
Take some time to reflect on this as you look back on this past year and make your plans for the coming year. I’m a huge fan of journaling, so get out your journal and get really honest with yourself:
How are you conducting business in alignment right now?
How are the projects you’re working on right now contributing to a positive big picture?
What could you work on transitioning into alignment in the coming year?
What does working in full alignment look like to you?
Even if you think you’re so far out of alignment right now, you can still make daily and monthly shifts toward alignment. You don’t have to make one ginormous life change on Jan 1 or some other exact moment in time. Just start making moves in the right direction.
Start working with companies whose missions makes you smile.
Start pulling away from clients who make you feel less than worthy.
Create a few samples for a niche that makes your heart feel fuller.
Pursue projects with passion.
With those small tweaks and shifts, one day, you’ll realize you’re finally right on course.
I want to hear from you,
Let me know in the comments what insights you got from this post and your stories about working in alignment.