A sad and lonely existence in a shabby room, drowning in admin associated with the complexities of having multiple income streams with no colleagues to share your woes with?
Is this what you worry might happen when you think about your portfolio career? If this is already the case for some of you, then I’m afraid I think you’re just doing it wrong!
I’ve posted before about the importance of networking for portfolio careerists, particularly those with freelance elements. I hope I’ve been encouraging about how it’s actually not that scary getting out there, creating a buzz and generating new business. However, it’s not only about potential clients, who in time become your new colleagues. It’s also about sharing your experiences, insights and challenges with people who understand what being a portfolio careerist really means because they’re doing it too.
Earlier this week I went to a brilliant meet-up organised by a young, energetic ex-civil servant who calls himself Marrow (something to do with combining his first name and surname he said). There, I met inspiring fellow portfolio careerists from a whole host of backgrounds. Among us were doctors, artists, designers, web specialists, coaches, events organisers, educators and media experts but not one of us was just doing one thing for a living. Some did several types of work within their areas of expertise; others had more diverse portfolios - the charity worker/ housing expert/mortgage broker and the plastic surgeon/sexual health expert/property developer are two (yes two, not six) such examples.
What I noticed we all had in common was a quite overwhelming desire to do work that felt authentic; that we could derive fulfilment from and find meaning in. Everyone present had considerable talents and all were successfully earning a living. Sharing our experiences with each other was hugely cathartic – finally we had met others who didn’t think giving up well-paid jobs to tread more uncertain paths was utter madness.
It was also an opportunity to explore possible collaborations and alliances and feel like you are part of a wider professional network (I wrote more about this recently in an article in a local magazine). You’ll find you’re much more inclined to collaborate with colleagues who share your values and outlooks so seeking out your fellow portfolio careerists is a great way to find new colleagues to work on project s with. I’m very much looking forward to our next meet up, perhaps I’ll see you there….
Is this what you worry might happen when you think about your portfolio career? If this is already the case for some of you, then I’m afraid I think you’re just doing it wrong!
I’ve posted before about the importance of networking for portfolio careerists, particularly those with freelance elements. I hope I’ve been encouraging about how it’s actually not that scary getting out there, creating a buzz and generating new business. However, it’s not only about potential clients, who in time become your new colleagues. It’s also about sharing your experiences, insights and challenges with people who understand what being a portfolio careerist really means because they’re doing it too.
Earlier this week I went to a brilliant meet-up organised by a young, energetic ex-civil servant who calls himself Marrow (something to do with combining his first name and surname he said). There, I met inspiring fellow portfolio careerists from a whole host of backgrounds. Among us were doctors, artists, designers, web specialists, coaches, events organisers, educators and media experts but not one of us was just doing one thing for a living. Some did several types of work within their areas of expertise; others had more diverse portfolios - the charity worker/ housing expert/mortgage broker and the plastic surgeon/sexual health expert/property developer are two (yes two, not six) such examples.
What I noticed we all had in common was a quite overwhelming desire to do work that felt authentic; that we could derive fulfilment from and find meaning in. Everyone present had considerable talents and all were successfully earning a living. Sharing our experiences with each other was hugely cathartic – finally we had met others who didn’t think giving up well-paid jobs to tread more uncertain paths was utter madness.
It was also an opportunity to explore possible collaborations and alliances and feel like you are part of a wider professional network (I wrote more about this recently in an article in a local magazine). You’ll find you’re much more inclined to collaborate with colleagues who share your values and outlooks so seeking out your fellow portfolio careerists is a great way to find new colleagues to work on project s with. I’m very much looking forward to our next meet up, perhaps I’ll see you there….
Good blog thanks for posting mate.
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