What Is The Weather Tomorrow? How To Prepare For Any Storm

Unexpected storms happen a lot in the world of writing and the world of freelancing. We are constantly asking what the weather is tomorrow and finding out the forecast has changed when tomorrow arrives.

We may have a plan and decide that all the freelancing jobs will come in abundance tomorrow. When we open our laptops, there are no longer any freelancing jobs and the internet stopped working.

Storm, after storm, after storm.

While freelancing on Upwork I saw so many jobs I felt I would be well suited to. At this point I wasn't interested in buying Connects (what Upwork uses as money) so I decided the jobs would have to wait. By the time I received Connects, the jobs I was suited for had all disappeared.

When I made the leap to my own website from Medium.com, I was expecting to build up a readership as quickly as I had over on Medium. Turns out there is gold in an already established website.

I'm learning that everytime you take a leap, it's like starting from the beginning again - except each time you have the skills and knowledge you didn't have before.

Here are some ways to weather the upcoming storms so you stop asking yourself "What is the weather tomorrow?"

1) Acknowledge that the weather is unpredictable. Knowing what the weather will be like is pretty much impossible. Readers change day by day, you change day by day and algorithms change. Sometimes, all three change in harmony and sometimes they don't. A lot of freelancing is all about timing. Jump into your shelter if you miss the boat and keep an eye on what your readers are doing. There will be another chance for you to make a splash.

2) Put structure in place for yourself. When you have a routine, this can get you through any moment of doubt or lack of motivation. You sit down and you write. That's it. End of story. Before you know it you'll be seeing results. Sometimes, the only way to get through the tough parts of writing is by sitting down and doing the Mahi (work). Even if it feels like you're getting nowhere, small steps do count for a lot.

3) Have a plan B. I know plan bs suck. This might be your full-time job, living with your parents or selling out but plan bs are like a savings fund in the freelancing world. They are something that will catch you. I'm still at my full-time (not writing) job and this helps to fund my lifestyle. We need them as much as we need that coffee in the morning. And how do you think we're going to afford that?

4) Timing is everything. Just because it's not working out today, doesn't mean the same will be said tomorrow. You might not even have to change a thing. That big publisher might have been on holiday and will be back tomorrow, maybe the burst of inspiration will strike you in an hour. So many possibilities, it's all about the right time at the right place.

5) Don't be afraid to ask for help. We all need help. Sometimes storms get too big for just ourselves to solve. Reach out to family, friends, readers, writers, therapists, facebook groups, GPs - whatever and whoever is your support crew. Reach out and ask for help. Sometimes all we need is a goodnight's sleep and sometimes we need to be told. "What do you mean four hours a night isn't enough? I'm fine, I drink 2L of coffee a day and talk to my imaginary friends, you wouldn't be able to tell." They can tell. They can all tell.

Rest up, keep going, and talk to real people from time to time. It's good for you. Having support systems in place will help you weather any storm as a writer.