Reconsidering Freelancing: My Journey After Upwork
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Chapter 1: The Allure of Freelancing
Freelancing can be an appealing option for many seeking additional income. It's encouraging to see individuals taking control of their work environment and schedules. I decided to give it a shot as well and, to my surprise, made over $1000 in my first month on Upwork. Yet, I ultimately decided to step away from the platform. What led to that choice?
How I Earned Over $1000 in My First Month on Upwork
If you're willing to dedicate yourself, there's potential to earn significantly more by following my approach. My first month's earnings totaled $1200.
What’s the Value of a Decade of Your Life?
Completing my first month on Upwork brought mixed feelings. While I was pleased with my earnings, I felt disheartened by the realization that I had undervalued my skills. I often found myself completing three hours of work for a mere $15. It's hard to accept that anyone's worth can be reduced to $5 an hour, but platforms like Upwork can foster that mindset. After their 20% fee and taxes, the take-home pay is barely worth the effort.
This reflection led me to ponder, “If someone were to purchase ten years of my life, what would that cost?” The answer surprised me: “My life is invaluable and cannot be quantified by money.” This revelation prompted me to leave Upwork immediately.
The Broader Implications of Work
It's not just freelancing that diminishes our perceived worth. Many of us are caught in traditional 9-to-5 jobs that do the same. For instance, if a company pays its employees $30 per hour, working 1820 hours a year translates to nearly 76 days of their lives, equating to a total of $54,600. This means that a day's worth of time from those employees is valued at $718.5. Over a decade, that figure escalates to approximately $2,620,700. While we rarely think about life in such transactional terms, it reflects a harsh reality.
“We must stop pretending that our life is worth a lot when our actions reflect the opposite.” — Author
Exploring New Opportunities
Many believe that securing a job is essential for generating income, but that's a misconception. There are countless avenues to earn money beyond traditional employment. It’s time to break free from that limiting mindset and actively seek out new opportunities. Explore passive income sources and invest in your financial future. This is my aspiration and the primary reason for my departure from Upwork.
Chapter 2: The Path to Financial Freedom
How amazing would it be to see $2000 consistently deposited into your bank account each month? That kind of income could significantly enhance your quality of life.
Key Takeaways
- Working as a freelancer often leads to self-discounting.
- Everyone deserves to be valued appropriately.
- Focus on creating passive income streams to elevate your self-worth.
If you have any thoughts, questions, or want to engage in a discussion, feel free to share your ideas in the comments or reach out to me at [email protected].
Additional Reading
- Should You Buy or Rent a House?
- 8 Tactics to Develop a Powerful Marketing Strategy
- How to Build a Digital Marketing Agency
- 5 Websites That Will Elevate Your Skills
- How to Join Medium’s Partner Program
- 5 Unique Ways to Earn Money