The 10 commandments for freelancers
Watch this brilliant episode by WP Elevation legends Simon Kelly and Troy Dean, from the series ‘The 10 Commandments of Freelancing’, where Troy and Simon explore the idea that saying no to things can present even bigger and better opportunities.
Commandment #2 Thou shalt learn to say NO
First up here is the full Silence is Golden Episode that is totally worth watching in full. If you don’t have 27 mins now scroll down to the short version.
Some of the gems:
00:42 When you say yes to someone else’s agenda you’re actually saying no to a lot of things on your own agenda so when an opportunity comes your way you want to make sure that that opportunity actually aligns with your bigger goals.
Jim Rohn famously said: “If you don’t design your own life plan you will fall into someone else’s.” and guess what they have planned for you – not much!
01:46
If you’re not living intentionally and doing the things that are on your agenda it’s like being bounced around like a pinball in a pinball machine just responding to everyone else kind of whacking you about …
04:01
I say no to everything except what is in my schedule for the day. (Troy)
05:12
Just because you know how to help someone and they have no money doesn’t mean you’re obliged to actually help them
05:43
Stop being helpful and start being impactful!
Some of the things that you can do to help you say no: having a bigger yes, right like you have the right kind of project to work on or the right kind of client
07:43
You can’t be everything to everyone and it’s easy to say NO when there is a bigger YES.
You getting absolute
10:32
Your business exists because you want to have an impact in the world, right …
… life is short, and there is no dress rehearsal so don’t waste your time between when you’re born and when you die ……. you can spend that time wisely and have an impact on the world.
What impact do you want to have?
“I imagine a world where ….” (fill in the blanks)
11:35
Get clarity around your vision
Get clarity about who you want to help, your perfect client
Answer 3 questions:
- Why: that’s your vision
- Who: that’s your ideal client
- What: that’s your sweet spot, what do you actually, do for your clients in order to bring your vision to life;
- The other What is the mission that you’re on over the next 12 months – what mission are you on over the next 12 months in order to bring your vision to life?
22:00
What does freedom mean to you? Simon: Freedom to me means the ability to manage the time and the activities that I do with my life exactly how I want. yeah!
22:13
Dan Kennedy has got a great saying: “Work with people you like on projects you enjoy for the fees you deserve because life is too short to do otherwise!
Bill Murray also says: Life is short so do shit that makes you happy!