My goal with this series is to share some financial insights with you in hopes that I can influence and inspire you to make better decisions in your career choices and avoid making some of the same assumptions and mistakes that I've made along the way. Especially with finances, pricing, and business metrics.
Before we jump in, I would just like to warn you that the message I'm sharing is a little controversial so keep in mind these are my opinions and you have every right to your own opinion.
The following are just a few valuable lessons that I've learned as a result of my experience and really this is just a reminder message to myself and even what I would say to my kids when they're older, or to a good friend and to my own family and parents. Or even to other web developers and creative freelancers, especially those that are just starting out in freelancing or their careers.
Basically I'm going to share some thoughts about personal economics and financial circumstances and I hope that in return it will motivate you to follow through with the other lessons that I send you in the future, and that you also take it on yourself to further assess your own situation.
These mindsets and myths may show up in your life whether you're considering starting a web application, or beginning to freelance, growing an agency, or even fresh out of school and looking for employment.
So, to kick things off - here are what I believe to be five widely held and false personal beliefs and ideas about money that will keep you stuck financially...
#1 The first false belief is that you can count on friends family the government or others to be responsible for solving your financial problems.
I’m not suggesting that you won’t need to work with people to reach big financial goals, but I am saying that it is our own personal responsibility to take action and acquire the knowledge we need to succeed financially.
It should go without saying - Even if studying and learning new ways of thinking require some uncomfortable work or conversations, don’t sit back and wait.
Others won’t just do it for you.
#2 False belief number two is that it would be a big deal if you could make one hundred thousand dollars a year as a salary.
While that is not a small number, I'd just like to remind you that it's not the 1980s anymore.
#3 False belief number three is that a higher hourly wage will enable you to earn a sufficient amount of money.
While on the surface it seems like if you just make a higher hourly wage, and work more hours - you earn more money.
Yes maybe that math is true, but with no more than 24 hours in a day, and not being able to work all of them... it is not a scalable solution.
#4 False belief number four is that a college degree guarantees you a great and well-paying career.
I won't say much more about this one for now.
Just keep in mind that... you, valuable insights, and actions are what matter in this day and age.
Not where you went to college, or who you impressed in your late teens or early 20s.
#5 False belief number five is that our gut instinct or feelings should let us know the right activities to focus our attention on.
You know those people with the comment whenever you bring up a challenging topic or you want to discuss the nitty gritty details?
"It's all good bro..."
Well it's not all good!
Being specific matters.
How we spend our time matters.
The price we charge matters.
And the amount of income we earn matters if we are going to create wealth for ourselves and those we are responsible for caring for.
So I'm positive that to some extent that you're already aware of these false beliefs because they're quite common and I hear people comment about them often.
Comments like…
“If only congress would send more stimulus money!”
Or..
“If only my boss would give me a raise…”
Or…
“If only I could certified and make $100k a year with benefits, I’d be set…”
Or
“If I could just get more hours at work, or a second job… or a promotion with benefits - then everything would be better…”
Or…
“That’s not really what I had in mind, but I’m fine with it…”
Or…
“I wonder what’s happening on Facebook, I better make sure to post today….”
It becomes almost a subconscious reminder for us to stay small and avoid playing to win which is exactly the reason why these lies or myths will keep us stuck
And this is just the beginning.
If you choose to stay tuned into this series I will explain in MUCH more detail.
In the next post I'll share some more insights about what I think you need to know if you want to succeed financially without making compromises especially as a freelance web designer, graphic designer, software developer, writer, coach, or a digital entrepreneur.
