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“Greater purpose is essential for lifetime growth. Many people start off their careers thinking that money is the goal. Money can be a useful measure of success or progress in certain circumstances, and it’s a resource we can use to realize greater possibilities, but at some point money without purpose loses its meaning. Money as an end becomes a growth stopper. Having a purpose that is greater than yourself will give you a constant impetus to strive.”

-Dan Sullivan, The Laws of Lifetime Growth.

Not too many people I know become freelancer writers for the money. You may have started freelancing for the flexibility, the freedom, or simply because you hated your job. Perhaps there were other reasons. I became a freelancer because I was fresh out of university and I wanted to see if I could build a career doing what I enjoy – writing.

Unfortunately, too many freelancer writers quit because of a lack of money and head right back into the vicious 9-5 without ever giving the career of their dreams a chance.

Being a freelance writer is much more than writing. It’s marketing to prospects, researching companies and projects, communicating with customers, invoicing clients, and constantly battling with your schedule so you can balance work and play. It’s not always easy, but it certainly has it’s perks.

In the end, it’s important for you to find a purpose in your career so you can build on it long into the future. Money will come and go – sometimes shrink and other times grown – but true happiness is found when you do what you love.

Your purpose must always be greater than your paycheck. So how do you do this? Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Never compromise your morals or desires in order to make quick buck (or establish a sketchy long term, well-paying relationship). The problem with compromising your values and purpose is that it’s nearly impossible to do it only once. This activity becomes a slippery slope that causes you to compromise what you really want over and over again. Something that once seemed like a big payoff for a little sacrifice quickly becomes a great sacrifice that you will have to deal with at some point or another if you want to enjoy your career.
• Have the courage to walk away from money in order to chase the life you desire. You most likely know how to do this – since you left the comfort of your career (or potential career) to become a freelance writer. But it’s important to continuously do this throughout your lifetime; it strengthens your commitment to your values. When you’re doing what you love, you’ll realize there are always new ways to make money and meet your financial needs while staying in line with your dreams.
• Listen to your heart. Your sense of purpose is more connected to your emotions than your logical reasoning. When you’re low on money it might seem like a necessity to walk back into the corporate world instead of staying focussed on your career. But you should listen to your heart instead of your mind. If your heart wants to walk back into the 9-5 then you should probably consider doing so, it’s not wrong to follow that sort of career – in fact, it’s probably better suited for people who appreciate stability more than time freedom. However, if your heart wants to keep on freelancing then you should do so. Let your feelings guide you where you want to go and then use your mind to figure out a way to make it happen.
• Clarify your purpose in writing so you have a direction for your career. Many people think they know what they want in life, but never actually plan to get there. By defining your purpose and writing it down you’ll create a reminder for yourself to focus on each and every day. Your purpose may be to create a mobile lifestyle, work four hours a day for the rest of your life, or help non-profit organizations market themselves more effectively. Maybe it has nothing to do with writing; perhaps freelancing is simply a means to an end. Do you want to travel the world? Do you want to go become a missionary? Do you want to spend more time with your family? Whatever it is – go for it!

Defining your sense of purpose and following it can be difficult, but it is an integral part of achieving true freedom. Finding purpose in your life and following it will always make you happier than a loaded bank account – and the great thing is, chasing your dreams often leads to more money in the long run – because passion sells!

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