Hate Your Job? There is Another Option

"I don't like my job and I don't think I'm gonna go anymore." How many people sit at their desks every day wishing they could say those words? I did, but finally I came to a decision. I could work for someone else and deal with everything that comes with it, or I could work for me doing what I am good at and getting paid. It doesn't have to be difficult. With the internet, everything needed is right at our fingertips if we know where to look. The following steps can guide you on your journey if you are really serious about "not going anymore."

1. Decide what you're good at

You know what you do at your job but that may not be what you do best. Think back to grade school when you were asked what you wanted to be when you grew up. Think about how your talents emerged and developed as you did. Once you have taken inventory of your marketable skills you must decide which of these skills you actually enjoy doing and would like to pursue further. Just because you're an ace bean counter does not mean that you will find happiness counting beans. List your hobbies as well as your current work tasks. Don't worry if it seems far out because someone out there is just waiting to pay you to do what you are good at and they are not.

2. Sell yourself

After you have come up with a few talents that you are willing to perform for income, you're going to need to get the word out. There are some excellent websites for promoting your skills. Here are a few to get you started, but there are many others exclusively devoted to the type of freelance work you wish to do.

guru.com

portfolios.com

ifreelance.com

programmingoutpost.com

Even more importantly, you will need a place of your own. Some place where you have control to showcase your work and anything about yourself that you choose to share. You need a place to direct prospective customers to that feels safe and captures who you are and what you are selling. A blog allows people to get to know you and is the perfect outpost for consumers to potentially decide to use your services.

3. Iron out the details

As soon as you have seriously decided to begin working for yourself, you will need to immediately set to work on your blog and begin thinking of yourself as a commodity. The internet has made the search for information possible for everyone so think of ways to use the resource to your advantage.

If you have a PayPal account, you can create a clickable graphic to place on your blog making it possible to accept secure payment through your site. This is the simplest way but there are many others to explore.

Research how to protect yourself and your customers then develop a contract. Design it in Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft InfoPath, or a similar format so that your forms can be used online right from your blog.

Be sure you understand what is required of you by the IRS. Just because tax is not withheld automatically does not mean you do not have to pay it so understanding the 1099 is going to be vital.

As an independent contractor, you are responsible for every aspect of your business so you must cover all the bases before going live. Making it on your own can be a scary undertaking, but when you prepare yourself the payoff is worth every fearful moment. Get ready for some excitement, a little bit of uncertainty, and a whole lot more freedom.