I’m Not for Hire…

Last week I had someone call and offer me a job. It caught me quite off guard, and I wasnt sure whether to be offended or flattered. I was nice though, and simply explained that I am not for hire.

People dont really understand the words "I'm not for hire" it seems. But at the moment, I am not. Maybe everyone is for hire at some price... I'm not sure. But I am perfectly content with my current circumstances and goals, and would not trade them for anything else.

Perhaps that sounds arrogant - But it's fair and it's fact.

Of course, I used to be...

It's true that I started out 'for hire', offering web development and marketing services and later consulting. It wasnt a bad gig mind you, not at all, but I was still trading my time (and knowledge) for money. I was still at the mercy of my paying clients, just as I was for a boss before I quit my last 'real job' in 1996.

I wasnt 'allowed' to go on vacation, take time off or have a bad day. Everyone else's poor planning became my 'highest priority project'. I was expected to put 110% into their projects, advise them with hours and hours of consulting, and then take the blame for that project not meeting their expectations when they didnt pull their weight in the deal.

If someone was rude enough to call at 7am on a Sunday morning (and they were), I was considered rude for not taking the call or asking them to phone back during my hours. If someone phoned in the evening hours while I was cooking a meal for my family, I had to make the choice between putting my family on hold or asking them to call back at a more appropriate time (I'll give you a guess as to which I did).

People seemed to have the mistaken expectation that they owned me if they used my services. Not everyone of course, but it definitely felt like the majority. Overall I found it quite frustrating, and while the money was good... it wasnt that good.

I spent most of my time establishing and maintaining boundaries, instead of doing what it was that I did best. And honestly, I was out of my element - or at least outside of my comfort zone - having to be firm to the point of feeling as if I was being rude.

The transition...

I finally made the transition from "being for hire" to "not being for hire" about three years ago. At the time I was taking care of my elderly grandmother full time and raising my two children as a single mother. It was a breaking point as much as anything and I decided to replace the active income from my service-based business with passive income.

From that point on I became a bit more reclusive, and a lot less available. I did still enjoy consulting and helping others with their own business strategy, but I chose to do that online only and in a structured environment that I could manage better.

It was the perfect solution, and I made a complete transition within a few months time.

Of course, being online under my real name leaves me 'available' to some extent. I had someone 'figure me out' here locally a while back. It was actually a friend of mine who was searching for something online and kept seeing my name pop up on the topic. They finally called me and said "Wow, I didnt realize you did this!"... which lead to "I need this, I know somebody who needs that - and hey, can you show my mother how to do this too?"

I still havent figured out the best response in these situations. I would love to help out, and I always appreciate the offer to 'name my price'... but the truth is, I quite enjoy the freedom and flexibility that I have now - and these types of situations have a way of snowballing back into the business.

And then of course there was the recent visit from a man who needed some help with his online ventures. When I didnt reply to my email within 24 hours, he decided to show up at my home.

I dont understand how somone can feel like I OWE them my time just because THEY need something and feel I'm the one that can do it for them (even though I am not for hire). After explaining that I 'dont do that' I would imagine a person would respect that response and look elsewhere.

Unfortunately, that's not the case. More often than not I get the full guilt trip, the long version of the story, and an offer. 😐

I LOVE what I do - but there are times that it can be deflating, frustrating and exhausting. Especially when someone obviously doesnt read my newsletter, my blog, make use of my forum... but still expects me to freely give them hours of my time one on one.

I love working online and I love helping people out that are trying to do the same - through my forums, blogs, sites and even other forums. But I do this on my own time, in my own time. Unrealistic expectations of me, or outright demands, can really take the thrill out of it all.

So what is it that I do now?

Basically I do for myself what I used to do for my clients. I develop websites, create marketing campaigns, manage online ventures, etc. The majority of my income is derived from Affiliate Marketing.

I stay as busy as I want to with this business model, and take time off anytime I like. I am the only person that I have to answer to, and my own deadlines are the only ones that I have to meet. It's incredibly refreshing.

Of course, I still love consulting and I love to help others with their own projects, and I do that at my discussion forum. It gives me an opportunity to continue doing what I love most, and the members there are quite a fun group to boot!

I've been both teased and hassled about the fact that I dont answer my phone, check my voicemail or respond to most emails. But my forum is the one place where I can be reached, and so I've suggested that people post their questions there - or Private Message me even - as I check in there almost daily.

That's fair, dont ya think? 😉 😀

If you're not already a member at the SSWT Forum, I would love for you to join us there. Whether you have questions, or can answer questions - or maybe a little of both - I think you'll find it's a fun group and a great spot to network with like-minded folks.

I may not answer my phone (or my door!) and I may not reply to hundreds of questions via email... but I'll definitely see you there if you stop by!

Best,

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