There is a ton of information for freelance writers available on the Internet: How to Write a Blog in Just 15 Minutes; How to Better Manage Your Time; Five Ways to Improve Your Writing; and the topic I’ve seen on a few blogs: Stephen King’s book On Writing.

And there is some very valuable, informative, inspiring information within these posts and the comments that follow. But, here’s the thing: Hours upon hours can be spent reading, absorbing and searching for the answer to your business queries, and to a fault.

Use Your Head and Keep Your Fingers on the Pulse

Running a business, online or off, takes a certain amount of self-study in order to keep up with what is going on, what is new, what sucks, what consumers are shying away from or bellying up to. I have read some brilliant opinions and fabulous advice from bloggers on such subjects. In the end, however, it is up to You to get off your tushie and put what you know in to action. It is up to You to be willing to learn more along the way.

Yes, You Heard Me, Shut Up and Jump

When I was about to start my clothing design business another lifetime ago, the best advice was given to me freely: Just shut up and Jump. Meaning, quit yammering on and just bloody-well do it. I think it is best to allot your reading time daily and do so with an objective mind, and then

• Wipe the drool from your mouth
• Roll up your sleeves
• Prioritize your tasks on a list
• Make your way down the list
• Expect the list to grow, change, shrink, pulse..

Use your common sense. The list will never end, and the priorities are ever-shifting. Having a list of tasks out in front of you allows you to see what needs to be done and when.

You will learn so much more as you go than what one blogger here and one blogger there has to offer you. Take what you know and start building from there with your eyes, ears and mind open, and keep your finger on the pulse.

Balance between reading the information that is widely available, but don’t stop there… begin to implement all this know-how into your business while it is fresh in your mind. Take the plunge, trusting you are smart enough to learn along the way. Be open.

Let me know how you go.

Tags: courage, Freelancing, information overload, start-up

2 Responses to “Freelance Writers: Shut Up and Jump”

• October 3rd, 2008
  Danno
  

  Bravo! You’ve just got to plan the best you can then bite the bullet and go for it!

• October 4th, 2008
  Karen
  

  @Danno You got it. Key point is to plan the very best you can, then jump.

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