There might be a problem with your job.

I think the cubicle is the free world’s prison cell.  Think about it.  For a set period of time every day, you are fixed to a chair and enclosed by walls (essentially).

Hell, even some prison cells have windows.  A cubicle’s only window is a computer monitor.

Maybe that’s a little extreme, but it certainly feels comparable at times.

Have you ever looked up from your daily work grind and questioned your job?  Maybe it was that 1:07 am night at the office when your mind started to deliriously wander. Or that 24-page memo that was placed on your desk just before you were leaving on a Friday.  Perhaps it was the time your company laid off your coworkers to be more “cost-effective”.  All of these examples happen.  Any one of them would leave you puzzled as to why you’re in this environment.

Don’t get me wrong, the structure and stability that a typical 9-5 job provides are worth acknowledging.  So are the accompanying skills that come along with the experience. Plus, I actually believe its necessary to work for a company, big or small, in order to develop a broader perspective.

In other words, grinding in the corporate world allows you to garner an appreciation for its pros and cons so that you can ultimately make a key life decision: work for someone else or work for yourself. 

So, what are some signs that it may be time to make this decision?

1. The Mondays

If you dread Mondays with an unruly hatred or squeak with pure ecstasy at the thought of Fridays, you’re not alone.  But shouldn’t that be a red-flag?  For all we know, we each have one life to live.  Why spend five days a week, or roughly 70% of your time on this earth, doing anything that doesn’t excite or fulfill you?

2. Clock-Watching

If you’re consistently checking the time, counting the minutes until you go home, there’s a good chance you’re not satisfied with your job.  This follows the same principle as number one: disinterest in your work.

3. Detachment

If you don’t get a sense of ownership in your work or the product/service you offer, you’re likely to feel disengaged from the company.  For work to be enriching, it’s important to feel and know that you’re making a significant contribution.  Or else, what’s the point?

4. The Future Test

If you can’t (or don’t want to) envision yourself working in the same field or company in the future, why keep doing it today?

I’ve encountered each of these signals.  It did not take me long to realize that the corporate work-life structure was not for me.  That’s what brought me here.  That’s why I began freelance writing. 

A Solution: Freelance Writing

One of the numerous avenues to self-employment is freelance writing.  It’s exactly what it sounds like, but there are actually many types of writing services: blogging, article writing, ghostwriting, editing, to name a few.  And due to the growing ubiquity of the internet and its use as a commercial platform, a vast amount of freelance writing opportunities exist.  For example, there are over 1 billion websites in existence.

The internet is huge, so there’s a market for these services.

Writing can be daunting.  It’s a medium that exposes you to potential criticism.  But everyone has a voice, and it’s like any other skill.  It can be improved and refined with practice.

What are the advantages of freelance writing?

1. Self-Employment and Independence

“Freelance” is synonymous with self-employment and independence.  Do a quick google search and you’ll find the following definition: working for different companies at different times rather than being permanently employed by one company.  Simply put, freelance work allows you to do what you want to do and work with people/companies you want to work with, in the field(s) you so choose.  Freelancing forces you to step out of your comfort zone, but it also rewards you with complete autonomy.

2. Flexibility

Being your own boss means you decide your schedule, your office, your style, your values.  Your life. If you decide you want to take a couple weeks off, guess what? You can!  If you want to work from home, the library, or a coffee shop, you can! You can work from practically anywhere.

You’re essentially starting a business when you begin freelancing, and you can adjust that business according to your wants and needs.

3. Creative Outlet

Far outside the traditional workplace, freelance writing has no boundaries.   You are not fastened to a predetermined agenda.  You are free to express yourself and your interests.  It is the perfect channel to pursue your passions.  And it’s devoid of cubicles (thank goodness).

4. Revenue Streams

Freelance writing allows you to create multiple passive and active sources of income.  For example, on top of the writing services you provide (active income), your website/blog/platform could have ads and utilize affiliate marketing (passive income).  After you build a portfolio and further advance your expertise, you can begin to offer coaching or courses as well.

Multiple revenue streams are key to achieving financial stability and building wealth.

5. Opportunities

The number of websites is only going to continue growing.  An online presence is imperative for businesses to reach their target customers and succeed.  As per the 2010 U.S. Census, there were over 27.9 million small business operating that year.

Wow, can we take a second and recognize that 2010 was EIGHT years ago? Jeez.

Anyway, those numbers have only increased, as our economy has recovered from the Great Recession.  What does that mean?  There are practically endless opportunities to assist companies with web services.

I’ve experienced each of these signs, and it dawned on me that I had to make a change.  I was going to an office every day and learning a ton.  But there was something missing.  I needed something that was my own.

So, as you can see, I did something about it.

I started doing a lot more research, reading articles and books.  By doing so, I found a few common themes among wealthy, successful entrepreneurs.  One of those people was James Altucher, a quirky businessman whose life is best described as a roller-coaster.  Within his material, I learned about freelance writing.

So I researched again, and that’s when I discovered an affordable, detailed online course provided by Elna Cain.  She’s a freelance writer who’s built a reputable, successful platform and brand.  She’s forged an interactive community of other writers that support each other.  Her course is user-friendly, comprehensive, and cost-effective.  If you choose to step out of your comfort zone and try freelance writing, I highly recommend her course.

It was that simple.  It’s my hope that this conveys how doable this is.  After committing free time to learning and researching, while working a full-time job, I discovered an opportunity to escape from the corporate world.  Now, I’m on my way to doing just that.

Final Thoughts

Let me clarify something: I am not suggesting that you should immediately quit your job right this instant.  That just wouldn’t be financially responsible.  But I am suggesting that you start acknowledging the aforementioned signs and take action.  Spend your free time…

1. Doing research on fields of interest
2. Reading books and articles (like this one) for guidance and perspective
3. Taking courses to develop your knowledge base
4. Connecting with individuals that are already doing what you’re interested in doing

You have to take the necessary steps to get yourself to where you want to be.  Freelancing, and particularly freelance writing, is a great vehicle for work-life balance and independence.  If you’re willing to convert your leisure time into grind-time, it will pay off.

Transitioning from a stable, corporate career to freelancing takes patience, diligence, and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone.

Most importantly, you have to accept failure and denial as an inevitability, because you have to fail to learn and most of the time (initially) you will get denied or ignored.

But it will be an absolutely rewarding experience and will allow you to turn a side-hustle into a full-time job that is far more satisfying than corporate monotony.

In this day and age, with the technological advancements that we have literally at our fingertips, self-education is easier than ever.  So if you’re questioning your career, do something about it.

Tomorrow is never today, so don’t put it off until then.  Think about how satisfied you’ll be a week, a month, a year from now, if you act today.

Do future-you a favor.