The Secret: 13 Years of Freelancing

I started venturing into full time freelance in mid-1995. It started with my first article that was published in the September 1995 issue of PCWorld Philippines and two months later paved the way for my first outsourcing project in a major holdings company based in Cubao, Quezon City that year.

All these years, I still get reminders from family and loved ones about the uncertainty of my path being freelance and all. However, I never really felt fear that much compared to others who have gone through the same freelancing stage.

While reading Rhonda Bryne's book "The Secret", I realized that I had it, felt it, and subconsciously knew it. I've always set my mind that I'll be a self-supporting freelancer and no doubting words stopped or de-motivated me from living it.

As stated in The Secret, what we set our minds into is what we attract. Whenever we doubt ourselves or our capabilities, the more things will not likely work out as we attract those circumstances.

I've set my mind of being able to do some stuff this year and I know that I'll be able to make it. At times when I doubted myself, it feeds and create more doubt. Our expectations and desires can be powerful enough to resonate, if we really want to, and all events shall fall into place to make it happen.

The book also encourages us to be thankful or have gratitude to the things we have. Whoever, whatever, has helped you to be where you are today, be thankful for them. This sense of thankfulness also makes us patient on other people's shortcomings for we see their value, past and present, to who they are in a bigger picture.

Visualizing a successful situation motivates you to get into action and make that happen. Having to travel a lot this year and maintain two households requires everything to be on a clear budget and well-planned activity schedule. The attitude I took that I'll be able to manage and maintain resources affected all of my activity sequencing. Before I knew it, am actually set for action beyond my goals and have programs laid out up to the end of this year.

How about you? What's your secret?



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Comments

Anonymous said…
I've only seen the video version of The Secret, haven't read the book. I believe The Secret reminds its viewers or readers to always think positively and to always look at the good side of things and not the bad. I think it's a practical translation of the famous Bible version, "Ask and it shall be given unto you."
Janette Toral said…
@joni - i agree with you. Oftentimes, thinking positive is easier said than done. But with determination and belief, it seems all folks we meet can play a role to get what we want done.
brainteaser said…
Hello!

Thank you for posting this one. I am a freelance writer too. I started only last September, after working fulltime for a publication company.

I have always dreamed of doing freelance. I like the freedom, although, I must admit, there are times that uncertaintees would pay me a visit.

But it's alright. I'm not yet doing well, but I am surviving.

Have a good day. Cheers!
Anonymous said…
I do have to agree with what the Secret is telling us. I read it every week and it's really a magical book! I love it!

Ask
Believe
Receive

=)
Janette Toral said…
@brainteaser - yes indeed. I remember being used to write to multiple publications every week offering writing services just to increase chances of getting new assignments. Only when I expanded into areas like training and consulting did things became easier as well. If you are looking for writing opportunities, give me a buzz. My ym and gtalk is digitalfilipino.

@maki - yes i agree. It also helps in focusing our thinking. =)
imwithsully said…
Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog! You have quite a lot of interesting articles and blogs. Determination can help you go a long way when freelancing. I don't do it full-time, but I do quite a lot in the hours after work and on weekends to keep inspiring my creativity when designing websites and making them SEO friendly. I want to do it full-time, but working at an agency doesn't afford me much time to prepare to strike out on my own.
Anonymous said…
Actually, I recently purchased the audio book of "The Secret", but I haven't had time to start it. I will, probably in a couple of weeks.

As for freelancing, I've been doing it for the last 5 years (by choice, I left full-time management job years ago)... and all I can say is, I don't feel like going back to a 9-5 office job anytime soon. Freelancing has its fair share of headaches, but ah... the freedom to spectacularly succeed... or fail. Heh.
Anonymous said…
Hi, Janette! I mentioned this inspiring post at http://writelifeguide.com.
Janette Toral said…
@imwithsully - I think the opportunity to go full-time freelance just comes naturally and when the urgent need arises. At least you get to do the best of both worlds, having a full-time job and doing what you like on the side as well.

@fruityoaty - thanks for sharing. I hope you can also blog about your freelancing life. I'm sure that will be an interesting read.

@connie - thanks for the link love!
fedhz said…
Before I've heard about the book or the movie "The Secret", I have read in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Being Happy the "secret". And it's like there's no secret at all. In almost every self-help or motivational books, it was told that "you gravitate your dominant thoughts". If you think you're a failure then you really are. So, just think about the good things in life. ^^

It is hard to implement in real life. Reading and understanding are two different things. I'm glad I'm learning everyday. ^^

Wow! Freelancing for 13 years.. Congrats!
Carnation said…
congratulations on your success! you worked hard for it and thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills with many of us.
Kicking Pinay said…
Hi Janette!

Congratulations to you!

I've always been a firm believer of THE SECRET even before I bought & read the book and watched the video. Achieving success and fulfillment in life is just really so easy isn't it? In a nutshell, we simply just have to:
1. Know what we want.
2. Believe and be thankful that we already have it.
3. Act on getting it.

It's a circle of positive feelings and actions that we perpetuate and gravitate towards us.

So, kudos to you girlfriend!

Cheers to more success & happiness!!!

Jen Adams Juan
http://sexynomad.i.ph

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