Be careful what you wish for!

@Fleura (30541)
United Kingdom
October 15, 2024 3:25am CST
Last week, for the first time since I started self-employment back in 2010, I had a whole week with no work coming in. This was rather a worrying development! After the first couple of days I thought perhaps work would dry up, just like that. One of the drawbacks of self-employment is the lack of job security. Partly I think it is to do with the worsening financial situation in China, the source of many of my clients. On the other hand it was quite useful having more free time. I am trying to kit the family out in ‘mediaeval’ outfits for an upcoming party, so I was able to work on those, and see a friend I haven’t seen in ages. But I also took on some other commitments as well. Then this week suddenly has been a complete reversal – I am inundated with work and of course I have also signed up for other things! Obviously I should not have worried – now I have the opposite problem of trying to fit everything in and keep everyone happy! Be careful what you wish for they say…. All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2024.
18 people like this
17 responses
Fiacre Banks
@xFiacre (13152)
• Ireland
15 Oct
@fleura Famine or feast. That’s a nice clock. My father-in-law had one like it and each bird twittered loudly when its hour came round. Fun at first but not at 4 am so it had to go.
3 people like this
BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (47667)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
15 Oct
@Fleura That makes sense.
1 person likes this
Fleur
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
15 Oct
Thanks. This one (from the RSPB shop in case you fancy another) has a built-in light sensor so the sound is proportionate to the brightness of the hour.
1 person likes this
changjiangzhibin89
@changjiangzhibin89 (16789)
• China
15 Oct
It seems not to be our problem ! Hope you will satisfy everyone !
2 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
15 Oct
So what is the financial situation there right now?
1 person likes this
changjiangzhibin89
@changjiangzhibin89 (16789)
• China
16 Oct
@Fleura Here we have seen 5.3% growth in foreign trade over first three quarters this year.
1 person likes this
Amber
@AmbiePam (93898)
• United States
15 Oct
I can’t see you as anything but busy.
2 people like this
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (108144)
• Marion, Ohio
15 Oct
Glad you have plenty of work.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342100)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Oct
That's great that the work is flooding in once again. It's easy to get a bit anxious and lose faith but obviously you can afford to be more positive next time the work dries up.
2 people like this
Xavier Bage
@franxav (13849)
• India
15 Oct
I hope you will be able to get out of this inundation.
2 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
15 Oct
I'm working on it!
marguicha
@marguicha (223777)
• Chile
15 Oct
It happened to me decades ago when I made awesome costumes for my children. I decided to say no after a while. Some work is only made for love.
2 people like this
Always smiling
@allknowing (137771)
• India
16 Oct
That is a good thing that you wishes came true. That clock up there. Do those birds still chirp? Mine don't
1 person likes this
Max Crisp
@Orson_Kart (6842)
• United Kingdom
15 Oct
You’re not selling PPE back to them are you? I know we had a mountain of unused or unusable kits that were probably thrown in a skip, and I know how you like to rummage. Love the clock! Pretty much all my favourite birds on there.
1 person likes this
RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (80748)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Oct
I love that clock, At least you do not have to worry about having no work, Just do the best you can,
1 person likes this
Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (19585)
• London, England
16 Oct
I am pretty sure these things go in fits, stop and starts. Still, you got a rest before the work piled on1
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (181677)
• United States
16 Oct
I'm glad work picked up for you. Are you a writer? I have a bird clock too. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
cterine9991985
@cabuyogty (3061)
• Philippines
16 Oct
Always be happy. Have a great day!
1 person likes this
Anish Asokan
@RevivedWarrior (2485)
• India
16 Oct
Well, I have not had such with copywriting or content writing since last few years. I used to do well and later I realized that the skill may not be much appreciated especially with chatgpt around. So, I switched to other learning and upgrading my skillsets. Using those , I am currently able to earn something although nothing substantial. I would say , based on my experience, when you are self-employed you should be multi-skilled , else the earnings can never be steady and consistent. I am still looking at ways to increase my income and well not succeeded yet. Interesting to know your thoughts!
1 person likes this
Fleur
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
16 Oct
Like you I am afraid that I will be made redundant by ChatGPT and the like. But so far AI cannot produce such good results as a real human who actually understands the subject. But I agree, being flexible and multi-skilled is important. I also do other, completely different work which does not pay as well but which I enjoy.
1 person likes this
BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (47667)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
15 Oct
When I had my own typesetting business, it was always feast or famine.
1 person likes this
Thelma
@thelme55 (77167)
• Germany
15 Oct
That’s a beautiful clock. I hope you can do all that work.
1 person likes this
Some Witch
@somewitch (1417)
•
15 Oct
What a cool clock! I hope you make it through the week. If you find any good productivity tips, please let me know. I'd be struggling with way less than what you're experiencing at the moment.
1 person likes this