If I picked one word that is the key to my life as a creative solopreneur, it is this one:
Resilience.
I wish someone had tipped me off to this word when I began my freelance writing career, but I had to learn it through experience.
I launched my journey as an independent copywriter 20 years ago. In 2001, I onboarded my best-paying copywriting client. Hooray! In 2003, that client went away. Oh, dear.
It’s been like that ever since.
There are cycles to business needs and business relationships. I can be there to meet the opportunity when it’s there, but let it go if it goes.
Year ago, I signed a temporary client. We discussed working together for a couple of months on a weekly editing project, at least until she could replace her assistant. Thirteen months later, she replaced her assistant.
I said goodbye.
When that assistant left, I came on board for another couple of months for regular editing work until she could replace her assistant.
Four months later I said goodbye.
This happened once more. A temporary assignment. This time it lasted two years before I said goodbye.
Some things go away, some things come back. Resilience enables a creative entrepreneur to let go as it goes but welcome it back the next time around. Or respond to the changed environment and regroup.
R is a great letter for words that guide: Resilience. Respond. Regroup.
And, of course, this one: Relationship.
Build that, and you may get them again on the Rebound.