Two Day Magazine

This week, I learned two good lessons:

Don't ever settle for simply being content and don't be afraid to be aggressive about something you want.  

These lessons came to me when I found out that I will likely lose a freelance writing position I have with CBS.  I'm not losing the position because my articles weren't up to snuff or because they didn't like my topics, but because the funding is no longer there.

I got used to having the extra income and really love writing for CBS, so I am pretty unhappy about this turn of events.  Knowing that this is happening because of something that is out of my control, however, does give me a small bit of comfort.

When I told my family and my husband what was happening, they shared in my disappointment but also gave me a bit of advice:

"Go look for more freelance writing opportunities!" they said.

This advice seems obvious enough but to me, this advice was invaluable.  I loved the opportunity to write for CBS, but it seems really daunting to go out and find another position like that.  In my own mind, I had already readied myself to let go of that part of my professional life. I was talking more to my husband about how I'd miss the writing I did and he asked me if I looked around for other companies, like he and my family suggested, who were looking for someone to write for them.  I kind of shrugged and blew off the suggestion.  

He persisted.

"Seriously, think of topics you'd like to write about and then find a publication that would be interested.  Find the contact information for editors and start making connections with them."

So... I did just that. I brainstormed. I searched for editors to contact. I emailed.

Thankfully, I have received responses from some publications which has been a pleasant surprise!

I don't know what will come of the contacts I have made, and who knows if the communication with these editors will lead to new freelance work. Reaching out to these people, regardless of the outcome, shook me out of the complacent haze of which I was unknowingly walking around in.  It took some pushing from my family and some prodding from my husband, but they taught me that perserverance is the key to moving forward in any endeavor.

Lesson number two about being aggressive grew out of lesson number one: if you're not happy with how things are, become more aggressive about changing things and exploring new opportunities.

The moral of the story is to recognize that you can use seemingly small events as a way to learn or relearn simple but important lessons.

This little hiccup in my routine that I experienced this week turned out to be a pretty valuable thing.  It wasn't brought about by an earth-shattering event but pushing through the bizarre apathy that had me paralyzed felt amazing.  

I look forward to many more opportunities to write.

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