I had been doing freelance work in the United States for about two years when I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.
I quit.
The diagnosis was unexpected.
But the job I had loved so much was now a burden.
I had to take a paycut to make ends meet.
For months I contemplated the choice of selling my services and starting a new job, but the thought of doing that was enough to get me to make the tough decision to quit my $30,000-a-year job.
In December I started my own consulting business.
It was a gamble.
I loved my job, the clients I worked with, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing I’ve worked for a company that has a vision for what the future holds.
But I didn’t think I could do it without sacrificing the quality of my life.
I’d also sacrificed the stability of my finances, which had been declining for years as I began to worry about my finances again.
And, most of all, I’d sacrificed my ability to have a fulfilling relationship with my family.
The decision to go freelance was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made.
And yet, when I started, I felt that I’d accomplished something.
I was a freelancer.
And for the first time in my life, I was able to pursue my passion.
For the first two years, I got paid the same as my bosses, who were paying me $40,000 to $50,000 a year.
I made more money than I’d ever made as a freelancers in my career.
And I had a much stronger relationship with the people I worked for.
In the years that followed, I learned how to be independent, flexible, and creative.
I found ways to live more cheaply and save money, while still earning enough to pay for college and pay for medical expenses.
And by the time I was 30, I had made it to a point where I could afford to buy my own house and own my own car.
I also had the support of a loving family and friends, and a thriving business that made it possible for me to be a full-time freelancer for nearly five years.
My story illustrates how the freedom and flexibility that come with being an independent freelancer can be the key to a successful career.
1 of 5 The Sports Bible printable recipe,part 1: Part 1: How to make part 1 of The Sports Book: Part 3: The Biggest Mistakes You Can Make at Work Part 2: The Most Important Things You Need to Know About Working as a Freelancer Part 3