Friday 21st October 2005 - Dilemma

Posted on 2005/10/21 17:57:12 (October 2005).

Yesterday I have had a very nice dinner at Erika's home, and while talking with her husband Gianni the conversation had to fall on work.

He's a free lance designer, been working all his life in textile and textile prints, made a lot of experiences, and he was so shocked that people like me and Marta, both of us have at least a degree, didn't break the chains of paid employment to start something on our own. He always seems so full of ideas, to his eyes the "jump" to a free lance work is non existant.

My mate Matteo has been working for a long time as a free lance web designer, he wouldn't change his job for all the gold in the world (and he tells me of having turned down jobs for 3500 pounds/month in the past).

All of this made me think. I have a very "safe approach" to the job world, it might have been because my family always stessed the importance of having something to do, or it might be because our sociery tends to stigmatize being unemployed.

Still I can't seem to be able to take a decision for my present situation, I go over it a lot, but no action.
The knee situation obviously doesn't help, as I'd much rather get the surgery while "gently" covered by my employee status. But in January, if everything goes as planned, I might be walking again, doing rehab but walking.

Problem is: I don't seem to have a "plan".
I am not talking about the "killer app" or the greatest idea ever, even just a tiny winy plan on what to do and where to go would be sufficient. I know that I'd love to go back to Florence, but it seems so increadibly hard to go back there in something that it's not linked to this industry.

I think that I am a bit lost. 4 years of luxury, money, foolishness and all the rest are getting at me.

I feel a bit withered, sloppy, sparkless.... I am stuck!

Person of the Day:(nothing to do with the picture!!)
Today we speak of the past, my English teacher at the high school. I remember that she always came dressed very casual, bushy black hair sprouting curls randomly, long flowy skirts and oversized long sleeved tops. Always in a hurry, you could see through her black eyes that the brain was working on a gazzillion different things, and even though she had a very difficult situation at home, she was always fighting, alive and kicking.
She was one of the greatest teachers ever, blessed with the experience of living abroad she is nothing like the average teacher in Italy.
I remember her talking about Blake, Milton and all the rest, she had such power that it wasn't possible to avoid her wirlwind of enthusiasm and strenght. Or that day she brought Iron Maiden's "Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" to listen, so that we could see how the masterpiece of S.T. Coleridge sipped through the years till modern times...
I don't know what she's up to now, I like to think that she' still there, teaching and guiding youngsters towards their future.

This is for you Ketty:

"Tiger tiger burning bright / in the forests of the night / what immortal hand or eye / could frame thy fearful simmetry?"

1) Stuck...?! I know the feeling only too well. 2) In France, working in free lance isn't that easy. Too many taxes. 3) Cheer up, my friend ! If you need to talk a bit, don't hesitate...

Posted by Sheri at 2005/10/21 19:24:54.

Morning Lox! Your situation isn't so bad... You have the chance to think for the time being - until your knee is fixed. Use the time to evaluate your skills. Believe me, talking with you and your friends I know you have many (languages, business knowledge, enthusiasm, charisma...) It is always difficult going out on your own, but your freelance friend has shown you that with enough enthusiasm and knowledge you can do anything you want.

Perhaps all of us here have that "Work ethic" and we know the value of regular effort and income. However it is only self-confidence that stops most of us "jumping" into self-employment.

Look at Kev, for example. I hope his plan - if he has one - is working. Without commitments it is easier to change a routine.

Make the decision before you have children.

Maybe you and Marta could work together?

Anyway! Keep smiling. Believe me, as you say about your old teacher, it's that enthusiasm and commitment that always wins through.

Right, I must get back to the day-job :)

Posted by Nigel at 2005/10/22 09:02:02.

Actually, Nigel's idea about Marta and you working together is not bad at all. It's always easier to face adversity with someone by your side. You both know the market and 'two' is always more credible tha 'one' when facing a potential client. Even if you wish to put an end to your 'relationship' with Marta, you can still remain good (if not best) friends and excellent associates.

Posted by Sheri at 2005/10/22 14:58:47.

Sheri: Mmmm... unlikely, she would like to stay. By the way I don't think it's a feasible option. It will be hard to start something by myself as it is, having to feed two it's just harder.
This of course depends on what I decide to do!

Nigel: You are right, I'll have some time to think it over, and fortunately I haven't got kids yet, so I am a bit more free to decide. During this coming trip to Asia I will start moving some pawns, preparing a possible battlefield, as I need correspondents from there anyways. This is if I don't decide to go back living in Japan!

Posted by Lox at 2005/10/22 17:18:48.

Some people's defense of employment is that it is less risky because they have a steady source of income, their job.

Some other people's defense of being self-employed is that it is less risky because they have multiple sources of income, their customers.

Posted by dsp at 2005/10/23 12:06:16.

ps. hope this helps :-)

This is my ambition also!
If only I knew a salesman...

Posted by dsp at 2005/10/23 12:09:38.

Dsp: AH! There you go! Here I am ready to pack... When do we start?

You are right. I guess that self employment allows you to choose your source of income and not to get stupid people bossing you around and beign completely useless at the job they do.

It's increadible to see how many people actually do want to staart something on their own... I have been playing with this idea in the last two days, will have more time in Jpana next week... let's see what I can come up with...

At the moment I am still lacking of the good idea/product...

Posted by Lox at 2005/10/23 11:05:46.

Lox - my (totally unbiased, honest!) advice to you is to come and work in Japan!

Errr, that's it really.

Posted by John at 2005/10/24 12:02:56.

John: Do not undestimate the power of my madness... I really have to talk it through with my agent, if he agrees it could be a feaseable option...

Posted by Lox at 2005/10/24 07:53:37.

Lox - for a product idea, rather than think one up, the best thing to do is talk to people and solve their real problems. At least this way you know you have potential customers lined up if you can come up with a good solution.

Posted by dsp at 2005/10/24 09:27:24.

Dsp: Yep that's right. At the moment I am working on this line of idea. We have a very scattered situation near Florence, where there are a lot of small companies selling their fabic. They cannot affor a sales manager for Asia, but I am thinking that maybe I can ask for a small wage and travel expenses paid from 4 of them (telling them that I am representing other companies of course). In this way I could work for them and at the same time they don't have to employ me and spend a lot of money... We'll see, it could be a start...

Posted by Lox at 2005/10/24 24:42:28.

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