Bejeweled 2
My newest addiction and diversionary tool… Bejeweled 2. I’d be playing Bejeweled Twist only you have to buy it and on my reduced income an internet game takes lower priority than a spring pedicure.
I get hooked on games for a number of reasons. As with Spider Solitaire, I want to win. So a loss requires me to play again, to better myself. Bejeweled is odd because you’re chugging along, making rows of 3, 4 and 5 matches and suddenly it flashes up with “No More Moves” and the game is over. It always takes me by surprise, and irritates me to no end. I never see it coming, and in a time constrained game I prioritize score over strategy.
In the freelance world you can’t ignore a piece of the equation. So I’ve been marketing as I work on 2 jobs and trying to not worry about what would happen if I got all the jobs I bid on. Like too much work would be a problem? Actually it would, I don’t want to stretch myself too thin and perform poorly. Let’s face it, I’m not going to get them all, because on every job I bid on there is someone else who bids lower, much lower. He or she couldn’t really value themselves that much if they’re willing to bid $50 for a whole website rewrite? And, I’m not going to get some of the jobs I bid on for other reasons too numerous to catalogue. The jobs and inquiries I am getting are because the clients have liked my style or some piece of my work resonated with them.
What I’ve realized is that I have to pay attention to what honors me, as well as what would engage me as a writer. So, I’m not bidding on jobs like pretending to be the guy on a dating site and making first dates for him (yes, seriously!) or pretending to be a commenter on a blog and creating fictitious ‘good’ reviews of the product. Nor will I do an 600 word article for $3.00-yes, those jobs are out there too.
I’m plugging along, looking at jobs and thinking about what would be useful in building my resume as well as providing income in a reasonable way. This isn’t playtime here and I’m just now realizing how much work is required to build a successful reputation and business. There is a foundation to be laid, with much planning. This week I’ve been working on a very structured to-do list! And, very new for me; I even have blocks of time allocated. It works and has energized me. Yesterday I only had time to play Bejeweled 2 once, it was at 10:15 PM and when I ran out of time at level 3 I shut down the computer and moved on! My time is too precious.
Image: Cafe Press
Hi Walker,
I think it’s less about how people value themselves and more about the economy in which they live. Someone who lives in a place where $3 buys the equivalent of $10 or $15 in my hometown probably thinks my values are skewed. I could move to Costa Rica and start pricing my talents more competitively, but I have decided to live where my children are another year and so bidding sites are not for me.
When you tire of the bidding sites, I hope you will click on my link and look at a site that lets you set your prices.
Regards,
Tammi
Tammi,
Thanks for your perspective. I get what you’re saying. I’ve heard others talk about Constant Content and think it’s probably a place I’ll get to soon. What I’m doing now has given me real $ and a reference or two as well as a line on the resume. I want to do more lucrative jobs and longer articles as well and am striving to find a mix so that income comes in from multiple streams!
I pop over to read fairly regularly but need to do more commenting!
Most important is the ability to shut it down (the computer) and you did that and I applaud you – I too have been addicted to bejeweled – my niece got an incredible score once and I kept trying to beat it alas to no avail.
Please do allow the universe to send you as much work as possible so that you get practice in discerning what will serve you …and doing those jobs. Continued success to you!
thanks! I’m pleased to say I haven’t played Bejeweled since Thursday night!!!