Sunday, August 29, 2010

Changes. Good Ones.

For a while now one of the major stresses in my life has been work.  Since I work from home, it seems like work shouldn't be that stressful.  I get to stay home with my kid, I get to make my own schedule, and I work in my jammies when I wake up.  Except the company that I'm an independent contractor for requires a schedule two weeks in advance.  A schedule I have to follow even if there's no work assigned to me.  It ties me to my computer for hours at a time.  It means that being home with my son while I'm working is insanity because of interruptions and not enough flexiblity.  It was perfect when he was almost 2, harder when he was 3, and now almost impossible at 4 years old.  I've stuck with it because it was one of the first companies I found that was legit and was excited to get on with them.  I didn't know much about rates of pay or anything else in this industry.  I didn't even know if I'd stick with it for as long as I have.  But I've been with them for the past few years since it payed the bills and I didn't know anything else.  I mean, I knew of other companies but didn't research them since I was comfortable.  I finally reached a point, after I moved, where something had to give.  I either had to find a job outside the home or I find a new company and contract with them.

That's when I stumbled upon a industry-oriented forum that changed my whole life for the better.  I feel everything happens for a reason.  I think having found this resource when I did was perfect timing in my life.  The information I've gleaned from the people in that forum gave me the confidence to apply for other contracts which gave me more flexibility and better pay.  I take on as much work as I can get done before it's due, and I get it done in my own time.  If all hell breaks loose while I work, I can stop and deal with it and not get angry that it's going to get me in trouble for late work.  My child is getting more of my attention during the day which is wonderful, even if it means I'm working late into the night/morning.  The increase in pay that corresponds with my experience is a bonus.  I've also chosen this as my profession, not just a temporary hold until I figure things out or until the economy picks up. I enjoy what I do.  It's always interesting and I feel like it makes a difference and helps people.

I've also gotten enough information that I'm comfortable marketing my own company.  The company I've had for years, which has been languishing in the background while I killed myself working for my previous contract.  I'm excited about the changes that are going on with building my own business in my chosen industry.  It's not a get-rich-quick kind of job, but it's easy enough to build and market it to the point where I could hire on employees at some point.  The best part is that I'm happy doing it, and I'm thankful for the information I found when it was much needed.

So here's to making changes for the better and enjoying what I do!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Jenn,

I'm also a transcriptionist. I'm and IC for a rural hospital in northern California. It has had great flexibility while raising my daughter, who will be 17 next week!! I also find now that it is great to do while I'm going back to school for physical therapy. Now that the kid is growing up, it's time for me to get out and work with people again. It's always great to meet a cohort since this is such a closet job.

Kim

Anonymous said...

Sounds wonderful! It's so nice when things work out for the better! Good luck with all the great changes in your life!

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