“Please don’t get me started looking backwards to move on…”
Not my words* but apt ones I think to introduce a rare post of a somewhat personal nature.
Last month, I resigned from my full-time job and took the decision to go freelance, starting my own business: JSPennington Ltd – highly original, I know!
At a team meeting where we were analysing our own strengths I once said the only thing that should be put down next to my name was ‘task completion’.
I know I’ve exasperated people by answering questions about my skills with ‘I get things done’.
But I do.
In terms of skills and services, I’ve done plenty of journalism, but have spent as much time, if not more, managing projects, liaising with clients, promoting events, looking after social media, training and much more besides since graduating from university 10 years ago.
And in the weeks since making the move, I feel I’ve already learned a huge amount. Mostly about VAT, tax and so forth, but a few other things as well.
It’s not all been plain sailing, and not for one moment did I expect it to be. I’ve learnt a few hard lessons and had to overcome some new challenges too.
I’ve been lucky enough to be working on the ‘An Evening With Aggers…’ shows, and will continue to do so next year, but I have also taken on work from new clients doing a variety of projects.
I’ve even got back onto the golf course for the first time in ages, and managed to do some sightseeing too!
There are a few more interesting things in the pipeline as well so things are looking up.
I’ll probably be writing a few more such posts as my journey as a freelancer continues, so stay tuned.
Stay in touch – follow me on Twitter, the site’s RSS feed is here or if you need something done contact me.
*It’s the opening line of ‘Moving On’, from James’ La Petite Mort – an album whose significance to me may become more apparent in due course…