2020: Lessons from the Longest Year
To say that 2020 has been a challenging year is a sizable understatement. I won’t bother to chronicle all the hardship and misfortune the world has seen because that’s not what I want to focus on. Despite how difficult this year has been, it’s also been a monumental one for my business—my first full calendar year as a full-time freelance editor. I wanted to take some time to look back at the lessons this year has taught me. Otherwise, it’d be too easy to write off 2020 altogether.
Lessons learned
Comparing is not caring.
As a newer freelance editor and business owner, I found myself looking to other editors and surveying the landscape. Seeing what everyone else was doing was a great way to learn, but it was also an even better way to get myself down.
“Wow, that person is booking clients months ahead of me.”
“They’re charging what? That’s so high! I wish I could charge those rates.”
“They’re charging what? That’s so low! Why would an author want to work with me instead?”
“They’re doing so much with their business. Maybe I should be too.”
These types of thoughts were common, but I learned how little they did for me. Now, when I see what other editors are doing, I remind myself that what works for one person and their business is just that—their business, not mine. What someone else provides, charges, or does has no bearing on me or what I do. Instead, I can draw inspiration from what I admire of others while being comfortable with who I am and what I’m doing—and I can cheer them on as they do great work. These thoughts still cross my mind at times, but when they rear their ugly heads, I’m much quicker to let them go.
Capitalize on opportunities.
The glacially slow start to my business (as in months of little to no paid work) carried over from the fall of 2019 to the beginning of 2020. Even though I felt dejected at times, I used my “free” time to my advantage. Despite not being able to fill my hours with paid projects, I dedicated my time to business activities that would pay off: engaging in continuing education, making a name for myself in the editing community, writing blog posts (and thus content marketing), and finding the right tools and processes.
Connection can come from unlikely places.
I’ve known the value of online connections for a long time. After all, I met my husband while playing an online video game. This year, I greatly expanded my professional network, mainly through social media and editing organizations. These online connections became even more precious when the ability to see family and friends disappeared.
I’m my own boss.
This sounds like an obvious statement, but there’s more to it than I first realized. Yes, being my own boss means that I get to work the hours I choose, set the rates I want, and decide what projects to take. It also means that I have to give myself time off for vacation and sick days, which I’ve realized I’m pretty terrible at. I have to market myself instead of relying on a company with an established reputation. My successes and my challenges are my own.
Growth can be bittersweet.
When I decided to leave my full-time social work job to pursue a freelance editing career, I didn’t make a clean break. I began to do PRN hospice social work, which allowed me to supplement my income, maintain a connection with my former company and my peers, and continue working with a population I hold dear. As my editing business kept me busy, I made the hard choice to leave my hospice job—and the social work profession. This created some mixed feelings, but I will always be proud of the social work education, clinical license, and career that I’ve had, all of which have shaped who I am.
Celebrate the wins.
In my post about editorial business insights, I talked about the idea of the win jar, which I learned about from other editors. This year, when there have been so many lows, I found it even more important to celebrate. Despite everything with 2020, I’m excited by what I’ve accomplished, including working on over two million words, presenting at six speaking events for writers and editors, and publishing thirty blog posts. It’s also been important to acknowledge that it’s okay when I’m not doing great things, and sometimes just getting through the day is reason to celebrate.
Move forward.
I think the whole world is eager for 2020 to be over so that we can move forward. But just because the date on the calendar will change, the sadness, trauma, and heartache of this year won’t miraculously disappear. I’m hopeful that this year’s events will serve to shape the future for the better—especially when it comes to health care, social justice, and economic disparities. And even though I’m just one fish in a sea of systemic issues, I will keep my head up and do my part in making next year (and beyond) better for me, my clients, and my community.
