Illustration by Joan Vincent Canto, licensed from istockphoto
The most popular things I’ve ever written here on Wishful Thinking have been my free ebooks. So I’ve written you another one. 
It’s called Freedom, Money, Time – and the Key to Creative Success. Here’s the basic problem it addresses:
A creative person needs three things to be happy:
- Freedom – to do what you want, when you want and how you want it. Not just in
holidays and spare time – but also doing meaningful work, in your own way. - Money – to maintain your independence and fund your creative projects. Of course you want a nice place to live, but you’re not so worried about a bigger car than the guy next door. You’d rather spend money on experiences than status symbols.
- Time – to spend as you please, exploring the world and allowing your mind to wander in search of new ideas.
Usually, you’re lucky if you get two out of the three. But if one of them is missing, it compromises the other two.
Without money, you don’t have much freedom, because you have to spend your time chasing cash.
Without time off, money doesn’t buy you a lot of freedom.
And if you’re doing something you hate for a living, it doesn’t matter how big your salary is, or how much holiday you get. You still feel trapped.
Surely there must be a more creative solution?
The ebook describes my unconventional career journey, as a poet and creative coach, and the lessons I’ve learned about finding the right combination of freedom, money and time.
It’s full of practical advice you can apply to your own situation, if you want to earn a living from your creative talent, or if you’re a freelancer or small business owner and want to make your business less stressful and more profitable.
Click the link to download your copy of Freedom, Money, Time – and the Key to Creative Success.
As usual, you’re welcome to download the ebook for free, with no need to give your email address. And you’re welcome to share it with anyone who you think would like it.
If the ideas in the ebook touch a chord for you, you may like to know that The Creative Entrepreneur Roadmap (formerly known as the Lateral Action Entrepreneur Roadmap) will soon open its doors to a new group of students, over at my Lateral Action site. If you want to be first in line when the course opens (and to read the second free ebook I’ve written) you can hop on the advance notice list.
Mark McGuinness
Mark is a business coach and trainer for innovative organisations. For more tips and advice about creative business, sign up for free updates from Wishful Thinking. And for bite-sized inspiration, add Mark on Google+.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a great book. It really puts things – especially the money element — into perspective when you’re working in the creative field or freelancing. Chapter 8 is a must-read for anyone wondering if they have what it takes to strike out on their own.
Thanks! I really admire what you’re doing here. I just became self-employed (first day today!) after a 2 year stint on Broadway. I was self-employed before for 8 years, and had a lot of huge hits and misses. I’m confident for the long-term, the short-term…. well, I’m working on that.
Thanks for the resources, it’s helping me focus what I want to do on my own blog on creativity.
Freedom is my basic need/desire but of course without money and time you really don’t have freedom.
Riley
Interesting article.
In one way I think the lack of money can make us more creative. For example as a poor student I can’t afford buying nice things. Instead I buy things in second hand stores, and remake them.
Last Summer I found this beach with a lot of beach glass, and I collected them and made some pieces of jewellery. It didn’t cost me anything!