Be Aware of your Limitations
Even the most knowledgeable workers in every industry do not know everything about their particular niche. The fact of the matter is that everybody has limitations no matter if they are a freelance writer, engineer, website designer, etc. It would be nice to have no personal limitations, but this is not the way of the world. Of course, you can cut back your limitations through experience and skill building, but even then you will find yourself hitting walls time after time.
As a freelance writer I am well aware of my limitations. In other words, I know what I can and cannot do. And of course, the things that I cannot do are the ones that I work hard on when time allows.
For instance, I am very limited when it comes to writing about the fashion industry. I have done this a bit in the past, but with little success. With that being said, I am interested in breaking through this limitation because it seems like a fun niche to get involved with.
Another example would definitely be my technical limitations within the field of blogging. As I mentioned a few posts back, I am starting several new blogs in the near future. Due to technical limitations, this has led me to hire a contractor for uploading WordPress themes and plugins, and also in the area of search engine optimization. As you can imagine, if this were a limit that I did not have, I would be saving a lot of money with this expansion into new blogs.
Once you are aware of your limitations, you will find that you work much more comfortably. Remember, there is nothing wrong with admitting that you are a bit behind in some areas. If I continually told myself that I could tackle the technical aspects of blogging, mistakes would be coming up time after time. Instead, I have owned up to this shortcoming, and am working to fix it.
The best thing you can do is to become aware of your limitations, no matter what they are, and then work to turn them in your favor.Â
September 20th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Chris,
How much is he charging you? I could probably do it for you cheaper.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Well said, Chris! I’m about to lunge into freelance writing and/or a business myself and have been thinking of doing everything myself to save co$t$. Reading your post, I’ll be sure to do a reality-check first
September 20th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
As far as uploading and activating themes and plugins goes, you would probably be much, much, much better off finding someone to give you the 15 minute lesson learning that stuff takes over paying someone to root around your own servers for you.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Thanks, again, for another great post. I have recently decided to start a blog of my own and spent the better part of the morning tinkering with WordPress instead of working (at work!)! Oops! I solved a problem but could have avoided it, had there been help available. Something to consider. Thanks!
September 20th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Hey all – I can upload and activate themes and plugins. I learnt that on my own through trial and error! The stuff I have trouble with is adding new domains to my hosting account, etc. I just cant figure out the backend stuff!
September 25th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Can I ask who you hired to help you out with WordPress? I’m having a terrible time…
September 25th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Deborah – Head to the DigitalPoint forums and you will find pletny of help! I had several qualified candidates who touched base with me. Let me know if you need any help!