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F50 Issue #32: November 13, 2024

Exploration + Persistence: A Recipe for Success When Freelancing After 50

Charlotte Bartlett … Professor Minerva McGonagall … Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham …

Those are just a few characters that might have popped into your head when you heard the news that distinguished actor Maggie Smith had passed away at the age of 89. She had a long and varied career, spanning over seven decades.

Many of us knew her from movies like A Room with a View and the Harry Potter series, or television shows like Downton Abbey. She wasn’t afraid to try new roles in different genres.

A Biography article describes her like this:

She was similar to other actors over 50 who attended this year’s 76th annual Emmy Awards. For example, 61-year-old Jodie Foster returned to acting and won her first Emmy for her role in True Detective: Night Country after taking time away to pursue directing. And 63-year-old Hiroyuki Sanada won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Shogun, as well as Outstanding Drama Series for his role as producer.

91-year-old Carol Burnett didn’t win, but she did become the oldest nominee for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Palm Royale.

And what do these actors have in common? Two ingredients that James Clear defined in his 3-2-1 newsletter from September 12, 2024​

“Exploration is how you discover what works.

Persistence is how you make the most of what already works.”

They’ve explored different types of roles while persisting in the industry that already works for them.

It’s a great lesson for all of us as we consider a second-act career. What blend of exploration and persistence do you need to pursue freelancing after 50? Let’s take a closer look!

Five Scenarios Where Exploration + Persistence Lead to Success:

1. Adapting to New Technology

• Exploration: Technology evolves rapidly, and depending on your chosen niche, you may need to explore new tools, platforms, and software you haven’t used before. To stay competitive and hone your skills, consider learning how to use project management tools like Asana or ClickUp, productivity tools like Notion, or graphic design tools like Canva, to mention a few.
• Persistence: Mastering these tools can take time, especially if they’re unfamiliar. Be patient with yourself and don’t give up! Sign up for free trials if possible so you can practice, troubleshoot, and figure out which tools and apps you like best before purchasing them.

2. Entering a New Industry or Niche

• Exploration: You may choose to pivot into a new field or niche that aligns with your interests and experience but is different from your previous career. If you’re considering freelancing, look for opportunities in areas like digital marketing, virtual consulting, content creation, online training, project management, and anything else that sounds interesting to you.
• Persistence: Breaking into a new field can be challenging due to competition or a lack of experience in a specific area. Be persistent by networking, building a portfolio, and accessing training. You can gain credibility by consistently sharing your expertise through work experience or an online presence.

3. Building an Online Presence

• Exploration: Spend some time exploring social media platforms and online job boards to promote your services, and consider investing in a website that showcases your freelance business. Along the way, pay attention to concepts like algorithms, search engine optimization (SEO), and online branding strategies so you can increase your visibility and attract potential clients.
• Persistence: Gaining an online following or client base doesn’t happen overnight. Persistence is crucial when you’re trying to maintain consistent online engagement by creating valuable content and reaching out to potential clients. Even if you don’t get results right away, don’t give up! Keep going, and your online presence will grow.

4. Finding Clients

• Exploration: You’ll have a better chance of finding clients if you explore many different avenues. For example, try networking at virtual or in-person industry events, optimize your LinkedIn profile, or join freelance work marketplaces like Upwork or FlexJobs.
• Persistence: Remember that it often takes multiple attempts and follow-ups to secure clients, especially in competitive industries. Be persistent by maintaining authentic relationships over time. Keep sending proposals and seeking referrals even if you don’t find your ideal client right away.

5. Managing Health and Work-Life Balance

• Exploration: At any age, it’s important to manage your health and productivity. But especially when you’re over 50, you’ll benefit from flexible schedules, ergonomic practices (like investing in an adjustable desk chair), and self-care routines that prevent you from burning out. Spend time listing your priorities and develop a plan to keep both work and life in balance.
• Persistence: Balancing personal health with freelance work can be challenging. But when you’re persistent in creating boundaries, sticking to schedules, and prioritizing self-care, you’re on your way to long-term success and well-being! Build consistent, healthy habits that make the most of your time so you feel energized and fulfilled.

Like any good recipe, this one lets you add a dash of exploration and a pinch of persistence to taste. Each opportunity you pursue may require a different ratio of ingredients. Use exploration to stay current and seize opportunities, and use persistence to overcome the hurdles that come with new transitions and challenges!

Healthy Habits

In the first season of Downton Abbey, Maggie Smith, as Violet Crawley, made many of us laugh when she said a line that’s now become a meme. During a conversation at the dinner table, Matthew Crawley, a working lawyer and heir to the Abbey, says he’ll be able to handle affairs on the estate during the weekend.

Suddenly Violet, a dowager countess who has never worked, asks with genuine confusion, “What is a weekend?”

When you choose to become a freelancer, you might ask yourself the same question but for a different reason. Maybe you’ve been working so hard, you can’t stop long enough to rest and enjoy a weekend. Sometimes it’s hard to say no to clients, and you find yourself working seven days a week.

In that case, a solid contract outlining your work boundaries can help, along with some productivity strategies:

• The Client Contracts and Forms course helps you communicate clear expectations so both you and your client know what’s expected, reducing misunderstandings.
• A contract also prevents scope creep by defining what’s included in your project (and what’s not). That way, you can prioritize your tasks and avoid working longer than you need to.
• Time-blocking (prioritizing and scheduling tasks into blocks of time each day) or a productivity tool like Notion can also help if you’re having trouble working efficiently.
• And remember to be honest and kind with friends and family. Clearly communicate when you need to work and when you’re ready for a visit.

Words to Live By

“Exploration is how you discover what works.

Persistence is how you make the most of what already works.

What does your situation require? More exploration or more persistence?”

— James Clear in his 3-2-1 newsletter from September 12, 2024​

Here’s to enjoying the process of exploration and persistence as you develop your own recipe for success!

Until next time,

Craig and Kelly

P.S. Black Friday is just around the corner, and we've got something HUGE in the works at Freelance University—an exclusive offer like NOTHING we've done before! Keep an eye on your inbox over the next couple of weeks for the chance to jumpstart your freelance career and start earning a steady income in 2025. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this!

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