"Where do you work?" is one of the top three questions to ask someone when you run out of things to say. Most people respond to that question with a description of their employment status--company, job title, job history, stock prices, and a description of the view from their offices (or cubicles). But in today's freelance world, describing one's work can be a challenge. Let me explain what I mean.

I am an adjunct university professor, lead motivational seminars, conduct faculty training on adult education principles, operate an elearning company, ghost-write books, and write articles. To say I am self-employed is an understatement.

When you tell people you are a freelance writer, they respond as if that is some sort of code for "I can't find real work." When you say, "I work from home," they equate you with the scamming spammers who send emails they think you might open. (Newsflash to spammers: I report them as spam without ever opening them!) When you describe yourself as a conference leader or motivational speaker, people lump you into the pile with the bad religious programming that we find on local access cable. To say you are a ghost-writer can't be proved because, by contract, you're not allowed to disclose your assignment. (Second newsflash: Many of today's top authors can't write! They have great ideas, but putting them on paper is not their area of giftedness!)

Instead, I prefer to say I work for Me, Incorporated, a company dedicated to its employees and their success! Because Me, Inc. is a small company, there are few personality clashes, overhead is low, and meetings are almost non-existent. At Me, Inc. there is no time clock, no designated lunch hour, no dress code, and the atmosphere is almost like being at home. Each employee gets free, reserved parking and the commute is never an issue. At Me, Inc. every employee is directly responsible for the success of the company and receives bonuses for completing extra work.

That description of my working conditions usually gets a wide-eyed response from people who work for companies where conforming to the corporate image is the most important task.

It might be difficult for me to describe what I do, but I sure am having a great time doing it! Think about it!

Terry Hadaway

Dr. Terry Hadaway is an author, motivational speaker, university professor, and conference leader who is recognized as a leading authority on elearning, decision-making, and adult education.