Are you looking for a clever, yet scary Halloween costume? Try dressing up as the “state of the economy.” There is nothing scarier and more horrifying than that right now. The stock market is all over the place, banks are crumbling to the ground and people are losing their jobs. If you are one of the latter (or just have some job insecurity), there are other options. You could take your shot at consulting or doing freelance work.
When I was laid off, I did a variety of small consulting projects at night while I spent my days going on interviews, researching employers and playing my Nintendo Wii. I only mention the Wii so you can learn from my mistake. Playing Wii tennis for hours when I should have been job hunting was not only bad time management but it made my shoulder really sore. 
Freelance work helps keep your skills sharp and provides some income to survive. It may sound like a great alternative to your day job but it isn’t for the weary - assignments can be irregular and you still have to worry about health insurance, staying motivated and dealing with difficult clients. With any luck, you could go from freelancer to small business owner. If it doesn’t work out, you’ll always have your tennis game to work on.
Here’s a time management tip: If you like to write, let us know . We might be able to set you up with some freelance writing work.
Tags: consulting, freelance writing, halloween, wii
