What’s with me and portfolio working? A couple of points, really:
First – I already work in a range of roles, and have a flexible lifestyle that allows me to help care for my young kids, the ability to back-up my freelance photographer wife when she needs time, and I can drive to the beach within 20 minutes when I need my own space and time. But I’m still working out the best way to ensure financial continuity as I do it.
Second – quite a few people I meet are working this way too, but I haven’t found a lot of material about portfolio working methodology, and so I am plotting out what that information and advice could be. I read inspirational assertions, which is a great place to start, but there should be something new I can create – a bit nuts-and-bolts – which could be useful for people working this out too. I already run training workshops for media professionals, and I think that there could be a useful workshop around portfolio careers too. It’s one thing to have a few strings to your professional bow, and yet another to get them organised so that you have the lifestyle that you want from them while still keeping your mortgage regularly paid in time.
So, some homework for me to do in the meantime. Books to read so far are:
Joanna Grigg’s “Portfolio Working, A Practical Guide To Thriving In The Changing Workplace”
For a more holistic understanding of why we want a portfolio work life in the first place Charles Handy’s “The Empty Raincoat: Making Sense Of The Future”
Marianne Cantwell’s Be A Free Range Human (check out the embedded video at that link too for more good inspiration)
My next step is to start talking to more people at large who are living the portfolio life, and see just how it works for them. I’ll report back!
If you’re reading this and it strikes a chord, drop me a line or just tell me what you think in the comments below…
