Fits and starts

I'm a runner and have run a bunch of marathons.

One of the things I like about running is that it's easy to measure to progress and it's simple to improve.

If you run more during training, you'll improve your endurance and be able to run further.

If you add speed training, you'll be able to run faster.

If you do both, you can run a pretty decent marathon time.

Going 1099 and building a business is not like that at all.

You can put a lot of effort into it and see no results for a long time. The lack of feedback is discouraging.

And then all of a sudden after not doing anything for a while, you get a stroke of good luck and land your first 1099 gig! Or a second gig, or get a new networking contact, etc.

Progress happens in fits and starts.

But your effort doesn't have to move in fits and starts.

Your effort should be consistent. You should regularly improve your skills, increase the quality of your network, and taking job interviews to get to prime program managers.

Eventually you will see results, even if it feels like the timing is totally random.

Want the full playbook? Check out Going 1099.