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Algebra.
Some people love it. Others don’t.
If you hate math, you should check out this post I wrote a while back. There’s a definite mathidemic in our country!
Regardless of how you feel about it, homeschooling math in our house has definitely moved up a level now that my oldest is in high school.
While reaching back in my memory banks to help her factor equations and reduce fractions with X’s, I realized that several of the lessons I was emphasizing with her were ones that I could definitely implement into my freelancing.
These have been swirling around in my brain for a while now, so I wanted to get them written out. Here are three lessons from teaching algebra that I use in my freelancing business.
Have an Order of Operations
If you try to solve an algebra problem in the wrong order, you aren’t going to get the right answer. That’s why students learn the order of operations.
Do you remember that?
Parenthesis first. Then multiply and divide. Then add and subtract.
I realized that once my daughter had the order of operations down, she automated her execution of it. She no longer had to tell herself:
First do parenthesis. Then multiply and divide.
She just knew what to do.
Which made me realize an order of operations for my writing would help improve my efficiency too. If I always do things in the same order, it’d help me minimize my decisions, make fewer mistakes, and get more done.
So I started thinking.
What needs done for every post I write?
- An idea
- An outline
- Research (if needed)
- A featured image (which I currently outsource!)
- Drafting
- Editing
- Scheduling
- Pinning to Pinterest once posted
And that’s the order that I get them done. So that’s my order of operations.
I created a quick checklist, and boom! My blog post order of operations was created.
Check for Clarity
Did you know that 7 and Z look very similar when you write them on lined paper? You can’t always tell quickly if that line on the bottom is the line on the paper or a line you wrote.
When you’re trying to solve an equation for Z, you don’t want to mistake it for a 7!
So my husband and I are teaching our daughter to put a line through her 7 when she’s working on math. It helps her know what’s what.
That’s not the only time it’s important to be clear in algebra. If you don’t write down the problem carefully, you aren’t going to solve it correctly.
Those pesky little negative signs can be easily left out. Numbers can be reversed.
And any of those minor errors will lead to big mistakes in arriving at the correct answer.
So we check for clarity in math.
Just like I need to do in freelancing. If I’m not sure exactly what a client wants, I need to ask. I need to check for clarity before moving on.
Otherwise I waste my time and my client’s time. It’s important that we’re both working on solving the same problem. 😀
Be Confident
This one is most important. I keep reminding my daughter that she has the skills and knowledge she needs to solve these problems.She just has to believe she can.
Confidence really does impact your ability! If you’re always second guessing every move you take, you’re going to take longer and need more help. But, if you have confidence in your ability, it goes much more smoothly.
Since I’ve been taking a growth break from freelancing while waiting for this little one to join us, my confidence has suffered a bit. As I’m slowly jumping back into the pitching game, I’ve noticed myself second guessing my rates.
I’m questioning my ability to do more. And realizing that my confidence needs a boost.
It can be tough to get back in the groove, but I need to remember I’m no longer a newbie freelancer. I bring a lot to the table and can be confident in my abilities.
How’s Your Freelancing Game Going?
Are you struggling with confidence or checking for clarity? Do you need to revamp your order of operations to stay focused?
You don’t have to teach an algebra lesson to improve your freelancing. Share your struggles and wins in the comments and I’ll help however I can.
