Turn your flaws into virtues


I had a few flaws as a W2 employee:

  • I didn't like to work on assignments I didn't want to do (and often not do them)
  • I wasn't a team player
  • I had lots of new unwelcome ideas to make things better at the company

These were flaws because as a junior employee, you are expected to simply be reliable and do the work. I was a bad junior employee.

However, as a solo 1099, these became virtues:

  • I only choose projects I want to work on, meaning I can do better work
  • I can work independently, which means I make progress faster
  • I try out new ideas all the time with my clients and my business, some of which yield results

If you feel bad about yourself because you don't have certain traits or have some big weaknesses, see if you can change your environment or work structure to suit your particular combination of aptitudes, desires, strengths, and weaknesses.

If you do it right, you'll change the story from "I'm a bad X" to "I was in the wrong situation and now I'm good at Y."


If you're interested in learning how to get your first solo 1099 federal sub-contract, check out my book:

Going 1099: How to become a solo federal sub-contractor and gain control of your working life, earn more money and unlock more free time

I'm Dale, the author of Going 1099

Going 1099 is a book that teaches you how to become a solo federal sub-contractor and gain control of your working life, earn more money and unlock more free time. I wrote it because quite a few people have asked me how they can become a 1099. I figured it was best to write a single book that I can send them and that I can share with others who are interested. This newsletter goes out Monday - Friday and covers topics that will help you succeed in starting and maintaining successful 1099 career.

Read more from I'm Dale, the author of Going 1099

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