From the Editor

How to Discover Your 'Ikigai'
In the second edition of Freelancing After 50, I addressed the "why" question — why should you consider a freelancing career. The last edition dealt with the "how." In this edition, I will help you find the right freelance niche.
With that said, allow me to introduce you to "Ikigai." (Pronounced "icky guy." It's neither icky nor a guy.)
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means your "reason for being." "Iki" means "life," and "gai" describes value or worth. Your ikigai is your life purpose or your bliss. It's what brings you joy and inspires you to get out of bed every day.
It is also the perfect model to help you decide what area to focus on in building your freelance career.
Ikigai is comprised of four parts as it relates to work:
- What you love (passion)
- What you are good at (profession)
- What the world (market) needs (mission)
- What you can get paid for (vocation)
This image above shows how each part relates to the other.
You need to ask yourself these questions:
- What am I passionate about? What brings me joy?
- What am I good at? What's my skillset?
- What does the market need that I can get paid to provide?
These are thought-provoking questions you should take some time to ponder.
The first question you can likely answer yourself. It's internal. The second question you may be able to identify as well, but you could also benefit from input from friends, your spouse, or coworkers. (As career coach Steve Woodruff says, "You can't read the label of the jar you're in.") The last question will take some research and be the most time-consuming.
Here's the thing...
What you're passionate about may not meet a market need or match your skillset. Conversely, your skillset may not be something you're passionate about but does meet a market need for which you could earn income.
Where those four areas come together is your ikigai — your sweet spot.
My freelance career encompasses several areas related to content marketing, primarily writing and editing. I love doing it, am reasonably good at it, and for the past two years, clients have paid me for my services. I guess you could say I've found my ikigai.
Positive Psychology offers a set of tools to help you discover your ikigai. They consist of books, inspirational quotes, questionnaires, and worksheets. Check them out.
I hope you will take the time to find your bliss and discover what brings you purpose as well as a way to earn a living. Your "icky guy."
For me, the secret lies in helping others. If I can do anything to help you in your freelancing journey, please reach out.
(One more word regarding passion. People say, "do what you love." That's fine so long as you can earn a living doing it. If not, doing what you love can make for a great hobby.)
Image credit: Forbes
Top Pick

AARP Foundation's Work for Yourself@50+ Program
AARP's Work for Yourself@50+ is a phenomenal resource for people 50+ who need to earn extra income. It helps low-income older adults start businesses by connecting them to local resources and support organizations.
More than 37 million people over the age of 50 are at risk of not having enough income to meet their basic needs. AARP Foundation’s Work for Yourself@50+ makes it easy for older adults to explore self-employment options to increase their financial stability.
You can download a toolkit or attend a workshop.
Photo credit: AARP
Podcast

Interview with Jane Genova: Veteran Freelancer & One of the Smartest People I Know
Got an extra 15 minutes to spare? Actually, you don't need it. You can take this podcast with you on the go. It features a delightfully informative interview with Jane Genova, a veteran freelancer and truly remarkable person. Listen now.
Resources
Recommended Resource: Track Your Time with Toggl
If you work by the hour, you need some way to track your time (other than writing it on a napkin). Intro Toggl. I use the app with one of my clients and find it simple, efficient, and quick. Free and premium plans are available.
(Note: I am not compensated in any way by the companies I recommend.)
How to Start
Find Your Freelancing Niche
Someone once said, "The riches are in the niches." I'm not rich (yet), but I believe the more you can niche your business — find a niche audience or offer a niche service/product — the better off you will be. Less competition and all that.
My advice: Find an unfilled or partially-filled niche and go after it!
News
Here's as Good a Reason to Freelance as Any
Gas prices have reached an all-time high. The average American now spends 3% of their income at the gas pump. Kind of makes the idea of working from home quite appealing, doesn't it.
Jobs
22 Best Freelance Websites to Find Work in 2022
You’ve made the leap to be a freelancer, now it’s time to find impactful work. Here are the 22 best freelancing websites to get your career started.
Best Freelancer Career Paths in 2022
Here is a list of the best five freelance careers, according to the DeskTime blog.
Trivia
Mourning the Passing of the Beloved iPod
This has nothing to do with freelancing, but I thought it worth mentioning that Apple has finally killed off its last version of the iPod still remaining, the iPod Touch, which was basically the iPhone without the phone. (Of course, pronouncement of the iPod's death may be premature.)

Snap Pixy: A Drone for Taking Selfies(?)
I couldn't let this pass either. You take selfies, right? How about taking them with a drone. Snapchat is offering just that. It fits in the palm of your hand... and costs $230. (Maybe I'll stick with my iPhone.)
Shop
Proud to be a #Greypreneur? Then Show It!
Check out the Freelancing After 50 online store filled with items proclaiming you are a "greypreneur."
Quick Hits
What Else I'm Reading
This issue focuses on what direction to take in freelancing, not whether you should freelance. However, I thought these articles were too good to pass up.
By the numbers...
6 Signs You Should Pursue a Freelance Career (Flexjobs)
9 Ways to Decide if a Freelance Career Is Right for You (Flexjobs)
10 Things You Should Know Before Jumping Into Freelance Careers (Biospace)
And Finally...
Have an Idea for the Newsletter?
If there's a topic you would like to see covered in the newsletter, let me know.