Freelancing in Tokyo: Bootstraps or Heelstraps: Pick Yourself Up

For those of us roughing it out in Tokyo this summer, we've exchanged stories of how "tough" it is: Jobs being canceled, not enough work coming in, phones not ringing. Yes, it is true; things slow down in August in Japan as everyone flees the heat. But for those of you who braved it and who may be surviving by your wits, I say: Go a step farther.

Many Westerners forget that in Japan "face time" counts. Not only does face time count, so do friendly messages or letters or gifts (o-chūgen) to those people who have helped you -- or may help you. 

This is considered a chore or a nuisance or a bother by many; I understand completely, and I cannot say I have been a shining example of following my own advice. But one thing I do is "show up." I do try hard to circulate and I do try hard to stay in touch. If I see something of interest on the Internet that I think may have value for my Japanese colleagues, I forward it to them. I also make sure I thank them for almost every job they give me. In addition, if I am doing a performance (I'm a professional musician), I offer as many of them as I can a free seat. This kind of acknowledgment pays off: when a job comes up, I am in their minds because of the collective efforts I've made to stay in touch with them. Jobs may be scarce... but I'm still getting called.

The point of all this is: Do not recoil into yourself when you hear chopping block sounds. Pick yourself up by the bootstraps or heelstraps (or, depending on your closet, both), and get out there and make yourself known. And what I mean by that is: "Hey, guys, I'm available for work." Or, perhaps more importantly in a time where we must all make our own paths, "Hey, guys, I'm teaching a class on such-and-such. I'm hosting a seminar with so-and-so. I've just opened my own business doing/selling/teaching... and I'm offering discounts to all my friends and associates."

I am writing this post because I was inspired by seeing the short film "Lemonade." In brief, it tells how people who got laid off from their jobs pulled themselves together and went after what they wanted to. 

For many of you who are freelancers, perhaps you are just working part-time, or are not interested in opening your own business, or enjoy the downtime between assignments. All of that is good; my point, basically, as it has been over the last few posts, is: Do not wait for opportunity. Go out and create it, whether that be reacquainting yourselves with a client, setting up a website that advertises your business or skills, sending out notes thanking people you've worked with... whatever it takes to create a situation which others find attractive enough to engage you in whatever work that you enjoy doing.