I think we got something going here. There’s a few more words I would like to get out regarding Bill’s post and mine. It’s no secret that Bill, Dave, and I are writers, and we tend to write on this blog with a writer’s slant. Keep in mind that a lot of what we say applies to coders, artists, and other creative/technical types who create a product as their trade.

When Bill said discipline, the first thing that came to mind is what another friend said to me, “Put ink to wood. Every day.” I think that’s an important step for any professional. You should write, code, or draw every single day whether you’re being paid to do it or not. Why? Because it’s especially important to use the unpaid, free time you have to improve your skills and build your portfolio. Also, if you don’t practice your skills every day, they will begin to dull. It’s surprisingly fast, too. You could stop writing for a week, come back, and you will feel like you’re lost. It sucks pretty hard.

Ink to wood. Every day. When you get a job on oDesk, you’re being paid to write for someone else. That’s not the time you should be improving your skills–you should be using them to your best ability to produce the product your client wants as quickly as you can. However, when you’re off the clock, you’re free to play and try new things. Explore different solutions to common errors you encounter. Make yourself worth more money to future clients who want to hire you.

That’s why Bill says discipline is so important. You have to have discipline to sit down every day and work at it. You can’t stop and wonder if you’re doing a good job. You can’t second-guess yourself. You just have to put ink to wood like nobody’s business, and charge at it full force.

If you don’t believe us, try it. You’ll see for yourself.

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