You want it, sure, but do you need it? You want it, sure, but do you need it? Are you looking to purchase a new iPad and comparing the iPad Pro to other versions of the iPad? Me too. One of the first comparisons I made when I purchased my iPad Pro last year was the iPad Pro* vs. Standard iPad. Especially when it came to the uses with the Apple Pencil. I was looking to replace my 2009 Macbook Pro for on-the-go type adventures. My Macbook Pro takes up over half the allowable weight for most checked luggage and therefore wasn’t going to work for any work travel-related goodness. I wanted a light, easy to manage and packed with features alternative, and the iPad was where I set my sights.
Part of me thinks that I should have got the new Macbook, but that is a different post.
I knew that I wanted to use the Apple Pencil, for that I blame numerous artist YouTube channels I watch. Despite not having any drawing talent and the worse handwriting known to humankind, I wanted to write. It felt old school, and I thought my love of lists would convert better to digital if I wrote them down. More on that later. So, my search started with iPads that could pair with the Apple Pencil. Easy, using it with the pencil narrowed down my choices to the regular iPad* and the Pro. (You can now access the pencil with the iPad Mini* too, more choices! I’m glad it’s not me).
From there, I dove into the rabbit hole of YouTube reviews, comparisons and unboxings. And that is when I believe the crazy kicked in. Not only did I see the reviews that said that the IOS still lacked in the whole use it as a computer thing, but I was unswayed. I learned the price of setting the whole thing up, and I made up my mind anyway. I was doing it. I got the iPad Pro* in the 12.9-inch screen size (From A$1,329) because go big or go home, I guess. Plus a keyboard case and the Apple pencil, of course. I was looking to replace a computer here.
And close to $3,000 later, the iPad pro was mine. Ouch.
As someone who spent the better part of four years working up to affording and justifying the iMac, that’s why I say that I feel like my senses left me. Did I need the 12.9-inch screen? No. Had I had an iPad before and found the lack of access to some websites I use for work limiting. Yup! But there I was going all-in when now I know that something a little more modest would have been fine. Better than fine, actually. This is usually my suggestion to anyone trying to decide between the two.
Even now, as I do more of my planning and note-taking on my iPad, a regular iPad (from A$499) would have been preferable, especially something a little smaller. The iPad Pro with the 12.9-inch screen is a two-hand job most of the time, so if you’re not so great at balancing or perching an item while you write, read or browse, go with a smaller option. While the larger screen is great when it’s attached to the keyboard case and masquerading as a laptop, I find it really hard to handle in that case to use the pencil. So, I have two cases, and when I’m doing pencil based tasks, I use the slimline flip case, and when I need the keyboard, I switch to the Logitec Keyboard.
Which yes, is just another expense and inconvenience.
But it’s not all bad news, not at all. There are soooo many functions of the iPad Pro that I don’t use. The impressive camera and the visually stunning display. There are new keyboards and trackpads available, and the software is being updated all the time. For me, it’s certainly an investment into what it can do rather than what I use it for now. At the moment, I’m ashamed to say it’s nothing more than a glorified planner. Would I repurchase it? No. But should you? Probably also no, unless you have bigger uses for it.
Yes, it’s easy to get caught up with the biggest and shiniest. But let’s get real, there is a huge price difference here. I’m not your Mum; I’m not going to tell you what to do with your money. But step away from the internet for a moment and really think about how and when you’ll use it. Think of the situation (including the fact the Pro will almost always need a surface) and what you need. Trust me, the comparables between the Pro and the standard version are pretty similar. Seriously, get what you can afford and don’t look back. There’s no wrong answer here.
That’s about it from me. I’m going to throw the iPad on charge and see what else I could be using it for. What do you think? Do you own an iPad or similar? Which version did you go with and why?
Just last week I gave notice at my day job to go back working for myself full-time. Even though it’s been pretty casual over the past year, this will give me the ultimate freedom to work in and on my business. I’m excited and nervous because you never can tell when you’re ready to work for yourself, right?
I don’t know about that. I feel pretty ready this time. I have a good team in place, some great systems for managing payments, invoices and tax (gross). It’s ONE HUNDRED per cent time I moved on. I’m ready to work for myself
For the past few years, I’ve worked part-time with an organisation as part of my ‘I need structure to run my business’ story properly. But it’s just that, a story. One I told myself because left to my own devices I tend to get distracted and procrastinate. Not something that works particularly well for someone, like me, working for myself.
Time to face my fears of screwing everything up, and go for it. Again.
I’ve been here before. Maybe that’s why it’s taken me so long to get on with it this time. The first time I was 21-years-old and bravado took the place of any anxiety. I just leapt and planned on figuring it out as I went. Which, I 100% had to do when during that stint of business ownership Kel lost his job, and I was hustling for both of us.
Then I did it again when I was in my late twenties when it was more of a necessity than a choice. I left a job that was sucking my soul via a method that was hard to determine if they fired me or I quit. Either way, it was precisely the shove I needed, and soon I was doing it! Until I got an offer I couldn’t refuse and here we are.
Those situations it got me thinking about when and how to KNOW if you’re ready to make the leap and work for yourself. Full time. And maybe it won’t be forever, but I genuinely feel this time it will be. Everything I’ve done leading up to this point has prepared me. The mistakes and missteps especially.
How I knew it was time to start working for myself;
Ready or not, here I come.
I mentioned this already, but I feel ready for this. This has been a great indicator for me that it’s time to go. And sure, not everyone is going to feel that way because of nerves or whatever kind of apprehension. If you feel ready, I think trust that, then it’s time to start putting those wheels in motion to step down from your current role. Just rip that band-aid off, commit and book a date. Having a date on the horizon will get you there; ready or not.
This is the time to put your self-guided time management skills to the test. Which, let me tell you, are something that it took me a while to develop. During this notice period start to make sure you have everything in place to start. Do you have somewhere to work? Do you have an idea of what hours you’ll be working? Is there anything you need to finalise the set-up of your office or workspace? Now is the time. Homestretch.
Money matters.
I know, I know, it’s not all about money. It’s about following your passion and doing something you love. BUT the reality is that as an adult you need money to pay for the essentials, so you need a plan. Make sure at very least you have a bit of a cushion. At worst, have an idea of the current income you’re making from your side-hustle.
As far as money goes, maybe you’ll have to streamline your bills to make this work. Before you make a move, pay down as much debt as you can and make sure you’re on the best deal for your cost of living basics (mortgage/rent, phone, internet, electricity etc.). Can’t see a reduction? Maybe you need to do what my friend Blaise did and move home for a while to make it work during the startup phase. A great option if you have it.
My final point on money is to work for yourself you’re going to need to know how to manage your money. To make it work through famine and feast. To make sure you’re saving enough money for tax time and not getting yourself in a hole. Been there, done that. Get advice early from a small business accountant and get set up correctly from day one. Less than day one, day zero point something.
Have a plan, Stan.
Seriously without a plan what the heck are you doing? This is somewhere I see small businesses and freelancers fall downtime and time again. They have no idea where they’re going, how they’re going to get there and what it’s going to take. Not just related to money either, that’s why we’re in a new section. I’m talking about planning everything.
Start with a budget. What do you NEED to earn to live and be a functioning (tax-paying, sorry to harp on it, flashbacks) human? Break that down into monthly then weekly chunks. I can’t give you this figure; you need to take a genuine look at what it costs for you to live and work, and find your number. Then figure out how many services/products you need sell to get there.
Then the fun starts.
Now you know that you need to sell five website packages a month to make ends meet, you get to figure out how to do that. Taking into account the sales and decision making process time frames. That’s the foundation of your plan. Where will your leads come from, how will you generate them? What will it COST to get them to the point where they buy? Do you see how the plan starts to come together after that?
Get serious about a business budget and plan. I have this free downloadif you need a bit of guide of the questions you’re asking yourself. Sure it says new year business planning, but it’s still good in September. Easy. If you’re going to go for it, you have to take the time to do this first; long before you leap. Maybe you’re not there yet. Maybe when you’ve done the planning, you need to spend some time generating more business on the side. That’s okay too. That’s part of this whole process.
Which brings us to, maybe you’re not ready to work for yourself.
Maybe you started this post, and you were ready, you felt ready, and now you’re like, hmmm. That’s okay. For some of you that ‘notice period’ will be all that you need to get you ready. If you’re close, maybe this is nerves and let me tell you, that won’t change. I’m nervous. I think that’s half the fun. I’m a crazy person. Haha. For some, maybe now isn’t the time. Maybe you’re not ready to work for yourself. Genuinely. Not nerves, not taking the leap, and not a tiny bit of planning and shuffling. For some of you, maybe there’s more to be done. Awesome! We like a challenge, and the best part about not ‘having’ to do this now is that you’ve got time.
Chill, my friend.
If you’re not generating the income and you’d just hoped it would come. Trust me, don’t do that to yourself. Have regular earnings/clients happening; it’ll save you a world of pressure when you go full-time working for yourself. I’ve seen many people who are new to this work for yourself life burn themselves out (quickly!) because they thought more time would immediately equal more money. That’s not always the case. Spend some time either building up your clients or your cash cushion before you leap.
That’s my advice. Take it or leave it. If your problem is that you don’t have all the information you need or you’re starting from scratch, seek out a mentor or business coach. Invest some of the money you have into working out a plan to count down to your business. Boxes to tick and ducks to get in a row. Having someone else support you and cheer you on in this process will mean you’re not right where you started in a year or two.
There we go team, phew. If you made it this far ten points for you! I hope that in some way this post has helped you make a decision (or provide some clarity) about if you are ready to work for yourself. I know you can do it. You can make this work. If I can clarify anything, let me know in the comments, via email or whatever. Taking this step with some of you guys along for the ride seems a little less daunting. Don’t you think?
