All work and no play makes Jim a dull boy

I knew the day would come when demand for my simple “English Polishing” conversation classes and casual business/career consulting tucked in between explaining phrasal verbs would start to actually keep me busy. Add to that requests to provide written translation services – and suddenly I am very busy.  OK, well, not busy by my old San Francisco American Cancer Society 60 – 70 hour work weeks busy.  But for a guy who has gotten used to working 10 – 15 hours a week for the past three years, this drawing up lesson plans/exercises, working with students and meeting deadlines thing is starting to feel like real work!

The good news is that by working in the private teaching space I earn considerably more per hour than when teaching in a language school.  And the economies of teaching groups go into my pocket, not the school’s.  Being a native speaker allows me to charge more for both classes and written translation.

Although, when you add up the health care benefits, the 13^th salary, paid vacation time, contributions to one’s retirement by school employers, etc. perhaps it all evens out or is maybe even better at a good paying school.  But the monthly financial reality for me, at the rate I am currently working, feels much more liquid as a private instructor.  (If I worked as many hours at home as I did in the schools – I would definitely make a lot more – but as I have said before: we did not move to Brazil to make a lot of money.)

Feed the pig!

Also- things can be really feast or famine.  One month I’m getting a flat, sore butt sitting in front of my computer all day (working), and another I am out enjoying the beach all the time, but having to run to the ATM more frequently.

All in all I’m getting to enjoy the work, and the more lesson plans I have banked the less time I have to spend on same for new students.  But I really sell myself as a customized teacher.  If (for example) your business is in computer graphics, I’ll make plans and exercises that grow your vocabulary in that area specifically.  Or if you are prepping for a big job interview, we focus right in on what you need to get the job.  There is no avoiding a little extra work prepping for these clients.

It’s all about balance.  Being my own boss is wonderful.  For the past 20 years in the US I was always in leadership/decision making positions.  Here, it drives me up a wall (and I can sometimes be insubordinate) being treated so poorly by managers.  Better I work on my own.

So for now I am busy.  But I relish being able to take time off when I choose.  And if a job looks hard or the client appears to have a lot of disposable income – I can charge more and see how it goes.  If I over-reach and miss out on the work, well, there is always the beach.