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04/02/2025
I assumed that working as a freelancer would help me get over my "Monday blues," but it turns out that they're still there. That's because the company I work for in Berlin has a virtual meeting every Monday to start the week. Even though I don't have a lot of work, they depend on me for freelance assistance because of how important my function is.
Last summer, when I significantly changed my work path, I vowed never to work in a typical company routine again. Above all, I wanted to schedule time for myself, including writing, reading, walking, exercising, and spending time with my family. As long as I wasn't restricted by a specific timetable or affiliated with any particular organization, I was prepared to take on any employment.
Innumerable tasks must be completed by someone somewhere on the globe. As I began working freelance, I became aware of how varied and expansive the work might be. I desired a straightforward workflow: task assignment, task completion, submission, confirmation, and payment. I wanted a vacation from communicating with people because I've always held positions that needed regular communication and relationship management. The same methodical approach was used for most of my freelancing work except for the Berlin company.
From the beginning, there was something odd about them. I was surprised when the CEO asked for a video interview after a few conversations; it was almost like an actual interview for a full-time job. After I accepted the position, the CEO personally oversaw my software training. The scheduled one-hour discussion turned into a two-and-a-half-hour exchange of questions and answers. Nevertheless, he explained everything in detail and reached reasonable conclusions while remaining calm and patient. He had a true passion for his work. He struck me as a natural teacher, not simply a CEO.
My work was as simple as I had signed up for at first. A month later, he inquired about my willingness to take on more responsibility. I was paid hourly, so even a minor increase in responsibilities translated into a bit of rise in money. I accepted because I wanted to explore how far I could push myself without depending on my German partner. However, the new duties included managing customers, which required me to interact with people again—something I had purposefully avoided.
All of a sudden, I was in a weird limbo—not exactly an independent contractor, but also not quite a corporation employee. I had to speak with developers, other staff members, and the CEO. Weekly meetings, too. In addition, I had to become acquainted with the software, which required me to delve into technical details suddenly. My stress levels skyrocketed over certain weeks as fresh meetings kept coming up. This isn't what I expected! Not like this!
I eventually experienced burnout. The CEO responded to my candid conversation about my difficulties with his customary kindness and an apology for overloading me. Oddly enough, though, simply stating it aloud was beneficial. A significant portion of the tension disappeared. Maybe I burned out because I didn't fully comprehend everything, but I wanted to see things positively. Wouldn't the stress automatically decrease if I mastered it?
Over time, I became more comfortable with the staff, the program, and even the CEO's working methods. Watching how Germans work and how they use tools to handle massive, dispersed tasks became an educational experience. After I began to love the process, a new form of motivation emerged: I wanted to perform well at work and receive recognition.
Almost at sunrise, the CEO greets everyone with a cheerful "Good morning" before getting to work. He is so engrossed in what he is doing that his eyes light up like an enthusiastic gamer. He never holds back from praising a coworker for even the slightest advancement. He sends heartfelt thank-you notes and keeps track of work anniversaries. He genuinely values people, I thought as I watched him. Hold on, are CEOs like these real?
Sincere people who are devoted to their work are admirable. It feels like an advantage to observe his work ethic up close. There may have been a reason this job came my way. Although I may have rejected the notion of being a part of a company, there is a particular significance to briefly assuming new roles and entering different realms. After all, freelancers are still professionals. This may be how the universe tries to teach me perseverance and organization.