Niki Moore is a person who needs a reason to get up in the morning – the more challenging her life is, the better. One of her early clients summed it up best, “If she is not actually in trouble, she is out there looking for it.”
Please tell us more about what you do and how long you’ve been a freelancer.
I have been a freelancer ever since my first boss told me I was unemployable. I love the freelance life because it gives me the freedom to pursue any avenue I find interesting. I have often ended up in odd places, both geographically and metaphorically. I am a restless person, so almost every day I am trying to learn something new, do something new, live a little dangerously – push a boundary of some sort. I tend to live at 120mph.
What does a day in your life look like? Where/how do you find inspiration?
I get up at 4am and do most of my writing in those early hours. My favourite part of the day is watching the sun come up with a mug of good coffee by my side and a cat on my lap. Then, depending on the weather, I take the dog for a run, do household and garden chores and settle down to deal with correspondence, work, planning and teaching. By the end of the day, I am all pooped out, so I usually settle down and watch or listen to something I have downloaded during the day. I cannot sleep unless I have read for about an hour.
I find inspiration during my morning run, where I argue furiously with myself to the alarm of any other pedestrians, sort out ideas in my mind, get Eureka moments and return home where I scribble notes and ideas. If I am really stuck, I phone a friend and discuss the problem. Usually talking to someone gets it clear in my head.
What advice do you have for other freelancers?
Freelancing is often seen as an interim measure, something you have to do between permanent jobs. But as a career it is extraordinarily liberating and life-affirming. On a macro scale, you must be kind to yourself, never allow a client to bully you, expect to be treated as a professional, charge what you are worth, do the work you love (and perhaps accept the boring work to pay the bills), never stop learning and try always to exceed expectations. On a micro level – use a diary to keep your life straight, make notes and lists all the time, don’t let social media rule your life, ask for help when you need it, and never let anything get out of hand.
How long have you been a Safrean, and why are you a member of Safrea?
I joined Safrea in 2003, and I honestly don’t know what I would do without it. I have found work, made friends, learned skills, received help, got out of ruts, gained insights, shared experiences, and learned a lot.
What is your work/life motto? Stay cool, hang loose, and admit nothing. Seriously though, I always think: What is my legacy going to be? Everything I do, I would like it to be for a purpose.
Contact details – nikimoore007@gmail.com