Like most freelancers I know, I check Craigslist on a regular basis. Lately I’ve noticed the gig and jobs lists have become a venting ground for frustrated writers and designers who feel the need to lambaste ads and companies asking for free and cheap services. And this puzzles me. For one, why waste your time? And secondly, if it weren’t for those no-pay and cheap gigs, many freelancers wouldn’t be getting the paid gigs they’re getting today.

Internships and apprenticeships have been around for as long as specialized skills have been in demand. But today’s economy has changed the structure of these long revered traditions where speedy growth and advancement is the name of the game. Instead, the tendency is to offer one time or irregular gigs and newbies in the field use these to build a portfolio of experience they can’t get because no one will hire them without experience. And there’s nothing wrong with it. As long as it’s win-win.

I have a master’s in writing but I still needed to pay my dues when I headed into freelancing. I did a few articles for nothing but publications credits, wrote a few books for what seemed pennies an hour, and did graphics work pro bono for non-profits and friends. These slave wage gigs are what landed me a three month, full-time contract and several articles with a major national magazine and ever since, I have been able to get great contracts with livable fees writing and producing the kind of work I had set out to do.

Now, there are a lot of slime balls out there who ask for the most unreasonable things and are only concerned about what they can get out of the relationship. But there are plenty of fledgling companies and individuals who just need help with basic services to get their business or project off the ground. These are great time investments for a greenhorn freelancer, especially with new companies since it gets you in on the ground floor and if you do good work for them, they are likely to come back to you when they need more consistent or advanced work. Just let the prospect know what you need to get out of the project and if it’s by-line credits, reprint rights, items for your portfolio, etc. be sure you are guaranteed these things in the contract you have with them.

Alternatively, if you are one of those fledgling businesses who are strapped for cash, don’t feel bad asking for low or no cost services, just be certain you are able to offer something of high value in return. Be prepared to give testimonials and references as needed, don’t ask for the entire production to be off limits for use in their portfolio, and if they are a great resource, return a favor and recommend them to others.

No money doesn’t mean no value. There are many things in this world that just can’t be bought. It just needs to be valuable for both sides.

So, about 6 months ago I decided I needed to see what this hullabaloo about this book Outliers is all about. I skimmed a copy at the bookstore but didn’t get much from the skim except a niggling feeling that I might be sorry if I actually put money out for it, so I put in a request for the checked out copy at my local library. Apparently, I was not the only person on the wait list and/or it’s not a quick read because I’m still waiting for it. What is really apparent is that this is a really popular book. But I don’t get why.

From all the reviews I’ve read, the book basically tells you that if you aren’t successful now, you never will be, that your ability to succeed is based on things that are out of your control such as your upbringing and culture. What the he**? Who would write a book like this and market it to the general public as useful and insightful information? I mean, maybe it will reduce a few people’s stress level because now they can tell their spouse they can’t get a decent job because it was preordained by their past but seriously, why present someone’s ability to succeed as fatalistic? I have begun to suspect the book is an evil communist plot to keep us driven capitalists from trying to do anything worthwhile anymore. Seems a proper Batman inspired storyline, eh?

Now, keep in mind that I haven’t read the book so there may be a positive, uplifting lining to it that no one is bothering to chat about in the reviews (there were a number of unsubstantiated comments about it being “uplifting” that smelled strongly of marketing hype) but my impression is that this book is a nothing but a lot of repressive rhetoric. Except to those that may see themselves as one of those blessed successful types, then it is elitist affirmation. Bully for you, Trump.

My point is, does it really matter whether our backgrounds, upbringing, social circles, and the capricious nature of luck has anything to do with how well we succeed? Are you going to stop trying because where you come from looks nothing like where Bill Gates came from? Are you going to tell your kid she can never be a doctor because people from your background are doomed to be ditch diggers?

The whole premise of the book seems to ignore the most essential part about success. Our need to strive for what we want, the intense satisfaction we get from achieving, and the elevated value of the gain we get from reaching our goals because we had to work at it. If you get everything by luck, would you have any pride or get any real happiness from what you have? Just look at the many big lottery winners in the years after their major stoke of luck. They aren’t happy–many are ruined. Then look at our President. I can’t say that he’s happy (I wouldn’t be under that much stress!) but you know he’s got to be damn proud of what he’s accomplished.

Ignore Outliers, I say.  Your life is what you make of it. And just trying is the greatest measure of a successful life.