I know what you’re thinking. You’ve heard that saying before: “Do what you love and the money will follow.” But what if your passion is something that doesn’t pay the bills? Or perhaps it does, but not enough for you to live comfortably?
This is where many of us find ourselves when deciding whether or not becoming a freelancer is right for us, and then once we’ve made that decision we are still faced with yet another question of how much time to devote to our freelance work versus our full-time job.
There’s no easy answer here; however there are some things we can do to help make this transition a little easier on ourselves while maintaining quality in both areas.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Balancing freelancing and a 9-to-5 job requires effective time management. |
| Freelancing alongside a full-time job can provide additional income and skill development opportunities. |
| Prioritize self-care and avoid burnout by setting boundaries and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. |
| Check your employment contract and company policies regarding freelancing to ensure compliance. |
| Seek professional advice and consider your specific circumstances when making decisions about freelancing and your job. |
1. Don’t Burn Out
There are a lot of things that can go wrong if you do freelance work on top of your 9-to-5 job. First and foremost, keep in mind the importance of taking breaks.
While it might be tempting to put in more hours at the office and squeeze some extra freelancing in at night or on weekends, this can be very deleterious to your overall health and productivity.
When you’re working 60+ hours every week (including weekends), even if it’s only paid 40 hours, you’re likely going to suffer from burnout sooner rather than later.
It’s important not only to take breaks but also to keep them regularly throughout the week so that they don’t feel like “extra” time off; otherwise, even when you do take them your mind will still be thinking about how much work there still is left unfinished.
Another common mistake for people trying their hand at both careers is undervaluing themselves as freelancers:
Many people who have been doing freelance work for years often make less than entry-level employees starting on their first jobs!
That’s not just because they aren’t charging enough often someone whose primary income comes from a 9-to-5 job thinks that the skills required for a certain type of freelance project are easier than those needed by someone who does nothing but freelance work all day long (which isn’t true).
As such, it may seem like an obvious decision: why should I charge $100/hour when I could charge $25/hour? But this creates problems down the road since clients won’t think twice before hiring someone else who charges half as much!
Are you considering a career as a freelance in the manufacturing field? Discover what it’s really like to become a freelancer in the manufacturing industry and gain valuable insights. Check out our article on becoming a freelance in the manufacturing field to learn more.
2. Keep The Big Picture In Mind
As a freelancer, you have a lot of freedom. You can decide when and how much you work, which can lead to some serious overworking.
Now that’s not necessarily a bad thing if you’re enjoying what you’re doing and are getting paid well for it, then great!
But if this is your first time as a freelancer or working remotely (or even if it’s not), there are some things to keep in mind:
Your job isn’t just about getting paid; it’s also about being productive at what you do and making sure your clients are happy with the results of their project.
You may want to get more sleep or take longer breaks so that when your project does finish up on time, they’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much work got done in such little time!
Don’t compare yourself to others who work from home all day long because everyone has different circumstances and situations going on behind the scenes.
Being friendly with other remote workers will help keep morale high while also giving them someone who understands what they’re going through firsthand instead of just hearing stories secondhand!
Asking questions helps too but don’t be afraid if someone gives advice that seems counterintuitive at first glance either because sometimes even seasoned veterans need help too!
3. Find Work That Fuels You
Finding work that fuels you is an important part of the freelancing process. You need to find something that makes you feel energized, motivated, and happy. Here are some questions you can ask yourself:
- What motivates me?
- What do I enjoy doing?
- What energizes me?
- How do I want to grow as a person?
- Am I good at learning new things?
- Do I enjoy learning about new subjects or topics?
- Do I like reading and thinking about different topics or ideas?
By answering these questions honestly, it will give you insight into what type of work would be the best fit for your personality and interests.
Interested in becoming a freelance writer in the agricultural industry? Find out how you can turn your writing skills into a successful freelance career. Explore our guide on becoming a freelance writer in the agricultural industry for helpful tips and advice.
4. Build A Network Of Freelancers For Support
Find a mentor. Mentors are people who have been in your shoes and can guide you through the process of finding a job, starting up your business, or otherwise getting yourself on the path to being financially independent.
They have experience and knowledge that can help you make better decisions, avoid common pitfalls and dead ends, and keep going even when things seem hopeless.
You might find mentors in person; some of my best ones have been friends I met through Girl Develop It or other community groups where women learn to code together.
You could also try searching online on sites like LinkedIn for people who’ve been working as freelancers for years (or even decades).
If you can’t find any mentors locally then consider joining an online community where other freelancers hang out there’s probably one for whatever industry you’re interested in pursuing!
Find a peer group/community (online or off). Your peers are people who are doing what you want to do now but aren’t necessarily mentors yet:
They’re also just starting so they’ll understand how tough it can be getting started without knowing what they don’t know yet!
Peer groups will give you insight into how others handle similar situations; sharing experiences creates solidarity among those involved so everyone feels supported by each other throughout their journeys.
Which helps keep all members accountable too (because nobody wants their peers thinking poorly about them!).
5. Take Steps To Avoid Burnout
If you’re thinking about combining freelancing with a 9-to-5 job, it’s important to take steps to avoid burnout. Here are some tips for staying healthy:
Take regular breaks from your work. Set aside time every day so you can relax and restore your energy levels.
Get enough sleep each night. Try going to bed at the same time each night, so that your body starts getting used to it being nighttime and feels ready for rest as soon as it gets dark outside.
Eat healthy food throughout the day to nourish both yourself physically and mentally;
Make sure not only what you eat but also how much of it is good quality food that will give you plenty of energy throughout the day you don’t want any unnecessary distractions!
(And if possible) try eating meals with other people who care about what they put into their bodies too–this way everyone gets something out of the experience :)”
6. Develop Strategies To Maintain Balance And Motivation
To maintain balance and motivation, it’s important to keep things in perspective. You can’t expect yourself to work as hard as you did when you were younger, so don’t beat yourself up if you have a bad day or week. It happens!
Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your job, find ways to make them more positive: maybe try a new hobby or join an activity club at work?
Maybe take that training class that everyone seems to be excited about? Or get involved in some volunteer work outside of the office? The possibilities are endless!
Focus on celebrating all that you do accomplish each day as well you never know how many people will benefit from your efforts (even just one).
If nothing else, remember why this career is right for you right now and how it will help support your long-term goals. If need be, remind yourself by writing down what keeps driving them forward!
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7. Keep Up With Networking Events And Industry Trends
In addition to working on your skills, it’s important to keep up with industry trends so that you can be aware of the changing landscape of your industry.
You may not have time to read every article written about your field, but you should make sure that you’re aware of what’s going on in the world around you.
This can be done by attending networking events and paying attention to online discussions on forums such as Reddit or Hacker News.
It also helps if you network with other freelancers who are more experienced than you they’ll give great advice!
8. Don’t Forget The Importance Of Rest And Self-Care
It’s important to remember the importance of rest and self-care when you’re freelancing. If you don’t get enough sleep, your brain won’t be as sharp and neither will your work.
Make sure to take a break from work every day, even if it’s just for an hour or two! It’s also smart to try and take a break from work every couple of hours for example, after finishing up one task walk around outside for a bit before getting back into it again.
If you’re not sleeping enough or exercising enough, that’ll make it harder for you to focus on the task at hand.
And eating well is another important part of self-care: if we don’t have access to nutritious food options then it can quickly become difficult (if not impossible) to maintain energy levels throughout the day.
9. Look For Opportunities To Collaborate With Other Freelancers
Working with other freelancers can be a great way to expand your network, learn new skills, and find new clients. It’s also a great way to get inspired by talented people!
Collaboration helps you learn new skills and grow as a professional. The best way to keep up with the latest trends in your industry is to collaborate with others who have been there before you.
You can also help each other grow best practices that will benefit both of your businesses down the road.
The more collaboration opportunities you take advantage of, the better equipped you’ll be when it comes time for those inevitable dry spells in sales or client acquisition which happen no matter how well established or intelligent an entrepreneur is (unless they work alone).
Collaboration helps find new clients: If there’s one thing freelancers can always use more of, it’s clients and collaboration is one of many ways freelance professionals can find them!
When two or more people bring their A-game creative chops together for one project, magic happens; not only do both parties stand to benefit from this sort of partnership (a win).
But they also gain access into each other’s networks through which future projects may materialize down the line (another win).
Whether it’s between services offered like graphic design vs web development vs marketing services; between industries like fashion & apparel vs travel & hospitality vs technology;
Or even between different roles within these categories such as designer/copywriter versus developer/programmer…etc., there are endless possibilities out there waiting for us all!”
10. Consider Joining A Coworking Space
Coworking spaces are shared office environments where freelancers and remote workers can rent a desk by the day, week, or month.
They’re great if you want to meet other freelancers, collaborate with people who share your interests, and get work done.
There are coworking spaces all over the world, so you should be able to find one no matter where you live.
Are you passionate about architecture and interested in freelancing during an economic downturn? Discover the journey of a freelance architect and design consultant in a challenging economy. Dive into our post on how to become a freelance architect and design consultant in a down economy to gain valuable inspiration and advice.
11. Manage Time Efficiently
To be productive, you need to manage your time efficiently.
You can do this by:
Using a calendar or to-do list. Use any kind of tool that you like and find useful, but make sure it helps you stay on top of all the things you have going on and know what’s coming up next.
If possible, break large tasks into smaller ones and prioritize them according to importance.
Plan your day and stick to it once it’s set!
It might feel awkward at first if you’re used only half-jokingly planning for “the weekend” when something big comes up at work (or vice versa), but there are multiple reasons why having such plans is beneficial:
It helps with prioritizing tasks so that important ones get done sooner rather than later; if something unexpected comes up during the week or day itself, these plans give us an idea of how much time we’ll need for those things;
Finally and perhaps most importantly having these plans helps us hold ourselves accountable for our commitments when others depend on them for their projects (e.g., colleagues).
12. Avoid Overcommitting Yourself By Only Accepting Projects
When you are freelancing and working a 9-to-5 job, it is important to be selective with the projects that you choose.
If you do not have enough time or energy to complete your work, then this may cause stress on both jobs and could lead to burnout.
When considering whether a project meets your goals and values:
- Does it align with your interests?
- Is it something that brings joy?
- Will this make an impact in some way (either monetary or non-monetary)?
13. Stay Organized, So You Don’t Feel Overwhelmed
You may be thinking, “I don’t know how to stay organized!” But it’s not as hard as you think.
Make decisions about what needs to be done today, tomorrow, and next week.
Plan your day around these deadlines, with the most critical tasks at the top of your list so they won’t get pushed off or forgotten until later on in the week (or worse: next year).
Try to start early on important projects so that you can finish them before something urgent comes up and steals away all your time and energy and productivity!
Once everything is in order and ready for action, write yourself some reminders on sticky notes or whiteboards around your workspace.
So they’re always within eyesight when inspiration strikes but getting started is difficult because there’s too much going on behind the scenes that need attention first.”
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Conclusion
This can be a tough decision to make, especially when you don’t know how much work there’ll be or whether it will cover your expenses.
If you’re in a place where you can afford to live without the extra income, then go for it and see what happens. And if not?
That doesn’t mean you have to give up on freelancing forever it just means that maybe now isn’t the right time.
This is an industry where experience counts, so even if all you have right now is one small project under your belt, remember that every bit of knowledge helps.
Sooner or later, there will come a moment when you feel more confident about leaping to full-time freelancing; until then, keep at it part-time and see where it takes you!
Further Reading
Here are some additional articles and resources to further explore the topic of freelancing and balancing it with a 9-to-5 job:
Should You Freelance Outside of Your 9-5 Job?: Discover the pros and cons of freelancing alongside a traditional 9-to-5 job and learn how to effectively manage your time and commitments.
Should Employees Freelance?: Gain insights into the benefits and considerations of allowing employees to freelance, and how it can impact their work-life balance and overall job satisfaction.
Transition from 9-5 to Freelancer: If you’re considering making the leap from a 9-to-5 job to becoming a full-time freelancer, this guide provides practical tips and advice on managing the transition smoothly.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about freelancing and balancing it with a 9-to-5 job:
1. Can I freelance while working a full-time job?
Yes, it is possible to freelance while working a full-time job. However, it requires careful time management and a good balance between your professional commitments.
2. How can I manage my time effectively when freelancing and working a 9-to-5 job?
To manage your time effectively, prioritize tasks, set realistic deadlines, and create a schedule that allows dedicated time for both your job and freelancing work. Effective time management and organization are key.
3. What are the advantages of freelancing alongside a 9-to-5 job?
Freelancing alongside a 9-to-5 job can provide additional income, skill development opportunities, and a chance to explore new professional avenues. It also offers flexibility and the potential to build a diverse portfolio.
4. How do I avoid burnout when freelancing and working a full-time job?
To avoid burnout, set boundaries, allocate time for self-care, and learn to say no when necessary. It’s important to maintain a healthy work-life balance and prioritize your well-being.
5. Should I inform my employer about my freelancing activities?
It’s crucial to check your employment contract and company policies regarding freelancing. Some companies may have restrictions or require disclosure of outside work. It’s best to consult your HR department or seek legal advice if needed.
How Do You Manage Your Time?
This is the most common question I get asked about freelancing. The truth is that everyone has to figure out their way of managing time.
Some people use spreadsheets, some useful apps, and others prefer pen and paper. In my experience, it all boils down to one thing: keeping track of what you need to do when it needs doing.
That could mean setting up a schedule ahead of time so that you know exactly when each project needs attention (and how much).
Or it could mean writing down tasks as they come up so that they don’t slip through the cracks or even better yet, both!
However, you decide to organize yourself will depend on your personal preference and style; just make sure whatever method feels best for YOU works well enough that YOU stick with it over time because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my years of experience in this field…
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.