After graduating from college, I was lucky enough to land a full-time job as the assistant editor of a small magazine. In less than two years, though, I found myself in the terrifying position of having to go freelance.
Since then, I’ve learned that relatively few people are prepared for the ups and downs of freelancing not just in terms of running a business but in terms of how this work can shape you as a person.
For instance, when you’re working for yourself as an independent contractor or consultant, you have no one looking over your shoulder to make sure you’re getting things done (or eating lunch at decent hours).
You also don’t have access to some pretty basic benefits like health insurance and retirement plans.
This is why it’s essential that before you take the plunge into freelancing (whether solo or with partners).
You start thinking about what this decision will mean not only for your bank account but also for your personal life and career goals.
Here are some lessons I’ve learned throughout my time as an independent worker:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Freelancing can have unexpected effects on workers, leading to unconventional changes. |
| The nature of freelancing challenges traditional work norms and expectations. |
| Workers may experience shifts in their professional identities and adapt to new ways of working. |
| Freelancing can foster personal growth and a sense of autonomy, but it also brings unique challenges. |
| Embracing the changes brought by freelancing can lead to increased resilience and adaptability in the workforce. |
Share Your Lunch
Sharing a meal is one of the best ways to make freelancing easier, especially if you’re new. It’s hard for freelancers to meet other people in their town because they are constantly working in coffee shops and home offices.
If you’re looking for someone to share your meals with, check out TheHired.com or search on Twitter using the hashtag #lunchwithme.
Chances are good that if you ask around enough people will say yes, especially if they see that it’s all done online through an app (or even just via text).
If you want something more specific and easy-to-use than Twitter hashtags, look into Meetup and find a group related to your interests most cities have them!
If sharing lunches isn’t your thing but still looking for community among other freelancers?
Try renting an office space together with other entrepreneurs who need some flexibility when it comes time for meetings and projects (because let’s face it: sometimes we don’t always want clients coming over).
The rise of freelancing has transformed the traditional work landscape. Discover how freelancing is reshaping industries and challenging traditional employment models in our comprehensive guide on how freelancing is changing the way we work.
Change The Way You Think About Money
The remittance of money is not just a way to make ends meet. It can also be a tool for making yourself happier and healthier, as well as more secure in the future.
Here are some ways you can use your earnings to change your life:
Emergency fund: One of the most important things that freelancers need to do is save at least part of their income.
Having an emergency fund helps you deal with unexpected expenses like car repairs or medical bills without having to go into debt or miss payments on other bills.
If you don’t have enough money saved up for this yet, try saving $50 each month until it’s there!
Retirement savings: While retirement may seem far away when you’re young and healthy, it’s important not to forget about this goal even if there isn’t much time left until then it will slip away faster than you expect!
You’ll want to put aside some money every month so that by the time retirement comes around (or even before), there’s enough in your account for your golden years in style.
Travel funds: If traveling has always been on your bucket list but hasn’t gotten any closer since high school graduation day (or maybe even earlier), now might be the right time to start planning with travel savings.
Be A Little Scared Every Day
As a freelancer, you should be a little scared every day. You need to worry about finding work, making sure clients pay you on time, and getting your taxes done correctly.
It’s an exciting time in your life where anything is possible but also a time of uncertainty.
Just like with any other business venture, there are risks involved with freelancing:
Taking on too much work: If you take on more than what you can handle or don’t have enough time for the projects that are already underway.
Then your quality of work will suffer and clients will complain about it.
That may lead them away from working with you in the future or never wanting to hire professionals again!
Not finding enough work: If no one hires you because they don’t know who you are yet (or perhaps aren’t confident in their decision).
Then how do they know they won’t end up wasting money? It might not seem like much at first glance until one realizes how many different experts there are out there competing against each other for jobs today…
And not all those people are doing their best job either!
Writing an effective freelance proposal can make all the difference in landing high-paying clients. Explore our article on 14 ways to write freelance proposals that will make clients beg you to work for them.
Save For The Future, Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like You Can
When you’re freelancing, it can be hard to imagine a future where you’ll need to save money.
You might not know when your next paycheck is coming in and when it does come in, it’s probably going to feel like one big splurge after another.
But saving for the future is still important, even if saving feels impossible. If all of your earnings go towards paying off student loans or just getting by day-to-day.
There’s no way that anything will ever get saved for retirement or any other long-term goal (like starting a family).
One thing I’ve learned from personal experience is that it helps me stay motivated when I plan out exactly how much I want to save each month.
And then actually do something about those plans by putting my money somewhere safe where it won’t get spent impulsively on snacks or entertainment.
Go On Vacation Even If It Seems Like A Bad Time To Do It
As a freelancer, it’s easy to feel like you need to justify taking time off. The “I’ll make up for it later” mentality is pervasive in our culture.
That said, there are some really good reasons why you should take a vacation when you can:
You will be happier and more productive when you come back from vacation.
Taking breaks from work helps your brain process information more effectively so that when you return from vacation, your work will be better than before.
A lack of motivation is often caused by overworking yourself (AKA burnout). If this describes where your life is at right now, then it might be time for a change!
Vacation provides an opportunity for reflection and relaxation two things that are essential for success as a freelancer or any professional career path overall!
Not every freelance gig is worth your time and effort. Make informed decisions by asking the right questions. Discover our list of 16 questions to ask before you say ‘yes’ to every gig.
Stop Feeling Guilty About Being Honest About Your Prices
As a freelancer, it’s up to you to set your rates. Don’t feel guilty about charging what you’re worth, and don’t let anyone else guilt-trip you into undercharging.
If someone offers you less than what your time is worth, then politely decline the offer and move on with your life.
Be confident in what you offer as a service provider. You know what skills and experiences are required for this job make sure potential clients know that too!
If they aren’t willing to pay for your expertise and experience, maybe they should consider finding someone who doesn’t have such high standards for themselves or their work.
Stop Thinking You Can Do It All Alone
Now, let’s talk about the other thing you can do to help yourself succeed: Find a community of people who share your interests.
I’ve been an entrepreneur for over 20 years, and I’ve seen many people come and go in that time. When they’re starting, they think they can conquer the world by themselves.
But as time goes on and things get more complicated (and less fun), many of these folks realize that it helps to have some support from others who are experiencing similar struggles.
This is especially true if you work remotely or work in a field where most people aren’t familiar with what you do which is true for most freelancers!
You don’t need to join a big group or attend conferences every year (though those are fun).
Your network should be small enough so that everyone feels comfortable talking about their real lives with each other; big groups tend not to offer this kind of intimacy.
A good rule of thumb is The smaller your mastermind group/community/whatever-you-call-it-these-days, the better!
Set “Office Hours”
You should also set office hours for yourself. This is a good thing to do even if you aren’t working from home, because it encourages discipline and focus.
If you have a set time that you will stop working each day, then it becomes more difficult to let work creep into your personal life because you are committed to finishing at a certain point.
The other benefit of having an end-of-the-day deadline is that it provides some semblance of structure in an otherwise unstructured job market.
It may seem like freelancing means being able to do whatever whenever (and sometimes this is true) but in practice.
It can be difficult not having any kind of schedule or routine; knowing when exactly your day will end can help keep things organized by giving them a natural conclusion point where everything stops so everyone involved can rest up before starting fresh tomorrow!
Freelancing comes with its own set of challenges, and impostor syndrome can exacerbate the struggle. Gain insights on dealing with the difficulties of freelancing and overcoming impostor syndrome in our article on freelancing is hard, impostor syndrome is harder.
Clear Away Clutter, Literally And Figuratively
When you’re working from home, it’s easy to let clutter build up. You might have a desk that’s covered with papers, or a closet full of clothes you never wear.
All this stuff can be a distraction when you’re trying to focus on your work because freelancers often work in isolation without the benefit of physical meetings and brainstorming sessions.
It may seem even more important than usual for them to keep their space clean and organized.
But clutter isn’t just physical; it can be mental as well as emotional.
If you’ve been hanging onto projects that no longer serve any purpose in your life a literary magazine from college or an unfinished novel these things may be causing mental distractions that affect how productive you are at finding meaningful work today.
Clutter can also take the form of stress or anxiety; clearing away what doesn’t matter will help clear away some of the stress around those issues, making room for better thinking and problem-solving skills!
Start The Day With Something Other Than Email
Make yourself a cup of coffee and sit down at your desk. Now, flip open your laptop and stare at it for five minutes. How are you feeling?
If you’re like most people, probably some combination of anxious and overwhelmed by all that needs to be done today. You’ve got emails piling up in every inbox: personal and professional;
Email newsletters from companies whose products you use; notifications from social media platforms where you connect with friends and colleagues.
If you’re like me, getting started on work can feel downright impossible when this is how I begin my day and so many days start just like this one does for me!
So what’s the solution? The answer varies depending on who I’m talking to (or reading), but there’s one thing almost everyone agrees on:
Starting the day with something other than email has become more important than ever before and doing so will change your work-life balance dramatically for the better.”
Keep Your Skills Sharp And Your Career Path Wide Open
Remember that freelancing is more than just a job and lifestyle. It’s about who you are as a person.
That’s why it’s important to keep learning new skills, new technologies, and new ways of working not just in your field but in other areas as well.
You need to be able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances because the world of work will always be evolving.
Freelancers already have a reputation for being flexible problem-solvers because they must find solutions without relying on traditional networks or support systems that larger companies can provide (and may even stifle).
But if you want to stay ahead of the curve as an independent worker, then also keep learning about yourself and how other people think and act so that you can better collaborate with them on projects when necessary (or perhaps even create your own business).
Don’t Wait For Anyone To permit You To Get Started On New Projects Or Ideas
You probably don’t need to be told to start working. You’re a busy person with lots of things on your plate and probably a lot going through your head.
But if you want to make freelancing work for you and not against you, then it’s important that you not wait around for anything or anyone to permit you before starting something new.
There’s no perfect time because there’s always something else that needs doing first. There’s no right tool because tools are tools; they’re only as good as the person wielding them.
There’s no right environment because what makes an environment comfortable will vary from person to person (and location) depending on their values and comfort levels.
There’s no right moment because moments pass all the time with very little notice and there will always be another one coming around soon enough!
There is never going to be the right person or conditions either, so don’t worry about those things too much either;
Just stay focused on getting started even if it means making some mistakes along the way!
Create Goals That Are Concrete And Measurable, And Then Hold Yourself Accountable To Them
To be successful, you’ll need to set goals. Your goals should be specific and measurable, and they should be realistic, achievable, time-bound, and specific.
Be specific about what you want and why. For example: “I want more money so I can buy a house” is better than “I want wealth” because it gives you something tangible to work towards.
Don’t just say “good” or “bad.” (e.g., “I do good work”; “My life is bad.”) Instead of saying these things aloud or in your head all the time.
Think about how exactly they apply in your current situation; once you’ve identified what’s happening right now (the fact that this client pays poorly) then turn that into an actionable plan for improvement by saying something like:
“The client pays poorly but when I get more experience under my belt I plan on charging more for my services.”
Try Not To Kid Yourself That You’re “Working” When You’re Procrastinating Or Goofing Off Online
Procrastination is the act of preparing for something later, often at the expense of a more immediate task.
For example, you might be in the middle of a meeting, but instead of paying attention to what’s being discussed, your mind wanders off to thoughts about what you’d rather be doing.
The problem with this is that it can lead you down an endless rabbit hole of distractions and time-wasting activities that prevent you from getting any actual work done.
If this sounds like something that happens frequently during your working hours (or even if it doesn’t), try not to kid yourself that those distractions are work-related tasks.
They’re probably just fluffing up your day so that when 5:00 rolls around and no progress was made on anything important.
Chances are good that it’ll feel like you’ve accomplished something! And then guess what? You’ll feel awesome about yourself! And then guess what else?
You won’t want to face yourself after having wasted all those hours staring at cat pictures online instead of finishing off those reports due tomorrow morning… anyhow…
Freelancing can be tough, but with the right strategies, you can navigate through the challenges and thrive. Learn about the common hurdles and discover effective ways to overcome them in our guide on 16 things that make freelancing tough.
Feel Free To Say No, Especially When It Comes To Opportunities Likely To Lead Nowhere
You might have a personal rule that you only accept projects that align with your values and goals. That’s awesome!
You’re allowed to say no if something isn’t right for you, even if it’s something you want or need.
You may also be more goal-oriented and less concerned with aligning goals with “values” (whatever those are).
That’s fine too! You can still say no when something doesn’t fit into your priorities you just won’t be able to do it based on whether or not the project aligns with some kind of abstract value system.
Give Back When Possible, In Ways That Cost No Money But Make A Big Difference In Your Community (And Your Sense Of Balance)
When you’re a freelancer, you don’t have the same kind of community that most people do. You may not see your neighbors or coworkers all that often, and even if you do.
They probably don’t know what it is exactly that you do for work all day.
That can lead to a feeling of isolation and it can also be dangerous when so many people turn to alcohol and drugs to deal with loneliness and depression.
But there are ways to fill this void without spending any money at all: volunteering. Volunteering doesn’t just help those in need;
Studies show it has positive effects on the volunteers themselves too, including reducing stress levels and increasing feelings of happiness (which makes sense considering giving back is one of the tenets of Buddhism).
If volunteering isn’t for you but giving back still appeals to your sense of balance (and mental health).
Try contributing more time at home instead of cooking meals for friends who don’t have time during busy weeks; helping out at local libraries or schools through tutoring programs;
Tutoring younger kids in math or writing skills after school hours while their parents are working…the possibilities are endless!
Freelancers Can Sometimes Need More Support Than They Would Get If They Worked In An Office-Based Job
What’s It Like To Be A Freelancer?
Well, if you’re not careful, it can cause you to change in some really weird ways. We’ve all heard the stories: Freelancers are getting lonely and overworked.
They don’t have enough support from their clients or colleagues. They’re struggling with isolation and feelings of insecurity.
But they don’t know where else to turn for help because there’s no one else around them every day who understands what they’re going through!
But there’s good news: You don’t have to deal with these problems alone anymore!
That’s because we at [name of company] are here for you and we’ve got just the solution when it comes time for your next project: our [insert service].
It’ll give you everything that an office job would provide (but with none of those pesky coworkers).
Conclusion
Remember that becoming a freelancer means your life will change in many ways, but it doesn’t have to mean you become someone else.
When you take charge of your career, you get more control than ever over what kind of person you are and how you treat the people around you.
As opposed to an office job where all these things are dictated by your boss, as a freelancer they’re up to you!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further explore the topic of freelancing:
Workers Flock to Freelancing: Discover why an increasing number of workers are choosing freelancing as their preferred career path and the benefits it offers.
Freelance Life at Work: Gain insights into the experiences and challenges faced by freelancers in the modern work environment.
The Rise of Freelancing: A Sociological Perspective: This scholarly article examines the sociological aspects of the rise in freelancing and its impact on workers and society.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about freelancing:
What are the advantages of freelancing?
Freelancing offers several advantages, including flexibility in working hours, the ability to choose projects and clients, and the potential for higher income based on skill and demand.
How do I find clients as a freelancer?
There are various ways to find clients as a freelancer. You can leverage online platforms like Upwork or Freelancer, network within your industry, utilize social media to showcase your work, or collaborate with agencies and businesses.
How do freelancers handle taxes and finances?
Freelancers are responsible for managing their own taxes and finances. It’s important to keep track of income, expenses, and invoices, and consider consulting with an accountant or financial advisor to ensure compliance with tax regulations.
What skills are in demand for freelancers?
The demand for freelancers varies across industries, but some commonly sought-after skills include web development, graphic design, content writing, marketing, translation, and programming.
How do freelancers manage their work-life balance?
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a freelancer requires effective time management, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care. Establishing a schedule, allocating time for breaks, and practicing self-discipline can contribute to a balanced lifestyle.
What’s The Difference Between Freelancing And A Traditional Job?
Freelancing is like having a traditional job, but it’s not. You get to choose what you work on when you work on it, and who you work with.
You can take time off whenever you want or need to. You can see your family more often.
But there are also downsides to freelancing: no benefits or paid time off (unless you’re lucky enough to have an employer that offers those things).
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.