I Wasn’t Sure I Could Make It As A Freelancer. Until I Quit My Job

For most of my career, I never seriously thought about becoming a freelancer. As a writer, I didn’t think anyone would hire me to write for them I mean, I had no portfolio and very few clips to show anyone. 

But after leaving my last job and being laid off at another company where I was working, I decided to give it a shot: quitting my job and becoming a full-time freelancer in the middle of COVID-19. To be honest, there were some nerves and anxiety when making this decision.

Takeaways
1. Embracing uncertainty: The journey from a traditional job to freelancing involves stepping into the unknown.
2. Gaining confidence: Quitting a job and taking the leap into freelancing can lead to newfound confidence in one’s abilities.
3. Learning from experiences: The process of quitting a job and starting a freelance career provides valuable lessons and insights.
4. Building resilience: Facing challenges and overcoming obstacles during the transition helps build resilience as a freelancer.
5. Discovering new opportunities: Quitting a job can open doors to exciting opportunities and potential for personal growth.

I Didn’t Take Myself Seriously

I was afraid of failing, which kept me from doing the things that would have gotten me to where I am today. I didn’t take myself seriously enough to ask for what I wanted, needed, and deserved, so when it came time to ask for more money or a promotion, even though I knew the company could afford it and would benefit from my success, I just wasn’t ready to take the risk of asking.

The confidence that comes with knowing yourself is key in this business. If you don’t know what’s good about your work and how much value you bring to the table then who else will? 

You can learn this over time but taking small steps each day toward learning more about yourself will go a long way toward making sure you’re always feeling prepared when someone asks if they can pay you more than they originally intended.

Navigating the freelancing world can be tough, but it’s essential to learn from others’ mistakes. Explore our article on 10 Freelancing Mistakes that are keeping you broke to avoid common pitfalls and boost your success.

I Kept Comparing Myself To Others

I had a hard time not comparing myself to others as I started my freelance career. I kept looking at other freelancers and thinking, “They’re so much more successful than me!” or “I wish that were me; they have such amazing work!”

I wanted to be the best, and I thought that meant copying what everyone else was doing. But then something clicked for me: You know what? You’re unique, no matter how many people are out there like you. 

And even if someone else has done something similar in their career path or life goals, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have equal talents or abilities compared to yours or vice versa!

So instead of trying (and failing) to compare yourself with other freelancers to seek validation or inspiration from them, focus on what makes you unique, and use this uniqueness as fuel for your success. 

Also, remember that no one is going to care about your accomplishments unless they benefit them directly don’t waste time trying to impress others by showing off your work; focus instead on expanding your skill set through education courses offered at local colleges/universities or online courses from platforms like Coursera (which offers free access).

I Was Afraid Of Looking Like A Failure

The fear of failure is a common reason people don’t try to start their own business or freelance. It can be overcome by taking action, though. Instead of thinking about all how you might fail, focus on how much money and freedom you’ll have if you succeed.

If your dream is to be a full-time freelancer, I encourage you to do it! But if your dream is to have a traditional job with benefits and all the other perks that come with being employed by someone else (i.e., health insurance), I’m right there with you. 

If that’s what makes sense for you right now, then go ahead and pursue it but don’t settle for something less than your dreams just because they seem too far out of reach at first glance!

With the changing landscape of work, embracing the future is vital for freelancers. Discover how you can get a piece of the action in our comprehensive guide on How the Future of Work is Changing and tips for thriving in the evolving gig economy.

I Didn’t Have A Plan

If you’re like me, planning is important. It helps to stay on track, make better decisions and achieve your goals. I’ve learned that if I don’t plan and create a clear outline of what needs to be done and by when it will get away from me.

That’s why I was so surprised when I realized that some people don’t plan at all (or even think about it). They just jump right into whatever they want to do without thinking much about it first. 

That can lead to problems down the road when they realize they haven’t done anything yet or they’ve made some mistakes along the way that need fixing.

It takes practice but eventually you’ll get pretty good at knowing what works best for you!

I Tried To Do It All

You need to be clear about what you can do, and what you cannot do. You also need to be clear about what you want to do, and what you don’t want to do. And finally, you must be realistic about your skills and abilities.

I know this sounds like common sense but it is often very hard for us freelancers who have been working in an office environment for a long time not having any deadlines or pressure from a boss or client (if there are any).

Having worked in an office environment my entire life until I became self-employed meant that I didn’t realize how much of my day was spent doing things I wasn’t interested in doing at all! 

The problem with having so many different roles within one job means that sometimes we were being asked for things we were not able to deliver on our own because someone else had already taken responsibility for them somewhere else inside the company – which left me feeling frustrated by not being able to help out more when needed…

I Wasn’t Intentional About What I Wanted To Do Or Who For

When I started freelancing, it was more of a fallback position than anything else. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do or who for, but at least I had the freedom to spend my days working on projects that interested me without having to hassle with a boss or an office full of people all day long. 

What’s more, once the shock of quitting wore off and the bills started coming in, I realized that there would be no one but myself if this venture failed. If you’re thinking about going freelance but are still unsure if it’s right for you, keep these tips in mind: 

Define your niche and target audience; know what your strengths are; know where your weaknesses lie; know who your competition is, and set goals for yourself so that you can measure success at regular intervals (weekly, monthly). Hope these points help!

I Thought That Imposter Syndrome Would Go Away

You are not alone. I had the same fears and questions as you: How will my clients find me? What if they don’t like me? What if I’m not good enough?

But then, a few years ago, reality hit me like a ton of bricks: people were already finding me on Google (I guess that’s what happens when your name is in yellow). 

And then it happened again with Instagram and Twitter, too. People would reach out asking if I could help them with their social media platforms. It was cool! And interesting! And fun!

Then one day it hit me: “Holy crap this is working!”

A well-crafted portfolio can make a freelancer stand out from the crowd. Learn how to create a modern and impactful portfolio with our step-by-step guide on Creating a Modern Portfolio that leaves a lasting impression on potential clients.

I Was Waiting To Be Ready (It Never Happens)

You will never know what you don’t know.

You will never have all the answers to your questions and doubts. You can do everything right and still feel like you’re doing it wrong.

You will always be in a state of flux, both personally and professionally, because that’s life! You need to be comfortable with change and accept that it’s going to happen no matter what you do or how much planning goes into things ahead of time. 

If things are changing so much around me, why would I think my business wouldn’t? It’s always going to be changing, whether we like it or not!

I had all these doubts about my ability as a freelancer, but I didn’t realize how far away from being ready I was until I quit my 9-5 job for good!

Don’t let the fear of Upwork bans hold you back. Arm yourself with knowledge and guidelines from our post on Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Upwork’s Permanent Ban to confidently navigate the platform and secure long-term freelance opportunities.

I Didn’t Know How To Ask For Help

One of the most difficult things about being a freelancer is learning to look at yourself as a business, and that means you have to ask for help when you need it. For example, when I started I was working at home on my laptop and had no idea how much time or money I needed to invest in setting up my studio. 

This meant that I didn’t think about getting any equipment until it was too late and then when I finally did think about it, there were tons of things that seemed expensive (such as audio interfaces) but were worth the investment because they made my life so much easier.

When starting on your path toward financial independence, remember: The more people who know what’s going on with your career goals, the better off everyone will be!

My advice is to jump in with both feet, knowing it will be scary AF, but also knowing that you can come out the other side on top if you want it badly enough and take action every day toward what you want to achieve.

There are a few things I wish I had known before leaping, but I learned them along the way. Here are some of my tips:

Be ready to take risks. The biggest risk is quitting your job, but it’s not an option for everyone. The next biggest risk is being a freelancer, which can be scary AF. 

You have to get out of your comfort zone and do things differently than you’re used to (like asking people for money or giving presentations). But if those things aren’t scary for you, then maybe freelancing isn’t right for you at all!

Learn how much money each company pays per hour + taxes – this makes it easier to figure out how much profit there will be in a typical day/week/month if we can bill clients X amount per hour so that they pay taxes on our services (and also save up some funds in case something unexpected happens).

Time is a freelancer’s most valuable asset. Master the art of time management with our article on Time Management Tips for Freelancers to enhance productivity and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Conclusion

I’d love to hear from you. Have you dabbled in freelancing? Maybe you’re thinking of leaping? Or maybe I can help with a project you have on the go? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

Further Reading

Peak Freelance – Quitting My Job to Freelance: A personal account of the journey and challenges faced by someone who left their traditional job to pursue a freelancing career.

Creatibly – Should I Quit My Job to Start Freelancing?: Explore the considerations and factors to ponder before making the decision to transition from a regular job to freelancing.

The Muse – Lessons from Quitting My Job with No Backup Plan: Discover the valuable insights and experiences of an individual who took the leap of faith and left their job without a backup plan.

FAQs

What are the main challenges of quitting a job to start freelancing?

Quitting a job to start freelancing comes with its challenges, including financial uncertainty, building a client base, and managing work-life balance without the structure of a traditional job.

How do I know if I’m ready to make the switch to freelancing?

Assess your financial stability, marketable skills, and preparedness for the uncertainties of freelancing. Conduct thorough research and have a well-thought-out plan before making the transition.

What are some strategies for managing the financial risks of freelancing?

To manage financial risks, start freelancing part-time while keeping your regular job, create an emergency fund, set clear pricing for your services, and diversify your client base to maintain a stable income stream.

How can I build a strong client base after quitting my job?

Networking, leveraging social media and online platforms, showcasing a strong portfolio, and offering exceptional services can help in attracting and retaining clients after you’ve quit your job.

Are there any tips for maintaining motivation and focus during the transition to freelancing?

Setting clear goals, creating a dedicated workspace, maintaining a routine, seeking support from fellow freelancers or mentors, and celebrating small milestones can keep you motivated and focused during the transition period.

How Do I Know If It’s Time To Quit My Job?

If you’ve been thinking about quitting but haven’t done so yet, take this test: ask yourself if you would have given up on your current job by now if it weren’t for the paycheck. If the answer is yes, then it’s probably time to go freelance! 

But don’t forget that quitting your job doesn’t necessarily mean quitting your day-to-day responsibilities you’ll still need to work hard at building your business and making sure it stays afloat while also finding clients who will pay you what you deserve!

Why Should I Become A Freelancer?

There are many reasons why you might want to become a freelancer. You could be fed up with your current job and want more freedom in the way that you work. 

You might want to earn more money than you do now or have more control over your time. You might just be interested in trying something new!

How Do I Become A Freelance Writer?

Freelancing can seem like it’s really hard but it doesn’t have to be! To get started as a freelance writer, you need to find some clients willing to pay you for your work (or find clients who will give you free content). Once you’ve got those clients, all that’s left is writing the content they need!