Freelancing and consulting can be a great way to earn some extra cash on the side. And it’s perfect for anyone who wants to work from home, or even travel around the world while working.
However, there are a few additional challenges that come with freelancing and consulting. Not only do you have to manage your own schedule and availability, but you also need to deal with clients who are constantly changing their minds about something.
That’s why I put together this guide! It contains 12 tips that will help you stay engaged while freelancing or consulting so that you don’t feel like it’s taking over your life while still getting paid well for all of your hard work. The More You Know, The Easier It Is To Stay Motivated.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Set clear goals and establish a routine to stay focused and motivated. |
| 2. Find ways to continuously learn and improve your skills to stay engaged in your work. |
| 3. Foster connections and engage with other professionals in your industry through networking. |
| 4. Take breaks and prioritize self-care to prevent burnout and maintain productivity. |
| 5. Seek out challenging projects and opportunities to stay intellectually stimulated. |
| 6. Stay organized and manage your time effectively to maximize efficiency and minimize stress. |
| 7. Embrace flexibility and adaptability to navigate the ever-changing nature of freelancing or consulting. |
| 8. Seek feedback and maintain open communication with clients to ensure alignment and satisfaction. |
| 9. Emphasize work-life balance and set boundaries to prevent work from taking over your personal life. |
| 10. Celebrate your achievements and acknowledge the progress you make along your freelancing or consulting journey. |
Knowledge Is Power And The More Knowledge You Have, The Easier It Is To Stay Motivated
What exactly does that mean? Well, it’s all about how your brain works. Your brain craves new information and experiences because they help us understand how things work in our world.
This helps us make connections between things we already know (connecting the dots) and allows us to better apply what we learn to new situations or challenges (applying knowledge).
When you’re freelancing or consulting on your own schedule, it’s easy for your daily routines to feel monotonous and uninspiring. To counteract this feeling of boredom and apathy toward learning new things, take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.
When there’s the time during meetings; while waiting for an appointment; riding public transportation; during lunch breaks at work; etc., ask yourself these questions: What do I need right now? What would make me happy right now? How can I improve my life today by learning something new?!
Freelancing can sometimes feel overwhelming, but there are moments when it becomes effortless. Discover how to reach that point of ease in your freelancing journey by reading The Moment When Freelancing Isn’t Hard at All, and unlock the secrets to enjoying your work.
1. Be Proud Of What You Do
If you’re not feeling engaged, look at yourself as a whole: what are your strengths? What are you doing that makes you proud of yourself? Are there opportunities for growth and development in the skills that drive your passion for what you do?
What about daily reflection how does this work for you? Do you find it helpful to set aside time every day to think about how the day went and what went well vs. not so well, or do these things pop into your mind when they happen throughout the day (which might be easier for some people)?
Whatever feels right for you is fine as long as it’s done consistently. You don’t have to sit down with a pen and paper every morning if journaling isn’t something that works well for you.
Just make sure that if something comes up during the day that bothers or concerns or confuses or thrills (or any other emotion) then write it down immediately (in whatever format), even if all that happens is “that thing made me really happy today”.
2. Find A Creative Outlet
When you’re starting out as a freelancer or consultant, it can be easy to get bored and lose focus on the work. You might be thinking that your days are just filled with looking for new clients, working on the ones you have, and then waiting for them to pay you and that’s all there is to it!
But if you’re feeling like something is missing from your day-to-day life as an entrepreneur, try finding an additional creative outlet that helps express some of your innermost thoughts.
Creative activities like playing music or painting can help you relax after a long day at work and focus more easily when it comes time to return back home and get back into the swing of things again tomorrow morning.
And by getting involved in these types of hobbies while struggling through those first few months (or years) as a self-employed person who’s trying hard not to let go of any more jobs than they already have.
3. Take Time Off
Take a few days, weeks, or months off from work to relax and recharge. This gives you the opportunity to spend more time with family and friends, travel, pursue a hobby, and so on.
Taking regular breaks is essential for your professional growth as well as your personal wellbeing. A break allows you to take a step back from what’s going on at work so that when you come back, it’ll feel like something new again!
Balancing a full-time job and freelance writing may seem challenging, but it’s possible to maintain your sanity and excel in both areas. Dive into the strategies and insights shared in How I Maintain a Full-Time Job and Freelance Writing Without Losing My Mind to find a harmonious rhythm that works for you.
4. Connect With Others
You should be building a network of clients and peers, both as you’re beginning to freelance or consult and throughout your career. This will help you find new opportunities and keep your work interesting over time.
To build this network, look for opportunities to connect with others who share similar interests with you, whether that’s through conferences or meetups in your area.
Consider joining an organization like Toastmasters International (a self-improvement group) where you can practice public speaking skills while meeting other members who can help grow your business whether they’re potential clients or people who might want to work with you on projects down the road.
You can also use social media networks such as LinkedIn (which has over 500 million users) or Twitter to connect with professionals in your industry who may be able to refer business toward you or collaborate on projects together.
5. Set Good Boundaries With Your Clients
[Setting boundaries with your clients is one of the most important things you can do as a consultant or freelancer, especially if you plan on doing this for the long term. The most important question to ask yourself when setting boundaries is: What are my values?
If we don’t know our values, then it’s impossible for us to make decisions about what types of clients we want to work with.
Freelancing is more than just a side gig for many professionals—it can be their primary source of income. Learn why freelancing should be taken seriously and explore valuable tips and insights in Why Freelancing Isn’t a Side Gig and What You Need to Know If It Is Your Main Source of Income to thrive in the freelancing world.
6. Build Your Own Culture
Build your own culture. When you’re an independent contractor or consultant, it can be difficult to build a strong workplace culture because you don’t have the same level of job security that employees have at larger companies.
That doesn’t mean it’s impossible! But it does mean that if you want to create a great work environment and keep employees engaged, you’ll have to put in the extra effort yourself. One way to do this is by writing down some values that are important to you and then thinking about how those values will impact your work environment.
For example, if one of your top priorities is “respecting others”, then maybe as an independent worker who relies on businesses for clients and projects, respect should also be important when selecting clients as well as when dealing with them externally (such as over email).
You may also want other values like innovation or loyalty because they might align with what types of work opportunities allow people within your company/team best express those qualities. The key here is experimenting until something feels right!
7. Have A Growth Mindset
With a growth mindset, you believe that your talents and abilities can be developed through effort and practice. In other words, it is about changing your belief of talent being fixed at birth to one that emphasizes learning throughout life. It also means being open to new experiences, and challenges, and learning from mistakes rather than avoiding them altogether.
8. Decide How You Want To Feel At Work Every Day
In order to stay engaged, it’s important to ensure that you’re setting yourself up for success by taking care of your mental health and your physical well-being. You can do this by deciding on what kind of person you’d like to be, setting realistic goals for yourself, starting small with simple tasks, and making sure that you’re getting enough sleep.
9. Set Boundaries On Your Time And Space At Work
It’s important to set boundaries on your time and space at work, so you won’t be interrupted by others unless it’s necessary for their project, too. If a coworker or client comes into your workspace and asks if they can bother you for just a minute, tell them that whatever they need help with could probably wait until later (if not tomorrow).
If there’s no way around it though and they really need your attention right then, ask if it can wait until after lunch or after the meeting is over and everyone has left. Or maybe even before! That way nobody will have any reason to come back into the room again except when they absolutely have to.
If possible try working at a standing desk or phone stands instead of sitting down all day long because this will allow more movement throughout the day which means less stress on your body overall!
Maintaining creativity while freelancing during maternity leave is essential for the well-being of both your career and personal life. Discover effective strategies and techniques to stay inspired and productive in How to Stay Creative While Freelancing During Maternity Leave and make the most of this unique period.
10. Make Sure You Do Something Every Day, Even If It’s Just Reading Or Writing Newsletters Or Blog Posts
If you aren’t paid by a client, this can be difficult. It’s important to balance checking email with other tasks that keep your business moving forward. However, there are ways to make this easier on yourself:
Find one thing each day that contributes toward the growth of your business and make sure it happens every day whether that’s finding new clients, creating an article for a blog post (or even writing one), sending out an email newsletter, or simply refreshing LinkedIn connections and sending them a personal message letting them know how much they mean to you!
Join or create mastermind groups where consultants like yourself gather for mutual support and advice.* Take courses online at platforms like Lynda.com which offer hundreds of hours worth of high-quality video courses from experts in their fields.*
Look into teleconferencing software such as Zoom so that when someone calls into a meeting there isn’t any need for everyone else involved in the meeting to need access during their busy workdays!
11. Don’t Be Afraid To Switch Gears If One Freelance Job Or Client Isn’t Bringing You, Joy, Anymore!
This is particularly important because some clients, whether it’s for your skills or personality, will just not work out for you.
When this happens, it’s easy to feel discouraged and stuck in a rut. But if a client isn’t working out for whatever reason (and trust me there are many), there are other freelance jobs and clients out there who will be much more enjoyable than the last one.”
12. Find Ways To Feel Connected By Volunteering For Local Causes
If you’re looking for ways to feel connected while freelancing or consulting, volunteering is an option that should be considered. Volunteering can help you feel more fulfilled in life and it’s important not just for yourself but also society as a whole.
There are many organizations looking for volunteers and they will appreciate your contribution of time and effort.
If you have been searching for a way to contribute something meaningful to your community but haven’t found the right fit yet, consider volunteering at an organization that suits your interests.
Freelancing can take a toll on your mental health if not managed properly, leading to depression, anxiety, and burnout. Gain valuable insights and learn how to navigate the challenges to maintain a healthy work-life balance in How Freelancing Led Me to Depression, Anxiety, and Burnout, and prioritize your well-being as a freelancer.
Conclusion
Thanks for taking the time to read this blog post. I hope it helps you manage your time, not get overwhelmed by all the things that need doing, and stay productive even when you’re working from home or in another location without an office full of people around.
If you have any questions about any of what I’ve written here, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or send me an email at [email protected].
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further explore the topic of freelancing and consulting:
Top Strategies Consultants and Freelancers Use to Earn More Money: Discover effective strategies employed by successful consultants and freelancers to increase their earnings and achieve financial success.
Freelance Consulting: The Right Choice for You: Learn about the benefits and considerations of freelance consulting and how it can be a suitable career path for individuals seeking independence and flexibility.
Tips for Freelancers and Consultants: Explore a collection of valuable tips and insights that can help freelancers and consultants enhance their skills, improve client relationships, and boost their success in the industry.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions related to freelancing and consulting:
Q: How can I set competitive rates as a freelancer or consultant?
A: Setting competitive rates involves considering factors such as your expertise, market demand, industry standards, and the value you provide to clients. Researching comparable rates and conducting a thorough self-assessment of your skills and experience can help you determine appropriate pricing.
Q: What are the key differences between freelancing and consulting?
A: While both freelancing and consulting involve providing services on a project basis, consulting typically involves offering specialized expertise and strategic guidance to clients, whereas freelancing often entails providing specific skills or services on a contractual basis.
Q: How can I effectively market my freelance or consulting services?
A: Effective marketing involves creating a strong personal brand, developing a professional website or portfolio, utilizing social media platforms, networking with potential clients and industry peers, and showcasing your expertise through content creation and thought leadership.
Q: How can I manage my time and workload effectively as a freelancer or consultant?
A: Time management and workload organization are crucial for success. Utilize productivity tools, establish clear work boundaries, prioritize tasks, delegate when necessary, and maintain open communication with clients to ensure a balanced and efficient workflow.
Q: How do I handle client relationships and ensure client satisfaction as a freelancer or consultant?
A: Building strong client relationships involves effective communication, active listening, understanding client needs and expectations, delivering high-quality work, and providing exceptional customer service. Regularly seeking feedback and addressing client concerns can contribute to long-term client satisfaction.
What Are Some Tips On Staying Motivated When Freelancing?
Try to look at your work as a long-term project. If you’re just doing the same thing day after day, it’ll be hard to stay motivated.
Set goals for yourself and reward yourself when you reach them: for example, if your goal is $5k in revenue by the end of the month, then reward yourself with something small like buying ice cream or going out to dinner with friends.
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.