Ah, to be your own boss. There’s nothing like following your own schedule, working whenever and wherever you want, and not reporting to a boss on the regular. Freelance work definitely has its perks, but it’s not for everyone.
Your answers will give you an idea if the freelance life is for you!
There’s more to freelancing than flexibility, the right equipment, and the fastest and most reliable internet connection at home. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself and reflect on before you take the plunge!
How do you respond to risks and uncertainty?
The highly spontaneous, even unpredictable nature of freelancing comes with a price–letting go of any semblance of predictability and stability.
Freelancing is either a “feast or famine” situation–either you’re swamped with so many projects that you can’t even leave your desk, or your email inbox is as empty as your wallet and your fridge. It’s important to know how you can manage the ebb and flow of projects and finances, and create contingency plans in case funds run low. (In this case, having an emergency fund will work in your favor.)
How well can you motivate yourself?
On some days, it can be incredibly tempting to just chat with your friends all day, binge on your favorite series, or sleep in; but, ultimately, you’re accountable for the consequences of missing a deadline or encountering bottlenecks in all your projects.
Freelancing requires a lot of self-starting and self-discipline. While technically you’re on contract to fulfill a certain number of deliverables, the truth is that you’re only accountable to yourself–and you owe it to yourself to keep your word and finish what you started. Your client expects you to deliver quality work on the schedule you both agreed on.
If you need a proverbial kick in the pants just to get started for the day, perhaps a more traditional employment situation with a rigid structure would work better for you.
How organized are you?
Freelancing work requires organization skills, especially if you have multiple clients. Learning to organize yourself doesn’t necessarily require adopting big productivity systems right away. It begins with establishing a regular schedule that you can follow consistently. Now, this might sound counterintuitive, but a method still needs to be applied to the madness. Do you have a to-do list or a planner? Do you take time each week to plot your calendar? Being organized as a freelancer starts by giving your workday proper flow and definition, leaving little room for guesswork and overwhelm that could lead to procrastination.
Staying organized may also mean using specific trigger actions to signal to yourself that it’s time to get cracking. For some, it could mean a quick shower before work; for others, it could be cleaning their desk or making a cup of coffee. If we can set trigger actions on our smart devices to make sure that they do what we require them to do, surely we can combine different habits that are part of our daily routine and associate them with getting started at work.
How do you deal with rejection?
The truth is, before you start working with your clients, you’ll have to go through a lot of interviews and talent tests. Your dream client may not find your credentials and portfolio substantial, and you may face multiple “no’s” before you get to “yes.” You may also have a steady stream of clients, until one or two start pulling out because of budget cuts or possible task redundancy.
We’re not scaring you. Rejection is part and parcel of freelancing. It’s a reality you have to deal with.
In cases like these, it’s important to remember not to take things personally. There are things within your control, and things outside of it. As long as you know you did your best, then you’re all good.
Developing a thick skin is part of building a successful freelance career. Whenever you face rejection, be gracious, allow yourself to grieve, and keep moving forward.
Are you confident with what you have to offer?
There are tons of people out there who have the same skillset as you do, but you will always have an edge over others. What is it, exactly? What will make recruiters and potential clients want to hire you? There’s a delicate balance between talking about your skills and accomplishments and bragging about what you’ve done. Find that sweet spot and work from there.
To succeed as a freelancer, you have to believe in yourself, what you can deliver, and how much you’re worth. Negotiating your fees, and dealing with bad clients, requires guts and knowing where you stand.
Freelancing can be both a highly exhilarating and deeply fulfilling career. We hope these questions help you reflect and take stock of your options. At the end of the day, there’s nothing like a career that will give you a greater sense of purpose and a renewed sense of contribution to the world around you.