Freelancing is often associated with financial instability. However, working on your own and getting a regular income is quite possible. Without a boss or HR department to offer us consistency, we have to find safety within ourselves. Here are some tips for success.
Build a routine
First, get into a routine. You don’t have to do it 100% of the time – One of the most attractive aspects of freelancing is that if you don’t have a lot of work to do, you can take Wednesday as an example and rest. Eighty percent of the self-employed choose to work alone in order to have more autonomy, so the goal is not to set a framework that is too rigid.
However, it is important to establish a routine. You can’t control how much work you have, but you can control your own schedule.
It’s a good idea to try to work about the same number of hours each week, no matter how busy you are. It is recommended to plan vacations in advance, rather than just taking time off when work is slow. Don’t overdo it, of course: During easy weeks, you can work your usual minimum hours or take on tasks unrelated to your career. However, if your days are structured, it will be easier for you to get back into a productive rhythm when you have a bigger project.
stability for the rest of your life
The self-employed are also encouraged to stabilize other aspects of their lives, if they can. Choose one aspect of your life to stabilize, whether that’s housing, an exercise program, or a hobby.
I recommend looking at stability in the short term. The highest cost of job instability is mental. As a freelancer, you won’t find a contract that lasts forever.
Stability is more about knowing what we’re going to do over the next few months. This strategy offers periods of time when we feel we have found stability. Real stability does not exist.
Make a plan B
As a freelancer, it is important to think of a backup plan. Many great artists advise against coming up with a Plan B because it reduces the risk, but it also helps relieve anxiety. Thinking about other projects fuels this sense of stability. Knowing that if we need it, we can be content with another kind of career.
Put the money aside
It is also recommended that you do your best to save money. Your parents probably tell you to put money into a retirement account, and you should, but it’s very hard to get that money back. Alternatively – or in addition to this – try saving a few months of living expenses in cash. 74% of freelancers said they didn’t get paid on time sometime in 2022, which is why having wiggle room is essential. If you save money and find new clients constantly, you may feel more settled.
And above all, you can find stability in remembering that you won’t have stability anyway. There is really no predictability in 2023.
Translated article from the American magazine Forbes – Author: Jenny Hogan
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