Tag Archives: Freelance

5 Signs that freelancing is not working for you and how to fix it

February 26, 2018 By in Freelancing/Self-employed Tags: , , , , , , , , , 46 Comments

I must confess that I have experienced times during my freelancing journey where I felt like I was not cut out for freelancing. This may come as a surprise but I want to be 100 percent authentic and honest with you.

 

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But feeling like you’re not cut out for freelancing is completely different from actually not being cut out for freelancing. As I persisted through my dream to live a freedom-based laptop lifestyle, I learned the difference.

Life as a freelancer is attractive, flexible and you get to be your own boss, determine your rates and set your schedule. But what happens when it doesn’t turn out as planned. Should you quit? I have been freelancing for years and have been there. I know how you feel.

Here are 5 clear signs that freelancing is not working for you and how you can fix it.

 

You don’t enjoy what you’re doing

When you started freelancing you actually loved what you did. It wasn’t always about the money. New projects got you excited. You were always open for a challenge. But it’s been 6 months now and you start dreading another project. What ever happened?

The answer is simple. You grew comfortable with where you are. And the best way to shake the feeling of dread is to do something new. Try different styles, different approaches, and different methods. Sometimes changing where you work can make a huge difference. Take your laptop to a nearby café and get busy. Introduce something fresh in your work life.

 

You don’t have a good work-life balance

Have your weekends disappeared? Do you work late into the night every day? When was the last time you actually made time for yourself?

When working at your 9-to-5, it was easy to know when work ended. After work, all you had was free time to do whatever you wished. Weekends were off-limits. But as a freelancer, you may have the entire 24 hours dedicated to work and this can make you lose all sense of personal life.

Set clearly defined working hours and stick with them. If you want weekends off, then set your work schedule in a way that you can have weekends solely to yourself.

 

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You’re overwhelmed with changes in the industry

Establishing yourself as an expert in your industry takes work. But things change pretty quickly. It comes to a point where you start feeling left out on all the latest trends and innovations in the industry. It’s overwhelming and you end up on a plateau with your knowledge and skills.

I struggled with this feeling for a while but during one of my quiet moments it hit me – the reason I was overwhelmed was because I was busy going under in the industry instead of going deeper.

Start off where you’re at and dig deep to find more. Improve on what you know, rather than going after every new thing. Don’t rush it. Take it step-by-step and most of all enjoy the process.

 

You’re worn out

It’s great to have new clients but if your income depends on acquiring new clients everyday then it can get really stressful. Its’ a horrible feeling to be weighed down by a lot of work.

What helped me was to create passive income streams. Passive income streams help to boost your income while you spend your time doing things you enjoy.

Of course, as a freelancer, you define your income. But chasing after clients who will pay you a low rate can wear you out fast. What will help is for you to raise your rates and go after quality high paying clients who will value your work. You can raise your rates and work for fewer people and still make a comfortable income while you have better working hours.

 

The loneliness is getting to you

Being a freelancer is a lonely journey. Although you have the potential to earn more, have flexible hours and actually do what you love, you have to do most of it alone.

To beat the loneliness, go for meet ups and meet other freelancers. Collaborate with other freelancers on a project or course. Join a mastermind. Get connected with people in your industry and invite them over for coffee. You’ll be surprised at how many freelancers are in your area.

 

Are you freelancing? Is it working for you?

 

 

Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made

February 7, 2018 By in Freelancing/Self-employed Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , 51 Comments

For as long as I can remember, the question of whether successful entrepreneurs are born or made has been a subject of debate. I thought I’d give my own two cents to this debate from my own perspective.

Many people go into entrepreneurship for many reasons. Some want to really experience the freedom-based lifestyle that goes a long with entrepreneurship. Others are in just for the fringe benefits that come along with tagging the word “entrepreneur” in their bios.

Whatever may be the reason for diving into entrepreneurship, the end speaks for itself. The true entrepreneurs remain resilient until the very end, while those who are not cut out for it are easily weeded out.

 

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But what makes the real entrepreneurs who they are? Is entrepreneurship something they pick up and train themselves in or are they just born with all the skills, character and talent to be entrepreneurs?

Let’s look it from both sides:

 

Entrepreneurs are born

It could be a gene in their DNA but some entrepreneurs are gifted with the skills that give them an edge in their business. While some have to train for years before they can perfect the art. Born entrepreneurs have natural instincts geared to making their businesses work.

Take for example, having a natural gift in creating quality relationships that always result into sales. It’s not that such a person was trained to be a good communicator. It’s something that flows naturally.  They never have to force themselves to shine in their area of competence. They are excellent at what they do.

Born entrepreneurs are those who recognize that they have a gift and they exploit it; they leverage on it.

 

Entrepreneurs are made

Made entrepreneurs are those who develop the skills needed in order for them to be successful. They know that there is a gap and in order to make their business flourish they have to fill in their lapses. As a result they get retrained, they hire coaches, they read books, but most of all they practice, practice, practice.

The truth is that this is where majority of entrepreneurs find themselves at a point in time. Their success is attributed to the work they put in themselves and as a result their business became a success.

 

If you want to be an entrepreneur and fail to see your lapses or you’re not ready to learn and practice then you will not be successful in your business. You need to be willing to make an effort. Developing yourself takes time and a lot of humility. You need to be humble enough to acknowledge that there is a lot to learn and actually put in the work and take the time to practice.

 

So are entrepreneurs born or made? I believe some are born but most are made. Being born with the right skills and business mindset is all well and good but you need to continue to develop those skills to be a success story.

 

Do you agree? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

 

Why More Women are Quitting Their Jobs to Run Their Own Business

January 12, 2018 By in Freelancing/Self-employed, Lifestyle Tags: , , , , , , , , , 15 Comments

The journey to independence for women has been a very long one. If you go through history, women had to fight to have a place as members of the work force. It was a huge struggle as women were relegated to the background. According to societal norms, the only job women could do at that time was to be housewives.

Fast forward to the 21st century, women are taking up more roles in the work force. They are not only trained to practice their profession, they also head key positions. From the civil service to corporate institutions, women are no longer an unfamiliar sight.

 

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But now there is a new trend springing up. More women are transitioning from being employees to being business owners. I am privileged to be among them. I left my 9-to-5 to focus on my own business.

A lot of people wonder why there are more women quitting their jobs to run businesses of their own. I thought it will be a good idea to compile a list of key reasons why they do so.

 

Participating in the rat race doesn’t cut it anymore

Having a 9-to-5 jobs creates the illusion of stability and an avenue to practice your profession. You’re assured of a regular job with a good salary and a pension when you retire. But the truth is that working at a 9-to-5 job is anything BUT stable.

You could be fired at any time. Your salary may not be enough to pay all your bills and you could end up living on your credit card. The office politics causes both emotional and mental agony. Even if everything about working at a 9-to-5 were rosy, it doesn’t give you fulfillment.

Smart women know that in order to truly experience a good life, they need to take matters into their own hands and be their own bosses.

 

 

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You’re more in control

If there is anything working as an employee doesn’t offer, it would be living life on your own terms. As an employee, you are constantly taking orders from a superior. Unlike a 9-to-5, running your own business guarantees flexible working hours and you are able to work towards what you want to receive every month.

Female entrepreneurs know that taking care of a family comes with a lot of responsibilities and no matter how generous your employer is there are some things he or she will not be willing to waive for you.

 

Freedom to pursue your passion

Let’s face it. You can actually count the number of people who are happy with their cubicle lifestyle. I remember when I was working at my 9-to-5, more than half of my colleagues sulked to work. Starting from Monday, everyone was looking forward to Friday so that they could enjoy the weekend. I can never forget the days my work caused me so much strain and sadness.

When I finally called it quits and started my own business, I established a business that brought me fulfillment. I was able to do something that I am passionate about.

 

That is exactly what female entrepreneurs get to enjoy when they run their own businesses. They do what they love and business is never a drag because they are passionate about what they are doing.

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