So, you’re interested in building a freelance career. I can’t say that I blame you! No corporate job can give you the benefits that freelancing can.
When I first started building my home-based business, I knew what I wanted: Freedom. Flexibility. Security. Control.
And my freelance career gave me all that (not to mention money!).
But I’ll tell you what… if I wasn’t clear on what I wanted—and what I didn’t want—then I would’ve never achieved my goals for my business.
That’s why it’s so beyond important that you understand why you’re pursuing this path.
If you want to build a freelance career that you love (instead of one you can’t stand—which does happen), then you must follow one simple step: Figure out what you want.
This is nonnegotiable!
Figure Out Your ‘Why’
Believe me, things won’t always be sunshine and roses. You’ll face hard days ahead. Days when you simply want to give up. Days you don’t see any return on the hours of hard work you’ve put into your business.
But being 100% clear on your “why” will get you through those difficult times. And it’ll remind you that you’re a money-making boss babe who can literally do anything she wants. (Yes, anything!)
So if you haven’t already, go ahead and take 5 minutes right now to write down what you really want out of your freelance career. (Don’t worry… I’ll wait 😉 )
Now that you know what you want, you need to make sure you know what you don’t want.
Get Clear on What You Don’t Want in Your Freelance Career
I realized from the very beginning that I didn’t want to build a big agency or business. Sometimes coaches would steer me in that direction, and I would dip my toes into it here and there.
But every time I got a little taste of that big-business life, I remembered why I didn’t want that to begin with. I knew who I was and what I wanted—and what I didn’t want.
You need remind yourself daily what you want and what you don’t. If you don’t think about this daily, you’ll find yourself listening to everyone else’s opinions, even if they’re not the right ones for you.
Claim Your Freedom and Flexibility
Once you know what you want and what you don’t, you can begin to set the stage for embracing the flexibility and freedom you want out of your freelance career.
Some ways that freelancing can provide you freedom and flexibility are:
1. You can build a routine that feeds your soul.
You can’t go jogging or meet up with a friend for coffee in the middle of the day when you’re stuck in a cubicle from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
And you can’t decide willy-nilly what hours you want to work. 9-5 jobs are pretty rigid in that regard…
But with freelancing, you can create whatever schedule you want! If you’re a night owl, set your work hours at night. Or if you’re a total early bird, you have the freedom to work only in the morning!
This leads me to the second benefit…
2. You can work around your kids’ schedules.
If you’re a busy mom, you know how frustrating it is to coordinate with hubby who’s going to pick the kids up from school when you’re both working at offices full time.
As a freelancer, you can embrace the freedom to do what you need to do with or for your kids whenever you freakin’ need to.
That’s the beauty of a freelance career.
3. Travel whenever.
I live in California, but I’m originally from Ohio, and I still have family there. Because I’m not tied down to a cubicle, I can travel frequently back to Ohio to visit my family. (Which thrills my parents to no end, believe me.)
I can take Fridays off if I want and have adventurous, long weekends.
Girl, listen to me … there’s nothing sweeter than breaking off the chains of reporting to an office every day!
Find Security and Control in Your Freelance Career
OK, this concept took me a while to fully grasp… How could a freelance career give me security and control?
Most of us fall for the lie that a corporate job is the epitome of financial security. (Try telling that lie to the millions of people who lost their jobs out of the blue because of COVID-19.)
In order to find the security and control you desire in your freelancing, you have to change your mindset. That means realizing that YOU are in control of creating your life.
You can choose what projects you want to work on. And you can choose which clients you want to work with. You alone set your own standard!
That starts by believing in who you are and being willing to take risks.
I’m not much of a gambler, but if I’m going to bet on anything… it’s going to be myself. And it should be that way for you, too.
After all, this is your life. Your career. You get to make of it what you want.
So don’t spend your days constantly reacting to everything going on around you.
Wake up! Set your intentions and then go accomplish your goals! You. Can. Do. This. (Yes, seriously!)
If this sounds like the life you want to have, be sure to download my FREE guide: Six-Figure Freelancer.
This guide takes you through the exact steps you need to take to start your freelance career… from establishing your vision to setting your goals to landing profitable clients!
You’re Not Alone
Freelancing can be a lonely path, to be sure. But it doesn’t have to be.
There are seriously so many of us out there—freelancers, consultants, solopreneurs. You are not alone!
In fact, I have a Facebook Group full of passionate go-getters just like you. Join my Six-Figure Freelancers Facebook Group today and get the encouragement, support, and community you need!
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