freelance life
Although it’s indicative of an easy life for a lot of people, the freelancer lifestyle is not always what it seems. Now, being a freelancer is, for all intents and purposes, running a one-person business. You should treat yourself as a commodity. This is how you'll make progress, but we’ve all hit those snags where we're on the brink of giving up and getting a “proper” job. This is why you should never do that…
The Freedom...
It's not just the waking up whenever you want, there's a greater sense of control over your life. This is why so many people are turning towards freelancing. It’s not just Millennials leaning towards self-employment as a means of earning their crust. The appeal has spread to all walks of life, from those that are looking for a new way to earn money, to those that have been so dissatisfied with their 30-year career that they’re looking for something that they actually care about. The freedom that comes with running your own life is very liberating and is probably the most enticing thing about this line of work.
And besides, if you look at the standard term of “permanent employment,” the average amount of time is now between six months to a year; is this “permanent?” It doesn’t sound like it to me. It’s much better working in a position with a lot more emotional freedom rather than somewhere where you have to potentially clock in and out, and you may be out the door in six months anyway!
The Control...
When the stock market crashed in 2008, many people were so desperately unemployed, that they took to getting a business loan and started running their own small businesses. It turned out to be the best decision they ever made. It’s almost as if they woke up finally, and they kissed goodbye to their old lives.
Being plunged into that situation made them adopt a sink or swim mentality, and for a freelancer, this is what gives you the edge over many others. It’s a great quality. It keeps you on your toes and makes you realize what you're all about.
The Hard Times...
We’ve all been there, when we’re feeling overwhelmed and wonder why we’re even trying to make a living going from paycheck to paycheck (or invoice to invoice). But everyone has had their huge struggles, from Steve Jobs to Hillary Clinton, and every great mind you can think of. Look at this site of leadership quotes if you're ever lacking in inspiration, and realize that you're not alone. And although everyone might be pushing at you to join the rat race again, do you really want to hand over that sense of control to someone else? I didn't think so.
So if you ever think about throwing in the towel, I've got one question to ask: Even though you' could be struggling for money and you’ve got to take on more work than you're capable of, are you happier now than you ever have been?
