The life of a freelancer can appear to be very alluring and when it is well-managed the perks are indeed incredible. Imagine having the freedom to start work at ten instead of nine or the flexibility of working from your favorite cafe. Although freelancing might seem glamorous it is still hard work and may not be suitable for everyone. Take a look at the questions below and answer them honestly before you decide to quit your job to take a stab at the freelance life.
Are you self-motivated?
Freelancers need to be extremely motivated. It is dangerously easy to end up relaxing for much longer periods of time than you actually work so it is important that you are a self-starter and able to get things done without supervision or outside encouragement. If you are the type that needs to be prodded to get started on a project with a looming deadline, then working for a company might be your best bet.
Can you cope with fluctuating income?
Freelancers sometimes need to survive periods of low income and then move into managing times of plenty. If the boom and bust cycle of a freelancer's income might throw you into a tailspin, then a monthly salary may be better suited to your personality type. Freelancers definitely need to be able to budget for their various expenses while earning a fluctuating income. This is not the easiest thing to do and it takes practice, but if you are not into juggling your money then a steady paycheck is the way to go.
Are you willing to work weird hours?
Sure freelancers can start work at ten in the morning if they feel like, but they sometimes need to work through the night to get the job done. If you want the flexibility of the freelance life you have to make sure you are willing to cope with it from all aspects. A freelancer is sometimes hired because there is the expectation that they can get the job done during non-traditional hours, so be sure that you are not expecting to work from nine to five.
Can you multi-task?
Freelancers are essentially self-employed, so this means that they need to have several different types of skills to survive. A freelancer needs to be great at the particular skill that is being sold, but the freelancer also needs to be able to keep track of finances, market or promote the services to attract new clients and communicate with these people to keep them satisfied. These things are all done simultaneously so the freelancer needs to be able to juggle several different roles and tasks at once.
Although from the outside the life of a freelancer might seem attractive and commonly attracts longing for the freedom that comes with cutting ties to a single employer, it is important to make sure that this is the right decision for you.
Natalia Jones - Natalia Jones is a full time freelance writer. She has an Advanced Diploma in Financial Management (ACCA) and she has previously worked in ...
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