People often wonder if there really such a thing as real benefits from being a freelancer. For those who are used to having an employer, this line of work can feel like walking on a highwire with no security net below.
The truth of the matter is, there are plenty of benefits to being self-employed. But if you want to make a comfortable living, you must be the type of person who can work from home, juggle multiple tasks and be able to keep focused and motivated to get busy without the encouragement of a normal work environment.
Absolute work freedom is a double-edged sword.
Some of the benefits people may consider of being a freelancer would include: being able to set your own schedule, being able to set your own pay rate, being your own boss, doing work that you really enjoy and being able to take a day off or go on vacations whenever you please. For some, being able to work on their pajamas is also a great perk!
As a freelancer, you’re 100% in charge: you even get to decide how much work to take on or not to take on. You can settle with earning just enough to get by, or you can aim for the stars and try to make it really big. It’s your call! Better than anyone else, you know what you need to float your boat and pay your bills. You decide if you want to pace yourself and work a bare minimum to make it through, push yourself everyday for the sake of your career, or somewhere in between.
Needless to say, this kind of unabashed freedom can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your attitude.
Unless you’re extremely talented in what you do, chances are you’ll have to proactively look around for new business opportunities all the time. If you’re just average skilled then you have to stay on your toes, and keep marketing yourself. Either way, it’s quite likely your earnings will be variable. There will be amazingly profitable months when everything seems to go well, as well as sour months when the whole world seems to conspire against you. It’s only natural, and it’s part of the deal.
If you want to succeed as a self-employed entrepreneur, you have to be able to take it all in stride, the highs as well as the lows!
Why do people pursue the freelancer’s dream?
Some do it because they want to be able to set their own schedules, work in pajamas and pick how much vacation time they get. With freelancing there is no one bossing you around, so it’s ultimately up to you making all these decisions.
Also, when you’ve secured a healthy customer base and start getting recurring customers, it can be really exciting and fulfilling. It’s a great feeling to get a new customer referred to you from someone whose expectations you’ve managed to exceed in the past. And if you’re reasonably competent in what you do, that will indeed tend to happen very naturally.
Another cool thing about this mode of employment is that you are not left with making only a fixed amount of money every year. You get to write your own paychecks in this line of work, as a function of your dedication or procrastination. You truly reap what you sow, when you freelance.
Are you up for the challenge?
Being self-employed can be really tough, but if you’re up to the challenge it can be rewarding on so many levels. You have to be able to keep going, even when it is hard, difficult or sometimes impossible. Do you think you’re up to the task? By all means, go for it! You can start building your freelance career without necessarily having to quit your job, so there’s really no need to make a drastic decision.
How about that? For more cool articles like this, you’re invited to check out the Slices of Life blog!
Credits: Image courtesy of Anselmo Garrido.