It has long been the dream of many workers to escape the doldrums of their daily grind into a self-employed utopia. Thanks to the many opportunities available in the gig economy, profitable self-employment is now within the reach of many.
Freelancing requires certain characteristics
Freelancing is not for everyone. In order to be successful, it’s important to have the right personality traits. There will be good days and bad days — you can’t be the kind of person who lets a bad day ruin their week. You also need to be comfortable with risk. Taking the gig economy leap is a big risk for many, as you have a smaller or non-existent safety net. For success, you also need keen ability to adapt and solve problems, as you will often face these alone.
Organizational tips for gigs
In addition to certain personalities, successful freelancers are well-organized. Without having accountability to a boss or supervisor, some self-employed workers can slide into an
unproductive state. Unlike traditional employment, where you might be able to have an off day without setting off alarms, a bad day can destroy your cash flow for a week.
You can stay on top of your workload and enjoy the many benefits of freelance work, such as flexible schedules and the ability to work remotely, by planning your day. Make set office hours each week. You’ll need to set aside time for administrative tasks and don’t forget to add prospecting to your weekly calendar. You should plan to research and pitch new work every week in order to ensure your growth.
Always keep a tight control on finances
When you are freelancing, your income will be less predictable than if you were an employee of a business. Beyond staying on top of your tax obligations, it is important to plan for the future with your gig economy income. You will not be in complete control of your income. Some weeks may be better than others, and you may have to endure some dry spells. Even when you have a lot of work and clients, there may be bottlenecks to receiving payment. Anticipate this by budgeting and setting aside money to fall back on when necessary.
Creating work-life balance with the right home office setup
One way to help with organizing and keeping your business on track is to have a home office that works for you. Regardless of your living space, a home office should be as separate as possible from where you live. Although it might sound ideal to work in your pajamas on the living room couch, most experts believe you should dress and go to a separate part of your home. A separate room is best, but if this is not feasible, you should keep the area strictly for business.
Step out when you can
Another success tip is to leave your home office and reach out to other professionals. You may need their help in finding clients or solving problems. Coworking spaces allow collaborating with other professionals on an ala carte basis, charging a per diem rate. Go to one of these spaces once a week, once a month or whatever you can afford. It’ll shake off the staleness and isolation that can accompany working from home.
If you are up for the task, today’s gig economy is a dream come true for those looking to work for themselves. Create a plan, get organized and embark on a career on your terms.
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