Being a freelancer vs. Having a normal job
Being a freelancer is hard work! Having a normal job is...also hard work. But what's the difference?
As mentioned in my previous post, most advices I got before becoming a freelancer are that I needed a full-time job experience before I do anything on my own, but here's a very important part they didn't mention: As soon as I get a job, it will be difficult to get out of it.
Why?
Well, while having a job:
- I'll adapt my shopping needs based on the monthly income.
- It creates a fairly predictable lifestyle, so I wouldn't need to worry about tomorrow.
- My boss tells me what to do. There's not much initiative that's required when working FOR someone.
- Work and home are 2 very different places.
- I'll have to work with people.
When I'll want to quit and go freelance...
- In case being a freelancer doesn't work, I can't get that job back.
- Unless I have some savings, it would be hard to readjust back to a very economical lifestyle for the first few months - at least.
- The risk of jumping into an unpredictable start can be overwhelming. And the more I keep that job, the harder it is to get out of it.
- I'd have complete power and decision over what, when and how to work on my projects. I'd have to motivate myself everyday. If I'm not disciplined, being on my own can be quite a challenge.
- Not everyone can get used to working from home.
- Sometimes, working at home without colleagues could make me feel lonely.
Does any of this sound familiar to you?
If I'd get a job, my free time would mostly be used for sleeping, my life will look the same as my colleagues, I'd be forced to follow a specific program and work with fixed projects that might not like. But being a freelancer is not easy either:
- I have to be my own accountant and my own boss - and that takes lots of extra time.
- No one tells me when to wake up, so I have to make my own daily schedule.
- My life becomes very different than most others around me.
- If I loose customers, I am the one that has to go out there hunting for new ones.
Is freelancing for everyone?
Let's be realistic here. Working is often exhausting, freedom is hard to maintain and life is full of difficult decisions, if you choose to look at it that way. Any decision you take will require an amount of sacrifices, and the rewards depend on your effort and willingness to evolve at a professional level.
Becoming a freelancer is possible for anyone. It's as easy as making an account on a freelance site and all you have to do is apply for projects. And still, BEING a freelancer is NOT for everyone. And you can't really know if you can be one, unless you try it and find out for yourself.
There's been times when I had difficulties seeing the difference between the good and bad of working for someone or for myself, and used a lot of time figuring out what fits me. In the end, I chose to work independently because I love it! I love waking up and tucking in bed for half hour longer. I love using my morning time reading a book or listening to a new piece of music, or writing down new ideas for my next project. Working is enjoyable because I choose my own projects, manage my own customers and create my own, special working environment :) And it's all worth it!
So you want to be a freelacer, but how do you know if you'll manage it?
You don't. That's the beauty of being your own boss. You learn how to deal with unpredictable situations on the way. You find out what to learn from rejections and how to enjoy projects well done. So get out there and try it out!
freedom = freelance
competence plus dedication = money
slavery = work 10 hours a day for 1 month of vacation per year to make and make some dude get rich in exchange for a monthly payment.Freelance is awesome.
I enjoyed reading this article as it is so relevant to my present life situation.
I am just about to start full time work again after being without a job for a year. I have explored different ideas and tried different things in order to freelance but I am unable to make a sufficient income for myself. I was maybe taking to many different approaches. I sometimes lack organisation and motivation.
I like the idea of being my own boss and I will try it again, but now it's back to 37.5 hours a week, 20 days holiday and early mornings!
Such is life.
Hey, thanks for your comment :) Did you focus on a specific expertise when you were trying to go freelance? And did you try for a whole year without success?
Yes, I did focus on specific expertise, mainly in computing but it seems that I need to get more work experience in that area before I can freelance in that area. After six months or so I was doing lots of different things, too many really. Well, it's all a learning experience.
Over the next decade more and more people are going to be freelance due automation and AI. Thank goodness for Steemit.
What areas of computing?
True. If you want to go freelance, you have to know what you're good at, or if you're a newbie, you gotta focus on one or two things only, and become better and better. You can't do everything at once :-D But if you can't do that by yourself, then a job might be a good idea to help you figure out what you like to do.
Hmm, yes that's good advice.
Mostly Linux and open source computing, from a system administration perspective. But also environmental activism, economic analysis, politics, music, writing, crypto. I have a wide range of experience and interests and it's difficult to channel myself into one specific thing.
I can overload myself quite easily. I would like to be doing lots of different things to earn, very difficult in practice though.
In what field do you freelance in?
Sounds interesting :) Although I know how it is to try to keep the same efficiency in all areas you mentioned, at once. You probably often end up overworked and confused?
I've been like that too, used to love doing lots of stuff at once because they were all so interesting. But I realized that I won't achieve anything real by spreading my attention in 1000 places.
I have a small web design company here in Denmark, and I'm designing mostly illustrations and infographics on Upwork (freelancing). I spend my free time learning programming, so that I can get bigger, more interesting projects that include demos, animations, gaming, maybe even robotics.
If you'd have to choose only one area of interest, which one do you think you're best at right now?
I can suffer from fatigue after too much time moving from one thing to another. However, if I am being productive it is not a problem.
What you are doing sounds interesting and rewarding. I am also in the process of building a profile on Upwork. Remote's AI was matching me with mismatches; I think that site is still work in progress.
In IT and web design, there is always more to learn and the technology moves so quickly. I was doing a Cloud Infrastructure Technologies course and it's mind boggling! Working, learning and progressing is a great situation to be in though.
Right now, I am probably most effective at activism, analysis and politics. They go hand in hand and I feel within a certain drive and passion behind them.
I hope your business continues to be profitable and rewarding.
Damn right. I would have nothing else to add to this. :) (just an excuse for not doing a post like this myself :P )
About two weeks ago, the guy I work with as a mountain guide said something about expanding the company and hiring me and the others that work with him. And right in that moment I felt something inside. A fear of losing my freedom. :)))))
I would still have a certain freedom, but only the mention of the word hiring was a bit too much for me. :D
I don't know if that alone makes me fit to be a freelancer though.
There's many ppl working a normal job and freelancing at the same time. I am one of the lucky ones that had the freedom to directly go into freelancing, so my experience of having a 8 - 16 job is a bit vague. Even though I'm against it, having a job at the same time could also be fun. You'll just have less time for yourself that's all :)
Good post. I found it on Steemit chat postpromotions. It lays out positives and negatives. It's certainly true that being a freelancer is not for everyone even though the majority of Steemians I would guess lean in that direction. Upvoted and following.
Hey there :) I'm glad you find this post useful. Are you a freelancer yourself?
Yes and no to varying degrees through my life. lol. Right now I have a regular 9-5 and various freelance side projects. I need the stability and benefits of regular employment but have a passion for more entrepreneurial pursuits.
I have a full-time job right now and a baby to care for. I'm part time translator focusing on games, websites and apps. I found it extremely difficult to find the time to look out for customers lately. Do you have any tips for me?