Freelancing 101: 5 things to consider before quitting your day job

Freelancing sounds like a dream for a lot of people. You don’t have a boss, you can work from bed or the new, trendy coffee shop, and don’t have to follow that insufferable 9 to 5 schedule. Well, things are not really like that (though I am writing this post from bed).

A lot of times freelancers are under a lot of stress, they deal with cash flow issues, loneliness, and worry about most everything.

I’ve made a list of a few things you have to consider before becoming a (full-time) freelancer.

1. Are you motivated?

If you are waiting for your boss to tell you what to do, then maybe freelancing isn’t for you. Your clients will replace the boss, but there are times when you only have a few projects and quitting is easy. You have to be able to motivate yourself because making a successful business takes time.

2. Do you like being alone?

Forget about morning coffee and lunch with your colleagues. You will spend a lot of time alone and it might take a toll on yourself and your work. If you work better when there are people around, you can share an office with other freelancers.

3. Do you have self-discipline?

It’s very easy to lose track of time when you don’t have someone constantly looking over your shoulder. To be a good freelancer, you have to be disciplined. It doesn’t necessarily mean waking up early, but a fixed schedule is always a good idea.

4. Are you friendly?

You will have to deal with clients almost every day. This is especially hard in the beginning if you are not used to it. You will have to be polite, calm, answer all their questions, even though sometimes they might irritate you. You should be yourself and try to build a good relationship with everyone. People will remember this and come back to you.

5. Are you able to say no?

This is something I’m still learning and I have to tell you it’s very hard. You have to learn to refuse a project if you’re very busy, or tell people that something they want was is not included in the contract.

All in all, being a freelancer is a wonderful experience, just remember that it take a lot of hard work and you will have to constantly challenge yourself.

Do you have any tips?