You've been running your own business for a long time and you've had plenty of ups and downs. Sometimes, it feels as though there's more hard times than good and just lately, you're feeling a bit fed up with it all.
No one ever said freelancing was easy. It's one of the hardest things you could ever do. You've got to keep constantly pushing to find more work, keep existing clients happy and ensure you can pay your bills every month.
It's easy to see why so many people fall out of love with freelancing. But before you give up and start looking for a full-time job, here's an article to help you fall head over heels all over again. Here are the top reasons why you should love freelancing...
You're your own boss
Don't like being told what to do? Prefer to have the freedom to make your own decisions? Freelancing allows you to be your own boss, which means you can decide how your business is run and no one else. It's a great feeling - knowing that you don't have to answer to anyone. Yes - you've still got clients but you're more in control when you go it alone.
You don't have to worry about office politics
Hate the whole agency system where you have to kiss the right bottoms to get ahead? Sick of seeing people slack off and get promoted when you work harder? It's not your concern anymore when you freelance. You're free from all that silly nonsense that a full-time job can sometimes bring. You don't have to worry about office politics when you work for yourself.
You have more diversity
Being a freelancer means your working week is more varied, interesting and challenging. You're not working for someone else and ticking off job lists. You're actually getting stuck in and doing a whole range of different things that make your career so rewarding. Plus you can choose to do as much or as little as you like. And no two days are ever the same.
You never look at the clock
When you freelance, you just don't notice the time. It's not like being employed, when you used to count down the hours until hometime. You're actually enjoying the work and are surprised to see that it's 7pm when you look up from your keyboard or drawing pad. You never look at the clock when you freelance and do something you love for a living.
You have a higher earning potential
As a freelancer, you are an escapee of 'wage slavery'. You are no longer stuck at a capped salary. You have an unlimited earning potential. All it comes down to is how hard you work and how much time and effort you put in. It's completely up to you how much you earn.
You pocket the profits
When you work for someone else, you're always lining their pockets, not your own. When you freelance, you pocket all the profits. The money is yours to keep! If you've been freelancing for a while - this is something that will stop you going back into full-time employment because you'll always know that you could be earning so much more.
You've got a greater sense of achievement
If you run your own business and it's successful - i.e. you're making enough money to cover your bills - then you should be really proud of yourself. And when you've completed a project and it's helped your client enormously? That was all down to your hard work and should leave you with fantastic job satisfaction. Nothing beats that sense of achievement you feel when freelancing.
You can take more time off
Ok, so freelancing means you don't get paid when you go on holiday. And it might also mean that you find it difficult to 'switch off'. But you'll always enjoy more holidays than those who work in full-time jobs. Today's digital revolution also means you can take your office with you. So what's stopping you from booking a month's break in a nice holiday cottage? Especially if you're still earning while you're away? You could work from 7am until 12pm and then enjoy the rest of your time doing nice 'holiday' things. Who's going to know!
You can work virtually from anywhere
Which brings me onto my next point - when you freelance, you can work from virtually anywhere. You can set up your laptop in a nice, cosy coffee shop if you need a break from home. Or you can take a long, working holiday abroad. There are so many services, tricks and tools to help you become 'mobile' and allow you to work from any location. All you have to do is keep clients happy by staying in touch over the phone and staging regular meetings.
You can learn and grow more
Stuck on something? Can't figure a certain problem out? Wondering how to make something better? When you freelance, you're constantly learning and growing. You are always striving to learn new skills, keep up with technology and stay ahead of the industry you're working in. If you work for someone else, you don't tend to care as much. You just want to do a good job and leave the office on time. But when you work for yourself, you make more of an effort to boost your skills. It really is a fantastic way to work.
You can say no and choose what you do
Once you're established and you've got a good cashflow, you can have the freedom to say no. This means you can turn work away if you don't want to do it. You're in charge, so you decide what direction you take. You really do have the freedom to make your own decisions and that's one of the best things about freelancing.
Funny image courtesy of Shutterstock.com - don't you just love stock photography! Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
