Sitting on the beachside with a laptop, no structured working hours, unlimited income, no boss, and a whole world of independence sounds so perfect, isn’t it?
Well, freelancing seems like a dream career to many of them. But this dreamy career comes with a lot of hard realities to deal with.
So, to make sure that this is a right fit for you, here are a few things that you should ask yourself before starting as a freelancer -
Are you ready for a roller coaster ride?
Freelancing is full of uncertainties.
With various perks like flexibility and independence, freelancing comes with a lot of uncertainty too. One month you may have a lot of work, and the other month you may have less work comparatively. So, ask yourself, are you ready to work hard to turn this uncertainty into stability?
Are you good at networking?
Networking is the backbone of freelancing.
Whether you like interacting or not, when. it comes to freelancing, it is an essential part.
Also, you need to market your skills and make yourself stand out from the crowd. No one will come to you until they know what you exactly do or how you can help them.
Are you happy working on your own?
Loneliness can be the biggest challenge in freelancing.
If you are someone who feels motivated and energized around people, then freelancing might not make you feel fulfilled. Freelancing is full of isolation, but if you are friends with other freelancers, it is super fun. You can have video calls or a small get together anytime.
Are you prepared for a few “no income months”?
Make sure you have a financial cushion.
Before you resign from your 9-5 job, ask yourself if you can manage a few months with no income? As mentioned, freelancing is full of uncertainties. You don’t know who your next client will be, how many deals you will close in the next month, or how much money you are going to make.
Are you ready to work on weekends?
Flexibility is the game-changer.
Though, for the outside world, freelancing may seem to be fancy and not doing anything all day. But that is not the case. It’s like your business. You need to be motivated enough to work for long hours, without the rigid 9-5 office hours, and sometimes even on the weekends.
Also, be ready to give up the paid holidays. In freelancing, you are paid for the number of hours you work. So, NO WORK = NO PAY.
Answer these questions and find out if freelancing is the right fit for you.
Freelancing is all about doing what you love!
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