When I graduated from college, my head was buried so deep in the sand about my career path that it’s a wonder I even joined the American workforce at all. Even better, I found a job at a company I actually liked—so much so that I stayed there happily for seven years. But when I finally became restless and took stock of what I wanted to do next, I realized that I couldn’t find it in an office. I was sick of the daily grind: hitting the snooze button on my alarm clock until the last possible minute, only to sit in traffic, eat lunch at my desk, and feel guilty about all the exercise I wasn’t getting. On top of that, the freelance editing I’d been doing on the side was becoming too time-consuming to balance with my day job, and I knew I’d have to sacrifice one or the other soon. The more I thought about it, the more self-employment seemed like the right path for me to take.
Three years later, I don’t regret my decision at all. Being a full-time freelancer taught me invaluable lessons about organization, multitasking, self-discipline, and work/life balance. It afforded me the flexibility to work for a wide variety of different companies and meet inspiring people, and it broadened my professional experience in ways that working for a single employer never could have. But that’s not to say self-employment is for everyone—people who thrive on routine may never get used to its irregular hours and erratic paychecks. And even if you think you’re well suited to the freelance lifestyle, you’ll need to make a commitment to approaching it as professionally as you do your full-time job. The following tips will give you a head start.
Establish a Routine
One of the biggest pitfalls of self-employment is that it’s dangerously easy to be undisciplined about your schedule. Temptation lurks everywhere and in myriad forms—the full fridge, the beautiful day outside, the errands you need to do, and, of course, the Internet. But if you ever want to see a paycheck in your mailbox again, you have to learn to resist all those distractions and focus on the work tasks at hand, particularly when you’re just starting out as a freelancer and are trying to develop a reputation as a prompt, reliable professional.
To set up a schedule that works for both you and your clients, begin by thinking about what you do in a typical day. Questions to consider include:
- How many hours of work per week are you hoping to do?
- What are your clients’ business hours? Do any of them work in another time zone?
- How many meals do you eat each day, and for how long?
- How much time do you spend exercising every week?
- If you have children, how much time do you need to spend each day feeding them, getting them ready for school, playing with them, and so on?
- If you don’t count working out as your “me time,” how much time do you need for relaxing—watching TV, reading, bonding with your spouse or friends—each week?
Once you have a better sense of your time requirements, type up a schedule and stick with it. Getting into a rhythm not only will make you a more efficient freelancer, but also will help you through the inevitable moments when you’ll wonder, Am I crazy for doing this? Professional obligations should comprise the bulk of each workday, so be frugal with your allotments for meals and relaxation time—after all, just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you should be going out for brunch or taking a long siesta every day. However, don’t underestimate the importance of stepping away from your desk for a good workout or a healthy meal, as you’ll find yourself reenergized and more focused afterward. Remember, balance is key.
