Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Freelancer?
There’s something about the idea of freelancing that’s so alluring.
The thought of working from home, setting your hours, and being your boss is appealing.
But is freelancing really for you?
Traits That Signal You Won’t Make It as a Freelancer
A few key traits can signal whether or not you will be successful as a freelancer. If you don’t have any of them, it might be time to rethink your decision to leave your day job.
For starters, freelancing is all about self-motivation.
You need to be able to get up and work on your schedule, without someone breathing down your neck. You also need to be able to manage your own time and resources effectively.
Another key trait is discipline.
As a freelancer, you’re often competing with other experts for work, so you need to be able to put in the extra hours when necessary. You also need to be able to stay focused and meet deadlines.
And finally, freelancing requires networking skills.
You need to be able to develop relationships with clients and other professionals in your field. You also need to be able to sell yourself and your services.
How to Overcome the Challenges of Freelancing
There are a lot of benefits to freelancing, but it’s not all unicorns and rainbows.
There are some challenges you will need to overcome if you want to be successful.
When you’re working for yourself, there’s no one to push you to get your work done. You have to be the one who sets the deadlines and meets them.
You will also need to be able to manage your own time. This means being able to say no when you need to and being able to work efficiently so you can get the most out of your day.
But the most significant trait of all is flexibility.
Things will change — clients will change their minds, projects will get delayed, and you will have to be able to roll with the punches. If you can’t adapt, you likely won’t make it as a freelancer.
What Successful Freelancers Have in Common
There are certain traits that all successful freelancers share.
These include:
- A willingness to work hard: No one succeeds in freelancing without putting in the time and grind.
- A good work ethic: This goes hand in hand with working hard. A successful freelancer is someone who has a good work ethic and is always willing to put in the extra effort.
- The ability to stay organized: This is a key trait for any freelancer. When you’re working for yourself, it’s important to be able to stay organized and keep track of everything that’s going on.
- The ability to take direction: When you’re working for yourself, it’s essential to be able to take advice from clients. They’re the ones who are hiring you, so you need to do what they ask of you.
How to Know if Freelancing Is Right for You
When I decided to become a freelancer, there were a few things I had to ask myself first.
- Did I have what it takes to be successful?
- Could I manage my own time and workload?
- Was I prepared to put in the hard work it would take to make this a full-time venture?
If you’re thinking of making the jump to freelancing, ask yourself some tough questions first. If you need someone telling you what to do every step of the way, you probably can’t handle freelance work on your own.
The verdict is in: there are a few key traits that signal you won’t make it as a freelancer. If you don’t have the self-discipline to stay on track, the determination to keep pushing through rejections, or the willingness to put in the extra work, freelancing likely isn’t for you. Do you have what it takes to be a freelancer? Only you can answer that question.
