The Surprising Reason You Will Fail Miserably at Freelance Writing
The answer is simpler than you think.
My first year as a freelance writer was a disaster. I was inconsistent and got to the point of quitting so many times.
It is not easy to break into the freelance writing industry. Newbies are often flooded with a host of issues. Some of them are:
- Struggling to find clients
- Managing workload
- Building a portfolio
Some would cite the above struggles as a rationale for throwing in the towel. It is a fair argument. However, I found that there is usually an underlying reason that is often ignored or overlooked.
You!! You are the cause. The sooner you accept this, the more you improve your chances of making money as a freelance writer.
Your problem is not finding clients, or building your portfolio, It’s self-discipline. Success in the freelance writing industry requires a massive amount of mastery. How do I know this?
I spent countless hours studying a host of freelance writing superstars. One of the things they have in common is the undeniable level of mastery they have over their business. Mastery gives you the ability to manage your time effectively, set and stick to deadlines, and work independently without the oversight of a boss or manager.
However, 99% of newbies lack mastery. This is where self-discipline comes in. You cannot have mastery over anything if you don’t have mastery over yourself. This is a difficult pill to swallow, (it was for me) but that’s just the way life works.
Ignore Mastery at your own risk
Wondering what will happen if you ignore mastery?
You will struggle to find clients and eventually quit. Why? Because you need more mastery over yourself to do it long enough until you acquire the skills needed to build a client base.
You will struggle to build your portfolio because you need to be more productive.
You will struggle with self-motivation because you are constantly bombarded with rejection.
You will struggle with self-promotion and marketing because you lack the right mindset.
I could go on, but I have made my point. Needless to say, life as a newbie freelance writer will suck if you ignore Self-Mastery.
That said, it’s not all doom and gloom. Pursuing Self-Mastery is the solution to the problems above and even more. Self-mastery will give you the skill to open any lock in the freelance writing industry.
The Million Dollar Question
How does one start their Self-Mastery journey? I said the answer was simple, but you must do the work. Pursuing self-mastery is a lifelong journey that will require intention and action. Here’s what you’ve got to do.
Go Through Daily Challenges
There is no Self-Mastery without mental fortitude. You must show your mind who the boss is! This means mental and physical challenges. These challenges must be activities that you keep running away from.
My daily physical challenge is bodyweight exercises. The circumstances don’t matter; I aim to get in at least 30 minutes daily. And mentally, it is deep work. This ranges from improving my reading and comprehension to improving my writing skills.
I know a six-figure freelance writer that runs daily but never shuts up about how much he hates running.
For you, it can be anything as long as it challenges you.
Apply Conscious Thought (Intention)
At the start of your journey toward Self-Mastery, you can’t let your subconscious take over. It wants comfort and the path of least resistance. Your mind could be your biggest ally but could also be your biggest enemy.
Journaling the process helps. Put in the reps to find out what works and what doesn’t. Reiterate and execute as needed.
Mindset Rewiring
You have limiting beliefs. Pursuing Self-Mastery will reveal them (this is the case for me). Be open to removing your limiting beliefs.
Key takeaway
If you diligently devote time to Self-Mastery, learning and adapting to any issues you face as a new freelance writer becomes easier.
If you are skeptical, how about you commit to it for 3–7 days? What do you have to lose?
Let me know how it goes in the comments.
