Self-employment means empowerment and freedom, but it comes with a price. It seems it’s a choice for the braver people out there. This is because of several reasons, but this doesn’t have to put anyone down. If freelancing is your dream and you know you have a skill, then be informed about what might hinder you. This is going to empower you further.
First of all, you will find yourself alone, having to convince clients that you’re worth their time and money. To go past this stage successfully, you need to present yourself professionally, to prove what you can do (be willing to offer samples) and to figure out what makes you better than the rest.
If you work as a freelancer IT specialist, SEO specialist or a content writer, you may be taken by surprise by the sudden changes and trends in the industry. For example, when Google changed its search algorithms, it forced an entire range of specialists change their game. Be ready to face such changes – read news in your niche and always keep an eye on what’s happening and what the experts are doing. You will learn a lot from them.
Financial instability may eventually get you. It’s a main cause of anxiety. If you decide to do something about it, you can choose to take things one step further and be under the protection of an umbrella company. Such companies can help you stream tasks more efficiently and also get a regular pay. It is also possible to arrange paid holidays. Also, such companies can make you get more money for the jobs you get. Productivity is maximized and you enjoy the benefits of a more stable work style.
Another notable obstacle is that of missing motivation. Even when you really like what you are doing, you can still have a hard time staying motivated and going through every work day. When this happens, you may change your routine. Add a short break that lets you do something for yourself. You may choose to relax by cooking yourself a great meal. You should also meet with professionals from the same industry or niche. This can provide you with the motivation you need.
At times, you may happen to feel isolated and bored, if you are constantly working from home, always in front of the computer. There’s one thing you can do and this is beneficial in more than just one way: meet people and do some networking. It will get new you new contacts and clients and at the same time you’ll be happily socializing.
Being self-employed comes with its specific challenges. This doesn’t make it worse than other career types. If you can keep every aspect in check and maintain a proper balance, you can handle this kind of work. See every new contact and every new task as a success because it really is so. This will keep you motivated and show you that it’s worthy to be self-employed.
