I still do think it’s a good idea to warn folks about possible freelancing drawbacks. It’s no secret that some people just aren’t cut out for freelancing.

However, there are also many compelling reasons why freelancing is becoming more and more popular. With all the negativity, it’s important not to lose sight of those reasons.

In this post, I’ll share six of the reasons why we keep on freelancing despite all the warnings. At the end of the post, you can share some of your own thoughts about why freelancing is growing in popularity.

Reason 1: We Can Be More Creative

For the most part, we freelancers are creative folks. You’ll find all kinds of talent in the freelancing world. Just a few of the many creative professions that lend themselves to freelancing include:

• Writing
• Web Design
• Programming
• Web Development
• Photography

Of course, there are many other types of creative freelancers as well. Freelancing lets creative folks express their creativity in a way that most workplaces do not.

As a freelancer, you can choose to work on the most challenging and rewarding projects–projects that might have never been assigned to you in a traditional work environment.

Plus, as a freelancer, you can express your creativity through personal projects. You can create your own products. Even your freelancing blog provides an avenue for creative expression.

There’s no doubt that freelancing attracts workers who want to be creative.

Reason 2: Freelancing Is More Flexible

Many workers have trouble fitting in to the traditional eight-to-five mold. If your peak performance time is late at night or early in the morning, you may be uncomfortable in a conventional workplace.

Sure, you might be able to drag yourself out of bed at 7:00 a.m. for a traditional employer–but if you don’t really wake up until noon what is the point of that? You won’t really be at your best.

As a freelancer, you can set your own hours. If you work best late at night, then that’s when you’ll do your work. Likewise, if your peak performance time comes at the crack of dawn there’s nothing to stop you from working then.

The ability to accommodate a differing biological clock is a huge draw to freelancing.

Reason 3: It Gives Us a Shot at Work/Life Balance

Many workers feel torn between their work life and their home life. The stress and tension of trying to meet the needs at home and at work with the same 24 hours in a day can be severe.

Add in a lengthy daily commute, and the tension between work and home can seem almost unbearable.

Freelancing can provide a healthier balance for many. You can adjust your workload according to your personal needs.

If your personal life is hectic, you can take less work. If your personal life is calm or you need more cash, you can accept more work.

Freelancing is an especially friendly work option to those who are caretakers for the chronically ill or for young children.

Reason 4: We Are in Control as Freelancers

Many freelancers feel more comfortable working for themselves because they are in the driver seat. They make all the decisions concerning their freelancing business.

At a traditional job, you must answer to a boss. As a freelancer, you answer to a client. But, a big difference is that you can choose your clients as a freelancers. Employees can’t choose their bosses.

Being in charge results in a pride of ownership that you don’t find with most other jobs.

Reason 5: Freelancing Provides Higher Earnings

Many people are drawn to freelancing because it offers a higher earning potential than traditional employment. This is particularly true for:

• Part-time freelancers–In fact, many part-time freelancers enjoy a full-time income. Most other part-time jobs offer relatively low pay.
• Entry-level professionals–Entry-level professionals can also earn more than their counterparts in traditional employment. Plus, in today’s economy recent graduates could wait months to find the right position.

In the end, how much you earn as a freelancer depends on how well you market your skills and how hard you work.

Reason 6: Freelancing Has Come a Long Way

Freelancing today is different from freelancing a decade ago. Here’s a list of technological advances over the past ten years and an explanation of how each one benefits the freelancer:

• Social Media–Provides a low cost means of marketing as well as a way to connect with prospective clients.
• WordPress & Blogger–Allows even the smallest business to create and develop a website for a minimal cost.
• Mobile Devices–iPads, iPhones, Laptops, and WiFi all give the freelancer the freedom to work anywhere.
• PayPal and other online e-commerce tools–Simplifies and speeds up billing transactions.
• VoIP and Skype–Using these tools and others like them freelancers can talk to anyone anywhere any time.

Looking back, it’s hard to imagine doing without these convenient tools. Freelancing today is easier than ever before.

Your Turn

Why do you keep on freelancing? Is it one of the reasons above, or some other reason? Why do you think freelancing is becoming more popular?

Share your answers in the comments.

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You’ve probably heard that statement before, and in a sense, it’s true. But lifestyle or not, one of the biggest struggles that freelancers face is balancing work and life.

This is ironic, because the search for work/life balance is one of the primary motivators that drives many to freelancing.

Is work/life balance really possible? The answer is yes–usually, but not perfectly and not always. A balanced life takes some planning.

And of course, there will be some times when you feel that your life is more balanced and other times when you feel that it is less balanced. That’s just normal.

In this post, I’ll provide some tips to help you to integrate your freelancing career into the rest of your life. With a bit of work on your part, you should be on your way to finding a better work/life balance.

Know Yourself

What enables you to do your best work?

• Do you need quiet, or do you thrive in the midst of chaos?
• Are you your most creative first thing in the morning, or are you best late at night?
• What inspires you? Some freelancers are inspired by music, others by art or nature.
• Does clutter bother you, or can you work just about anywhere?

Once you understand what enables you to do your best work, you can make sure that your work environment fits the bill.

Be Realistic

Even though, as a freelancer, you are likely now working at home–eight hours of work still takes eight hours to complete.

Know what you are committed to and how much time you really have to devote to your freelance work each day.

Too many freelancers take on more than they could possibly handle. You may feel more comfortable at home and you may have fewer interruptions, but becoming a freelancer doesn’t mean that you can suddenly achieve double the workload that you used to handle.

Make sure that your rates are high enough so that you don’t feel financial pressure to take on more work than you can realistically handle.

Plan for Breaks

Everyone needs a break from work. Taking a break is an important part of work/life balance.

Since you’re self-employed as a freelancer, it may seem like you could take off from work whenever you felt like it. But, that’s just not the case.

As a freelancer, you may not have to ask a boss for permission to take a vacation–but you still need to make plans to make sure that vacation happens.

Here are some easy steps to get ready for a freelancing vacation:

1. Notify long-term and recurring clients that you will be taking a vacation.
2. Plan what you will tell new prospects who contact you immediately before or during your time off.
3. Decide how connected you will be during your break. Some freelancers check email while others go completely off the grid.

Don’t Reinvent Everything

It’s likely that you are paid for original work as a freelancer. Whether you’re a writer, a designer, a programmer, or some other type of freelancer–your clients want fresh and innovative ideas.

Just because your work is original, it doesn’t mean that your administrative processes have to be new each time you perform a task. As much as possible, develop standard responses for the following situations and adapt them for each new situation:

• Initial contact letter
• Freelancer agreement
• Invoice Letter
• Collection letter

The more you standardize your administrative tasks, the more time that you will save.

Nurture Yourself

You do so much for so many people. You make time for your clients, your family, and your friends–yet, you rarely make time for yourself.

If you would live a balanced life, it’s important to take time for those things that help you to feel good. Whether it’s prayer, meditation, or even a hobby–make sure to schedule some time each day to nurture yourself.

You don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of time each on self-nurturing. Just spend enough time that you need to feel good and healthy for that day.

What Do You Think?

Remember, your work/life balance won’t always be perfect. However, you can definitely make sure that there is a comfortable balance between freelancing and your personal life most of the time.

How do you maintain work/life balance? Share your experiences and suggestions in the comments.

Image by Martin Lopatka

Of course, we readily acknowledge a few of the ways that freelancing affects our psyches. For example, we’ve written a boatload of materials about stress. We’ve also written a lot about loneliness.

But stress and loneliness are not the only ways that freelancing affects us. (Of course, we’ll continue to write about stress and loneliness from time to time because those are very real problems that affect a lot of people.)

In this post, however, we’ll cover some of the less discussed psychological aspects of freelancing. We’ll also look at how freelancing can really affect your outlook on life. As you review these mental struggles that we all face as freelancers, I think you’ll come to agree with me that we freelancers are a unique breed.

Freelancers and Security

We freelancers can’t count on much.

You’ve heard of job security, right? Well, freelancers don’t have it. And job security is just one type of security that freelancers don’t have.

For most employees, if they lose their job at least they know that they’ll probably be given some sort of severance package. For a freelancer, however, when the work is done they are out of a job.

Of course, the lack of job security can also lead to a lack of financial security for freelancers. A successful freelancer can’t afford to live from paycheck to paycheck. They’ve got to set something extra aside for those times they won’t be getting a paycheck.

However, not having these common factors that many people rely on to feel secure actually strengthens most freelancers. They develop strategies (such as saving and continually marketing) so that they can rely more on themselves and less on an employer.

Freelancers and Flexibility

While everyone must eventually deal with change, keeping up with changes in technology and in his or her field is what makes a freelancer marketable. A freelancer has to be ready to learn new things.

Also, remember that the people a freelancer must deal with changes constantly as they move from project to project.

All of these changes mean that freelancers learn to be very flexible if they’re going to last. In the end, the ability to adjust to and manage change is a strength that a freelancer can apply to every aspect of their life.

Freelancers and Confidence

Some people say that freelancers are risk-takers, but I tend to disagree.

Yes, there is some risk inherent in starting a new business, but a true risk-taker often takes unreasonable chances. A good freelancer doesn’t. Instead, he or she studies the odds of success and then charts out the path most likely to succeed.

Rather than call that risk-taking behavior, I would call it confidence. And it does take confidence to succeed as a freelancer. It takes confidence to launch a new business. It takes confidence to sell a product or service. It takes confidence to keep going day after day without the encouragement of a staff or manager.

So, even a freelancer isn’t confident at first, he or she usually develops a confidence in his or her abilities.

Which brings me to another psychological trait common to successful freelancers . . .

Freelancers and Persistence

Successful freelancers are nothing, if not persistent.

Talk to any freelancer who has been around for more than a few years and surprisingly you’ll notice that most of them have their stories of failures as well as successes. That’s because a defining characteristic for most freelancers is the ability to stick with it.

The freelancers who succeed don’t quit. It’s just that simple. In fact, sometimes sticking with it is the main difference between a freelancer who makes it and one who does not.

Persistence is not a bad trait, though. Persistence learned from freelancing can keep freelancers from giving up too soon in other areas of their life.

Freelancers and Drive

Finally, it takes a lot of drive to be a freelancer. For whatever reason, you have to want it. I mean really want it.

The forces that drive freelancers vary, but without a driving force to keep them going most freelancers just won’t make it.

Again, like so many of the other psychological aspects of freelancing, drive can’t really be taught. It’s simply there, or it isn’t. As a matter fact, drive is a leadership quality that freelancers share with many other successful people throughout history.

Your Turn

As you can see from this post, there’s more to winning at freelancing than meets the eye. Freelancing is not just working from home in your pajamas.

What’s inside of you that makes you want to be a successful freelancer? What keeps you going?

Share your answers in the comments.

Image by Sweet Evie

Do you know what factor really keeps a lot of freelancers from achieving their ultimate success?

If you’re like me you’re probably guessing things like “lack of clients” or “not enough skills.”

While clients and skills are definitely important factors in achieving success, they aren’t the only factors. Surprisingly, confidence (or lack of it) plays a huge determining role in whether a freelancer is successful or not.

In this post, I explain why confidence is important and show you how you can bolster your confidence as a freelancer

Why Confidence Is So Important

Fear of freelancing (otherwise known as lack of confidence) is a very real problem for freelancers and would-be freelancers. You could make excuses for yourself for a very long time, but remember that many of our fears do not come true.

Low confidence is bad news for freelancers for a number of reasons. Here are just a few of the problems that can be caused by lack of confidence:

• Not placing enough value on your work. If you don’t believe in yourself and in your abilities, you’re more likely to undercharge your clients.
• Not marketing yourself adequately. Freelancers need to be constantly marketing themselves to succeed and good marketing takes confidence.
• Not trying for the really challenging positions. Freelancers who don’t have confidence are unlikely to apply for really challenging or high profile projects.
• Not learning new skills. Lack of confidence can also keep you from learning new skills and trying new things.
• Not taking advantage of face-to-face networking events like seminars and meetups. Face-to-face meetings require confidence. Less confident freelancers tend to skip them.

In fact, lack of confidence may also be tied to creative block. Being too negative about yourself can drain your creativity. You need to believe that you can accomplish something in order to get something done.

The bottom line is this–if you suffer from a lack of confidence, your freelancing business is being hurt.

So, now that we’ve identified some of the problems that low freelancing confidence can cause, let’s look at some ways to build up your confidence.

How to Build Up Your Confidence

If you need an extra shot of confidence, try looking at these:

• Your portfolio–Your very best work should be showcased here. (If it’s not, your portfolio needs to be updated ASAP.) If you’re feeling down about your abilities, browse through the work you’ve done once again and allow yourself the pride of accomplishment.
• Your testimonials–If you’ve been doing your job properly, you’ve gotten some testimonials from clients about the value of your work. Reread thse from time to time to remind yourself of how clients view your work.
• Your compliments file–Every freelancer should keep a compliments file. These are comments (emails, tweets, wall posts, etc.) that others make about you that you find to be uplifting.
• Your network–Unless you’ve engaged in some sort of auto-following scheme, your network is made up of individuals who you interact with regularly and who are interested in your work.

If your confidence is low, don’t look at these:

• Your competition’s portfolio–The grass will always look greener on the other side of the fence. If you’re low on confidence, you’ll be much less critical of your competitor’s profile than you should be and much more critical of your own than you should be.
• Your unfinished goals–Of course, you have to keep up with your goals so you have to look at them once in a while. But obsessing over what you haven’t gotten done yet is no way to build your self-confidence.
• Critical comments from clients–There’s such a thing as constructive feedback, and that’s a good thing. But the truth is that some clients will never be pleased no matter what you do. Don’t let a negative client destroy your freelancing confidence.

Your Turn

If you’re a freelancer right now, you’ve already had the confidence to jump out of the traditional workplace into the freelancing marketplace. That’s a terrific start!

What techniques do you use to build up your confidence? List your confidence-building tips in the comments.

Image by Pedliano

If you wait in line to be one of the first to purchase a new product version (such as for an iPhone, iPad, or Android) or if you are among the first to sign up for a new social media site (such as Google+), chances are that you are already an early adopter.

Companies count on early adopters to provide crucial feedback on new products and other consumers count on early adopters to find the bugs and teach them the best way to use technology products and services.

As a freelancer, should you be an early adopter? The answer is, that depends… In this post, we’ll weigh the pros and cons of becoming an early adopter from a freelancing standpoint.

Advantages of Becoming an Early Adopter

There are some different advantages for freelancers who try products and services first. Here are some of the benefits of early adoption:

1. Positions you as an expert. If you try software first, you are likely to discover the details about how that software or technology works before anyone else. You can be one of the first to write an article or a blog post about that technology product. Because people learned about the product from you, they are likely to come to you for more advice and information.
2. Allows you to stake your claim. This is particularly true of new social media services. Early adopters usually get the first pick of user names. If you have a common name or a brand, you may wish to become an early adopter to “claim” your name.
3. May enable you to expand your services. Some freelancers have even used their early adoption to expand their servicves. For example, if you offered the service of helping clients set up Facebook Fan Pages, you may wish to also offer the service of helping clients set up their Google+ brand page.
4. Some companies may offer incentives to early adopters. Last, but not least, there’s often a financial incentive to becoming an early adopter. Many companies offer discounts, special add-ons, or other limited time offers to those who purchase a product or service first.

Now that we’ve examined the freelancing advantages of becoming an early adopter, let’s take a look at some of the disadvantages.

Disadvantages of Becoming an Early Adopter

While the advantages of early adoption might seem enticing, there are disadvantages to consider also. Here are some of the drawbacks of early adoption:

1. Takes time. Make no mistake. If you decide to become an early adopter, you can expect to spend some serious time learning about the new product. Keep in mind that the helpful posts and books that you rely on when you try something new aren’t written yet.
2. May not take off. Then, after you’ve invested all that time in a product or service, there’s no guarantee that it will catch on. You could spend literally days learning something new, only to have it fizzle in the marketplace–or, worse yet, the provider could go out of business.
3. Could cost money. Many new products cost money. For example, iPads, iPhones, and other newer technology products can come with a rather large price tag. If you’re an early adopter, you may be spending money on something without being sure that you can use it.
4. Product or service may not have all the kinks worked out. Finally, there are bugs. Even if the software or hardware you are using is bug-free, the company’s customer service may not be running smoothly yet.

Now that we’ve looked at the advantages and disadvantages of early adoption, you may wonder what it’s like.

What’s It Really Like to Be an Early Adopter?

I got a chance to be an early adopter this past summer when I set up my Google+ account while you still needed an invitation to do so. (You may have done the same thing.)

I remember spending quite a while figuring out what circles were for and thinking about how I could use this social media tool in a better way than I had been using other social media tools. It took quite a bit of time to figure everything out.

However, I also remember that there was quite a bit of excitement involved with trying something new. And, of course, the first thing that many of us discussed on Google+ was Google+. A sort of community spirit formed between those of us who were trying to learn a new tool at the same time.

Your Turn

Have you ever been an early adopter? Share your experience in the comments.

Image by Evelyn Giggles

This is true whether you’re a freelancer, or not. But, because of the nature of freelancing, we freelancers tend to face change and its consequences a bit more frequently than other folks do. That’s why it’s really important to have a Plan B and to keep that plan up to date. Having an emergency fund does not hurt either.

There’s much more to dealing with freelancing change that just having a Plan B, though. You also need to deal with the emotional toll that freelancing change can take on you. Handling the emotional toll of freelancing change is what this post is all about. In it, I’ll share some practical tips to help you keep the inevitable freelancing changes in perspective so you can stay at your best as a freelancer.

Dealing with Inevitable Freelancing Change

If you’re not careful (and if you’re not ready), freelancing change can really throw you for a loop. After a change, you may find yourself dealing with stress, disappointment, anger, or even a combination of the three. You don’t have to let change negatively affect your freelancing business or your outlook, though.

Here are some precautions to take that will help you to steel yourself against the inevitable changes of freelancing:

1. Get enough rest. I know it seems like every list of how to take care of yourself as a freelancer is topped with the advice to get enough rest. There’s a very good reason for that. Studies have shown that many adults (not just freelancers) do not get enough sleep. Yet, proper sleep is vital to good health and good health is vital to…you guessed it…performing your best as a freelancer.
2. Eat right. Like getting enough sleep, eating right is vital to your good health and to your performance as a freelancer. Freelancers are especially vulnerable to the temptation to eat whatever is convenient and available rather than eating what’s best for them. What freelancer hasn’t been grinding away towards a big deadline and grabbed a quick bite of whatever was on hand and could be easily microwaved? Yet, a bad diet eventually take its toll on your health.
3. Take a deep breath. I could also call this point “calm down.” Even if you seem to be in a bad spot at the moment, there’s a good chance that things will be better soon. There have been many times in my freelancing career when a contract ended and I was wondering what to do next–only to be contacted by a new client within a very short time. Keep on with your marketing efforts and keep up with your skills.
4. Keep a positive outlook. This can be really hard to do when things are changing all around you–it’s especially difficult if you happen to find yourself without clients for an extended period of time. However, clients and prospective clients can sense when you have a negative outlook. If you talk on the phone, it will come through in your tone of voice. So, to keep your opportunities coming try to hold on to your positive attitude.
5. Find a sympathetic ear. Having someone to talk to who understands what you’re going through can be a huge comfort. However, I do have to say that social media is not the best place to vent your frustrations. It’s just too easy for social media rants to reach the wrong people. It’s much better to meet a local friend for lunch (and that will get you out of your office too) and talk about your situation face-to-face. Be sure to pick someone who will keep a confidence.
6. Consider your options. You may think you have no options, but there are always options. Be creative. Perhaps you are overlooking a lead for a new freelancing gig even though that lead is right in front of you. Don’t be afraid to try something totally different from what you usually do to improve your situation. You never know how something new will work out for you unless you try it. :)
7. Not all change is bad. This post has been about dealing with the emotional toll of freelancing change, but it’s important to remember that not all change is bad. A change of clients, being asked to do something new, or even finding yourself with unexpected time off–these situations could very well all end up having a silver lining. So, when freelancing change happens to you, don’t automatically assume the worst.

By taking the precautions I listed above at least you’ll be at your best to handle whatever freelancing (and life) may throw at you when change strikes.

Your Turn

Have you already been through freelancing change? What strategies do you use or have you used to deal with freelancing change? Share your tips in the comments.

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But seeing into the future, like mind reading, is an imprecise art (at best). However, it is possible to make some educated guesses about the future of freelancing based on current trends.

So, that’s what I’m going to do for 2012. In this post I’ll share twelve predictions about areas that will impact freelancers in the coming year. At the end of the post, I’d like you to share your predictions too.

The Number of Freelancers

Here are three predictions about the number of freelancers:

1. More Freelancers Than Ever Before. More people will try their hand at freelancing in 2012. Some of these folks will be turning to freelancing because they’ve been downsized from traditional employment. Others are new college graduates who will choose freelancing rather than traditional employment.
2. More Freelancers Will Quit. Sadly, some of the folks who try freelancing in 2012 won’t be prepared. Freelancing is harder than it seems and not all skills and experience is easy to adapt to self-employment. Plus, many don’t have the business or marketing skills that it takes to stay afloat as a freelancer.
3. The Total Number of Freelancers Will Still Be Higher. At the end of 2012, however, there will still be more freelancers than there are right now. This, despite some freelancers becoming discouraged and dropping out–I predict that our numbers will still be up at year-end.

Freelancers and Social Media

Freelancers rely on social media to get their marketing message out. Here are some possible social media changes that will affect freelancers in 2012:

4. There Will Be an Effective Means to Measure Social Media ROI. Measuring social media return on investment effectively has been sort of the Holy Grail of social networking. Some claim there are already effective measures for social media, while others believe that measuring social media returns can’t be done.
5. Blogging Will Continue to Become More Integrated with Social Media. You’ll see even more integration between blogging and social media as developers come up with more ways to connect the two. Not only will this make it easier for freelancers to connect on various platforms, it will also expand the audience that a freelancing blog can reach.
6. At Least One Major Social Media Player Will Falter. Social media is in a precarious position. There are so many similar platforms available that the ordinary, non-tech, user is confused. Social media platforms will have to show how they are unique to be successful in 2012.

How Freelancers Will Work in 2012

Freelancers are known for working alone, but that may change in the coming year. Here are some work style changes to look for:

7. Major Companies Will Start to Use More Freelancers. Corporations will turn more frequently to freelancers in 2012 to meet needs that were formerly met by employees or agencies. Corporations will also develop more effective methods for finding the best freelance talent since traditional recruiting doesn’t necessarily fill this need.
8. Collaboration and Coworking Will Become Commonplace. 2012 may become the year of the freelancing team. Sure, there will still be solo freelancers, but the freelancing veterans (those with two or more years of experience) are ready to team up. The result will benefit both freelancers and clients.
9. Some Freelancers Will Graduate to Bigger Things. Not all freelancers stay freelancers. Many become the founders of small business startups. In 2012 many veteran freelancers will take the step of moving into this role by incorporating, hiring others, or otherwise restructuring their business.

Freelancing and Society

Freelancing impacts all of us. Here are some ways that freelancing will shape society in the coming year:

10. Freelancing Goes Mainstream. As mainstream America becomes aware of freelancing, expect more and more products and services geared specifically to the needs of freelancers. This trend will not be limited to the online marketplace only, but will spill over into other areas as well.
11. Freelancing Will Play a Bigger Part in the Economy. As freelancing becomes more commonplace, freelancers will also play an even bigger role in the economy. Freelance purchasing power could help fuel a recovery. Economists will come up with ways to measure the impact of freelancing.
12. Freelancing May Face More Regulations. State, local, and federal governments may pass regulations that impact freelancers. Most likely such regulations will come in the form of internet restrictions or additional taxes that freelancers will be responsible for paying.

What Are Your Predictions for 2012?

I had fun writing this post and I hope that you had fun reading it. Of course, no one really knows what will happen in 2012. However, I based these predictions on trends that I’m already reading about in the news. I believe these trends are likely to continue.

What are your predictions for freelancing in 2012?

Image by JasonLangheine

For a long time, I believed that being a perfectionist was a good thing. I was proud of my compulsion to work and rework even the smallest assignment until it was faultless. What did it matter that it took me hours more than it probably should have? I was a perfectionist. All that mattered was that I nailed it.

When I became a freelancer, however, I realized that my perfectionism wasn’t the big pat-on-the-back that I thought it was. In fact, it was just the opposite. With my eye now always on the clock, I saw that my relentless quest for perfection was making me inefficient. More often than I care to confess, I undercharged clients because I didn’t want to admit the true amount of time it had taken me to complete the assignment. (Note: this is not a good way to run a business.)

Frustrated and anxious, I knew I had to beat the problem or kiss my career goodbye. But how? I was afraid that if I devoted any less time to my projects, I’d make some hideous mistake and ruin my career. I also afraid that being even a smidgen less meticulous might result a failure to meet–no, exceed–my client’s expectations. How could I alter my work habits without sacrificing my high standards?

Well, it didn’t happen overnight, but I did eventually come up with a workable strategy. If you suspect you might be a perfectionist too, consider these five tips to bring your obsessive tendencies under control.

Tip #1: Address the Real Problem

At its root, perfectionism isn’t really about a deep love of being meticulous. It’s about fear. Fear of making a mistake. Fear of disappointing others. Fear of failure. Fear of success. Think about it. The next time you find yourself spinning in endless circles on an assignment, ask yourself what you’re afraid of–whether you feel consciously afraid or not–and dig deep for a response. You’ll be surprised at what comes up.

Now, once you’ve isolated that fear, confront it head-on. Anxious about working with a new client? Worried about tackling a new technique? Scared you’ll miss a deadline? Run through worst-case scenarios in your head. Keep ‘what if’-ing, worse and worse scenarios, until you can’t anymore. Often when you stare fear straight in the eye, it miraculously loses its power. And you’re left free to work productively.

Tip #2: Set Time Limits

Sometimes it’s hard to know when you’ve crossed the line from conscientious to compulsive. When you’re in the thick of an assignment, it’s easy to believe that you must spend so much time brainstorming, researching, writing, testing, revising or what-have-you. Often, it’s only after you’ve been working for hours on end that you realize that half the work you’ve been doing wasn’t actually necessary and that you’ve just wasted a lot of time.

Nip time-wasting in the bud by setting an objectively reasonable time limit to complete each task. If you run out of time, no matter the point you are at, stop and switch to a different task. This approach has two advantages. First, it serves as an alarm that your perfectionist tendencies may be taking over. Second, it forces you to take a breather and give your mind a chance to relax. When you return to the task, you’ll look at the project afresh–and be armed against letting your perfectionism get the best of you.

Tip #3: Trust in Yourself

Insecurity is a component of fear. And fear, as we know, is the driving force behind perfectionism. When insecurity prevents you from working productively, stop and take some time to reestablish trust in yourself. You can do this by reminding yourself of the clients who have responded favorably to your work in the past, naming them aloud, if necessary. Re-read any client testimonials you’ve received or review work that you’re particularly proud of. You might even want to say a simple affirmation along the lines of “I always produce excellent work.” Say it slowly at least ten times in a row, with feeling and while smiling.

Tip #4: Get a Freelance Buddy

In my view, freelancers are particularly susceptible to succumbing to perfectionism. We work in a highly competitive field and we often work entirely alone. It’s easy to lose perspective on the quality of our work in these circumstances. This problem can be solved by finding a freelance buddy: someone in your field with whom you can exchange ideas, drafts and tips. When you’re stuck in a perfectionist spiral, call on your buddy to help break you out.

Tip #5: Embrace the Value of Mistakes

Face it: as much as you’d like to be, you’re not perfect. Mistakes will be made in both your freelance career and life. Instead of fearing mistakes, remind yourself that there’s plenty to learn from them. If nothing else, you’ll learn that a mistake doesn’t mean the end of the world. In fact, it might be the beginning of a new one. Penicillin, pacemakers, microwave ovens, fireworks, and even chocolate chip cookies were created from projects that went awry. You just never know what amazing benefits an imperfect undertaking might yield.

Your Turn

Have you wrestled with perfectionism? Share your experiences in the comments.

There are many ways a freelancer can get stuck. They can get stuck in the rut of working for low pay. They can get stuck creatively where they find themselves doing the same unchallenging work over and over. Or, they can get stuck when they fall behind technology and current trends.

If this is you–if you’re a stuck freelancer right now, don’t worry. There are ways to become unstuck. In this post, I’ll provide some of those ways to help you get unstuck.

Stuck Working for Low Pay

It’s popular these days to say that when a freelancer is stuck working for low pay, that it’s his or her own fault. Sometimes this is true. Sometimes, however, it is not. Sometimes a freelancer simply doesn’t know how to go about finding better paying work. Here are a few tips to help you find better paying work.

• Find Your Own Job. It’s a fact that the best paying job are not advertised. So, if you are relying on job boards, bidding sites, and other advertisements to find gigs you’re probably not being paid top dollar. Try this instead. Take some time (it may take a day or two of research) to learn about the businesses in your local area. Make a note of those that fit, or are close to, your ideal client profile. Send a mailer to those companies describing your services and follow through in a few days with a phone call.
• Activate Your Personal Network. Another tactic you can use to find higher paying work is to activate your network. Let your friends, family, and former employers know that you are freelancing and that you’re freelancing and that you are available. I once knew a freelancer who was hired by his former employer at more than double the pay. Even if they are not able to use your services directly, they may know someone who can. You haven’t burnt any bridges, have you?
• Make Sure You Have an Online Presence. Can potential clients find you online? Are you active on social media? Do you have an online portfolio and website? If you answered “no” to all of these questions, you’ve got some work to do. Nearly all professional freelancers have an online presence and potential clients will expect you to have one as well.
• Rethink Misplaced Loyalty. A final reason that many freelancers are underpaid is because they have a misplaced loyalty to a long-term client. If this is you, try asking for more money. Really. Often, that’s all it takes. However, if the client says “no” to your rate increase, then it may be time for you to re-evaluate your professional relationship. Do you really want to continue working for someone who refuses to recognize your true value?

Stuck In a Creative Rut

So, you’ve been freelancing for a while. At first, the projects were fun and exciting, but lately you find yourself doing the same boring type of work over and over again. Is there any fix for this?

If this is you, you may be a victim of your own branding. While it’s great to have a specialty, sometimes freelancers can find themselves boxed into such a narrow niche that they begin feel stifled.

The answer to this is, believe it or not, more branding. In some ways, changing niches or adding a new freelancing specialty is a little bit like starting new as a freelancer. You’ve got to make sure that you have portfolio pieces or references that support your new specialty. (Yes, this might mean doing an unpaid project for a charity so that you have a sample or reference.) You have to make sure to include your new specialty in your online materials.

In many ways, you are reinventing your freelancing business.

However, just like when you started out as a freelancer, it gets better once you get a few jobs in your new niche under your belt. Soon, clients and prospective clients will recognize your new expertise.

Stuck with Outdated Skills

Maybe you’ve been too busy working on projects to keep up. Maybe you’ve been a little bit lazy. Or, maybe it’s a little of both.

No matter what the situation, freelancers can’t afford the luxury of falling behind. Ultimately, falling behind can cost you clients.

The fix is easy, but not painless. Here are some steps to take:

1. Make sure you have enough money saved so that you can take up to a week off. You will also need additional money to purchase any resources that you need.
2. Look around for the best resources on the skill that needs to be improved and purchase that resource. If it’s a class, sign up. If it’s a product, buy it.
3. Schedule training time on your work calendar. (If you don’t schedule it, it won’t get done.) Treat it just like another paying project–don’t schedule anything else for the same time.
4. Take the time to learn. Attend class. Read a book. Complete a tutorial.
5. Apply the knowledge. You may also have to rebrand yourself (see the section on being stuck in a creative rut) to let your clients know you’ve learned something new.

Your Turn

Can you think of other ways that freelancers get stuck?

Share your own experiences (and solutions) in the comments.

Image by michael clarke stuff

Freelancers are constantly on the hunt for new ideas. Is it any wonder that creative folks sometimes complain that they can’t think of any new ideas?

Where, exactly, do ideas come from? In this post, I’ll look at some common sources of creative inspiration that can help you capture your own creativity.

Music

Song titles, and of course all music in general, can be great for inspiration. Even when the song is about something totally different than what you’re trying to create, the mood of the song can still inspire you.

For me, a song will also often trigger a memory or past experience, which in turn leads to something that I can write about.

Some freelancers like to keep music on all of the time while they are working. Although I can certainly understand that, I tend to listen to music between projects and then turn it off to develop my ideas in detail.

Headlines in Newspapers and Magazines

A few years ago, Brian Clark encouraged his readers to write magazine-style headlines for their blog posts. While the exercise was a lot of fun, it was also a great way to get inspired. Magazine and newspaper headlines are specifically designed to grab the reader’s attention and stir their imagination.

Book titles can work for inspiration as well. For example, my unlikely inspiration for this post, Mastering the Art of Client Relations was the movie Julie & Julia, which referenced Julia Child’s great work, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. After watching the movie, I started thinking about how there was an art to client relations just like there is an art to French cooking.

Another way to find inspiration from publications is to personalize the news. Describe how the news makes you feel. If you’re are an artist and you just read a piece about the economy, you can illustrate how the economic news made you feel. If you’re a writer and you just read the same piece, you can write about how the economy is likely to impact you and other writers personally.

Nature

Nature never ceases to amaze me. From grandiose views like mountains, sunsets, oceans, or storms to tiny scenes like the petals of a flower or the wings of a butterfly–there’s something in nature to move everyone.

When I noticed a garden flower growing in an unlikely place (a crack in the pavement), I wrote this post titled, Thrive, Even When Odds Are Against You. I wrote the words, but nature provided the spark of inspiration that I needed to get started.

Artists and designers, in particular, can create patterns inspired by what they see in nature. And of course, the colors found in nature are also inspiring.

Technology

Technology may seem like the polar opposite of nature (and in many ways it is), but technology can be equally inspiring.
Of course, the most obvious way to be inspired by technology is to think about how you, as a freelancer, can make use of it.

However, the patterns, textures and colors found in technology can also be inspiring. The other day I was near a construction site and I noticed how the shadow of the construction equipment against the shiny glass of the building next door was making an unusual, but interesting, pattern. If I were designer I might have tried to replicate that pattern in my designs.

Everyday Occurrences

If something is happening to you, it’s probably happening to someone else as well. That’s why everyday occurrences can be a great source of inspiration.

If you’re having a problem, write about it. Chances are someone else will be able to relate. If you’ve just solved a problem that’s even better. You can share your solution.

A large number of my posts come from my everyday experiences. For example, I wrote this post, The Amazing Power of Personal Encouragement, after receiving some very kind words from a friend.

One word of caution about sharing your everyday occurrences: it’s usually best not to provide specific information such as names. You never know who’s reading and besides, you might feel differently later. It’s usually best not to burn bridges. (That’s one reason why we don’t mention clients by name in our blog posts here on Freelance Folder.)

Blog Posts and Websites

Naturally, blog sites and websites (such as Freelance Folder) can be a great source of information for all creative freelancers. Not only can you learn about new techniques and trends to try for yourself, but you can also join in discussions that are specific to your field.

Blog posts and websites can also be a great source of inspiration, especially for writers. You can elaborate on a topic, refute it, or look it at from a different angle entirely.

Your Turn

How do you capture your creativity? Where do you turn for inspiration?

Share your answers in the comments.

Image by Alyssa L. Miller