Unencumbered by office politics, free from confusing email chains, and spared from corporate away days…wouldn’t it be SO much better to just become a freelancer?
Freelancing can be immensely rewarding for many people (financially and professionally). And if you frequently catch yourself daydreaming about leaving behind the daily grind and becoming your own boss after a frustrating day at work, chances are you’re ready for a change.
But is that change to pursue a freelance career?
Freelancing offers a tempting escape route from the 9-5 grind (and a chance to earn more money)—but still comes with its own set of unique challenges and isn’t necessarily the right move for *everyone*. So let’s explore the key signs that indicate freelancing could be a smart choice for you.
Sign #1: You Feel Trapped in Your Job
Believe me, I know what it feels like to slowly suffocate in the workplace. Going into a job every single day that makes you absolutely miserable is, in a word, soul-destroying.
Yes, free coffee and fun coworkers are great but if the very thought of just going in to do your job weighs heavily on you, it’s a sign that something’s got to change.
The mental exhaustion from doing work you hate, the Sunday scaries ruining your weekends, the cloudiness in your head…these are all signs you’re really not okay where you are.
While we’d never claim that freelancing is the “easy” option, the freedom that comes with it is unmatched. So if you’re currently going to bed on a Sunday night (or any night!) wishing things in your life were different, it may be time to consider going in a different, more fulfilling direction.
Sign #2: You Want More Control
As an employee, you rarely have the opportunity to decline or give up tasks that have been assigned to you by management. Instead, you just have to suck it up and get the work done. But as a freelancer, you’re in control of finding your own clients and controlling the projects you choose to work on.
And if you’re repeatedly running into limitations in your employment, the prospect of that might sound quite appealing. Maybe your requests for further training have been rejected, or your creative ideas are “too daring” for your team leads. But as a freelancer, YOU get to decide if you want to upskill, attend a course, or experiment with new ideas.
That said, being a freelancer isn’t a free ticket to just do whatever you like. You will, of course, still have to fulfill your client’s specifications and there are some organizational and routine tasks (like invoicing, for example) that you simply can’t avoid.
Sign #3: You Crave Flexibility
I think most employees would be lying if they said they’d never dreamt of a free work schedule—no longer tied to a desk for 8 hours a day or waiting for their boss’s approval just to attend a routine dental appointment.
Plus, some people are just more comfortable sleeping until noon and working until the middle of the night. And as a freelancer, you get to decide on your daily rhythm and work location. You don’t have to apply for vacation days and no one dictates when and where you have to be.
You can work ten hours one day and only two the next, in your home office today and in Bali tomorrow—it really can be as flexible (or inflexible!) as you want it to be.
If the structure and rigidity of normal employment is driving you crazy, constantly making you yearn for more autonomy and control over your schedule, then it’s time to seriously consider taking the leap into freelance work.
Sign #4: You Have Financial Resources to Get Started
If the 40+ hours you spend at work each week make you miserable, a healthy savings account gives you power to move on. However tempting it may be to just hand in your resignation today, doing so without a safety net in place could lead to trouble.
The amount you need to save depends completely on you, your situation, and your comfort level. But you need to make sure that your financial cushion is sufficient for the first few months.
Although you don’t need a large investment to start working as a freelancer, you need to account for the time it will take to land your first clients and projects. (Plus, it can take a while until the money from the first invoice arrives in your account.)
Sign #5: You Have Self-Discipline
We’ve already talked about tons of privileges that freelancers get, from setting our own schedule, to choosing which clients to work with (or not!), and hand-selecting our projects. But once you sign on with a client, it’s *imperative* that you meet your deadlines.
And as you often work alone as a freelancer, it does mean you need a lot of self-discipline to get your tasks done. But if you thrive in a self-directed environment and can stay focused on tasks without having a boss breathing down your neck, that could be a strong indicator that you’re ready to make the switch to freelancing!
Is Freelancing the Career Change You Need?
Here’s what we can promise you about freelancing: If you’re an expert in your field and willing to put in a little effort to learn the skills of freelancing, it can be a great career option. Fulfilling, profitable, and enjoyable.
And you know what? Even if it’s not forever, freelancing can make you plenty of money in the meantime. Yes, you’ll have to put in some effort. Yes, you’ll have to do your best. But isn’t that better than just staying stuck where you are?
Plus, you don’t have to quit your job to get started. You can start freelancing while you’re working your full- or part-time job. And, as you freelance, you’ll continue saving money so if you want to quit your job and pursue it full time, you can!
Remember: There are no rules when it comes to crafting the career and lifestyle you desire. If you want to change your career trajectory, even if it is “late in the game,” you can.
But your first step is this: commit to making the change. Every time you start to feel crummy about your current job, read one of our blog posts and use it as an action item to getting started. Starting…now!
Your Turn
Are you considering taking the leap into freelancing? Let us know in the comments below!
