Have you ever found yourself comparing yourself to others? I know I have. When I run into an old high school friend who seems to have it made, or I come across a particularly dazzling portfolio site, it can be tempting to question myself. Which begs the question: What does it mean to be a successful freelancer?
First of all, let’s acknowledge that the comparison trap is just that: a trap. No matter where you are on your career path, there are people who are further along than you, and others who are even more green. (Yes, even if you started yesterday, there’s still someone who’s just now getting ready to make the leap to freelancing!)
Whenever you find yourself feeling like you’re learning “too slowly” or you’re “behind” in your career, ask yourself these questions:
- Am I focused on growing my business?
- Am I taking steps—every day—toward my own definition of success?
If the answers are yes (at least most of the time), then you’re exactly where you need to be. There’s no need to base your vision of a successful freelancer on anything else besides what’s working for you right now.
Okay, so now that you’re comfortable with where you are today, let’s talk about how to get to wherever you’re going next.
A Successful Freelancer Marks Out Their Own Path
The first step on any journey is figuring out where you’d like to go. How will you be able to figure out how to get there if you don’t know where “there” is?!
If you don’t define success on your terms, it’s so easy to get lost. Comparing other freelancers’ careers to your own is bad for your productivity and your confidence.
So grab a notebook or pull up a blank document. Block out the well-meaning (but often misguided) advice of friends and family. Forget about the could’s and should’s. And put aside your perceptions or assumptions about other freelancers.
Ask yourself these kinds of questions to uncover your true vision of success:
- How many hours a week do I want to work?
- How much money do I need or want to make this year?
- What kinds of clients do I want to work with?
- Are there particular types of projects I want to work on?
Write down the answers to these questions. And then write down “why.”
“Why” Will Sustain You When “What” Gets Difficult
Whether you want to make six figures or only work 15 hours a week, that’s great and completely do-able. But ask yourself why? Do you long for a vacation? Or to spend more time with your family? Are there multiple factors at play?
Read over your answers carefully. If you find anything that is only there because another freelancer is doing it, cross it out. Comparison has no place in this exercise. Likewise, cross out the factors that you don’t feel strongly about.
Your insights will help you clarify your definition “successful freelancer.”
And your “why” will sustain you when your motivation wears thin.
Create Your Success Statement
Once you’ve figured out what elements of success matter the most to you, and why, it’s time to write it down. For example, if you’ve decided you’re aiming for a 20-hour workweek, you might write something like:
“Success means working part-time on my business so I can spend more time with my family and pursue my education.”
Display that statement—your statement of success—prominently in your workspace. It will remind you daily of what you’re working towards and what it means to be a successful freelancer. And then you can figure out what steps you need to take each day to achieve that goal.
A Successful Freelancer Stays the Course
It’s easy to get distracted by the comparison game. But the truth is, even when it looks like people have it made, it’s impossible to know what’s going on in real life. Are they happy? Are they fulfilled? Do they feel comfortable with their income and their work-life balance?
And the truth is that none of it would really matter, even if you did know the answers to those questions. The things you can do to move your business forward are the things that matter. Figure out where you want to go, keep your goals top of mind, and commit to taking the next step to get there.
Define success for yourself, and then revisit this definition every once in a while. And if you do look at others’ progress, have the confidence in your own path to say, “Good for you!”
Your turn! How do you define freelance success? Share your thoughts int he comments below!
Last Updated on July 1, 2023.
