It’s not always easy to muster the confidence to go freelance—even if you’re sure this career path is the one you want to take. Why is that? What might make it easier to begin? And where can you find the confidence you need to take the leap?
There’s no magic spell, or “easy button” that will immediately help you feel confident. Such technology just doesn’t exist (…yet).
But there are a couple of tools you can use to help you keep taking action. And when you combine these two tools with consistent action even when you don’t feel like it, you will naturally build confidence.
Using Your “Big Why” to Build the Confidence to Go Freelance
Why do you want to go freelance? What is the core reason you’ve chosen to pursue this career path? What are you trying to change in your life to make it better?
There are so many answers to this question. Maybe you want to earn a better living. Or you want to enjoy your career. Perhaps you feel the urge to be creative and take the road less traveled. Or you want to choose your hours so you can spend more time with your kids. Or you want to work from Bora Bora for a month.
Or maybe none of those reasons captures your Big Why. Your big, compelling reason to become a freelancer is totally unique to you. And there’s no wrong answer.
The key, though, is that your Big Why needs to reach your very core. It has to be big enough to get you going through the hardest days at the beginning of your journey. And it has to be the thing preventing you from quitting.
Write Down Your Next Steps—And Make Sure They’re Baby Steps
Many times, we know what we need to do next. (And if you don’t, we have just the course for you!)
But knowing the next step isn’t quite as easy as taking the step. So, one strategy is to break down your to do list into teeny tiny itsy bitsy action items. How small can you go?
Since one early action item for every freelancer is to create a portfolio, let’s break that down. You know it needs to be done. However, you might not have the confidence yet, and therefore this step might feel overwhelming. So break it down.
- Visit Squarespace.com.
- Read about the features of Squarespace.com.
- Visit Wix.com.
- Read about the features of Wix.com.
- Make a pros/cons list.
- Decide which platform to use.
- Browse templates.
- Choose your portfolio template.
- Choose images for your homepage.
See? Crazy easy. And not intimidating in the least. You will get this to do list done much more quickly than if step one was to set up your portfolio! You could even break it down further!
Consistent Action Builds Confidence
Confidence isn’t something you lack one day, and magically have the next. Rather, it’s something you can build. Taking steady action will help you build the confidence to go freelance. And if you ever feel paralyzed or stuck, remind yourself of your Big Why.
Keep on keeping on. And remember that feeling unsure or insecure doesn’t actually mean you’re making a mistake. Just start, keep going, and you will build confidence in your skills—and yourself as a freelancer. I promise.
Your turn! Do you have any other tips for helping yourself build confidence? Let us know in the comments below!
Last Updated on July 1, 2023.
