Six sure ways to fail as a freelancer

In the fast-changing gig economy of the 21^st Century, freelancing is becoming a popular alternative to the traditional 9 to 5 workstyle. But the joys and rewards of striking out on your own are balanced by tough discipline and the need to sell your skills in a fiercely competitive market. Here’s what not to do to make it as a freelancer.

In the 1800s, a ‘free-lancer’ was an independent soldier, or mercenary, who offered their skills (typically in lancing) to noblemen and feudal lords. These soldiers fought purely for their own gains and had no personal interest in the particular conflict or politics involved.

While this freedom might have afforded them opportunities to travel with no obligations or commitments, there was very little protection or security if things went awry.

Today’s freelancers are much like these soldiers – wielding their weapons of choice, their skills, for the highest bidders. Having jumped head first into the ocean of freelancing, as a writer and photographer, I sometimes feel like I’m clumsily wielding a powerful weapon with little direction or clear outcome.

For the most part of my working life, I’ve been a languid swimmer in the lake of stability. I convinced myself that because I worked in foreign countries, I still had an out-of-the-box lifestyle. I might have changed companies more often than most, but I still relied on a monthly income and followed certain guidelines.

Every time I got comfortable though, my personal goals would fall by the wayside as I worked toward someone else’s. I would choose jobs that were within my field, so I felt like I wasn’t selling out. They would also involve perks that would again make me feel like I was working toward something that I wanted.

Unless you’re lucky enough to find something that suits all of your needs, the 9-5 drudgery might feel like you’re fighting a losing battle.

Making your own business successful is much more possible today than ever before. And while there is a lot of time and energy spent hurling away at things that don’t pay, fighting the good fight according to your terms, and in order to achieve your own dreams, make for a sweet victory.

I’ve just begun on this journey and I find myself biting my nails daily, wondering how I’m going to make ends meet. It takes a certain set of skills to really make it work. In the meantime, here are a few things I’ve learned not to do as a freelancer.

1. Time’s up – If you do not have good time-management skills, do not quit your day job. This is everything. Plan efficiently and act accordingly. I’ve learned to set an alarm for my tasks and move on to the next one when the time is up.
2. Distracted persons need not apply – How many tabs do you have open on your phone or computer right now? I have 101 on my phone and about 50 open on my computer. That doesn’t include the links I’ve copied into a document to open at a later date. There is so much to read and learn! But if I don’t focus, I won’t meet my goals.
3. Break out the whip – Do you make it to the gym as much as you want? Are you self-indulgent? Could you stick to a routine if you don’t have to? Discipline is key. Really, k-e-y.
4. Click this link – Did you try to click that? Are you reading this because you found your way here from a newsfeed or because you really want to become a freelancer? Procrastination is a big ugly monster that shows up in so many ways and if you cannot resist temptation, you will not get anywhere.
5. Chilled lifestyle – It isn’t. Do you enjoy doing the bare minimum to stay afloat? Does freelancing sound like you can get away with being lazy or less work? Freelancing is hard work and a heck of a lot of hustle. If you aren’t willing to work really hard for it, you won’t succeed.
6. Who you know – Do you prefer to mingle with the people you know and save meeting new people for only when you’re tipsy? Forget about it. Freelancing is all about networking. You have to put and sell yourself out there constantly.