Nowadays, we can do almost anything we want, especially when it comes to our professional life. A lot of people take this opportunity and set out on a new adventure called self-employment. Here are some things that can come in handy in case you are considering doing the same.
January 2019. The office doors are closing behind me one last time, and the next chapter of my life is about to begin. I have made the decision to quit my job and become a freelance translator. Mixed feelings are rising inside me: excitement, anxiety, freedom. And with them, the all-important question:
WHAT NOW?
Well, let me clarify that each business is different. Each freelance has his own needs, depending on his field of activity, his expertise, his network etc. There are always a lot of factors interacting with each other, everone has his own strengths, methods and objectives. And yet, there are some key points that should not be neglected...
1) Structure
I personally like to plan my day the evening before, so that I know what to expect, since there is no supervisor anymore who's telling me what to do. It helps me to keep the overview and to get a feeling for how much I can achieve in one day without getting stuck in front of the screen and letting other responsibilities (such as friends, family or household) slide. Writing down what's pending and what needs to be done not only makes the tasks more visible and easier to prioritize, it also works like a sort of "contract" with yourself: The more things you can actually check off your to-do list, the more satisfied you will feel after a day of good work. More advice on how to structure your day can be found in this article, by the way.
2) Location
A good routine can also be very useful to avoid the feeling of being "shut in". Find a nice coworking space or library to go to, you can even rent a small office to make sure you get out of the house on a regular basis. I know, the prospect of working on the couch all day long with the cat on your laps and the coffee cup within reach is very tempting, but for the sake of your blood circulation as well as you mental health, you should not lock yourself into an apartment with zero social interaction, no oxygen flow as well as tons of distractional factors (hold on, just taking out the laundry quickly...)
3) Focus
Especially at the beginning, when everything is new, you may tend to seize any opportunity that comes your way. This is not necessarily a bad thing - at least, a concrete project is the only way to make money right now. And yet, it is crucial to not lose focus. There must have been a reason why you chose this path for yourself. Do you want to make a six figure income after one year? Do you want to have more time for your personal projects? Or do you want to gain knowledge and become an expert in one certain area? Whatever it is that makes you keep going, don't let anyone or anything distract you from reaching this goal. It is just as John Strelecky advises in his wonderful book "The Big Five For Life": make sure that every step, every project you accept and every task you tackle fits your overall goals and contributes to the fulfillment of your life's dreams.
4) Acquisition
Wheter you are selling a product, an idea or a service, you will need actual clients to run a successful business. This may imply getting out of your comfort zone once in a while to let people know that you exist and that they urgently need your support. Acquisition can be done in many different ways, through speculative applications, aimed marketing, attendance at relevant conferences or fairs, to only name a few options.
As important as approaching potential clients is building a network with your fellow freelance colleagues. In the (battle-) field of self-employment, connections are the key! Maybe someone who does the same thing as you has a full schedule and recommends you to a new client. Or maybe you can cooperate and offer complementary services. So make sure you have a business card with you at all times. Because you never know...
5) Celebration
You are free, do not forget that! Sure, there is no safe income anymore, and building a successful buisness requests a lot of work and willpower. BUT: you did not quit your job just to get out of the frying pan and into the fire! Remind yourself of the fact that you are now your own boss, and celebrate your freedom every now and then. You deserve to take a nice and long coffee break with a good book on the couch. You can go for a walk in the park when the weather is nice, without any regrets. And you can pat yourself on the back and open a bottle of champagne if you managed to win a new client. It is your doing, it is your success. Congratulations!