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Freelancing is truly the work version of snakes and ladders, and dealing with all those twists and unexpected turns can be physically and emotionally taxing. The good news is that there are ways to cope and manage this ping-pong life. If you’re sick of being tossed around by the endless ups and downs, the following tips should help you find your footing:
1. Keep Peopling
Statistics tell us that full-time remote work increases loneliness by nearly 70%, and loneliness is known to cause us all kinds of physical and mental challenges. One of the best things you can do as a freelancer is to find ways to keep the human connection alive.
A collaborative workspace can help as it’ll place you around like-minded people day to day. Even working in coffee shops is sometimes nice, because people are always chatting nearby, even if you’re not.
Most importantly, keeping in touch with friends and family is crucial. Make new peer connections via hobby groups and other meetups, and you’ll be laughing. You can look forward to greater happiness, a more fulfilling social life, and support whenever you hit a rough patch.
2. Build-Up That Rainy Day Fund
An emergency fund ensures that when you land on that inevitable snake, you’re not left financially destitute. Maybe you get really sick, or you’re suddenly unable to complete your usual work. Perhaps something unexpected changes your industry landscape and you need time to adapt. Whatever the unexpected hurdle is, you’ll have a far easier time with it if you have enough money to cover you for six months with no work coming in. This gives you the space you need to adapt and get back on the ladder to success.
3. Continue To Upskill
To remain relevant as a freelancer, you cannot rest on your laurels. Instead, you need to continually adapt and future-proof your business, learning new skills to keep yourself ahead of advances in your industry.
Science tells us that there are ten most in-demand skills to have within the next decade, including digital literacy and critical thinking. But there will be specific skills you need within your freelancing bubble too, and the sooner you can add those skills to your roster, the more able you are to survive the peaks and troughs of freelancing.
4. Diversify & Adapt
Some people do very specialist freelance work, which can pay well, but it is risky. Industries change quickly, and such a linear way of making money can trip you up. For this reason, it’s vital to:
- Know how to adapt;
- Be open to diversifying how you make money.
For example, if you work as a writer, you could specialise in ghostwriting books but diversify by applying your expertise to crafting landing pages and newsletters. Adaptability and a willingness to spread your skills across different opportunities is the only way to survive in such a changeable and fast-paced global economy.
5. Practise All Of The Self Love
Freelancers are twice as likely to be depressed compared to people employed in permanent roles. When your health and mental stability are on shaky ground, your business is too, so practising self kindness, love, and patience is imperative. Eat well, sleep well, take time out, work ergonomically and have fun. Do these things for yourself and for the sake of your career.
Being a freelancer can be incredibly rewarding, but you have to be strategic if you want to thrive through the ups and downs. Follow our tips, be your own best friend, and you’ll have an easier time going it alone as an independent professional!
