How I Manage My Freelance Career
Find A Healthy Balance Between My Job And Freelancing
Full-time freelancing is rewarding and could be the creativity boost your career needs, but it also has some challenges that other jobs – even other independent work – don’t have.
What is Freelancing?
As a freelancer, I’m often asked, “What is freelancing?” And it’s a fair question! After all, the term “freelancer” is thrown around a lot these days, and it can mean different things to different people. So, what is freelancing?
In short, freelancing is working for yourself. You are your own boss, and you set your own hours. You typically work from home, although you can work from anywhere you have an internet connection. And you usually work on a project basis, meaning that you’re hired to do a specific task or complete a specific project for a client.
Freelancing can be a great way to earn extra income or even replace your full-time income if you’re lucky enough to land high-paying clients. It also offers a lot of flexibility and freedom that you wouldn’t have if you were working a traditional 9-to-5 job.
However, freelancing isn’t always easy. Because you’re self-employed, you have to be very organized and self-motivated. You also have to be good at marketing yourself and finding new clients. But if you’re up for the challenge, freelancing can be an interesting part of your life!
Downside of freelancing
There are a few downsides to freelancing that you should be aware of before making the jump. First, there is no guarantee of constant work. As a freelancer, you are always hustling for new clients and projects, and sometimes the work can be feast or famine. This can be especially tough if you have mouths to feed and bills to pay. Second, you don’t have the same job security as you would in a traditional job. If a client decides they don’t like your work or if they stop working with you for any reason, you’re out of luck. Finally, freelancing can be a lonely business. When you’re not working on projects, you can feel isolated and cut off from the rest of the world. These are all things to consider before taking the leap into freelancing.
Benefits of freelancing
There are many benefits to freelancing, including the ability to set your own hours, work from home, and control your own projects. But one of the best things about freelancing is the ability to make extra money.
If you have a freelancing job that you love, it can be easy to find a balance between your job and your freelance career. But if you don’t love your freelance job, it’s important to find a healthy balance between your job and your freelance career so that you don’t burn out.
Here are a few tips to help you find a healthy balance between your full-time job and your freelance career:
1. Make time for yourself outside of work.
It’s important to make time for yourself outside of work so that you can recharge and rejuvenate. Whether that means taking a yoga class, going for a walk in nature, or just spending time with friends and family, make sure to schedule some ME time into your week.
2. Set boundaries with your clients.
When you’re freelancing, it’s important to set boundaries with your clients so that you don’t get burned out. This may mean setting office hours or only working on certain days.
Tips for balancing your career with freelancing
It can be tough to balance your freelance career with a full-time job. Here are a few tips that might help you find a healthy balance:
1. Make time for freelance projects outside of work hours. This can be early in the morning, after work, or on weekends.
2. Keep your freelance work organized by using a project management tool like Trello or Asana. This way, you can see what deadlines are coming up and plan accordingly.
3. Don’t neglect your personal life! Schedule time for friends, family, and leisure activities. This will help you avoid burnout.
4. Talk to your boss about your freelance work. They might be able to give you some flexibility with your schedule or workload if they know what you’re working on outside of work.
5. Remember that it’s ok to say no to a project if you feel like you’re getting overwhelmed. It’s better to turn down a project than to end up doing a poor job because you’re stretched too thin.
Positive Impact on Health and Mental Wellbeing
It’s no secret that freelancing can be a bit of a roller coaster ride. The freelance world is filled with ups and downs, and it can be tough to find a healthy balance between your job and your freelancing career. But, despite the challenges, I think freelancing can have a positive impact on your health and mental wellbeing.
For one, freelancing gives you the opportunity to design your own work schedule. This can be a major plus if you have trouble sticking to a strict 9-5 schedule. With freelancing, you can often set your own hours and work around other commitments in your life. This flexibility can help reduce stress levels and make it easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
In addition, freelancing can offer up some great networking opportunities. When you’re working with other freelancers or clients, you have the chance to build professional relationships that can lead to new opportunities down the road. These connections can also help you feel more connected to your industry and help you stay informed about trends and changes.
Finally, I think freelancing can have a positive impact on your mental wellbeing because it allows you to pursue your passion. When you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it will find a way towards success.
Conclusion
So far we’ve covered a lot of ground in terms of how to manage your freelance career and find a healthy balance between your job and freelancing. I hope you’ve found this series of articles helpful. In the final article of the series, we’ll be covering some frequently asked questions about freelancing. Stay tuned!
In conclusion, I manage my freelance career and find a healthy balance between my job and freelancing by being honest with myself, setting realistic goals, and making time for the things that matter most to me. I hope that these tips will help you find success and balance in your own career.