A Freelancer’s Pet Peeves
No Boss, No Commute, No Cubicle. Who wouldn’t envy a freelancer’s life? Imagine waking up anytime you want, working anywhere you like, and beating your very own deadlines at your own time. This is some fairy tale, and unlike the magical world full of happy endings, freelancing can turn out sour if you don’t know how to face your worst pet peeves. With greater freedom comes bigger responsibilities. Being your own boss can take a toll on your schedule ( not to mention your sanity ), and before you think of going back to the safety of a traditional job for good, you need to face your nemesis and see if you have what it takes to be worthy of being a full-blooded freelancer.
What are the Disadvantages of Being a Freelancer?
1. Isolation
Humans are social animals, no doubt. Working alone may be fun, but it can drag you along simply because you lack the motivation. Just because there’s no visible team to cheer you up doesn’t mean you are not worthy. Engage in virtual team building activities, or simply take a time off to enjoy a day.
2. Keeping Records
There will be no HR Department to do all those bookkeeping that you hate and you might as well learn to be more organized. Clear the clutter by keeping track of your invoices. You’ll be glad that you did, specially when tax time is here.
3. Collecting Payments
What can be more annoying than having no guaranteed work stability? That’s Right! Freelancing may not always guarantee that clients will pay on time. You deserve to get paid on every minute of work spent and you may just need an extra helping hand by having a professional services agreement signed before any project gets started.
4. No Fix Income
With a permanent job, you get to budget your expenses ahead of time, since you know how much you’ll get each payday. That’s something any freelancer dreams of. There may be times when income is low and it will always be smart to have an emergency cash fund to help you make ends meet.
5. Distractions
From that latest flick to the hot party a few blocks away, the temptation to stop working can be irresistible. Treat your work-at-home job like your traditional job. Work simply means… WORK. You need to stay away from distractions and that everyone in the house understands this.
6. Being Underpaid
If you’re just starting out, you’ll play against major league freelancers out there. You might be pushed to bid for slave labor rates. No matter how tempting, stick to what you believe you truly deserve. Spice up your portfolio instead and write that killer cover letter. Learn the art of personal branding!
7. A Major Lack
From lack of health insurance, unemployment benefits, sick leaves, vacation leaves, support departments, retirement plans, to means of upgrading your equipment – many freelancers are left on their own to survive it out there. The only way for you to deal with this is to save for the rainy days.
In the end, a good research mixed with perseverance shall give you that suit of armor to protect you from the freelancer’s plague. If you can’t deal with these pet peeves, then, you must forget about freelancing until you are tough enough to dance with the beat. Life is all about making compromises. Are you ready to face all of these for the many liberties a freelance career can give? Weigh Your Options Well!
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Something Interesting:
12 Reasons You Shouldn’t Freelance
