Being a freelancer has various advantages compared to office employees in general. However, if you don’t use it properly, these advantages may go to waste and you can get the best out of your career choice.
To help any freelancers out there, below are some tips that we have curated to help you maximize the benefits of being a freelancer.
1. More Projects Equal to More Income
One of the differences between freelancers and employees, in general, is that the income you get is proportional to your tasks. If as an employee, you get a fixed monthly salary with a workload that may differ from month to month. As a freelancer, this work system does not apply.
In the freelance system, you will get income per project you work on. This means, the more projects you work on, the greater the income you get. If your aim and focus are to make more money, then you can opt to take on more projects to increase your monthly income. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy your life and maintain a work-life balance, then you can take on fewer projects. You will have more flexibility in choosing what you want in life.
2. Create a To-Do List
Often a freelancer is overwhelmed in managing their schedule, even with the freedom of time that they have. While in actuality, freelancers supposedly have a longer time than employees in general.
If this happens, it shows that you are lacking in good time management. Thus, you should create a list of tasks and deadlines for each day. This daily schedule will help you to complete tasks on time. Try to be disciplined in following the schedule. By following the schedule properly, you will have time to complete multiple projects at once.
3. Check Your Finance
For a freelancer, regular finances are the cornerstone of a comfortable life. For that, you have to take your time to manage your finances. You need to calculate what your financial constraints are. Is there any late payment? Do you offer a too-low price? Do you have fewer projects this month compared to last month?
These are some important questions that you need to have upon checking your finances. Even if it’s short, any amount of time you spend reviewing your finances will go a long way in helping you take control of your business.
4. Take Advantage of a Flexible Workplace
The comfort of life is often associated with the work environment because most of the time we will spend our day working. When you become a freelancer, you can adapt the work environment to your personal preferences because one of the advantages of being a freelancer is that you can work from anywhere.
If you are more comfortable working in a busy environment, a cafe or restaurant may be your choice. If you need a conducive and quiet work environment, your own home can also serve as the best workplace. With a flexible workplace, you can get through your workday more comfortably.
Keep in mind that you also have to prioritize comfort while working, even if it means that you work only from home. Design your room as comfortable and peaceful as possible. Purchasing a proper work table, cushion, or pillows, and placing a reed diffuser around your room, can do wonders to improve your work setting. If you don’t know how to design your workspace at home, you can check out Temu’s Pinterest. There are a lot of workspace design recommendations that you can copy for your room. Temu is the new on-the-rise digital shopping platform, thus you can also purchase whatever you need to support your work as a freelancer at Temu!
5. Resetting Time Priorities
Normal employees have definite and often rigid working hours, not only for weekdays but for holidays they must also be adjusted to company policy. Because of this problem, employees often have to give up leisure time with their family or free time for work reasons.
This of course does not apply to freelancers, you have very high flexibility regarding your work time. You should make the most of this flexibility, for example, if you have difficulty getting up early, then you can work at night. Match your highest productivity hours to your working hours. With this time flexibility, you can easily rearrange your time priorities.
6. Save More Money
Working as a freelancer is more economical than working as an employee. Starting from minimal transportation costs, because you can do your assignments anywhere. You also don’t have to purchase lots of work suits. Thus, you should save more money or allocate it to other things. For example, purchase equipment that can help support your work, or pay for classes to hone your skills.
Keep in mind that your income is not definite every month, thus you should make it a priority to save money – in case of emergency or when you have a decrease in project number.
7. Choose a Job You Are Comfortable of Doing
Working without coercion is one way to increase comfort in life. Being a freelancer gives you the freedom to choose which projects you want to accept and decline. The feasibility of a project can be assessed from the time and payment given. You can calculate the average time you need for a project. If the time allotted is too short, chances are you won’t be able to complete the project perfectly. If you don’t think a project is worth the time or money, then you can turn it down. Take advantage of the freedom as a freelancer to choose what you want to do.
8. Alternate Your Time to Rest
As a freelancer, you have full rights over your own time. Take advantage of this to reward yourself with time off. Not only will it be good for your health, but according to research – rest can increase your work productivity as well.
