The character of Boba Fett from Star Wars was a freelancer. Yes, that Boba Fett. The one who was always getting shot at while being awesome. See… that happens. When you’re busy being awesome, it opens you up to some bad stuff. All of which can be overcome though.
See, the follow 5 scary thoughts are those that come from other people. And I believe (as every good American should) that we each control our own destiny. That means whatever garbage thoughts get thrown your way, you can always push them aside. Or in the case of Boba – shoot them with your blaster while using your jet pack to get to safer ground.
This post will uncover the 5 scary thoughts you’ll have as a freelancer and what you can do to overcome them. Let’s get started.
1. That People Won’t Respect Your Job
Some people view freelancing as being awesome. While others think of it as being for someone who’s in-between jobs or someone who should go after a serious job. But you can ignore all of that. Why? Because the reason people have jobs is to make money. And as a freelancer, you have far more potential to make lots of money than if you work a salaried position. That’s because the sky is the limit when you aren’t constrained to non-compete agreements and a cubicle. So if someone disrespects your job, have pity that they don’t understand its power. You do.
2. You’ll Lack the Self-Discipline
Being a freelancer means doing things largely without being told: finding new clients, upping your rates, setting your own hours, etc. It takes a high level of self-discipline. But if you want to be a freelancer, the discipline is already inside you. And if you love what you do, you’ll always want to be doing it. You really have nothing to worry about. All is well. And even if you feel like working less than 40 hours/week, if your rates are high enough, you can still enjoy a luxurious lifestyle while lacking(?) the self-discipline to work tons of hours.
3. Insurance
Paying for your own medical insurance is a hot topic in America. But due to recent changes, affording your own healthcare as a freelancer isn’t too scary. Worrying about paying for your healthcare, thankfully, is largely a thing of the past. Though since you don’t get sick days as a freelancer – get enough rest, drink plenty of water and stay positive.
4. Uncertainty
If this is you, “Oh, no! Where will my next paycheck come from? What if the client drops me. Why doesn’t he respond to my emails faster. Whoa is me.” then I’m here to tell you to calm yourself. Freelancing is scary. With freelancing, you get tons of paychecks, if you lose one job, it’s not a huge deal (if you position yourself correctly in terms of workloads) and you can always find another. Sounds pretty secure to me.
5. Working from Home Isn’t for Me
Personally, I love working from home. Seriously. It’s the best. No commute. No getting dressed up (though I do a little). Not even packing a lunch. Not being exposed to so many office germs in the winter. I love it. But if working from home isn’t for you – join a coworking space. There, you can collaborate with like-minded individuals and get in your daily dose of person-to-person socializing.
You’re in Control
You’re a freelancer or you’re about to become one. Understand that this means you’re in the driver’s seat. What you say goes. If you say ‘no’ to fear, it’s as good as gone.
