Even Freelancers Need Vacations

You work hard. Of course, you've got bills to pay and the repo man doesn't take excuses *wink*.

However, it's important that you take a step back from client projects, emails, etc. and take some time out for you. After all, if you get burned out or aren't in the right frame of mind while working, that can be a productivity killer. And before you ask - no, a vacation doesn't involve checking your email at ANY point - even at night after everyone else has gone to sleep.


A little over a year ago, Freelance Folder (one of my favorite freelancing blogs -- other than this one) discussed freelancer burnout, the warning signs, and how to cope. Ultimately, this is related to not taking vacations when you should. The worst part is, you may not see any direct signs of burnout. You may be able to work on client projects just fine, and you may even be pleased to talk to clients. However, you get easily distracted from your work. You find yourself putting client work on hold to play games on Facebook, read gossip sites (I know I'm not the only one), etc. This is not healthy behavior for you or your business. It's better to let your clients know you are taking a few days off (in advance, of course) than to get burned out and create an end product of questionable quality. Here are a few other "less obvious" signs of freelancer burnout (taken from the Freelance Folder site):

• Being afraid to say "no" to your client when they offer you a new project - sometimes it's best to say "no". Don't overwhelm yourself with projects just because you want to be a "superstar".
• Thinking about work when you should be doing other things - don't check your email when you should be enjoying dinner with your spouse, family, friends, etc.
• Your work is causing relationship problems - no work is EVER worth hurting or distancing yourself from someone you care about (unless that person doesn't respect your business). That's very important. I will quote Suze Orman on this: "People first. Then money. Then things." Your priorities should be in that order. Of course, as freelancers, we want to please the client, but that should never come at the expense of someone you care about personally.

So, go ahead and plan that mini-vacay (or a full vacay if that works for you), let your clients know in advance, and don't check your email or work on anything for your client while you're gone.

When you get back, let me know if you were able to maintain your self-control (something I'm still working on) and if so, please share pictures :-).

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Why Every Freelancer Needs a Productive Work Environment

For the past year I worked from my couch, the bed, Bread Co. (a St. Louis twist on Panera Bread), and even on my patio. Were these productive work environments? Not in the very least. Sure, these spots are fine when you're only doing an hour or so of work, but not for working a full day. You need your own personal space that is defined as your office.

Why does an office make you more productive? There are a few reasons:

• When you enter your office, you know it's time to work because that's the space dedicated to working.
• You can have a desk that is unique to your working style.
• You can have an ergonomic office chair that is comfortable and provides a good level of support.
• You can put up pictures of your family, friends, pets, etc. that mean the most to you (the reasons why you work).

Now that I have my own office, things are different (though my space is a bit cluttered right now). I'm better able to focus, and I know when I sit down in my office chair, I mean business. I have even been able to hook my laptop into a monitor from an older computer so that I can run dual screens. This helps immensely as I'm able to look at information on one monitor while I may be keying everything in on the other.

How has having a dedicated office boosted your productivity?

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Freelancing After Job Loss

I made a vlog for today's post - hope you enjoy!

Here's the article I'm discussing: http://www.stlamerican.com/business/local_business/article_2f32fe32-ccfa-11e0-ab71-001cc4c002e0.html

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Moving is Easy When You're a Freelancer (or is it?)

Today I will keep it quick because I'm typing this at 12:30 am after a move. I'm so tired that my eyes are crying uncontrollably. However, I wanted to address something that came up today.

Today, someone brought to my attention that I work form my home. Wow, captain obvious! Well, in addition to that, I was told that moving should be easier for me. How so? I still have to miss out on work like others, etc.

So, for the record, very few things are different between someone working a "real job" and a freelancer. Just keep that in mind when someone is telling you that you "have it easy".

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Responding to "You Just Don't Want To/Can't Get a REAL Job"

So, who made the rules? What makes a job a "real" job? Can't we all agree that a "real" job pays you "real" money? So why do you get into these spats with outsiders looking in?

• First of all, you have previously shown that you accept their thinking. If you have considered finding "a real job" while you were freelancing, you have admitted that you don't truly believe in what you're doing. 
• Second, you don't take your work seriously enough. This goes back to the old cliche that says "How do you expect someone else to love you if you don't love yourself?" Like with the first point, the change starts with YOU. If you're a career freelancer, it's just that - your career. Treat it as such, and you'll be surprised with the respect you receive from others.
• Third (and this is a big one), they are JEALOUS. Simply put, who doesn't want to set their own work hours and pick and choose the projects they work on? Who doesn't want to be able to pick their own work environment each day (at home, coffee shop, co-working space, etc.)? Wouldn't you say your lifestyle is one that is easily enviable?

Now that you now what drives that behavior, how do you respond (that is what this post is about after all)?

If you've previously shown that you don't truly believe in freelancing, it can be a bit more difficult to get people to understand that you now have faith in yourself. However, it can be done. You can respond to these doubters by letting them know that your business is more stable now and you've found work that you're truly passionate about. Let them know that you have no further desire to work what they call "a real job" because you are successful enough on your own.

If you haven't taken your work serious in the past, shame on you! Now that we got that out of the way, it's important that you remain serious about your work going forward. After all, this is your career we're talking about here. Once your loved ones see how serious you are about your business, they will take it serious too.

As far as jealousy - nothing can fight that. They have to get over that hump themselves. For your own sanity, it's best to ignore these people.

What other "personality types" have you had to respond to? What did you say?

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Getting Your Loved Ones to Understand the Freelance Lifestyle

You're weird. You don't wake up every morning, rush out the house, fight with traffic, and sit in a cubicle (or maybe even a nicely-appointed office) all day long. Yeah, you're one of those...one of those...freelancers. It's almost as if you exist on your own little island or came from another planet. The point is, you're not like them, and that's a problem -- or is it?

Do either of these sound familiar?

• Your friends are planning to get together and they're comparing schedules, but you are conveniently left out of the discussion. After everyone else is all set, they let you know the time they've come up with. When you ask why you weren't involved in the planning, you're informed that you can come anytime. It's not like you work a real job anyway.
• Your significant other asks you to run an errand that will take at least a couple of hours. You mention that you have a few things you have to work on that day, and you're met with "I thought you made your own schedule."
• Your mom (or dad) asks you for a ride to the store, bank, etc. When you say you're just a bit busy with work stuff, they tell you that your job is on the internet and you can do that anytime.

If you can relate to any of the above, you are suffering from "freelanceritis" (not a real word). This is a condition that affects those who have friends and family who don't quite understand that you actually work for a living. They mistake freedom for not being required to work. They feel that if you work at home your job is "easy" and less pressing than their jobs or anything else they have/want to do.

So, how do you combat this thinking? Well, it's definitely not simple - especially if the person in question has never done any freelance work. Some have found success from disconnecting themselves from friends/family while working. Others have been able to find success in talking with their loved ones about their work and work schedule. Ultimately, though, the most successful approaches involve a bit of education (you may even suggest they read this post).

Make sure they know your work is important, your work is your priority, you really do work when you say you're working, you have a work schedule just like anyone else (though you set it yourself). Ideally, you should be keeping business hours where you focus exclusively on your work. This will lessen confusion because people will know that between 8-5, 10-6, etc. you are actually working.

At some point, I hope freelancing is a more understood and widely-accepted career choice. But, until then, keep educating the ones you love so that they can respect you and your work.

P.S. If someone referred you to read this blog post and you aren't a freelancer, they are trying to tell you something. Start taking their work seriously. Please and thank you. *smile*

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Why Every Freelancer Should Have a Portfolio (And Why I Don't)

I'm not the hypocritical type. So, I'll be upfront with you - I don't have a portfolio, but in my defense -- I'm in the process of building one.

Why didn't I have one before? Well, I'm what you may call an "accidental freelancer". I never intended to start freelancing, and I certainly didn't originally consider it to be a long-term career move. Sure, I had done odd side jobs before, but it was typically only enough to pay an extra bill, save up for a special occasion, and the like. However, since I've started working independently, I don't know if I could ever go back to a "traditional" work routine. I enjoy my freedom - point blank, but I digress...

Just as it is important for companies to be able to show success stories, testimonials, etc., it is important for freelancers to have something to showcase the work they've done. Your clients want to see proof of your past success. This lets them take a "sneak peek" into what they can expect for their own project.

Ok, I know I need a portfolio, but what do I need to include in it? Well, that depends on the type of work you want to do...

• Photographer: You should include your best photo shoots. Ideally your website should have a gallery page that showcases all of the types of shoots you do. Don't have any clients yet? Well, take pictures of family, friends, etc. for no cost or a very low cost just to jumpstart your portfolio. After all, no one wants a photographer who doesn't take pictures.
• Designer: Your website should include samples. If you're a web designer, your portfolio should include past client sites. If you are an interior designer, your portfolio should include pictures of the spaces you've designed.
• Writer: Show us some copy you wrote for a past client. Or, write up a few articles, publish them online, and include the clippings in your portfolio.
• Consultant: You should be able to show the results you've achieved for your clients. If you helped them shave 25% off their costs in the past year, tell us!

Obviously, there is not enough space to include ALL freelance careers, but I'm sure you get the idea, and if not, feel free to shout out in the comments, and I'll help you brainstorm some ideas.

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Breaking Down the "Free" in Freelancing

Did you know that the term freelance originated as two separate words? A free lance (noun) was a man (sorry, ladies) that was available for hire as a lancer (in a sword fight). This fact was brought to you by the letter "Z". Ok, so that's not what you came here for, huh? Well, I thought it was a cool fact to share...

At any rate, now we view a freelancer as a man or woman (YAY for equal rights!) who works independently. Sometimes you can be called an independent contractor or self-employed, but they all essentially mean the same thing.

So... why the term freelancer? I'm not entirely sure where the "lancer" part comes into play (this post is about the "free" part anyway), but "free" can equate to a lot of things in an independent workers lifestyle.

Let me count the ways (or at least the first five):

1. Schedule freedom: Remember those days of punching the clock? You know how you used to wait on someone else's move? Yeah, forget those days. Feel "free" to pick your own schedule - whether consists of early morning hours, late night hours, or something in between. Need a vacation day? Take one (provided it doesn't interfere with client commitments).
2. Freedom from micromanagement: That boss that used to watch your every move while breathing down your neck? They're history! You now manage yourself.
3. Freedom from barriers to entry: Have you dreamed of being a web designer but don't have any experience? Now's the time to break in. You don't have to wait get a job, you can start building your portfolio right now.
4. Freedom from dress codes: Only own one shirt/tie that you recycle day in and day out? Do your dress shoes leave your feet blistered and uncomfortable? Ditch the dress code for your PJs (we'll even throw in your slippers!).
5. Freedom to explore the world on your terms: Want to move from the USA to Canada or vice versa (or really anywhere in the world)? Tired of your job "relocating" you? Travel wherever a plane (or train, or car) can take you. Just be sure to take your computer along so that you can keep in touch with your work.

Is that free enough for you?

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Can You Succeed As a Freelancer?

A little bit ago, I was blog surfing and found one post that struck me as rather interesting and the title nearly slapped me in the face. The writer said work-at-home freelancing is a joke. Comments are disabled on his blog - otherwise I would have commented on it.

I just couldn't get some of the things he said off my mind - and mainly because the blog is titled "Matthew's Problem with Authority". Ideally - he is a perfect candidate for freelance work because he can essentially "be his own boss".

But, to answer the question posed in the title - yes. Well, it depends. And here's why --

In order to succeed as a freelancer, you have to have all of the following:

• Willingness to succeed - believe it or not, some people don't really want to succeed. It may sound odd, but trust me on this.
• Ability to commit - if you aren't able to commit to yourself, you won't be able to commit to your business.
• Entrepreneurial spirit - you must be able to self-manage. There's no getting around it. If you aren't able manage your list of priorities, you will fall behind and could risk losing a client.
• Marketing skill (or money to pay someone to market your business for you) - you must be able to market yourself to your target market. If you aren't able to do this, you may not be able to get clients.

Possessing the above listed characteristics doesn't guarantee your success as a freelancer. However, having these tools in your arsenal is a recipe for potential success.

If you don't think that you can have a successful career as a freelancer, maybe you can't, but that doesn't mean that others will have the same result.

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