10 Ways Your Life Improves When You Become a Freelancer
Have you ever considered how your life might change if you became a freelancer?
It’s nice having job security. You know you have a guaranteed paycheck every two weeks, a set schedule, good benefits, and two weeks of vacation each year. But deep down inside, there is a nagging question that never really goes away:
Could I have a better life if I hung my shingle as a freelancer?
For many, the answer is a definite yes. And there has never been a better time to be in business for yourself providing freelance services to others.
Becoming a freelancer is not without its challenges, of course. You have to be highly self-motivated, know how to advertise effectively, and be able to offer a service that others want and need. But once established with a handful of customers who give you repeat business, your quality of life will improve in a number of ways.
You Earn More When You Work More
As a salaried employee, it doesn’t matter whether you work 40 hours a week or 60. It also doesn’t matter whether you work harder than everyone else in your department or do just enough to keep from getting fired. You are paid exactly the same regardless of your efforts.
See Also: 5 Freelancing Tips That Will Make you Successful
Things are much different for freelancers.
As a freelancer, the more projects you take on, the more you earn. If you want to earn more to save up for a new car, you can take on more client projects and work longer hours. And on the other hand, if you are comfortable with earning less and want to have more time to enjoy life, you can do that, too.
You Can Work Wherever You Want
As an employee, you usually have to work at a designated location. Yes, there are some companies that now recognize the benefits of letting employees work from home. But for most companies, such arrangements are the exception rather than the norm.
As a freelance, you are free to work wherever you want – even if it’s from your hotel room while you’re on an extended Caribbean vacation or while you’re traveling the country in an RV. There’s a good reason why many refer to freelancing as the laptop lifestyle. You have everything you need to run your business as long as you have access to a laptop computer, a telephone, and an internet connection.
See Also: 5 Ways To Travel The World While Keeping a Full-Time Job
You Get to Set Your Own Hours
Employees usually have to adhere to a rigid schedule with set hours. Not so for freelancers who have a great deal of flexibility in when they work.
Do you do your best work early mornings or late at night? No problem. As a freelancer, you can work during the hours of your choosing. You can also take time off if you aren’t feeling well without having to explain your absence to a boss.
No More Commute
The daily commute to and from work takes up a huge chunk of your everyday life. As a freelancer, you are already at work wherever you are so you are able to reassign your commute time to either more work hours or more leisure time.
And in addition to saving time from cutting out the commute, you also save by putting fewer miles on your vehicle each year. That means you get to save big on maintenance, repairs, and expensive fuel.
No More Following Company Rules
As an employee, you usually have to follow a rigid – and often lengthy – set of company rules. Sometimes these rules are based on common sense and are easy to follow. But that’s not always the case.
As a freelance entrepreneur, you are your own boss. Your work rules are whatever you say they are. You are free to make things as rigid or relaxed as you like.
You Save Money on Work Attire
Nearly all companies have dress codes that you are required to follow. And this can really get expensive if you are expected to dress up on a daily basis.
As a freelancer, you are free to dress however you like. Your work attire could be sweatpants and a t-shirt if you prefer. This lets you save big on pricey outfits and cleaning bills.
You Get to Skip Time-Wasting Meetings
If you’ve ever been in an unproductive meeting that felt like it would never end, you’re certainly not alone. Company meetings are notorious time-wasters. But attendance is often mandatory.
As a freelancer, you can keep the meetings to a minimum. If it’s necessary to have a meeting with a client, you can set the terms to make sure it’s brief, to the point, and that it stays on track.
An End to Office Politics
Dealing with office politics can be demeaning. Being in a position where you have to affirm everything your boss says and does to advance your career is a terrible way live.
As a freelancer, you don’t have to be a “yes person” to anyone. You are the boss. You get to earn more by working more instead of brown nosing for a promotion.
You Get to Take Breaks Whenever You Want
As an employee, you are trading hours for dollars. The company owns your time. They determine your work schedule, approve your vacation time, and even tell you when you can take a break.
As a self-employed freelancer, you can take a break whenever you like and for as long as you want. As long as you complete all of your work, it truly doesn’t matter. There are some, for example, who can actually increase their productivity by taking short, frequent breaks.
No More Thermostat Wars
Do you prefer to work in an environment that’s a little warmer or cooler than everyone else? Well, tough luck if you work for a company where thermostats are typically set for maximum efficiency. Your options are usually limited to bundling up or bringing a fan and hoping for the best.
As a freelancer, you are completely free to keep your dwelling as warm or cool as you like. Being comfortable in your environment allows you to concentrate on your work without the distraction of being too warm or too cold.
The Grass Really is Greener on the Other Side
Making the transition from employee to freelance writer is not always easy, but it is definitely worth it. When you do, your quality of life will improve in so many ways, even ways you may not have thought of. There’s never been a better time to make it happen.
