3 Honest Questions to Ask Yourself Before Becoming a Freelancer

Let´s say you came across this post because you are thinking about JUMPING SHIP or CHANGING COURSE. You´ve had enough spending long hours working for someone else! You have a remarkable idea you want to put into play. You crave a lifestyle full of flexibility and have the desire to travel.

The decision to go from a full-time employee to becoming a freelancer can be daunting, to say the least. There are usually a MILLION DOUBTS that will race around in your mind, causing you to question:

Is becoming a freelancer really right for me?

I´ve been through my fair share of ups and downs since taking the leap 3 years ago and can GUARANTEE that although it comes with many benefits, a freelancing lifestyle may not be for everyone.

Luckily for you, I managed to put together what I believe are straight-forward and honest questions to ask before taking the leap.

Here are 3 honest questions to ask yourself before you decide to become a freelancer:

1.) Am I Ok with Instability?

Does not knowing when your next paycheck will be give you massive anxiety? Understandable. I think everyone would feel a bit uneasy. But how do you deal with this anxiety?

Do you go full on FREAK OUT MODE or remain optimistic that it will all work out in the end? We are all wired differently, some people embrace change while others wish for things to remain the same.

The world of freelancing is built on change and instability, and in order to survive the rough waters, you need to be able to adjust accordingly.

You will have good and bad months. I can almost guarantee that.

A client could drop you at the last minute.

You could realize a certain project is just not for you.

Contracts could change.

These are just apart of the life and we as freelancers face these facts every day. If you desire to have a stable income and routine, then becoming a freelancer might not be for you. This is an honest question to ask yourself today.

 2.) Am I Willing to Work Hard at First?

It´s time to scrap the idea that you are going to be lying on a beach somewhere exotic with a cocktail in hand, and work is just going to come to you effortlessly.

Yes, I know those dazzling Instagram photos of freelance life look appealing but in order to create a steady client base and an overflow of work, one must be willing to put in the work. This is no different when you go from the corporate world to the world of freelance.

When I first got started, I had to bite the bullet and accept a few time-consuming low paying jobs in order to build my portfolio. But this granted me the opportunity to take on bigger and far more well-paying projects by displaying my published work. I was also able to network and join different communities within my niche as a freelancer.

In the beginning, you may have to work more hours than expected, in order to build or refresh your skill set and achieve your financial goals.

Some people decide to keep their full-time jobs and freelance on the side. Others wait to build up a good client base before moving on to full-time freelancer.

Overall- don´t fret too much, because all those countless hours spent crunched behind a laptop with high levels of stress will pay off once potential clients start SEEKING YOU OUT to work for them.

I always say that it´s not how much you work but how smart you work.

3. ) Am I Willing to Place High Value on Myself and My Work?

More often than not, you are going to come across clients who think that being a freelancer means working for free. Are you willing to stand up for yourself and explain the facts to them?

The TRUTH is people won´t value your work unless you demand them to.

As I mentioned before, I took on a few lower-paid projects in order to build my portfolio but that was the only exception because it ended up paying me back in the end.

Once you are set and ready to rock, don´t accept less that you are satisfied with. It will show in your work, and leave you feeling resentful as well as your client.

If you PRODUCE QUALITY RESULTS your clients will be willing to pay for that quality and value you as an individual and professional. Remember, a partnership goes both ways.

Now I am super curious to know, are you ready to take the leap and become a freelancer? What is holding you back? What are some honest questions to ask yourself before transitioning? Would love to hear your comments below.

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