Riches beyond your wildest imagination! Too often, those who are considering going into business and working for themselves get lured into online schemes that promise them that they have little to do and the cash will roll in the door. This is of course hardly ever true. Freelancing is hard work, make no mistake about it. Here are some signs that freelancing is not for you.
Lack of innovation - If you are the type of person that has to have a project ready-made for them and given crystal clear direction for each phase of the project, then freelancing may not be for you. One commonly overlooked fact about freelancing that you will soon discover is that work is not going to come looking for you. You need to actively pursue new clients.
Lack of motivation - While initially the “glory” of working for yourself may be enough motivation to land your first freelancing gigs, stop and consider what is going to happen when suddenly you have gone through a drought of no projects for a few weeks. It can be very difficult to stay motivated during these times. There are opportunities to fill in the gap, but you have to stay motivated to do that.
Lack of time management – The biggest pitfall to most freelancers is managing their time. If you often discover that you have spent an entire day doing something but are unsure what, freelancing may not be right for you. Some people need regular structure in their lives, and for a freelancer, there is little structure. You must create your own structure.
Lack of discipline – While one of the added benefits of having “no boss” is often what attracts freelancers, make no mistake, you have a boss. The boss is your client and like it or not, they want their work when they want it. If you are not disciplined enough to meet deadlines, then freelancing is definitely not for you.
Lack of home policies – This might sound like it is coming out of left field, but it is also one of the biggest problems faced by freelancers. If your family does not treat your freelancing as a job, then they will interrupt you constantly. You have to have hard and fast rules about when you are working and when you are not. This goes not just for your family but for your friends as well.
Summary
Before you are lured into freelancing by the glamor and the potential to rake in thousands of dollars a month, make sure you do a reality check. Freelancing is hard work. It takes persistence, discipline and commitment. If you are convinced that freelancing is for you, find out some of the reasons why you should not freelance before you jump head first into it.
About Doreen Martel
Well-rounded freelance writer who contributes to various blogs, paid to write sites and revenue sharing sites. Doreen is legally blind and has worked at home for more than 10 years. She uses the lessons learned from this experience to enhance her writing and share information with others.
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