Freelancers of course answer to their clients, but they also answer to themselves. It is critically important that we set a level of expectations for ourselves at all times. We must not only be willing to make mistakes, but also be willing to accept responsibility for those mistakes, and learn to grow from those mistakes. Willingness to continue learning, understanding we do not know everything and being able to help others learn from those mistakes that we do make all contribute significantly to what can be a very positive experience for those who are freelancers.
Remember, no one thing is right for every person, and advice is always based on personal experience. None of us are right all of the time, and there is no failure in admitting that you might be wrong. Here are some ways you can set the bar higher for yourself and in the process make your business thrive.
Stop and think – Before you hit that publish key on your blog, a forum post or your email, be certain that you read over what you have written. Be sure that you are not accidentally sending a message you do not wish to send. Remember that words have consequences. Your “tone” cannot always be read in your words.
Be helpful - Do you remember when you first started your business? Do you remember the uncertainty? Do you recall wondering if you could possibly live another month? Remember that feeling when someone who is brand new to freelancing and asks for assistance. Remember, it never hurts to pay it forward. Lending a helping hand to others who are just getting started will return dividends in the long run.
Be respectful of your time – Always respect your own time. When you are accepting jobs, make sure you have the time to do them properly. Make sure that you have the time to meet the deadlines that accompany the job. You should not be working thirteen or more hours in a day and taking no time for yourself. Prepare a schedule of when you will work and adhere to that schedule. While it may limit your potential earnings initially, you will soon find ways to utilize that time better.
Always strive to be better - No matter how well you think you did your last tasks, always try to make the next one better. Working to constantly improve your work benefits you in a number of ways. Your skills become more in demand, you can command a larger fee and you will soon find that your business is growing.
Summary
We can all strive to do things better. Working smarter, helping others and committing to the quality of our work can only help us raise the bar further than we had anticipated. It is all a matter of what you expect from yourself.
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