35 Important Things to Know about Freelancing

Well, friends, yesterday was my 35th birthday today. It’s also been nearly a decade now that I’ve been freelancing and working from home. Whew! I’ve learned a lot over the last few years, but also still feel like I’m just scratching the surface in other ways. But, when I think about it, I’ve come a long way from the beginning, from actually bragging to my first boss (and childhood family friend) that I remembered how to take a screenshot (cringe!)  to building my own little WordPress websites.

Anyway, I thought I’d share 35 of my observations/tips for freelancing and working from home.

35 Important Things to Know About Freelancing:

1. Don’t get too comfortable. It’s maybe a cliche, but you can always deepen your knowledge, expand your skills, and grow your business. I’ve found that if I don’t keep growing, I start sliding backwards. There can and should be periods where you’re resting and recovering, but just don’t let those phases go on too long. 
2. It’s important to leave the house.
3. Also to move daily.
4. It’s wonderful to use your biz as a creative outlet.
5. But also you need other outlets.
6. It’s important to work with clients whose work and projects you believe in.
7. Don’t overbook!
8. Don’t keep your schedule too open either.
9. Pay your quarterly taxes on time. – OMG do this if nothing else.
10. Do remind yourself of your achievements.
11. Don’t work with anyone who diminishes you.
12. You are a business owner, not an employee.
13. Lighting a candle when you begin working is solid productivity advice.Click To Tweet
14. Just because you’re not good at something immediately doesn’t mean you won’t ever be great at it.
15. Eat a good lunch.
16. Take breaks.
17. Sometimes it’s okay to take a nap.
18. Time-consuming semi-mindless tasks can be enjoyable with the right podcasts playing.
19. Sometimes working in your pajamas is the best and completely fine.
20. Other times, you might need to get all dolled up and wear your fancy pants or jewelry.
21. Pets are the best coworkers in the world.
22. Husbands or wives can be pretty great coworkers too.
23. I don’t care if this is real or junk science, study music and “binaural waves” playlists on YouTube make me focus.
24. Investing in your education continually is one of the best investments you can make.
25. But being choosy in what courses you purchase is very important.
26. And buying the course isn’t the same as doing the work.
27. You are your most important client. Don’t neglect your larger goals when you get busy.Click To Tweet
28. Being a part of making a clients’ dreams come true is the best feeling.
29. But your clients’ dreams are not your own dreams.
30. Boundaries. Learn about them.
31. Weekends exist and sometimes not working through them and having real experiences is more productive than anything you could do or learn on your laptop.
32. Just because everybody says you have to do something in your biz, doesn’t mean you have to listen.
33. But also maybe give whatever it is a shot. You could just be resisting growth.
34. You can’t and don’t need to do it all.
35. Celebrate a bunch! Both the big and small things.

These are some of the most crucial pieces of advice or lessons I’ve learned since starting out on this self-employment journey. And I’m still re-learning most of them over and over again.

What are some of the best lessons you’ve learned while freelancing or working for yourself? What’s one tip you could give me? I’d love to hear it in the comments!

*I sometimes link to books, tools, and other things that I adore and may receive a small commission for it, at no additional cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.