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35 important things to know about freelancing

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.

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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!

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Comments

  1. Kecia | Online Income Mom says

    October 14, 2016 at 10:22 am

    As I was reading your list, I was shaking my head in agreement with so many of your important things! My tip would be start making passive or residual income as soon as you can. It will eventually replace the freelancing so you have more time and freedom!

    Reply
    • Ali says

      October 14, 2016 at 11:11 am

      Hi Kecia, I totally agree! I wish I’d started working on passive income waaay sooner. It’s still a huge missing piece for me, though I’m working on that now. Great tip!

      Reply
  2. Mari says

    October 15, 2016 at 1:10 pm

    Such great tips!

    Reply
    • Ali says

      October 15, 2016 at 4:49 pm

      Thanks, Mari!

      Reply
  3. Eva says

    October 16, 2016 at 8:55 am

    Great advice, thanks!

    Reply
    • Ali says

      October 16, 2016 at 8:58 am

      My pleasure, Eva!

      Reply

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CHARMING FICTION BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE🙏🏻✨

What a week! (Also what a year+) I hope to spend the weekend reading here in this bed that I love so much. I'd love some escapist books to get lost in. 

What do you read when you are looking for a mental vacation?
LONG BEFORE I WAS A VA, I WAS AN ESTHETICIAN. And LONG BEFORE I WAS A VA, I WAS AN ESTHETICIAN. And I thought it would be my "forever" career. Except for one tragic flaw. I could not do a Brazilian wax to save my life.😱 

This was 2005/2006 so that was a big deal.

If I could go back to that time, I’d have a few things to tell my young self that are probably important for any service provider. Things that might have helped prevent me from burning out, getting frustrated (and honestly scared I might get sued), and ultimately giving up completely. 

GO INTO BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF NOW
As an esthetician, I’d planned to start my own business all along. But I told myself I needed to work in a spa or salon first, observe, and then I could do my own thing in, like, 5 years.

That was just not true.

Other estheticians skipped the traditional spa and salon jobs and went directly into working for themselves, renting out cute rooms in local buildings or even setting up mobile practices. They were able to offer exactly what they wanted to offer and decide on their own pricing.

** I am NOT saying “jump and the net will appear/quit your dayjob now without a plan” because I think that is terrible advice. I’m saying if you know, like I did, that you want to work for yourself eventually, you have what you need to get started and you don’t need to “learn the ropes” for years on end.**

DO THINGS YOU SUCK AT – BUT ONLY UP TO A POINT
Since I did not enjoy providing Brazilians, I sucked at them, and since I sucked at them, I did not enjoy providing them. I had no business providing such a personal service that I sucked at. Leave it for the estheticians who are great at them!

It is important to let yourself be bad at things and be a beginner, but at a certain point, if you're not into what you're trying to get good at anyway, I don't think it is going to work. 

DON’T DO THINGS YOU HATE
Even if that service is in high demand. This might seem like a “no duh” to you, but it really wasn’t to me in the beginning. 

Trends come and go but if you’re seeking ways to be of service in ways that feel good to you, you’ll find your people.

Those 3 lessons I think made me a better #virtualassistant.
Last week I made myself a big batch of very beige Last week I made myself a big batch of very beige soup. It tasted okay but made me sad to look at! It got me thinking again about this #joyfulbook by @aestheticsofjoy I read a couple of years ago... Vibrancy is a nutrient!

PS I should give Alex his props because he always plates our meals beautifully. I just want to step it up when I prep my own meals. 💗
Toasting to the new year! Hope you are staying saf Toasting to the new year! Hope you are staying safe and cozy. We made it to the end of this crazy year!
#kombucha #kombuchamocktail #mocktails
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