Like many freelancers, I have an activity that allows me to work anywhere and anytime. While my working hours are always roughly between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., I also have the freedom to choose when and how I work.
There have been challenges along the way. You have to build a regular client base, manage the risk of taking on too much or not enough work, and accept the fact that there is no guaranteed salary at the end of the month.
However, despite these constraints, I have always felt that the balance that I manage to find between my personal life and my professional life is worth the effort. Admittedly, I sometimes felt a certain pressure, but I was also able to do things in my own way.
The rise of telecommuting, hybrid working and working from home has changed the game. Of course, I got there first, but now everyone is getting into it. And for the first time as a freelancer, I looked at some of my full-time friends and started wondering if I still had the best deal.
Flexibility that has its advantages
Professionals in all kinds of roles in all industries spend a large part of their working life at home. They too can work flexibly and temporarily disconnect to go for a walk, run errands or pick up the kids.
The reason for this change is well known: the events of the last two years have changed the perception that everyone has of work. When office workers couldn’t get to work, they no longer had to waste hours commuting and were able to spend more time on work and non-work activities.
These workers recognized overnight what every freelancer will tell you: going to the office is, for the most part, a waste of time. Most say they are more productive working from home than in the office, despite what managers may say.
Many employees have also realized that being home allows you to make better use of your downtime. Of course, there’s evidence that some people work too much from home – and that’s a big deal. But for many of these employees, working from home has been a new experience. I remember having trouble finding the balance at first, too.
But when you get there, it’s worth the effort. And the good news for these employees is that they can now spend more time working flexibly, but without the stresses and strains that come with being a freelancer.
Freelance, or the freedom to decide
Initially, the reasons that pushed me to become independent were quite simple and probably resonated with other people in the same situation. I had young children at the time, and I wanted to make sure I was with them as often as possible. I was also tired of the daily commute and wanted to make sure that the time away from my children was productive.
It’s not that I didn’t like working for companies. I liked being part of a team. Most of the time, I also liked being in an office. However, what I didn’t like about the office was all the unwanted extras that come with being in a corporate space.
If I loved small talk, I hated big discussions about company goals and the endless meetings that go along with them. I didn’t like things that kept me from being productive. Now, it’s not that different from being a freelancer: you still have clients you’d rather not work for and tasks you’d rather not do.
However, if the client and the job start to affect your well-being as a freelancer, you can let them go. You may suffer a financial shock, but the relief of letting go of a problem is often greater. Running your own business with your own customers means you’re in control. Ultimately, this is something very important to me.
And while many of my friends are now working from home, it’s not quite the same style of working that freelancers adopt.
Good habits to adopt
Ultimately, freelancers quickly establish a pace of work that matches their personal lifestyle. Going back to the office would disrupt that rhythm. I’m just too entrenched in the freelance world.
I enjoyed the benefits of working from home, and now other people are getting into it too. As we all know, not all professionals have the option of working from home. For those who can, it’s nice to be able to create a better work-life balance.
So what have I learned from working remotely for so long? I remember these three tips:
1. Structure your day: you can work flexibly, that’s one of the perks of being a freelancer or telecommuter. But you also have to work (and regularly). Try to create a work pace that works for you and the people you work with. Also set daily goals.
2. Take advantage of your downtime:: I admit that I am not the best in this field. It’s important to take advantage of quiet times, because you never know when the next round of projects is about to begin. Don’t feel guilty for taking time for yourself. And try doing something away from a screen.
3. Talk to people: we are social animals, so being unsocial and not talking to anyone for hours on end can be deadly boring. I’m lucky not to have too many Zoom calls, but I take every opportunity to talk with real people, even if it’s via video call.
Of course, it is difficult to predict how flexible working arrangements will evolve in 2023: perhaps employers will take over and employees will all end up in the office? Or maybe telecommuting will prove so effective that many workers will never return? If that happens, I know which option I would choose.
Source: ZDNet.com