There are many great things about being freelance, but there are also unique challenges to being self-employed that can sometimes get overwhelming. The main ones might come down to finances, such as chasing up clients to pay invoices, or worrying that one month might not be as busy for you as the last. Constantly promoting yourself (particularly in the beginning) to attract more clients can also be a lot of pressure. While these things are certainly some of the harder parts of self-employment, another common issue you might face is struggling to stay motivated. Below are a few tips to help you overcome this if you have been feeling this way lately.
- Set Yourself Office Hours
A lot of people like to work freelance because it allows them to work at times they choose, and not have to adhere to the traditional 9-to-5 or worry about getting in trouble if they don’t log in to their computers by a certain time. However, there are positives to having a daily routine, and if you have been finding it difficult to stay focused as a freelancer this might be a good place to start. Set yourself working hours, they can start and finish at any time you would like, but aim to do at least 7-8 hours of work a day. Even if you don’t have work coming in from clients, you can use this time to network and promote your services to keep up the momentum. This should also help you switch off and relax in the evenings, as you will be satisfied that you have done a full day’s work.
- Work Out of the House
Working from home can be a good thing sometimes, but if you are going to do this, you need to make sure you have a dedicated workspace at home to help you stay focused. Update a spare bedroom and turn it into a home office, or any other space at home that you can use for this purpose. If this isn’t enough for you, you may want to look into leasing a workspace out of the house for you to use. This can make a big difference and help you to keep your home life and work life separate. Companies such as theworkstation.co.uk can help you find a suitable workspace near you.
- Set Yourself Business Goals
All businesses should have a sensible plan to follow, and even if you’re not planning to establish a company, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have one in place as a freelancer. Having business goals can help to create a path for you, offering more guidance and direction that will make it easier for you to stay motivated. If you’re simply drifting from job to job with no real plan on where you want your freelancing to take you, it can be easy to fall into a rut, or not know how to properly promote yourself to clients.
If you are a freelancer who is finding it difficult to find motivation at the moment, consider the tips above and see how they can help you turn things around.
