While we’re not here to tell you what to do, we believe that working as a freelancer is much more satisfying than working full time! And although there are undoubtedly pros and cons to each working arrangement, here are seven reasons why you will love the freedom of working as a freelancer.
You’re in charge of your own time
Arguably the biggest draw of working as a freelancer is the fact that you’re in charge of your own time and can set your own hours. Whether you want to work 9-5, 5-9, or 10-2 every day, you have the freedom to set your own working hours! So, if you’ve been beholden to the 9-5 grind for the entirety of your professional life so far, having the freedom to break the bonds and set your own working pattern is liberating beyond belief!
You can work on projects that you’re passionate about
When you work for a company, you often have no choice about the projects that you’re expected to complete. Your boss will pass work your way, and you have to complete it according to their deadlines. But when you’re self-employed, you can accept and reject projects as you please. If a potential project doesn’t take your fancy, you don’t need to do it as a freelancer! This allows you to fill your diary with projects that you’re excited and passionate about completing.
You can set your own prices
If you’re used to working in a full-time role, the chances are that your employer has set your salary. The arrangement means that you’re required to work a specific number of hours in exchange for payment, and you don’t have a great deal of flexibility in terms of what you can earn. However, as a freelancer, the sky is the limit when it comes to setting your prices. If you can justify your prices and back them up with exceptional deliveries, then you can grow and expand your business – something that is impossible when you’re working full-time for an employer.
You don’t have to answer to a boss
While having a boss to direct your schedule and assign you tasks can be helpful, becoming your own boss and working to your own schedule is incredibly liberating. This isn’t only the case in the long term, but it makes your day-to-day activities so much more freeing. You won’t be constantly chased by someone looking for a delivery or put under pressure to meet their unrealistic timeframes. Providing you negotiate properly with your clients, you can work to deadlines that you’re confident of meeting.
You can turn down work when you don’t have the capacity
As a freelancer, you also have the freedom to reject work when you don’t have the capacity to complete it. If a client sends you an email, you can politely inform them that you’re not taking on any new work right now but that you may be open to their project in the future. However, when you’re working under a boss, they’re very unlikely to accept your appeal that you can’t take on any more work! You will have to reorganize your tasks so that you can take on the new work, which is likely to add to your stress level.
You can work from anywhere and don’t have to go to the office
The vast majority of freelancers don’t have to work from a specific location to get their work done. Instead, they can set up for their working day from home, from a local coffee shop, or pretty much anywhere that they can get an internet connection! When you work in the gig economy, having the freedom to choose where to work from is something that never grows old and is something that you will always appreciate, particularly on those cold, dark, winter mornings when you don’t need to leave the house!
You can collaborate with different people
Although much of your time as a freelancer will be spent alone, you have a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with other freelancers on various projects. So, instead of working as part of the same team throughout the year, you have the perfect opportunity to work alongside other freelancers as and when required. You can easily find freelancers to collaborate with on RadialHub, which keeps things interesting in your professional life and allows you to develop new professional connections.
Final thoughts
People who transition from a full-time career into the gig economy are almost always delighted with their decision! And while it can take a little while to adapt to the freelance lifestyle, you will find that the pros greatly outweigh the cons, and your professional lifestyle will be transformed as a result.
