Whenever we release job adverts, we get a lot of wishful applicants.
Some should have applied sooner. Others lack the mindsets or skills.
Firstly, we aren’t an agency for freelancers. We are hiring remote workers. You’ll be held accountable, perhaps even more accountable than at your cushy office job.
However if you’re looking for the “freedom” of freelancing, we have some advice for you.
This is an open letter to the disenfranchised young workers planning their escape from the chains of a corporate cubicle.
There is good and bad news.
Let’s see if you are even the right person to be reading this, or if you should just be forwarding it to a friend you think needs help to decide.
If you:
Obsessively mull over how unfair things are in your workplace
Crave a unique daily or weekly structure based around your productivity and goals
Want more choices than a wage or salary
Are less motivated by cash in hand than long term fulfillment
Want to test business theories but no one will listen to you
Could work just as well from a desk in your bedroom, café table, or airport as an office
Feel like your personality type is not designed to fight for positions or climb corporate ladders
Are not, or not yet, the sole breadwinner trying to support others
Wistfully follow Gary V, Richard B, Grant C, Seth G, or watch videos explaining different income quadrants
Don’t need to meet someone in person to form trust and connection
Are regularly complimented on a particular skill that you would love to pursue more
Don’t give up until you see results
Cannot work a “normal” job for health or mental well-being reasons
Dream of seeing what your full potential looks like
Sold things by the road or door-to-door as a kid
Ticked at least 12 of these…
You might be better suited to going it alone.
If you read all these and thought, this sounds all fine but nothing is worth ditching the security of a pay check, tag one of those crazy people who claim they are going to start a biz one day, and go back to work.
For the person who just got tagged and is now reading this, whatever kind of entrepreneur you dream of being, freelancing is like an alternative business school.
It forces you to learn, by putting your back against the wall. Daily.
Right now, you are probably busy scanning to see what others are doing with their lives and careers.
Although it makes you die a little inside to conform to their priorities, you might not be able to see that you are an exception to the usual path.
Whichever path you choose bears its own struggles and sacrifices.
The first step in making the right decision for you, is realizing two things…
One.
You cannot force others to change. Especially those higher up the hierarchy.
If you have been waiting 5 years, for a manager who doesn’t know you exist, to give you a better job description and a pay rise, and suddenly start advocating your every idea…
Then you are probably dwelling in the land of Hollywood, because that sounds like a far-fetched movie.
Managers rarely change their stripes. You are going to have to change yours.
Two.
NOBODY is going to hand you a golden letter from the queen, permitting you to leave the cubicle and endorsing your ability to be your own boss.
Nay, good subject – you are going to need to break free yourself and there is power in doing so.
Doing so gives your subconscious an instruction that “Hey, this is for real now. We are doing this. It is happening. Get excited. Make moves. Start making lists”.
You will still have to regularly shut down the voice in your head saying, “forget it, you don’t have the knowledge or skills to go out on your own.”
As you get set up or score your first contract, you will wonder if you should admit to being an imposter, then you will find an article online about Imposter Syndrome.
It will not make you feel better, but at least you will not feel alone.
You will dive into the deep end.
Skills learnt as you go may include:
Evaluating your worth to the market
Sending invoices
Saying yes to a client that makes you understand why they say “pick your clients carefully”
Motivating yourself when your family had an emergency or you just broke up, and what you wouldn’t do to have a frowning boss pointing at deadlines right now
Figuring out how to max out your productivity
How to promote your services even though it’s embarrassing
How to network
Letting go of friends that don’t like the changes you made in your life
Adapting plans when the Wi-Fi dies
The truth is, reinventing your career path does impact the other areas of your life.
Many choose freelancing as a way to make more of an impact to businesses.
Whether you freelance in marketing, admin, accounting, telemarketing… you will find that you need to learn a little about other areas of business in order to function as a free-standing business.
The best things you can do is to start surrounding yourself with other freelancers who can shower you with tips and shortcuts.
And don’t wait to leave your job before testing the waters, unless you have saved some serious pennies.
In your spare time, reach out and offer to do discounted/free work for a handful of businesses in exchange for testimonials, referrals, and permission to use as examples in an online portfolio.
No, freelancing is not rainbows and butterflies, but if you are having to convince yourself daily that you are happy working in a corporate structure, you are merely delaying the risk, not resolving it.
Partnering with Zembr to start with is like having a family of mentors and can cut out a lot of the learning work, so you can focus on doing income-producing work.
It is not the freedom some think it is cracked up to be, but it IS incredibly empowering and fulfilling, nonetheless.
Go on. Make your move.
P.S If you know someone who would make a great virtual EA, please tell them to apply here.
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Zembr is a talented team of professionals with skills ranging from graphic design and content writing to data entry and calendar management. With a global presence, we work while you sleep and work alongside you whilst you work to get the job done! You are guaranteed a great result working with Zembr - accountability and team support ensure you are never left hanging.
