Keep Freelancing Morale Up During Hard Times
Boost Confidence by Keeping Supportive Company & by Staying Positive
Sep 16, 2009
Freelancing, like any other career, has its ups and downs. During hard times especially, when business deals run sparse and income is volatile, the urge to look for employment with a corporation suddenly becomes an attractive option. Here are ways to keep up one's morale, especially during difficult times.
Always Keep Supportive Company
Support from family and friends is the number one boost for nearly all freelancers. Freelancing can be a lonely journey, and even lonelier during difficult phases. Freelancers have always credited a supportive spouse or partner to their success. So keeping good company is vital to one's success.
At the same time, it is important to stay away from those who are unsupportive of the freelancing career route. It can be demoralising when others constantly question a career choice or compare the same to another, which they perceive as more successful.
Freelancers often face unsupportive family members and peers. Battling problems like financial strain or depression will only be made worse if these people are kept in close proximity. Cynical, sarcastic or blatantly rude remarks about a freelancing career is detrimental to the morale of the freelancer.
Talk to Other Freelancers
Other freelancers are sources of inspiration. Freelancers should band with each other to keep their spirits up. Not only can talking about obstacles help relieve strain, freelancers will also realise that difficult times do affect other freelancers and a little collective brainstorming may help resolve simple issues.
Keeping tabs with other freelancers can also open up new business opportunities. A limitation of freelancing is that a single person can not cater to too many markets at the same time. Freelancers with the same business model can help each other by sharing business opportunities and freelancers with complementary services can band together to provide enhanced products or services for clients.
Turn Negative Feelings into Positive Energy
Freelancers who feel down or demotivated should turn their negative feelings into positive energy. Getting up and doing something about problems is the best way to counter negative feelings. Freelancers, for example, can make a list of things to do- including the simple ones, like filing invoices- and cross them off after each item is accomplished. Even doing something this simple is definitely better than doing nothing at all.
Other ways to turn negative feelings into positive energy is to indulge in interests or hobbies. Freelancers need to find ways to take the edge off work. Getting into some stress-releasing action- which can be as adventurous as jungle-tracking or as simple as painting a flower- will help bring in a breath of fresh air.
Read up on Success Stories
Lastly, reading up on success stories is a good way to feel inspired again. Freelancers should replay the stories that had them start their careers in the first place. Looking up at successful people with the same ambitions and goals will provide a confidence boost during difficult phases.
Always Find Ways to Boost Self Confidence
Whether business opportunities are running low or a major project falls through, freelancers need to constantly find ways to boost their own morale. Freelancers should continue to keep good company and maintain an air of positive energy. Freelancing is an individualistic journey that has ups and downs and keeping up one's morale is also a freelancer's responsibility towards him or herself.
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