He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.
-Friedrich Nietzsche
About 6 weeks ago, I joined a 60-day fitness challenge at my local gym. And they all ask, “why?” What is your goal? And I struggle to answer. Ummmm, because I feel fat and I want to not feel fat? I’m now about, 45 days into the challenge, I can tell you that that is not a good enough answer.
You need a why to stay motivated. Why do you want to freelance? Whether writing, designing, selling a product or service, having an answer to this question is fundamental to your success.
Freelancing is intimidating. You are turning yourself into a brand. You’re hustling to get business all on your own. And the competition is tough. Without a clear goals and sense of purpose, you face an uphill battle.
Lately, I’ve been wanting to change up some of my offerings, which would require branching out into new services I haven’t provided often. I want to increase my income, but I also want more family vacations and more time to volunteer. Those are sort of at odds with each other. I’ve been reading blog posts about how this person or that person created a six-figure freelance income and keep thinking “I can’t do that.”
Finally, it dawned on me that it wasn’t that I can’t do the things they were suggesting, it’s that I don’t want to. I’m in a good place right now. I enjoy what I’m writing. I feel like it has a purpose. I’m getting paid well, and I work about 10-15 hours per week. That leaves me time to read to kindergarteners, and I recently signed up as volunteer at local charity. The only work I want to add is helping others find that same balance and fulfillment on their own.
Why do I tell you all this? Because you will face times when you look around and think, I can’t compete. I’m not as good as this person or that person. I’m lacking this skill or that skill. But it’s not true. Yes, there’s always somebody out there better at something. But do you want to do exactly what they’re doing?
The beauty of freelancing is you can make it whatever you want it to be. If you see someone else doing exactly what you want to do, observe and copy. Lacking a certain skill? Search for an online course to learn it. Don’t know if you’re qualified for a certain job? Apply and find out. Just set your goal and pursue it.
Why do you want to freelance instead of working full-time at a company? Do you want to work full-time or part-time from home? What do you want to or need to do with your freelance income? How much does it take to achieve those goals?
You don’t have to have a profound or deeply moving answer. It can be as simple as I want to make a living writing fiction or writing marketing copy. I want to make enough to take my family on a beach vacation every year. Or I want to make enough that my spouse doesn’t have to work. Your answer is all based on your interests, talents and personal needs.
A six-figure income is absolutely possible with freelancing. Some people will tell you that you can do that at 10 hours a week, and that’s also possible. BUT for the vast majority of us, it takes work, full-time work.
So, before you do anything else, answer why do you want to freelance? Share your goal in the comments. Telling others helps you stick to your goals.
Do you know your why, but you’re struggling with how? Schedule a call with me and let’s get you started!
Thumbnail photo via Pixabay.