Many people in the post-pandemic world now think that working independently is the future of work, and they are not mistaken. Millions of people are replacing their desk jobs with laptops in their beds, ushering in a new era of virtual workers.
Many experienced furloughs, lost their full-time jobs or had their hours shortened as a result of the pandemic. A lot of people chose to freelance as a method of subsistence since they had nothing to lose.
Individuals feeling trapped and stagnant in their full-time professions has become commonplace in the workplace. They frequently moan about having little time and no flexibility to live their life whatever they like. If you identify with that feeling, consider working as a freelancer.
However, it appears that this work pattern will continue. A study found that 60% of freelancers made more money than they did at their previous jobs, which is why more and more people are deciding to work for themselves.
Even though it may take a lot of time and effort to get started, becoming a successful freelancer is possible and has numerous advantages that continue to draw more people to this way of life.
Here are the advantages of being a freelancer
1. An opportunity to earn more
There is no upper-income limit when working as a freelancer, which is a huge benefit. The number of projects that can be worked on concurrently is not limited by law.
If you are a jack of all trades, you can take on several projects that call for various abilities and work on them all at once. That means you can make more money while remaining more productive using this method.
Few freelancers have developed their talents over time and can now take on multiple assignments at once while working just a few days per week and earning six figures per month.
2. Better skill sets
When you work as a freelancer, you accept various jobs from numerous clients. Every project offers something fresh and gives you a chance to develop new skills. As you proceed, you’ll probably discover that you’re learning new things.
In a regular full-time job that might not necessarily offer ongoing learning and development, you can feel more stationary. As you work on a wider range of projects as a freelancer, you’ll have a lot more opportunities for development.
You may also want to develop your skill set independently. Instead of waiting for yearly corporate training, you may select how and when to do this as a freelancer. There are numerous online activities and courses available, and you are free to schedule time for them as needed.
3. Location flexibility
Depending on your freelance employment, you could be able to work from various locations, both nearby and far away. People who freelance are able to live the coveted laptop lifestyle. The freedom to work whenever you want, from anywhere you are in the globe, as long as the task is done effectively and on time, is enormous.
If you like to travel to various parts of the world, the laptop lifestyle is highly enticing. Others choose to work part-time in a nearby coffee shop since it keeps them away from common distractions like the internet.
4. Reduces work monotony
Do you ever feel like you spend every day and hour working on the same thing? Like is there no way out of the never-ending cycle of boring work?
Once you’ve embraced the freelancing way of life, the initiative is now in your hands. Feel free to mix things up because you get to pick up the client and the project. Along with having the freedom to select the type of work you undertake, you can also set your own working hours.
Work when you’re feeling creative and take breaks whenever you feel like it. No longer rely on the timer to eat lunch or take a break for tea. Make your routine unique.
5. Numerous Facets of Exposure
Compared to any full-time work, freelancing offers faster prospects for growth. Excellent interpersonal skills and the capacity to handle various situations are also fostered. This is a result of the exposure gained through working concurrently in a range of fields, domains, and organizations.
While focusing on one area of expertise is usually a smart idea, freelancing exposes you to a variety of businesses and industries. As a result, freelancers tend to learn more in five years of freelancing, for example, than in the same amount of time spent in one or two jobs.
6. Unhindered growth
The greatest thing about independence is that it frees you from relying on others for promotions and pay raises. It also frees you from the need to participate in office politics in order to gain favourable treatment for raises that are given on schedule.
Your work should speak for you when you freelance. You’re no longer constrained by the pay scale of your position. You can increase your skill level in your spare time and ask for a raise in compensation.
7. Being your own boss
You are your own boss if you work as a freelancer. Every aspect of how you manage things—including your workload, scheduling, dress code, and other decisions—is up to you.
However, working for yourself is not a holiday. Your responsibility is to ensure that you satisfy your customers, monitor your spending, look for new clients, and bargain prices. You might discover that managing everything requires you to work more than usual some weeks and less than usual others. But ultimately, it’s all under your control.
Bottom Line
While we have concentrated on the benefits of freelancing, there are undoubtedly some drawbacks as well. These include dry work periods, the absence of employee benefits, and insurance.
Making smarter selections would also benefit from staying up to date with the most recent trends in remote work. Finding the workstyle that best suits you is the secret.
