More from Deb Ng, who showed us yesterday how to be firm but not tough.
What I Learned from Freelancing – Part 3 – Good Habits Rock by Deb Ng
When I left my job to write on a freelance basis, I thought I had it all figured out – work in my pajamas, choose my own schedule, and basically do what I want. Then I learned without rules comes anarchy and anarchy for a freelancer isn’t necessarily a good thing.
Though it felt good to be lazy, I soon realized I wasn’t being very productive. Instead I picked up a few good habits. I:
- Work according to a specific schedule each day so my clients know when to reach me and when to expect my work. They like the reliability of knowing when I’ll be at my desk over wondering whether or not I’ll be online that day.
- Make sure I meet all my deadlines and obligations so I’m not seen as a flake. My clients want to count on me, and I want to count on them.
- Change out of my flannels and into something causal, but presentable. No, my clients won’t see me but it gets me out of lazy mode and into working mode.
- Make sure to communicate often with my clients so they know where I am and how much I have left to go. This also lets both of us know whether or not we’re on the right track.
When I first started, I had the whole freelancing thing pegged wrong. There’s a lot of freedom to it, but successful freelancers need to have discipline as well. When I started cultivating good habits, my career took off. Coincidence? I’ll let you decide.
What other good habits do you think freelancers need to succeed? Does working in the jimmies give one the right mindset to face the business day?
Deb Ng blogs about the best ways to find, and keep, freelance writing jobs. Why not stop by and say hello?
Thanks, Deb!
This was wonderful!
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!