Guide: Why is Freelancing not meant for you: 15+ reasons
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Freelancing offers the ultimate freedom to make creative decisions, no bosses to answer to, flexible hours and the ability to work from home - all of which adds up to a liberating experience.
Freelancing offers more freedom than a traditional job, but it comes with a cost. Many of us may have underestimated the sacrifices needed to gain that freedom.
Exploring the flip side of freelancing, this article looks at 20 reasons why it may not be the best choice for everyone.
Employers are increasingly looking for job candidates who possess both the right skills and a good fit with their workplace culture. They are assessing applicants based on two criteria: their professional qualifications and whether they have the personal traits that will make them a successful member of the team.
Working environment
Freelancing may not be the right fit if you’re unable to adjust to the changes that come with transitioning from a full-time job to working for yourself. To make sure you’re prepared, consider how well you can adapt to new environments and challenges.
1. You like benefits
Freelancing can come with a major downside: no access to medical coverage, paid sick days, paid time off, retirement savings or other employee benefits.
2. You expect absolute flexibility
Customers have the ultimate say in when work needs to be done, and often require quick responses. Not being available can lead to lost business, so flexibility is key for freelancers looking to maintain their client base.
3. You want to separate work from your personal life
Freelancing offers a unique lifestyle, blurring the lines between work and life. With no set hours or designated workspace, you can work when and where it suits you - no more late-night calls from customers! Your laptop is your office, so you can start your day whenever you choose.
4. You hate being available 24 hours a day
Customers may expect you to be available around the clock, but if that’s not something you’re comfortable with, it might not be the right job for you.
5. You expect to have real vacations
Taking a break from work can be difficult for those with irregular hours, demanding clients and tight deadlines. Despite this, it’s still possible to enjoy a vacation - even if it means having to answer emails or do some work while away.
6. You don’t like to be tied to your desk
No matter where you work, freelancing requires sitting in front of a computer—ideally in an office setting. With a laptop, you can take your work anywhere, but the reality of freelancing is that it still involves spending time at a desk.
7. Most of your social life comes from work
For freelancers, the lack of social interaction is a reality: with no colleagues to chat with during the day, they must be prepared for a “social drought.” After all, most people spend more than eight hours at work each day – and that’s where much of our socializing takes place.
8. You expect others to understand what your job is like
Freelancing can be unpredictable, with inconsistent income and irregular working hours. This can lead to family and friends not understanding the hard work that goes into making ends meet. Don’t be surprised if they ask you to do shopping or housework while they go off to their ‘real job’.
Self-characteristics
Freelancing may not be the right fit for everyone. To succeed, you need certain characteristics – such as discipline, self-motivation and good time management – that not everyone possesses. If you don’t have these qualities, freelancing could quickly become exhausting. Other reasons why it might not be suitable include a lack of financial security, difficulty finding clients and the need to constantly market yourself.
9. You are easily distracted and you cannot organize
Focusing on one task at a time is essential for success in business. To stay organized and productive, avoid multi-tasking and instead prioritize tasks to ensure all aspects of the business are addressed.
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10. You cannot give priority
Freelancing requires the ability to juggle multiple projects and prioritize tasks. If you struggle to manage your workload and meet deadlines in your daily life, freelancing may not be the right fit.
11. You cannot brand yourself
To succeed in freelancing, it’s essential to not only negotiate effectively with customers, but also to market and brand yourself. This will help you attract future projects. Additionally, make sure to regularly update your portfolio with your latest work to demonstrate the increasing quality and value of your services.
12. You don’t know your self-worth
Having a good understanding of your self-worth is key to successful negotiations when setting prices for your services. Knowing what you’re worth will help you set a fair rate that won’t scare away potential customers, while still allowing you to cover your bills. Establishing a reference point for the value of your work will also make it harder for clients to take advantage of you.
13. You don’t like your job
For freelancers, having a passion for their work is essential for long-term success. Without it, they risk losing direction and becoming complacent in their output.
14. You are no good with money
Freelancers must save money to ensure financial security, as income can fluctuate. To protect themselves, they must act as their own safety net.
15. Your attitude to work is minimalist
Don’t be fooled into thinking freelancing is an easy way out - it takes hard work and dedication to stay competitive. To succeed, you must continually hone your skills and never become complacent. Anything less will eventually catch up with you.
16. You prefer to be fed with a spoon
Working a regular job can be comfortable, but freelancing requires taking the initiative. As the boss of your own business, you must be proactive and follow protocols set by those who have gone before you.
17. You want your customers to follow your style
Freelance designers and bloggers often promote their own style to potential clients. But customers may want to have input on the design or post, requiring designers and bloggers to both agree and disagree with them - while providing a rationale.
18. You wait for inspiration to arrive
Deadlines are a reality of freelancing, so it’s essential to stay disciplined and passionate in order to remain creative and successful. Mediocrity is not an option - don’t let yourself get stuck in bed, hoping for inspiration.
19. You lack patience
No matter what kind of creative professional you are, it’s likely that you’ll have to make changes to your work. As a freelancer, this could mean redoing pieces under the direction of clients or repeatedly tweaking them until they’re just right. Patience is key when dealing with these frustrations.
20. You give Up Easily
Persistence is key to success: if you want to achieve your goals, don’t give up after a few setbacks. Quitters won’t get far, so if you’re serious about starting something, don’t hesitate - just do it.
Freelancers often face uncertainty in their work, but there are ways to manage it.
Conclusion
Have you decided to take the plunge and become a freelancer? What worries you most about leaving your traditional job?
Why is Freelancing not meant for you: 15+ reasons: benefits
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Final note
This guide outlines 15+ reasons why freelancing may not be the right career choice for everyone. If you have any questions about the article, please reach out to us. Help spread the word by sharing it with your friends and colleagues.
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