“Enjoying your career, taking pride in your work, and moving on is real freedom.” The idea of freedom seems to fascinate many, but few strong-willed ends up becoming freelancers. Yes, I know this is hard to take, but freelancing is for people who challenge themselves until they find their niche. Once you have made your way through, then there is no reason to hate your work.
It is an irresistible opportunity for a 9-5 employee, especially if you are stuck in a rut and find it hard to break your routine. Contrary to a desk job, self-employment guarantees you the freedom to make choices that suits your personal strengths.
Freelancing has brought a substantial change in people’s lifestyles. Who would have thought that a housewife in Dubai could work on projects in Houston or London, along with fulfilling her domestic duties? This unconventional way of earning is becoming popular among the millennials, predominantly in the countries where they have a saturated job market.
According to the 2019 Freelancing in America report commissioned by Upwork and the Freelancers Union, 57 million Americans freelanced this year, compared to 53 million in 2014. This drastic shift compelled me to explore the perks of being a freelancer.
You can Finally do What You Love:
Freelancing and gig economy addresses the primary complaint of traditional job workers. It offers the opportunity to work on what one genuinely loves. Ending the un-satisfying career and turning your hobby into a job makes you fall in love with every moment of your work. It is almost impossible for a traditional job worker to explore different fields before finally settling for their niche. But with freelancing, you can explore as many fields as you want while being your own boss.
This satisfaction comes along with the pleasure of working in your comfort zone.
“The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.” – Arnold J. Toynbee. If you are sitting on your couch, working on a laptop, and watching Netflix, then you have definitely blurred this line.
Become a Better Person:
As they say, “There is no compromise for freelancers – we get to make money and enjoy our family at the same time.” Healthy relationships are necessary for a quality life, and to develop such everlasting relationships, we must balance work-life.
You will no longer have to skip family events and be nostalgic about them. You can be a stay-at-home parent as well as sneak into a friend’s party without sacrificing your work. Moreover, just carry a laptop on holiday with your children and pull in some bills. These perks are literally a dream come true for many legal professionals.
On top of this, if you are an introvert, who prefers to be self-conserved and rejoice less interaction with others, this is the safest and productive profession for you.
You are Your Own Boss:
Yes, this is true! A sigh of bliss for those of you who are tired of dealing with an annoying client or a disingenuous boss. A pursuit of maintaining a decent profile before your boss is not there anymore. You no longer have to strive for colleagues’ admiration for your hard work. Now, you are working to your terms, not sitting in an office with a manager breathing down your neck. Freelancers have the authority to drop any distressing work relation. Thus, avoiding a number of negative effects such as depression, sleep problems, high blood pressure, and weight issues. You are the master of your making and breaking.
Now, when you are steering forward without any restriction, you can be more productive and efficient. Dealing with clients and managing your own time will boost your self-confidence, turning you into an empowered person.
Exposure:
After globalization, technology plays a vital role in the way our public relations are exercised. Our culture, as well as our daily communications, are influenced by some “modern” societies. The way freelancing broadens the horizons teaches us a lot about other cultures. This exposes us to a variety of work ethics and professional morals of different societies.
This global exposure allows us to work on any project at any time. Let’s say you want to work on dissertation writing, but unfortunately, due to saturation, you are unable to find some work worth doing. No need to worry! Sign up for a freelancing account on a website, start bidding, and help with dissertation, irrespective of the location of your client.
No Commute:
“Suddenly location was completely irrelevant to my ability to make a living.” Bernard Vukas. Working remotely saves time, money, and energy. You no longer have to bear hectic traveling daily. As the daily commute to and from the office is eliminated, you can now perform a productive task instead of traveling. You can now avoid the daily energy drainage due to a two-hour drive to your office.
No commute offers extra time for your family, strengthening your relationships hence inculcating a sense of fulfilment in you.
An Opportunity to Earn More:
A natural thought that comes to your mind while considering the perks of freelancing is that one might have to be acquiescent about their income. This impression is entirely false. In fact, if you ponder over certain aspects of freelancing, you will find it obvious to earn a handsome living.
When you have access to clients beyond geographic barriers, you will definitely opt for work that rewards your skills the best. Not being confined to an office job for 40 hours a week permits you to work simultaneously on multiple projects. More the number of projects larger can be the income.
Once you have polished your skills and build your credibility as a freelancer, earning a decent living becomes inevitable.
