ALT-1 Top 10 new Years Resolutions for Freelancers
If you're a freelancer you may have specific goals in mind other people who aren't their own boss don't need to contemplate. At the same time, there may be New Years Resolutions which would benefit you, no matter what your working position was. Some things which affect your private life may affect your working life too, and vise versa. Finding a balance between what you need as an individual, and what will benefit you as a freelancer, can help you establish the best resolutions for you this New Year.
Home versus work life - Spending quality time with family
The chances are that as a freelancer you work from home, or at least bring some work home with you. It can be hard to adapt from work mode to family mode when you're in this position, and the temptation to keep checking your work instead of spending time engaging in family life can put your emotional needs at odds with your needs as a self employed individual.
The New Year is a good time to remember to schedule quality family time into your week. Leaving it to take care of itself probably won't suffice, whereas by making a special effort to extend the closeness you have with people you love and strengthen personal bonds will keep your emotional life healthy for the coming year.
Business contacts - Expanding your range of useful people
You may work alone, but everyone needs business contacts in order to thrive. If you've let yours slip and spent too long working out of sight of other people, get in contact again. Renew friendships and communication with past work colleagues, and keep in touch with people in a similar line of business to you. You never know when other people may help you, or you them. Keeping a good relationship with contacts increases your network, and gives you a greater chance of success.
Learn new skills
How ever great you are are what you do there will always be more to learn. Increase your skills and knowledge base each year, so that you always get better and better at your job. Doing so will show potential clients that you're on the ball, and like to keep up with what's going on, rather than relying on old knowledge that may have gone stale.
Become more organised
It's easy to get distracted from what you're trying to do if you're a freelancer. Many people like you muddle through and simply hope to get their days work done on time, without engaging in planning or organization. Make a New Years Resolution to plan each day, either the night before, or first thing in the morning, and organize your working life so that it's streamlined and hassle free.
Prioritise
Accept the big work which offers you the most money before handling small projects where you're not appreciated or properly remunerated for your work. Freelancers often dis-empower themselves by not showing other people their full potential, and by lowering their standards when they're feeling a lack of confidence. Vow to treat yourself well this year and command respect, by showing people what you're worth.
Expand your client base
Whether you're a freelance hairdresser, writer or editor, the chances are that you could benefit from gaining more clients. Finding new clients may mean looking into new ways of promoting yourself and your business. If you don't have a website, you're lagging behind. Catch up with other freelancers and take the plunge.
Give up procrastination
Freelancers often fall into the trap of procrastinating. Putting off a difficult or challenging task until tomorrow can go on forever, and hold your business back. Do all you can do to the best of your ability each day, and things won't feel so difficult after all.
Examine your rates
Freelancers can always come up with an excuse why they aren't charging the going rate, and are undervaluing their work. Consider the fact that each year inflation rises. The cost of living doesn't stay the same, and nor should your wages. Make this the year when you learn to change describing yourself as a struggling freelancer, and instead refer to yourself as a successful one.
Branch out
Look at different ways of achieving objectives. Perhaps you could try a different method of working. If, for example, you're a writer who usually sticks to writing articles, consider writing an ebook this year. You may find it makes all the difference to your income, and helps increase your confidence as a writer too.
Out with the old, in with the new
At the start of any New Year in business you can make improvements by taking a look at what didn't work last year, and changing it. Also check out what did work for you, and do that more. If, for example, working late at night left you stressed and ill, get up early and start work at the other end of the day. Learn from the past. Ditch what has been negative, and let what's been positive grow and flourish.
Each New Years Resolution may sound like work, but the benefits will far outweigh the extra time and effort you need to apply to achieve your goals.
