Freelance ball ache: how to deal with uncertainty and f*ckery
Image via Steve Johnson
This blog post is the result of a conversation I recently had with my mastermind group*. Everyone on the call was experiencing some form of stress related to fluctuating workloads, moving project requirements, and an uncertain future. Things didn’t feel safe or secure for any of us.
For me, uncertainty is one of the worst things about being a freelancer. Yet, so many people who are affected by uncertainty still seem to be drawn to the profession.
So, what’s up with that?
Then I saw an article by Kate Greenslade in issue #2 of Freelancer Magazine, titled 3 Mindfulness Tools to Manage Freelance Stress.
Kate said: “be clear on what you can influence and let go of what you can’t control.”
She also included a stat from a study by Robert Leahy PhD which concluded that 85% of the things we worry about never actually happen.
All that energy…wasted.
On that note, I wanted to look more closely at ways we can mitigate uncertainty in freelance life and basically stop it from low-key kicking our asses every day.
Build a financial buffer
I realise this first tip comes from a place of privilege, but hear me out. When I started freelancing, I took the barest of bare minimums from my business bank account. I scraped and scrounged for a good few months while my money built up. Then I increased my pay a little more, still never taking all I'd earned.
I use that comfy money pillow to make sure I'm not stressing every month. Instead, I take a set salary and set dividends, no matter what I earn. It helps me regulate my finances and plan better. But, more than that, it kills some of the damn money stress.
Keep stoking the biz dev flames
Always keep your business development churning away in the background, even when shit is bananas. This doesn't have to be hardcore cold pitch emails daily; social media posts, blog posts, and testimonials count. These nice pieces of inbound marketing work quietly in the background, so you aren't starting from scratch when things drop off.
Be firm with your boundaries
Now we're moving onto the stuff I absolutely suck at. Scheduling nightmares caused by clients not getting back to you on time, pushing tasks back, or changing requirements. If you've been freelance for any length of time, I know this shit has happened to you.
Freelancers need to be flexible and helpful. It's part of our appeal. Having said that, you also need to guard your time and your revenue as best you can. This means knowing what your boundaries are regarding stuff you can shuffle and stuff you can't. It means taking a deposit for large projects, so you don't bugger yourself if it gets pushed back.
Look out for yourself, my guy. Know where your line is.
Be honest about what you can deliver if goalposts move
I always get stuck in the trap of pushing myself to do things I don't feel happy with, all in the name of looking professional.
You need to be honest if you can't fulfil something because the work won't be good if you're rushed or stressed. You'll take no pleasure and no pride in it. If you can't compromise on the parameters of the work, subcontract it to a freelance colleague or offer to find a replacement for the client.
Be cool about it, ya know?
Build a foundation of trust with yourself
Many of the issues I have around uncertainty involve knowing how to meet and accept change. I constantly question myself and doubt every decision I make.
I've come to realise that without a solid foundation of trust in myself, I'm in free fall every time things look uncertain.
Each time self-doubt creeps in, return to the mountain of evidence in your favour and re-establish trust in yourself and your ability.
Look at all the great testimonials, good feedback, cool clients, and the fact you built an entire business with only your noggin and your determination.
Holy wow, dog.
You've got the skills. You've got the grit. So if things slump off or look tough, why would you doubt your ability to slay? You've got this, promise.
Adaptability 😆
Yeah, yeah, yeah. We all know adaptability is an important and desirable soft skill in this day and age.
Doesn't make it any easier to learn, though.
Because most freelancers are fretters. Worriers. Anxiety-riddled cretins.
Unfortunately, if you don't take the time to learn how to be adaptable, you'll struggle forever. And that's a pretty shit way to live, amirite?!
Embrace the discomfort and learn to face it head-on. Find out how to talk yourself off a ledge and keep flexing that muscle. It'll ultimately make life a lot easier in the long run!
Got something to say about this post? SAY IT TO MY FACE, BRO!
Seriously, though. I love it.
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*Shout out: André Spiteri, Ed Callow, and Andrew Monro. Thanks in advance for letting me exploit our private conversation 👌