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It's no secret that things will get dynamic when you join freelancing. You will be introduced to many new ideas and start building your knowledge independently.
In this fun article, I want to lay down the foundations of what to expect and what many of us go through when we start working from home.
Every experience is unique, but everyday situations exist, and different people experience similar problems.
The 4 Phases Successful Freelancers Go through
Phase No. 1:
The Beginner
You have recently decided to work from home as a freelancer at this phase. You have yet to learn what and how you will find it.
You are probably still working at your 9 to 5 office job, hoping to find something better. You use a large part of your free time to browse jobs from various sources - job boards, ads for work, and official websites of companies.
Your freelancing future could be more transparent, and you still figure out where you are heading with this idea of yours. Search, read, sign up, sign up, sign up!
The "Sign up" button appears to be your best friend lately. Signing up to receive job offers in your inbox, signing up for information about finding jobs, and signing up for everything that might get you closer to the goal.
The sea of information is deep and huge. You want to filter the job and ideas, but when you try, you are either left with no options or there are still too many.
Welcome to the digital world, with endless possibilities for everyone. Do you know English? Now you can find a fully remote job with your manager on the other side of the world, and you probably won't even meet him in this lifetime.
When you look on the outside, it's a dream worth pursuing. On the inside, however, you will get a very close look at the challenges. Then, you must find a way to overcome them to succeed.
Phase No. 2:
The Newbie
Congratulations! You found your new job. It could be better paid, but hey, it's a start! Good job! You achieved more than 90% of your friends who only state, "I want to work from home," but then do nothing about it.
The new offer is thrilling, fun, and hard at the same time. A lot of information, a lot of work on the computer, analyzing, etc. And oh, the deadlines are so strict!
You decided to be a freelancer, and there is no going back now. No matter how hard it is, no matter if it is even impossible. You will make it happen, and that's it!
Slowly, you start integrating into your job, learning what's important to read and what you can skip. You found that job with a big company providing remote work, and they are literally flooding your inbox with information.
You can't keep up reading all of that. And soon, you realize you don't even have to. Your brain starts getting used to filtering the priority from the unimportant data, and you get to the point you are just skimming emails and messages, and this approach works perfectly.
At this phase, you are gaining the basis of the skills that will serve you when you become great at freelancing. Long hours in front of the computer, forcing yourself to concentrate to the maximum and striving to get more done - that's your current reality.
Phase No. 3:
The Settle
You made it so far, and you feel proud of your achievements. You make more money than any other previous job, and it's definitely more than the average salary for your field. You feel content and love what you do.
Only one little setback comes your way that somehow darkens your optimistic view of life. The requirements for your job keep changing rapidly.
Constant change is expected with the pace the world is developing. You don't like it, though, because this creates more responsibilities for you. Learning new processes and getting used to new interfaces are habit-killers.
Somewhere along the road, you start feeling bored.
How is that even possible? - you ask yourself.
The job, the routines, the procedures - everything is changing. How is it possible that I am bored?
Yup, it is correct. Now change becomes boring because when you have too much variety, it also becomes predictable. It is no longer fun when you know what will happen and how your job will turn out.
You need to move on from this phase and take the next step. You just don't know what it is, not yet, at least.
You can spend years in this phase because it feels so comfortable. The dream job with the dream salary, working from anywhere, enjoying your life. But is it enough? I don't think so!
Phase No. 4:
The Entrepreneur
Okay, you proved you are great at your field online. Your managers recommend you, and your customers praise you. You are aware of your qualities as you can see exactly where you stand compared to your competition.
Working for a company for clients is becoming too repetitive and too growth-killing. You start to realize that you want to expand your skills.
Not just develop in your current role but create your own idea of a job and business model designed by your terms. Wouldn't that be nice?
You will remove all limitations regarding requirements from people you work with and the amount of money you make. Both issues are addressed by creating your brand.
But what would should you offer? Should you sell something? What would benefit both me and my potential customers?
It all starts as a joke. "Okay, I will make a logo and a website," - you say to yourself and start searching online for a free logo maker app.
A website, some services you'd like to offer, and ideas on how to grow your business pop up in your head and keep you running and excited about what you do.
You are now going on the path of becoming a truly successful online entrepreneur. Only time will show how far you will go and how valuable you will be to society.
The only way to grow is to keep learning, experimenting, and developing your skills as you work. Freelancing requires dedication, but it certainly pays out in the long run.
The question is, are you ready to wait while you develop your career? Which phase are you currently at?
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