It's easy to argue that the freelancing lifestyle has several advantages. While dwelling on the benefits comes easy, few people discuss the disadvantages of freelancing. It comes with the baggage of being exceptionally skilled at time management, having outstanding communication skills, and being proficient in handling taxation and documentation processes. More specifically, how difficult it is for freelancers to achieve — and maintain — a healthy work-life balance.
However, the ability of a freelancer to strike a suitable balance between work and personal life is critical to their performance and overall well-being.
The myth that being self-employed also implies being "always available" persists stubbornly in society. New freelancers, in particular, believe that they must work around the clock to attain their objectives.
In the long term, this stress is exceedingly harmful to one's health and assures that the work one previously enjoyed has become a nightmare. To avoid this, you must take certain important actions and put in the effort to achieve a solid work-life balance.
Here are several practical strategies that, when implemented correctly, can help strike the ideal balance of job autonomy and motivation while working.
Create A Schedule
One of the most fundamental difficulties in freelancing is correctly identifying the benefits of being "your own boss." It might be difficult to keep a decent schedule when there is no HOD or boss to get you to work on time.
As a result, establishing a suitable daily routine is critical to ensuring productivity and effectiveness. Creating and implementing a daily plan may greatly assist in establishing a work-life balance since the plan is tailored to one's skills and time constraints. This manner, no extra or less work is done for that day, and the time is carefully controlled. As a result, it aids in being more organized, prepared, and capable at work and at leisure time.
Take time to chalk out what your ideal day is supposed to look like. List out the things you would love to incorporate in your day, like exercising, reading, meditation, time with family. Then carve out minutes for the activities around your work hours, either earlier in the morning before you start or after wrapping up work. Along with it also have a routine to wrap up the day where you take note of what was finished, what needs to be done the next day, and what you need to follow up on.
Establish Work Hours
One of the nicest aspects about freelancing is that you are not restricted to the traditional nine to five, Monday through Friday workweek. The ability to work whenever you want is enticing, but it never hurts to have a work schedule.
Dedicating particular hours to work might help you establish a work-life balance because it makes it simpler to set limits – both with yourself and with customers. You are aware of when you must be "on" and available to clients.
The good thing is that you may choose when those hours are.
The key is to structure your work around whenever it is the easiest to get in flow for you as an individual. As creatives that is the most important thing for getting quality work done: getting in the flow state where your creative juices flow effortlessly.
Start your day early if you are most productive in the morning or early afternoon. You'll have an easier time getting through your to-do list and finishing responsibilities. Start in the afternoon or early evening if you are nocturnal and find yourself doing the best work post-midnight.
One Thing At A Time
Focusing on a single activity at a time and channeling your efforts towards completion is an important work-life balance strategy. While it is natural to feel overwhelmed when faced with a large amount of work or when a freelance gig consists of multiple minor assignments, you can only deal with the job if you approach it calmly. Being overwhelmed and then panicked will not help. Design one illustration at a time, for example. Only go to the next job when the previous one has been completed.
Take the efforts to develop a worklog, use tools like the Eisenhower Box, which help you understand the challenge, prioritise tasks and makes your decision-making easier as to what needs more focus and determination. Time spent on developing and fine-tuning systems will reflect directly on your effectiveness and ultimately make you an elite freelancer.
Learn To Say No
Setting limits and saying no to something might be difficult, even uncomfortable, if you are a people pleaser, as many of us are. Declining a request for assistance might be especially difficult if you fear disappointing your boss, co-workers, or even a family member.
However, if you truly want to live a more balanced life, you must begin to harness the power of "no." When you say yes to more work, you are most likely saying no to family time. In contrast, every time you say yes to a family member coming by during business hours, you're saying no to your most productive workday.
Set your boundaries and give yourself the ability to stick to them. Learn to confidently say no.
Do Not Overcommit
Nobody likes to turn down a well-paying freelancing opportunity! However, if you are already overburdened with work, you should take a step back and assess your odds of finishing the job on time.
Even if you are a novice freelancer who does not have many clients or projects to work on, which makes earning money difficult, it isn’t wise to accept every order or contract that comes your way.
Assume you agree to accept all the orders. In such scenario, it may have an impact on productivity and lead to overcommitment, resulting in decreased effectiveness at work, lack of attention, increased stress, and a variety of other negative repercussions. In the end, freelancing may out to be a burden rather than a source of happiness.
Prioritize Physical Health
Personal wellness is a vital ingredient, if not the essence, of freelancers' work-life balance. It is essential to deal with one's self and recognise potential threats in order to stay healthy. Too much stress or poor posture at work both have a detrimental impact on your health and hence your effectiveness. As a result, it is critical that you take care of your health before it is too late. Only a healthy freelancer will be a long-term successful freelancer.
Prioritize your health. Begin with something as easy as going for a daily walk or finding time to meditate. Set a timer to remind yourself to get up from your desk and do some stretches every hour for a few minutes.
Do whatever you need to do to meet your specific health needs, but do it. Don't only consider it for the future. Consume nutritious foods. Get adequate rest. Take a mental health day every now and again. If you're having a bad day, don't be scared to call in sick.
When you're pressed for time, it's tempting to neglect your own self-care and wellness. However, if you find yourself spending too many days without taking care of your health, pause and re-prioritize self-care. Being healthy will allow you to perform better at work and at home.
Don’t Neglect Personal Interests
When it comes to our personal life, most of us have excellent intentions. We'd want to take more vacations, spend more time with our family, and perhaps even develop a hobby. But, in fact, we get caught up in work, and all of our good intentions go away. One approach to avoid this is to is firmly reserve and schedule personal time in your calendar.
Making appointments with yourself and enjoy your "me-time" for the "life" element of work-life balance. Do something you enjoy. Read a book, go to a tennis match, cook a lot, or go hiking or riding. Make particular arrangements for the end of the day based on your interests. This makes it simpler for you to say good-by.
You should also plan your next vacation or weekend getaway in advance and not cancel it due to "too much work."
Small prizes at the end of the week or on any day should be offered as well. Go to the movies, eat, or visit the city library.
Learn To Unplug
With email and Slack on our phones and a 24-hour work culture, it may be difficult to disconnect from technology. However, if you find yourself getting increasingly preoccupied with keeping connected, it may be time to disconnect, at least temporarily.
Unplugging yourself from time to time might help you reboot. This vital respite permits your mind to cease constantly "doing." Turn off the everyday tension and continual flood of alerts to make room for creativity and ideas.
Don't be frightened to disconnect your devices. You may return feeling more energised and ready to face your issues. Try reducing your screen time post dinner or block a no internet hour for yourself every day. Going days without being available for a reply is an unreasonable ask, but having a few minutes every day is essential for a freelancer’s work-life balance.
Take Small Breaks
Not only does your working day require small breaks to recharge, but so does your working week, whether it is Sunday or a day you choose. If feasible, set aside one day every week for nothing. Of course, you are permitted to check your emails on occasion if doing so assists you to begin the next day more relaxed. However, when a request comes in, try not to feel rushed.
Inform your clients if you have decided on a scheduled off day other than Sunday, especially if the project is highly time-critical.
Outsource What You Can
It is OK to outsource a portion of your work depending on its nature. If a time-consuming project is eating up a lot of your time and you suspect it may not be a one-person job, use freelancing sites or other platforms to discover fellow freelancers who could be ready to take on certain pieces of the work or jobs that you have posted for a price.
If a certain activity appears intimidating, you can even employ a temporary helper to assist you in running other necessary errands while you manage the work. It is OK to outsource work; you do not have to carry everything on your shoulders and hate doing it all the time.
It Won’t Always Work
Here's the harsh reality: striking a balance between business and personal life isn't always achievable. You will have to work odd hours at times to keep up with your workload. Sometimes you have less to do and may dedicate more time to your personal life.
Don't beat yourself up if you feel like your equilibrium is suffering. It can happen to anyone. The most essential thing to remember is that you have the ability to adjust things. After all, that is the appealing aspect of freelancing.
Conclusion
There is no secret recipe for achieving balance; yours may differ significantly from that of colleagues or friends. It is up to you to establish your priorities and develop a lifestyle balance that works best for you. Keep in mind that your work-life balance is the product of your own decisions.
If your job is making it difficult to achieve balance, it's time to make a change. Sometimes establishing work-life balance requires making a difficult decision, such as quitting your career in favour of one that provides for better balance.
In fact, this is frequently why so many professionals throughout the world prefer to become freelancers and work for themselves. However, it takes more than just switching to freelance to have a more balanced life. We hope the article had enough insights to figure out how you can create a fuller life while doing what you love.
