Freelancing Full Time: Tips for A Successful Transition

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Transitioning from the daily grind of a typical 9 – 5 to freelancing full time can be quite the adjustment at first, especially if this is your first go-around with life as a freelancer. 

From new work obligations to the pressures of breaking out into a new field, those of us in the freelance world understand why many folks are intimidated by this innovative way to earn a living at first! 

Luckily for you, I’ve been doing the freelance thing for a little over a year now and have lived through the tough times for you!

I’m consolidating everything I’ve learned so far into my list of the top tips for transitioning to freelancing full time so you can spend more time concentrating on your new career and less time working your way through the freelancing learning curve!

You’re Probably Going to Be on a Weird Schedule for a Little While (and that’s okay!)

Your new freelance schedule will most likely make you wake up earlier than usual.
Your new freelance schedule will most likely make you wake up earlier than usual.

One of the strangest things that I had to get used to when I left my cushy law firm job was the absolute freedom I now had as a writer.

For the first time in my life, I was not tied to the traditional business hours of a 9 -5 and, to be honest, it all threw me for a bit of a loop in the beginning. Over time, I learned to embrace this weird unknown and, along with it…my equally weird schedule. 

Read more: Time to Change Your Job?

During your first few months as a freelancer, you are probably going to wake up way earlier than you need to. You’ll probably notice that it’s 6:00 and be tempted to call it quits for the night. 

Weekends will seem entirely off limits to you while the traditional Monday through Friday schedule seems more approachable.

All of these habits are perfectly fine and, I can assure you, will loosen up after you’ve been doing this crazy little thing called freelancing full time for a while!

Loosen Up a Bit

Be relaxed and professional in the communication with your clients, and let your personality shine!
Be relaxed and professional in the communication with your clients, and let your personality shine!

Along those same lines…loosen up! I know I know, you probably came from a big corporate gig where formalities reigned supreme and even went so far as to dictate the fate of your professional future. 

But things in the freelancing world are different, and you will need to adapt to these changes over time.

For me, email decorum was easily the hardest formality to break. After spending nearly a decade working and immersing myself in one of the most formal professionals in the world, the idea of drafting an email to a client with anything less than a formal “Good afternoon Mr. X” or “Warmest regards, Elizabeth” was completely foreign to me. 

However, over time, I learned to loosen up a bit and let my personality shine through my electronic exchanges without sacrificing my professionalism in this industry.

*NOTE: Notice how I said that I maintained my professionalism? That is still key! Yes, even if you end up doing 99% of your work in your PJ’s from the couch. Never treat client relationships like a conversation with an old friend and please, I’m begging you…ditch the “LOL’s” and emojis!

Embrace the Freedom!

Embracing the freedom when freelancing full time is a great way to have your batteries recharged!
Embracing the freedom when freelancing full time is a great way to have your batteries recharged!

You will probably have more freedom to schedule your days when freelancing full time than you’ve ever had in your entire life, and this is a good thing! 

Sure, the newfound freedom may stress you out a bit in the beginning, but it’s nothing a little practice and time can’t help you get accustomed to. 

Do you want to catch your daughter’s soccer game on Wednesday? Cool, take the afternoon off and work a little on Saturday. Is there a vacation you’ve been dying to take? Awesome, work remotely. 

No matter how you slice it, the pure gold in freelancing full time really is the freedom that comes in handy with the ability to choose your own projects, clients, and schedules, so don’t miss out on this perk!

Don’t Hesitate to Take a Break (or two…or three)

It's okay to take a break!
It's okay to take a break!

I have seen so many new freelancers completely burn out during their few months and, if I’m being honest, I almost suffered the same fate myself. 

When you’re working as your own boss while trying to prove to yourself and loved ones that you can make it on your own, the stakes are high. Really high. And it can be easy to get swept up in it all by accepting every single project or opportunity that comes your way. 

Read more: How to Be Your Own Boss?

However, when this happens, I urge you to recall why you decided to go into this line of work in the first place – think about it, did you really leave your corner office with dental coverage and a 401K to lose your marbles? 

Take a break (or more) when you start to feel overwhelmed and take everything one step at a time. Believe me, it can make all the difference between success and failure when freelancing full time!

Elizabeth Murray freelance content writer at aSabbatical.com
Traveling is about expanding your mindset and challenging every custom, tradition, and way of life you thought you knew.