Part I: 5 ways to stay motivated as a freelancer

Freelancing offers unparalleled freedom and flexibility, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. One such challenge? Staying motivated. There needs to be a certain amount of intrinsic motivation that burns within you to keep going with a freelance business day after day. 

It's easy to fall into periods of demotivation and procrastination or be distracted by a shiny object (heck, or even be distracted by a nice day). However, with the right strategies, you can stay motivated and thrive as a freelancer. 

Here are some tips to help.

1. Set Clear Goals

Having a clear sense of what you want to achieve can provide you with a sense of purpose and direction. Maybe it’s quitting your full-time job. Perhaps it’s earning twice as much this year than last year. Or perhaps it’s expanding your business. Or maybe it’s to just start your freelance business. Whether it's completing a certain number of projects in a month or earning a specific income, well-defined goals help you stay focused and motivated. I highly recommend looking into SMART goals to help you on your journey.

2. Reflect on Your Why

Remind yourself why you chose freelancing in the first place. Whenever you get discouraged, it’s good to think back to what your internal, emotional reason for starting freelancing was. And perhaps it’s changed, which is totally okay as well. Whether it's the freedom to pursue your passions, the ability to work from anywhere, or the opportunity to be your own boss, reconnecting with your "why" can reignite your motivation during challenging times.

3. Find Your Peak Productivity Time

This is something I teach my students very early on in the cohorts and in the course. Discover when you're most productive during the day and align your most important tasks with these peak hours. For me, it’s 7:30-2:30pm. This is when I’m most focused and get the most done. By 3pm, my energy starts to flag. Of course, this isn’t always possible with kids, so I know that I need to get up at 5:30 or 6am to get work done. This works better for me than working in the evening. 

Maybe for you, it could be early in the morning, late at night, or somewhere in between. Working during your high-energy periods can help you accomplish more in less time, leaving you feeling accomplished and motivated.

4. Break Tasks into Manageable Steps

I’m not a project person. When I get something in my hands that is a long timeline and a lot of work (like working on my course), I procrastinate. However, when I break it down into smaller, more manageable steps, it provides a sense of achievement and progress, which in turn fuels my motivation to tackle the next step.

For instance, when working on my course, which took hours and hours, I would set a goal like “3 slides completed everyday for one week.” This helped me continue to move forward and it did not feel as daunting.

5. Celebrate Your Wins

Freelancing often lacks the built-in recognition and feedback that traditional employment provides. Take the time to celebrate your achievements, whether they're big or small and figure out what works for YOU. Buying something for myself is not a form of celebration for me. I am not motivated by “stuff”. However, a nice meal? A few days off away from my laptop? Absolutely speaking my language! Treat yourself to something you enjoy or simply acknowledge your accomplishments. Positive reinforcement can boost your motivation and self-esteem.

Freelancing is an incredible career and lifestyle, but without an external employer, it can be hard to stay motivated. Hopefully this helps you think about how to continue upping your game in a healthy fashion. Stay tuned for next month when we go into Part II!

Ready to transform your future and achieve work/life balance and financial freedom through freelancing?