FREELANCING AS A CAREER: ITS BENEFITS
Is freelancing only about freedom? Maybe there is a lot more to it
A large number of people are opting for the freelancing way of work as compared to being a full time employee in an organization. A recent study revealed that approximately 1 million people in the U.S.A alone took to freelancing within a span of the last one year. What is it that is driving so many people to this kind of a work culture?
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One major factor, which goes without saying, is the immense work pressure in all fields of work, across nations. Freelancing helps one to stay in control of his or her workload allowing a certain freedom. However, there must also be something more to freelancing – something which is motivating men and women of different age groups. The pros of freelancing must be more powerful than the cons.
Benefits of Freelancing
1. Flexible work schedule
Probably the biggest benefit of freelancing, visible without much thought is the flexibility of work time. One can choose to work for 20 hours a day or even for 0. One can start early in the morning and wrap up by afternoon or sleep till late and start around evening. Work schedule is completely upon the individual when it comes to freelancing. One enjoys the freedom to work or not, to take leaves on certain days or to work at a stretch for weeks and then take a long break.
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2. More free time
Since time management in case of freelancing is completely up to the man or the woman doing the work, there is a better scope to manage some free time. In fact, freelancing also teaches one to hone their skills in time management giving them the incentive to make out some free time for themselves. While a full time job requires one to reach on time and work for certain fixed hours each day, the possibilities of suddenly watching a movie or catching up with old friends are higher in freelancing. A freelancer can set schedules for spending time with family, reading and indulging in other activities. There is a lot more free time and ‘me time’ in freelancing.
3. Complete control over choice of clients
Freelancers are independent and in charge of finding their own clients. This also means that freelancing gives one the option to not work with a client or to work more for a certain one. There is no pressure to work for someone who pays less or misbehaves. Freelancing empowers men and women to find clients whom they comfortable working with – in terms of finance, workload, behavior, etc.
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4. Challenging work pattern
Freelancers are pretty much on their own all the time and thus, they are bound to be on their toes all the time. While freelancing gives the freedom of choice of clients and time, it also sets the challenge of finding new clients and keeping a constant flow of work. When freelancing, no one helps out with bidding for projects or striking deals with clients. On one hand, freelancers have to market themselves constantly. On the other hand, considering the rising competition in freelancing, one has to stay abreast of the latest in their industry and take to self development on a regular basis. One is constantly challenging their own self to improve and that in itself is exciting for most!
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5. Freedom to indulge in other interests
Since freelancing empowers one to utilize their time in a better way, freelancers have the leisure to indulge in their other interests. A writer who is into freelancing might have interest in photography – he can get more time for it without compromising on other aspects of his life. There is much more space to explore what one likes, to develop new hobbies. These can in fact be developed into further income sources if so desired.
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6. Greater rewards
This does not mean freelancing pays more. While it definitely can if done in the proper way, the term ‘rewards’ here refers to something deeper than money. Freelancing brings with it a certain kind of satisfaction, not possible in any other pattern of working. When one is employed by an organization, there is someone checking the work, someone bringing it and yet someone else who corrects it. When freelancing, an individual is completely in charge of their work – from start to finish. So it starts with the bidding where one has to prove their skills, proceeds to implementing those skills to create something great, then to make necessary corrections if any, after direct interaction with the client and finally getting paid for the work, both monetarily and otherwise. The kick that freelancing brings by telling you that ‘it was you all the way’, is an unparalleled feeling. It is the freelancer who gets acknowledged for the work and hired the next time for their brilliance.
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There are also other benefits to freelancing such as the lack of need to work from a dedicated location. Freelancing gives the option of working from anywhere to the extent where some freelancers travel to get a different environment in which they can work peacefully! A person who is freelancing can get to spend more time with their near and dear ones and have the power to organise impromptu meets! Freelancing also helps one to be in charge of their finances in a better way – freelancers learn how to manage their income well and save up for times when they won’t have enough work. Most industries have the provision of per hour rates for freelancing work. This means that freelancers can plan their income well, especially if they have a major expenditure coming up. There is also no bar as to how many clients one can work for. Freelancing, above all, is empowering. However, this is not to state that freelancing is every individual’s cup of cake – freelancing comes with its own set of risks and is best taken up by those who enjoy challenges.
Source:- http://www.guerrillafreelancing.com/freelance-benefits/
