When we hear the word employment, we automatically think of a nine-to-five job. It’s not hard to associate this term with regular jobs that pay a consistent amount of money. This is because many of us work in this type of system. These jobs are consistent and are relatively stable. They are attractive to people who want a regular income.
While plenty of people prefer regular jobs, some prefer not to conform to this type of working arrangement. These people resort to freelance jobs that give them more control over their time. But what exactly is freelancing?
Freelancing: The Preference of the Unrestrained
Freelance or freelancing is the type of work arrangement where a person, often referred to as a freelancer, is paid per task or project. This type of work arrangement is often for short-term projects. The work agreement is then terminated after the task is completed.
This type of arrangement dates back to the 1800s. Medieval mercenaries would offer their services to the ones who can pay them the most money. This has essentially evolved into a work arrangement that acts as an alternative for regular jobs. In the United States, there were about 59 million people who did freelance jobs in 2020 alone.
Since freelancers have no long-term commitments to companies, they have the freedom to work in their preferred schedule. Apart from that, they also have control over where they work. This is why some people prefer doing freelance jobs over regular jobs.
A Different Challenge
As liberating as this may sound, freelancers face many challenges. Since their work processes are not as controlled and defined as regular jobs, they may have problems with productivity.
This may stem from the fact that freelance jobs are irregular. The frequency of projects can be inconsistent, and finding a team to work with for morale is rare. But while the unstructured nature of freelancing poses a challenge, freelancers can make physical changes regarding when and where they work.
Finding a Place to Work
Since freelancers have no long-term commitments, they have the freedom to work from wherever they want. Most of them would work from their homes as it is convenient and cost-effective. But of course, working from their home comes with a price.
Working at home can make it hard to separate work life and home life. This can be too much for a person to handle. Working from home means a person has to deal with the problems at home and at work. This puts too much stress on one person.
But it’s hard to deny that working from home is convenient. And many freelancers may still prefer this. With that, it would be wise for freelancers to invest in a home office.
The Home Office
Home offices essentially give freelancers an area where they can work in peace. Of course, they are still at home. But having a separate space dedicated to work helps them be more productive.
With that, freelancers should make sure they have a home office. Of course, they will be spending a significant amount of time in these home offices. It is only right that they make it as ergonomic and comfortable as possible. Having ergonomic equipment and ceramic radiant heating for these workspaces can help them create the perfect home office.
Alternative Workspaces
Freelancers can also work in coworking spaces and coffee shops. These places often have amenities that can help foster a good working environment for freelancers. Apart from that, these places serve food and drink, mostly coffee, to ensure that patrons are well-fed and focused on their work.
Of course, these facilities can be more distracting as more people will be present there. But these spaces are great if freelancers have no means to have a home office. They are also great places to socialize with other freelancers.
Establishing a Routine
Apart from identifying where to work, freelancers should also know when they should work. Freelancers are not tied to a specific work schedule. But they often have deadlines for deliverables that they need to meet.
They can work when they please, as long as they fulfill their tasks. But this does not mean they should slack off. Freelancers should identify the times of the day when they are most productive and create a routine around those time slots. This can help them do more with their time and can assist them in getting things done.
Freelancing may have fewer constraints, but it is never easy. It can be more difficult, given that most freelancers do everything by themselves. They also have to find projects on their own at all times to ensure a steady income. But as challenging as it may be, it is still a lucrative venture that deserves recognition.
