Independent Professionals: Top reasons why people choose freelance
The world is changing with the digitization of (literally) everything — including jobs. Come to think of it, soon freelancers will overtake regular workers, and that’s just based on statistics.
But why are more people turning to self-employment in 2019? Isn’t it unsustainable? How do they pay the bills?
Well, it appears that freelancers are doing quite fine, thank you. They have more than enough income to not just pay the bills but enjoy views of Venice as they’re wrapping up another side task for quick cash.
We dive in to examine what exactly motivates people to become self-employed. So be warned: the following content might convince you to quit your job.
Freelancing is a Viable Solution
Most people prioritize a good lifestyle over a stressful job. Statistics have quite a lot to say on the point. According to the “Freelancing in America” study conducted by Freelancers Union and Upwork, over 55 million Americans found themselves comfortable with a freelancing job, with 60% of them by choice rather than necessity.
Half of these people said that no salary would make them ever consider returning to a full-time job. And who can blame them? Here are some even more startling findings in the study:
- Over 80% of surveyed Americans prioritize lifestyle over earnings;
- The rate of people choosing to go solo is growing by the year;
- Almost every surveyee said freelancing offers more possibilities;
- The tech world contributes is highly supportive of the freelancing trend;
The Dread of Working on Vacation
Problem #1: You’re always busy. It’s also true that freelancing can be a “what you give is what you get” situation. Such things make most self-employed people feel compelled to bring their job with them wherever they go.
Problem #2: A survey by HoneyBook suggests that the majority of freelancers work on vacation. They always feel like relax time is wasted time. As if disconnecting for a minute means missing out on another opportunity. The same survey discovered that as a result, freebees often hide their vacation time from clients.
Although this may seem off-putting, time management can help. Many trustworthy publishers, like The Guardian, have expressed their support for freelancers, offering tips on how to overcome the stress. They suggest tips on how to get a proper grasp on time, do some solid exercise, and encourage positive energy habits. They’ll also remind you why taking your laptop to the beach is not a great idea.
Why You Shouldn’t Fear to Go Solo
The fear of going solo usually spawns out of uncertainty. Where will I get clients? How will I make enough money? This might make freelancing look like a tough racket. Or so rookies think. The truth is that with proper time management, you can achieve a fruitful salary and plenty of time to spend as you wish.
Most people who start working for themselves have a hard time managing many deadlines at once. But working at home has its perks: you can pop out of bed and enjoy a healthy morning routine before sitting down at your desk. Taking regular breaks and exercising can also prolong your motivation and focus.
A wise man once said that with great power comes great responsibility, and time is power. The responsibility to use it wisely befalls solely to the person. But the persistent emerge stronger; if you can tackle a freelance lifestyle, you’ll tackle any kind of working pressure. Yeah, there’s really no excuse to start living your dream job.
The Benefits of Freelancing
Despite what regulars think self-employment gets the bills paid, and then some. Seen as being self-employed also means being well connected, freebees always have sources for finding work.
For example, there are always students who lack the time and motivation to write academic papers. As the demand goes up, a professor can make a buck on the side writing a custom dissertation on several platforms as a freelancer. But this doesn’t mean you need to be a professor to work freelance.
A huge benefit is also not having to have a college degree to be self-employed. Most individuals interviewed for the survey mentioned above gained most of their skills from training. That suggests less money spent and more skills learned.
Overall, investing your life into a full-time job seems a crazy thing to do nowadays. Since anybody can film their dog doing funny things, or learn to become a copywriter in a month’s time.
And of course, being your own boss and having a flexible schedule will always topple the nine to five lifestyle in every case. You can work from your home or on a train while traveling through Europe rather than a boring office.
Why People Freelance in the States
As it grows more accessible, more Americans are turning to freelancing each year. Social media and tech giants support this trend, offering plenty of services for self-organization and finding clients. A great example is YouTube’s monetization system, where creators make money off views. Startups also seek out creators frequently to do some affiliate marketing, which is profitable for both parties.
Multiple surveys have been conducted to show that Americans love working for themselves.
Here’s why people in America choose this employment route:
- Being their own boss;
- A flexible schedule;
- Work from anywhere;
- No office dynamics;
- Can focus on personal passions;
- Extra cash;
- Cherry-picking projects;
As you may note, everything on the list has to do with flexibility. Freelancing is just a more viable option for independent, self-sustainable people. If you feel like you could self-manage, then perhaps it’s time to quit your job and join the club.