Like many freelancers, I have worked for years to build a career that allows me to work anywhere, anytime. My working hours are still roughly 9-5, but I have the freedom to choose when and how I work.
There were challenges along the way. You have to build a base of regular clients, manage the risk of accepting too much or too little work, and accept the fact that there is no guaranteed pay at the end of the month.
Still, I always felt that balance on a personal level meant that the risks were worth the rewards. I am happy to participate in every school assembly and sports festival.
The rise of remote work, hybrid work, and working from home (whatever you want to call it) has changed that. Sure, I got here first, but everyone is working on it now. And for the first time as a freelancer, I looked at some of my full-time friends and started wondering if I was still getting the best deals.
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Professionals in all kinds of roles in all fields spend much of their working lives at home. They can also work flexibly and temporarily log off to go for a walk, shop, or pick up the kids.
The reason for this change is well known. The events of the last few years have changed everyone’s perception of work. When lockdown hits and his workers can’t go to the office, they won’t have to waste hours commuting and can spend more time productively on work and non-work activities. Now
Almost overnight, these experts realized what every freelancer says. Going to the office is a waste of time most of the time.
Most knowledge workers say they are more productive working from home than in the office, regardless of what CEOs and government officials say.
What many full-time professionals have found is that being at home allows them to make better use of their downtime.
Sure, there’s evidence that some people work too much at home, but it’s a big problem. But for many of these employees, working from home was a new experience. I remember having a hard time balancing myself at first.
But if you get it right, it’s great. I was able to spend my time.
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The reason I became a freelancer was simple and probably resonated with others in a similar position.
I had young children at the time, and I wanted to be with them as much as possible. I was also bored with my commute to London and wanted to make the time away from my kids meaningful.
It’s not that I didn’t like working for the company. I enjoyed being part of the team. For the most part, I also enjoyed being in the office. It wasn’t the experience of being in the office that brought me home. I enjoyed chatting with people and messing around with my peers.
But what I didn’t like about the office was all the unwanted extras that come with being in a corporate space.
As much as I loved small talk, I hated the “big talk” about company goals and the endless meetings that entailed. I hated anything that got in the way of my productivity. It’s not that different from being a freelancer.
However, if clients and work start to affect your well-being as a freelancer, you can quit them. The sense of security is often greater than that. Running your own business with your own clients means you can make your own shots. At the end of the day, that’s what really matters to me.
Many of my friends are currently working from home, which isn’t exactly the way freelancers are employed.
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The truth is that freelance workers quickly establish a work rhythm that fits their lifestyle. Returning to the office means disrupting that tempo. I am simply too fixated on the freelance world.
I have enjoyed the benefits that working from home has brought, and now others are joining in. As you know, not all professionals have the opportunity to work from home. For those who do, being able to create a better work-life balance is great.
So what have I learned as a long-time remote worker? Here are three simple things that I think will help.
- make up your day — Being able to work flexibly is also an advantage of freelancers and remote workers. But you have to work regularly. Try to create a work rhythm that works for you and the people you work with. Also, set daily goals. When they are accomplished, reward yourself by doing something else.
- enjoy your downtime — I admit I’m not the best at this. You never know when the next run of a full-scale project will begin, so it’s important to make the most of your quiet periods. Don’t feel guilty about taking your time. And try to do something away from the screen. It makes me want to be on daytime TV for a little break. Don’t – get out of the house.
- talk to people – We’re social animals, so being unsociable and not talking to anyone for hours can be soul-crushing boredom. I enjoy using every opportunity to talk to real people, even on video calls. And when the postman knocks on my door, I always talk about football.
Of course, it is difficult to predict how flexible working patterns will evolve in 2023. Perhaps employers will gain the upper hand and all employees will return to the office? Or will remote work prove so effective that many workers never return? Will I? If that happens, I know which option to choose.
Good luck to everyone trying to create an effective approach to hybrid work. But if you need advice on how to work from home effectively, don’t forget to ask your long-time freelance friends.
