Many more reasons Freelancers do it Better
A happy worker is a
productive worker, and it's hard to find a happier lot than freelancers.
Whether they're entrepreneurs, Web workers or something in between, freelancers
enjoy a better lifestyle than their cube-dwelling brethren. Read on for 101
reasons why.
Time
Contrary to popular
belief, freelancers and other people who work at home don't sit around watching
talk shows all day. There are, however, a few perks that come along with having
a flexible work schedule.
1. Time is on your side: If
you charge an hourly rate, clients aren't likely to drag their feet on the
details you need to get the job done. Compare that with office workers, who
often have to wait for information to funnel through various bureaucratic
channels.
2. There's a two-hour wait? That's OK, I'll bring my laptop: Errands that might require office workers to take an extensive
lunch break or half day out of the office can be turned into productive work
time for freelancers.
3. You can work through lunch and get done early: Eating lunch at your desk is slightly less depressing when
you're at home, and it saves time.
4. Squirreling away "me time":You can load up on work now so that you can do some serious
relaxing later.
5. Meetings about nothing:
Corporate workers are often required to attend time-wasting meetings — like
quarterly sales reviews or monthly team meetings — that are scheduled to happen
whether the employee is needed or not. Freelancers may need to attend meetings
with clients, but they're easier to control.
6. You can shop when the store is empty: By adjusting your schedule, you can go shopping without dealing
with crowds.
7. Opting out of a daily commute saves time: The average commute is about 23 minutes each way, adding up to
almost an hour each day that you could be doing something better.
8. "Sure, anytime between Wednesday and Friday is fine":
Waiting around for the cable guy doesn't take time out of your life if your
office is at home.
9. You can work when you're most productive: When you work at your peak hours, you can save time in
efficiency.
Sticking It to the Man
Big corporations have a tendency
to serve high-ranking employees and shareholders above rank-and-file grunts.
This is how freelancing helps you and even others escape their tyranny.
10.You
have the ability to help other small businesses save money: As a freelancer, your overhead costs are lower than a large
firm, which means that you can offer a more competitive rate that is friendly
to small businesses.
11.
Layoffs
aren't a concern: A freelancer's pink slip
often comes in as a trickle rather than a sudden force. You'll be able to see it
coming and take action to stop it instead of living at the mercy of fate and
budget cuts.
12.
Following
your heart is easier: You can choose to
eliminate working with organizations that conflict with your ethics.
13.
No
awkward performance reviews:
Performance reviews seem slightly biased toward management, don't you think?
Every organization is different, but they generally consist of "this is
what you're doing wrong/right" and "this is how we're going to
control you in the future to make you do more of the right." Freelancers
just don't have to deal with that, as performance can be rated on whether or
not your clients decide to come back for more.
14.Unscrupulous
accountants can't cheat you out of your retirement fund: Remember Enron? Their employees lost pensions and savings when
the company collapsed due to accounting malpractices. Freelancers generally
don't participate in sponsored retirement plans of this sort, leaving them to
invest in a variety of funds of their choosing.
Money
Although working as a freelancer
can make for a rocky financial road, following this path can lead many workers
to higher earnings than their office-dwelling peers.
15.
You'll
learn more about personal finance:
Freelancing rarely provides a steady paycheck, so it offers a good lesson in
responsible saving and spending. It also promotes investment, as you'll have to
consider your own retirement future.
16.
Save on
child care: Instead of paying for
full-time care, you may be able to cut care back to part-time hours or even
work out a schedule with your spouse that allows you to eliminate child care
altogether.
17.
Casual
clothing is cheaper: If you're working at
home, it's not likely that you're wearing a designer suit on a daily basis. The
opportunity to wear more casual clothes will save you money, as they're often
cheaper to buy.
18. You'll
learn more about taxes: Freelancing involves
filing taxes that are often more complicated than an office worker's. Most are
subject to self-employment taxes and quarterly payments. It sounds like a drag,
but it can spark a motivation to take advantage of more public programs.
19.
Save
money on car maintenance: By
not commuting, you're reducing wear and tear on your car, extending its life.
20.
Save
money on fuel: On the same note, not
commuting helps you avoid spending lots of money on gas.
21.
You can
get rid of your car altogether: If it
works for your situation, you may be able to opt out of having a car at all.
That means no car, insurance, inspection or registration payments. That's on
top of the savings you're probably already enjoying from not really driving
your car.
22.
Your
level of career-loathing spending is reduced or eliminated: Expensive vacations, trips to the spa and gallons of fruity
alcoholic drinks are often indulged in because of a need to release work-
related stress. Freelancers are generally happier and more satisfied by their
work, so this type of spending is not as prevalent.
23. Save on
dry cleaning: Work clothes are often
dry clean only, but work-at-home clothes are generally wash and wear.
24.
Home-office
tax deduction: If you use a specific
part of your home solely for working, you qualify for a tax deduction.
25.
Better
pay: Freelancers generally earn more
because employers don't have to deal with the overhead of keeping a full-time
employee.
26.
When
buying a house, you don't have to consider a daily commute: A commute time of zero allows you to buy a home in a more
affordable but possibly far-flung area.
27. Control
over your hourly rate: Freelancers decide how
much to charge for their services, determining just how much their time is
worth.
28.Your
hobbies are cheaper: Just because you do
something as a profession doesn't mean you have to stop doing it for fun. For
example, photographers can take high-quality photos of their own family using
professional equipment they've purchased for paid work.
29.
If you
need a raise, you can increase your rates or work more: Freelancers aren't subject to scheduled .0368-percent raises per
year.
Relationships
Freelancing benefits
workers by allowing them to devote more time and attention to relationships
they want to pursue, while eliminating those that aren't worth the trouble.
30.
You're
not stuck with Crazy for the next 30 years: Every office has a Crazy; that one person in the group that just
isn't right and will never, ever leave the company. Office workers are stuck
with this person until retirement, while freelancers are done with Crazy once
the project is complete.
31.
You'll
learn the fine art of networking:
Freelancers often get a majority of their work through contacts and word of
mouth, so the incentive is there to get out and sell yourself.
32.
Freelancing
is more personal: As you develop
networking relationships and come to see loyal clients as friends, you realize
that freelancing is infinitely more personal than dealing with others as a
corporate employee.
33.
Your
dog loves you more: If you're at home, your
dog doesn't need to be kenneled or taken to doggie day care. In fact, Pooches
just might be treated to a mind-clearing stroll around the block.
34.
You
choose your boss: Everyone answers to
someone, and freelancers are no exception. However, freelancers answer to
clients, a boss that can be chosen and changed with relative ease.
35.
Stinky
food? Who cares!: If you're all by your
lonesome, no one will mind if you eat a gouda, sauerkraut and pepper sandwich
with anchovies.
Mental Health
Whatever your work
arrangement, there's no denying that employment is a see-saw of both stress and
satisfaction. These are the ways in which freelancing tips the scale in your
favor.
36.
Control
freaks welcome: Freelancers have to take
on many roles, from marketing to accounting. A desire to have your hands on
every little detail is not only acceptable, it's preferred.
37. You can
donate your talent to a worthy cause:
Doing a little pro-bono work isn't just fulfilling for your soul, it's also an
excellent word-of-mouth marketing tool. You're free to volunteer your services
this way when you're the boss.
38.
Diversity: Instead of doing the same thing day in and day out, you can pick
up a variety of projects to keep you occupied.
39.
You
decide what to work on: Freelancers can drop
clients that just aren't worth the hassle.
40.You can
balance risk: Corporate employees have
all of their eggs in one basket. Freelancers generally work for more than one
client at a time, so if you're dropped by one client, you don't get completely
wiped out.
41.You can
do what you love: Freelancing allows for
the freedom to take on projects that pique your interest.
42.
Avoid
traffic stress: For most people, traffic
is not fun. In fact, it's downright infuriating. Freelancers who work at home
avoid commute-related stress.
43.You'll
satisfy your hunting-and-gathering instinct: Most freelancers spend about half of their time drumming up
business and half of their time actually working.
44.It's
hard to get bored: Freelancing is a lot
like chronic job-hopping. Once you have a chance to really get tired of the way
things work, you're already moving on to the next big thing.
45.
No
office politics: Office cliques,
management brownnosing and superiority complexes just don't hold up when
there's no structure to support them.
Physical Health
Even the most low-impact
office work can have a negative effect on your health. This is how freelancing
eliminates or improves on the health problems that plague office workers.
46.
No
fluorescent lighting: Fluorescent lighting has
the power to suck the life out of you. If you're freelancing at home, you have
the option to use more health-friendly ambient lighting or even ultraviolet
bulbs.
47.You're
safer: Not having to commute means
that fender benders, floods, snow and ice aren't a daily concern.
48.Ergonomics
are simplified: When offices buy
furniture, it's generally of the one-size- fits-all variety. If you're in
charge of buying your own equipment, you're able to create a workstation that
fits your body better.
49.No
workplace violence: If you're not working in
an office, you don't have to be worried about the day when Joe Office worker
finally hits his limit and goes ballistic.
50.You
don't have to eat on a schedule: Many
weight-loss programs recommend that you eat smaller, more frequent meals during
the day. Working at home makes it easier to follow this type of regimen.
51.Lunch
is a home-cooked meal: If you work at home, you
have an opportunity every day to eat a healthy, home-cooked meal for lunch
instead of something greasy from the drive-through.
52.You
don't have to burn as much sick time:
No one wants to work when they're sick, but it's more manageable at home. Plus,
you're less exposed to illnesses at home, so chances are that you'll be less
likely to pick something up in the first place.
53.
You can
use an exercise-ball chair and no one will think you're insane: Exercise balls are touted as a healthier alternative to
traditional office chairs, but it's hard to imagine using one in a traditional
office. Working at home, you're free to exercise while sitting without
judgment.
54.
Power
napping is easier: If you're freelancing at
home, taking a health- and productivity-boosting power nap is as easy as
walking a few steps to your bedroom or favorite couch.
55.You can
eat healthier foods: It's not likely that you
keep a vending machine stocked with sugary snacks at home, but you probably
have a refrigerator that's great for keeping fresh, healthy foods available.
56.
You'll
be less tempted to eat junk food:
Office food is a very strange phenomenon. Three-day old donuts that would
otherwise not pass muster are quickly gobbled up due to a toxic mix of boredom,
compulsion and a simple a desire to get something for free. Ultimately, it
often results in poor nutrition choices while on the job. Freelancers don't
have to deal with this. That is, of course, not counting last night's
leftovers.
Motivation
Motivation is what drives
you. Whether it's a fear of your boss or a genuine love for your field,
motivation can greatly affect your job satisfaction.
57.
Higher
productivity benefits you, not your manager: When office workers can complete a task more efficiently, the
company benefits. When freelancers find higher productivity, they benefit
themselves.
58.You'll
get credit for everything: When
working for a corporation, workers generally give up the right to own their
work. So if you're working for a large advertising agency and you come up with
the next big thing, the idea belongs to the company, whether you stay there or
not. Unless you agree to contracts stipulating otherwise, working as a
freelancer allows you to put your name all over everything you produce.
59. You can
learn more: By working with a number
of different clients, you may pick up different insights and perspectives on an
industry.
60.
You
define your own future: Freelancers don't have
to worry about whether or not they have "management potential";
they're already the CEO.
61.You'll
develop an impressive portfolio: When
working as a freelancer, excellence tends to snowball.
62.You can
flex your creative muscles: As a
freelancer, you have the ability to seek out clients who need the kind of
services that you want to provide.
63.You'll
be challenged: Whether it's figuring
out your legal status or dealing with a demanding customer, freelancing
presents new hurdles to climb, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.
64.
Rewards
are immediate: Freelancers don't toil
away for 20 years just to be presented with a gold watch and a pat on the back.
Instead, they get work, bonuses and positive networking that's worth infinitely
more.
65.
Pushing
yourself pays off: Your growth is only
limited by your imagination and effort.
66. Your
motivation is based on production, not a time clock: If you finish work faster than you were supposed to, you won't
have to kill time until 5 p.m.; when you're done for the day, you can actually
be done.
Working Conditions
Your working environment
can have a huge impact on your productivity and happiness. These are the ways
in which freelancers have the upper hand.
67.You
control the volume: If you like ambient
noise, you can work with the radio on or go to a coffee shop. If you prefer
absolute quiet, you can keep it that way. Office workers have little to no
control over the noise in their environment.
68.Your
house will be cleaner: If you're at home all
day, you're bound to be irked if it's dirty, and you may feel compelled to
clean up your act.
69.
You
don't have to feel cramped:
Sharing spaces with your co-workers is a thing of the past.
70. You can
use Firefox if you want to:
Instead of having to conform to a corporate IT policy, you're free to choose
your own preferred software.
71.
Solitude: Some find freelance work to be lonely, but many others enjoy the
solitude that it offers.
72. Increased
productivity: Working outside of an
office environment usually means that you're subject to fewer distractions and
thus are able to be more productive.
73.Catch a
breeze: Unlike many office
environments, your windows at home can actually be opened.
74.
Rocking
out is OK: You can listen to music or
watch TV in the background without worrying about bothering a cube neighbor.
75.You can
have the corner office if you feel like it: Working at home means you don't have to compete with co-workers
for prime office real estate.
76.You'll
never get behind on laundry or dishes:
Workers sometimes need to take a quick break to clear their mind. Office
workers might grab a cup of coffee. Home workers can knock out some quick
housework.
Flexibility
Freelancers are generally able to define how, when and where they work. This
fosters a situation that allows them to take care of
business, plus a few other things.
77.You can
go on your kid's field trip: When
Junior's class needs a chaperone for the zoo, you can just rearrange your
schedule instead of having to worry about requesting time off and qualifying
for paid leave.
78.Your
work hours aren't set in stone: If
you find yourself wide awake at 4 a.m. with lots of ideas, you can knock out some work
on the spot and maybe even get done early for the day.
79.You can
hop in the pool while it's still light outside: If you feel like taking a swim in the middle of the day, it's
only a matter of working later or harder.
80.Your
vision is important: Clients value your
opinion.
81.Working
vacations are possible: If you're one of those
crazy workaholic types who can't bear to be without work to do, you can take
your show on the road.
82.Take
your grandmother to the doctor: Spend
time with your elderly relatives who may not get much attention while other
family members are at work. You can always adjust your schedule to accommodate
the extra time.
83.Relocation
isn't a big deal: If you decide it's time
to move to a different city, you don't have to worry about finding a new job.
84.You can
go back to school: If you want to pursue further
education, you can make room in your day to attend classes.
85.You can
accommodate a disability:
Whether it's limited mobility or agoraphobia, working at home as a freelancer
can open up doors to those who might face challenges in an office setting.
86.Work is
wherever you want it to be:
Whether it's the couch, the coffee shop or even the beach, your location is
completely your choice.
87. You can
always go back: Even if you give up your
freelance lifestyle temporarily, you're not surrendering everything. You'll
still have your contacts, portfolio and a wealth of industry knowledge. In the
corporate world, leaving a job often means starting at the bottom of the totem
pole somewhere new.
88.You can
expand your reach: Instead of limiting
yourself to one employer in a specific location, you can spread yourself out to
firms all over the country and even the world.
89.You can
set your schedule to accommodate your family's needs: If you need to start work early to finish in time to get the
kids to band practice, you have the flexibility to do so.
90.You can
pick up and stop work at any time: With
a flexible schedule, you can sporadically pursue other interests instead of
being chained to a desk for eight hours at a time.
Is This the Fun Part?
These reasons aren't life-changers, but they are fun little perks that come
along with being a freelancer.
91.It's
easy to nurse a caffeine addiction:
Whether you're at home or using public wifi, chances are you're not far from a
nice cup of coffee that's better than
the usual office swill.
92.You'll
always have a last-minute gift:
Freelancers specializing in personal services can offer their assistance as a
gift.
93.
"Freelance"
just sounds cool: Cube dwellers are
naturally jealous of freelance workers, and that's perfectly alright. So what
if it's because they think you work in your underwear?
94. You get
to use really neat tools: The
Internet is full of fun applications that are designed to make a freelancer's
life easier.
95.Every
day is Casual Friday: We've already touched on this, but it's just so fun to rub it
in. Jeans? OK. Shorts? Sure.
96.You
might end up in the paper: If
you create a compelling press release for your freelancing business, media
outlets may publish it and give you bragging rights.
97.
You can
have a beer with lunch: Who is going to notice
or even care?
98.You can
feel smug about saving the environment:
By eliminating the need for a separate office space and commuting emissions,
you're greener than most office workers.
99.You may
score free travel: Clients might want to
fly you out to their site.
100.You have an excuse to buy an iPhone:
You need an effective device for phone, email and text
Communication, don't you?
101.If your red stapler gets stolen, the
list of suspects is significantly shorter: Your productivity.Suffers
if you have to hunt down office supplies that walk away. If you can narrow
it down to the cat, your 11-year old and your spouse, making interrogations
simply take up less time.
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