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We all want a BETTER 2018.
That’s why most of us have probably made new commitments to improve ourselves and become successful freelancers.
Speaking of successful freelancers, let us talk about them. Aside from their skills and experience, what else distinguishes them from others?
A quick browse through the FLIP Facebook group reveals some notable optimism and confidence on top freelancers' posts and comments. Surely, this stems from their positive mindset and behavior.
If your goal is to have a great 2018, check out this list I compiled based on my observations.
Read closely to see if you're guilty of these habits that top freelancers AVOID - and try to get rid of them this year.
They don't dwell on things they can't control and say:
"Upwork is too strict."
"Facebook is changing."
"The competition is tight."
"Some clients are stingy."
Yeah, the world isn’t perfect. So, what? We all face the same challenges but, behold! Successful freelancers chose to rise above their circumstances. They took action and succeeded. So, if you want to step up this year, stop blaming the externals.
Instead, shift your focus to things you can control. Strengthen your Upwork profile. Try other platforms. Make the online updates work for you, rather than against you.
Rise above the competition. Choose and attract high-value clients. Stop whining and START DOING.
Otherwise, you’re not really serious about this.
Whenever you see freelancers post their achievements on Facebook, do you ever think “Buti pa sya. Ako, bokya pa rin” or “Haaay, hindi ko kaya yung ganyan kataas na rate”?
If you do, be careful.
Thinking like this causes serious damage to your self-esteem and outlook. Stop putting others on a pedestal and thinking less of yourself. Focus on your own goals and work towards progress, whether great or small.
Better yet, use others’ successes to validate what’s in store for you. Get inspiration, learn from them, and stay positive.
You can do this!
"I really want to become a freelancer but..."
...my internet is slow.
...I don’t have time because I have kids; I have a full-time job, etc.
...my English is not good; I have no college degree; I am not techie; I'm an introvert; I'm not confident; I'm too old; I can’t find motivation, blah, blah, blah (this list goes on and on…)
Any of these sound familiar?
These are common excuses we hear every day. But if you watch our #JasSuccess interviews, you’ll find REAL people who have succeeded despite being in similar circumstances above. Listen here as each true-to-life success story disprove every single one of your excuses.
Let’s face it.
Your situation is NOT special. Everyone has 24 hours in their days. A lot of people deal with crappy internet service. We all have something going on in our lives.
But you can choose to break out of them. If your excuses held you back last year, are you going to stay stuck or will you fight back stronger this 2018?
“I have the freedom of time as a freelancer; I can work whenever I feel like it.”
If this was your work mantra in 2017, it must evolve this year. If you only want to work when you’re inspired, when you’re comfortable, when it’s convenient, or when you have finished the latest K-dramas, then you’ll never realize your true potential.
Start treating your freelance career as one. Recognize that it is an income-generating business. When done properly, it will feed you, buy you groceries, upgrade your appliances, pay tuition fees, spend for your vacations, or even help you save for that new house or car you want.
However, the amount of income it generates depends on how much work you put in CONSISTENTLY.
So, if you want to level up this year, do as the LODIs do – operate as a business. Instead of waiting for your body to get into ‘work mode,’ decide to go into ‘work mode.’
This involves forcing yourself to sit in front of the computer, submitting proposals even when you don’t feel like it, going on interviews even you’re not ready, and doing the boring work even when there are more interesting things to do.
There’s just no instant way of succeeding in this business.
Every successful freelancer has to to hustle, struggle, fail, and learn repeatedly. Those 4 are life’s favorite combo – it’s just how it is.
If you want to get results, you will also need to hustle. You will also go through struggles and failures. But at the end, you’ll learn and succeed. It will be tough. Your eyes will get tired, your back will hurt, you’ll get stressed…
But there are no shortcuts. You must learn work well on your own. Don’t keep relying on others to spoon-feed information or inspiration.
Learn how to read. Make good use of Google. There is just NO other way to succeed in this business.
But when you reach your goals, it will be worth it.
