Freelancing isn’t all working from remote beaches and easy schedules. Most of it isn’t.
That’s because the way things are set up…if you aren’t intentional? You can easily end up in a worse spot than you would’ve been while employed. Let’s be real…we all probably know freelancers who are stressed, depressed, and barely getting their bills paid.
9 out of 10 times it’s because they don’t prioritize lifestyle design. That’s why this month, we’re going to talk out one of the pillars here at BlackFreelance...Lifestyle Design.
You might think lifestyle design isn’t at the root if freelance problems but let’s look at a common one…broke and struggling magazine writers.
The rates for this kind of work have been falling for YEARS. Pieces that paid $2/wd decades ago pay a fraction of that now. Editors pile stress on writers and pubs pay weeks if not months late. That’s just the reality of the industry.
In other words, strategy, networking, passion, even great writing won’t get you around the reality of what’s happened in that niche. People who do that kind of work can reasonably expect to be broke and constantly chasing down checks, even if a few outliers do exist.
If someone prioritizes a lifestyle that’s low stress, pays reasonably, and is sustainable, they’ll cross that type of work off the list up front. No discussion.
That’s what lifestyle design is…deciding what you want the big picture of your life to look like…and then making the freelance decisions that have the best chance of getting you there.
Megan
P.S. A couple reminders…
- If you’re ready to take the next step in your freelance journey and want to “self-coach” your way to a healthier freelance business—come check out the Black Freelance Academy to improve your skills as CEO of your freelance world.
- It’s our job as Black freelancers to spread the word on the potential out
there, so if this message was helpful, pass it on!