One of the hardest periods of my freelance career came right after I decided to drop a client that seemed to think they were paying me for the privilege of working my last nerve.

I was SO relieved when they were gone…until I remembered they were paying me almost $2K a month. I went from a comfortable freelance income with a frustrating life, to scraping by with a couple of great, but small clients. The money lost wasn’t the worst part though.

What got me was the sneaking feeling that everything I’d worked for was slipping away. Feeling that I’d never be able to make that kind of money again, and if I did, that I’d have to settle for the same kind of client who wanted to be able to call me at 10AM on a Sat for a last minute meeting. That frustration hit on my deepest fear — that freelancing wouldn’t be any better than the job I left.

But then I shifted my thinking, and remembered what freelancing is all about.

I remembered that I had control. That I could choose the clients I wanted, and that frustration was just a great opportunity to learn something about myself and figure out how to address it.

After that client, I learned to be honest with myself and my clients about how I work and when I’m available (this is when I started listening office hours on certain contracts.) I went on to find a replacement client that surpassed that income and wasn’t near as stressful.

Next time you’re frustrated, acknowledge it, but move through it. Let it inspire action and growth for you, and remember, you’re in control.

Megan.

P.S. It’s social media month and we’re focused on using Twitter to build your freelance business, so come check it out!