2017 is shaping up to be my first full year of out-earning my
former, full-time salary (before I’ve done it month-to-month) and it feels great…great and strange. Since it’s Reflection and Assessment month, I can’t help but look back on my last year freelancing especially, and think about what happened that’s helping me get to this financial goal.
It all, honestly, goes back to habits. Habits around my marketing, paying attention to my niche, listening to my clients, and improving my skills. If those habits weren’t working together
though, I doubt I’d be where I am right now.
That’s why this week’s question is all about making sure the habits you have (like the ones we cover here every month) are aligned and pointing toward the life you want to shape as a freelancer.
Look at your freelance habits…are they random, or are they aligned with the life you want to be living?
That question might seem kind of abstract or fluffy, so
let’s look at it from the perspective of another big change people want to make in their lives…getting in shape.
If you’re trying to put on muscle, you want to consume more protein, lift heavy things, and take in more calories than you burn off in a day. If you’re trying to cut fat, you’re going to be looking to consuming fewer calories than you burn off in a day and hopefully in a way that focuses on nutritious foods.
If you get either
of those things mixed up, (say, for example, you’re eating less and trying to put on muscle) you can have perfect habits, but still not end up frustrated and not seeing results.
Take a look at your freelance habits this week…marketing, engaging in your niche, skills development, even time management. Jot them down really quickly and ask yourself
- Whether they point in the same direction
- Whether that
direction is toward a place you genuinely want to go
If the answer to either of those is “no”, it might be time to take a new look at your habits and make some changes on our next run through the monthly pillars.
Megan