Freelance life: how to set boundaries
<p>You’ve decided to jump with both feet into the freelance world, congratulations. You no longer want to work for anybody else than yourself and that is remarkable.</p>
<p>Be aware! Freelance life comes with advantages as well as disadvantages. For example, making your own schedule is great, but not knowing if you’ll be able to pay all of your monthly bills.. not so much.</p>
<p><em><strong>If you’re a freelance worker, here’s something you should (at least try) to master.. the art of setting boundaries!</strong></em></p>
<h2><strong>With your clients</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Explain all terms and conditions before starting the work</strong></h3>
<p>In order to keep a good relationship with your clients, you should be upfront with your terms and conditions. This includes the work that will be completed, tariff, refund policy (if you have one), deadlines, payment delays and the communication channels you use. You don’t want your clients to call you on your home phone at all hours of the day to ask you questions about your work/tariff, etc!</p>
<h3><strong>Keep some things to yourself</strong></h3>
<p>Sure, you want to have a nice professional relationship with your clients. Sometimes, you may even want to offer a more personalized service to some, but there are things you need to keep to yourself. For example, your financial statements, or other client’s personal information. Remember that no matter who you work for, you are in a work context and you don’t want to lose credibility or have a bad reputation in your activity field.</p>
<h3><strong>Be nice, but not too nice</strong></h3>
<p><em><strong>Even if you’re working for a family member/friend/friend of a friend. </strong></em></p>
<p>Yes, you know these people, but you are doing a work for them, they have employed them and no matter the relation you have with them, you need to deliver. Don’t accept every demand or favors, set boundaries and be nice.. just not too nice!</p>
<h2><strong>With yourself</strong></h2>
<p><em>As a freelancer, you also need to set boundaries with yourself. That means treating yourself to an office space, taking some time off and enjoying a vacation. You deserve it, after all!</em></p>
<h3><strong>Get an office space</strong></h3>
<p>Whether you decide to work from a home office, get some inspiration at the coffee shop or share ideas with other freelancers in a coworking space, treat yourself to a proper work environment. Staying at home? Use a spare room as an office or get a nice desk.</p>
<h3><strong>Set your schedule and don’t work outside of these hours</strong></h3>
<p>Unless you absolutely need to, there are no valid reasons to work outside from your work hours. Establish ahead of time how many hours you are willing to work each week and try not to surpass that number. Of course, some weeks you will work more and other not so much, but keep a certain balance. Also, don’t open work email or answer the phone outside of your business hours!</p>
<h3><strong>Enjoy your time off</strong></h3>
<p>Because you deserve to enjoy your time off and your vacation just as every 9 to 5 worker out there. Taking days/weeks off will not only be beneficial for your mental health but also profitable for your business. While on vacation, you will be able to start fresh, relax and let go of things that may have been bothering you. You will come back to work more motivated, and ready to make your business bloom!</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Happy billing :)</strong></p>
<p></p>
Inspired by everything related to the web, social media and entrepreneurship.