Working Remotely
The thought of working remotely as a freelancer can fill you with optimism. After all, no more long commutes to the office, no more fighting over the last bagel in the break room, and no more submitting to the will of a boss who’s always on your back. However, with the freedom that remote working as a freelancer brings, there also comes a certain amount of trepidation. What can you expect? Will you always be productive? Will you be able to be your own boss? Let’s find out.
Be Your Own Boss
When you work from home, you become your own boss. You call the shots, you make the decisions and only you can dictate what your working life will look like. That means you can manage your own time and be responsible for your own successes and failures.
Working remotely gives you more freedom to do what you want, when you want it. You might choose to work late into the night or early in the morning, you might take a break to watch the wildlife in the backyard, or you might enjoy a long lunch break to linger over coffee in an interesting cafe. The options are yours and you no longer need to run your life according to someone else’s clock.
The Freedom To Choose Your Projects
When you work as a freelancer, you have the freedom to choose projects that suit your skills and interests. That means you can choose to work on something that you have a passion for, and something that you enjoy doing. You can be selective about the projects you accept, and the type of clients you work with. This means that you have a great deal of power to decide where your career will take you and you can create your own professional path by deciding what kind of projects to focus on.
Increase Your Networking Potential
When you work remotely, you can increase your potential to network even more than before. As a freelancer, you can use new technologies and social media to connect with potential clients, connect with other freelancers who offer complementary skills, and gain access to new industry information that would otherwise be hard to come by. You can also become a part of remote working communities, forums and shared workspaces if you want to interact with other professionals in the same boat.
Say Goodbye to the 9 to 5
One of the biggest benefits of working remotely as a freelancer is that you no longer have to submit to a rigid 9 to 5 schedule. You have the freedom to choose your own hours and structure your days in a way that suits you, as long as you meet the deadlines that you’ve agreed with your clients. As a freelancer, you can also choose to take on part-time or full-time projects which gives you greater control over the type of work you do.
Get Paid For What You Deserve
A huge benefit of working remotely as a freelancer is the fact that you can command rates that reflect your skills and experience. When you work as a freelancer, you won’t be tied to a fixed salary, so you can charge whatever rate that reflects your true value. This is a great thing because it allows you to get paid what you’re worth, which means that you’re not getting paid for the time you spend at work but for the quality of the job that you do.
Stay Focused and Avoid Distractions
One of the common challenges of working from home is avoiding distractions such as browsing the internet, watching TV or having an impromptu chat with a friend. To overcome these distractions, it is important to create an established routine and limit your access to digital technology when you are working. Working remotely also affords you the opportunity to look after your health and wellbeing, with long breaks to go for a walk or bike ride and the chance to enjoy healthy meals.
Secure the Resources You Need
Before you start working remotely as a freelancer, it’s important to make sure you have access to the right resources. That may include a good computer, access to reliable internet, office furnishings, basic office supplies and suitable software to help you run your business efficiently. You can also look into coworking spaces if you want to benefit from shared resources and collaboration opportunities.
Take Advantage of Tax Deductions
When you work remotely as a freelancer, you may be eligible for tax deductions. The various expenses that you incur while running your business from your home can be claimed back against your taxes and this can help to reduce your tax burden. These expenses can include items such as a portion of your utility bills, rent or mortgage, insurance, broadband and telephone expenses and more.
The freedom and flexibility that working remotely as a freelancer can bring is unmatched. From being your own boss to taking advantage of new networking opportunities and tax deductions, there are many positives to working remotely. However, it is important to ensure that you are organised, productive and focused on achieving results, while looking after your health and wellbeing. Working remotely can be a great way to live life on your own terms and create the career that you have always wanted.
