We have heard all the benefits of working for yourself: the flexibility, work from anywhere, unlimited earning potential! Alongside that come the serious considerations: no fixed income, additional workload in the form of admin, as you’re no longer just your job, but also the finance, PR, and sales department.
Going self-employed has been a great thing for me, and I do really enjoy it. Wiith this choice come challenges not just from a working aspect such as chasing invoices and winning clients, but managing your time and workload, for better or worse.
In this article we’re going through the 7 reasons why freelancing might not suit your personality (and why that’s ok!)
1. You have a high need for social interaction
If you are a social person, and thrive on interacting with people, than working on your own will be a big shift in stimulation and engagement. Unless your job is to specifically work interact with people, you’ll find that working from home on your own can be a big challenge.
While you can work from shared offices, it’s not quite the same as working with colleagues for the same company. Some sharing spaces welcome this type of interaction, having the emphasis on shared, but some people and places have the emphasis on office – and that might not mix with what you’re after.
Regardless, being self-employed is a more lonely set-up than working in a larger company; if that’s something you can’t deal with, this might not be the right choice for you. If you struggle working in an office environment as well, maybe you should consider these tips.
2. You have a lack of self-discipline
Working on your own requires a high level of self-discipline and self-motivation. If you struggle with staying focused or completing tasks without external accountability, working for yourself might not be the right fit.
You can try “body-doubling” but that requires agreement on someone else’s part, taking away from the flexibility of self-employment. If this person does not have a stake in your business, is it enough of a drive for you to do what you need to?
3. You have difficulty with time management
Similarly as with self-discipline, self-employement often requires you to manage your own time and prioritize tasks effectively. While there are focus techniques you can try to get things done, if you struggle with time management or have a tendency to procrastinate, this may be a challenge.
4. You have a fear of failure that you can’t overcome
Taking the step to go freelance and start your own business is scary. There is always that fear of: what if it doesn’t work out?
Too much stress and anxiety can really take a toll on not on your mental, but also your physical health.
Self-employment can be risky, and success is not always guaranteed. If you have such a fear of failure or struggle with taking risks, than working on your own may not be the best option for you.
5. You have a high need for structure and routine
The benefit of working for yourself is that you can play by your own rules. This means you can set your own structure and routines, and that’s something most freelancers like the most.
That being said, if you’re not very good at maintaining your own structure, this could be a pitfall. Alongside that, while you can stick to your routines, your clients may not always do the same, and some degree of flexibility (within your terms of course!) will be necessary.
Whether that means working out of hours or in a different set up, if that sounds like a drag to you, you may prefer a more traditional work schedule.
6. You have no interest in managing a business
Whether you’re “just a freelancer” or set up a whole business: self-employment often requires you to handle all aspects of your business, including accounting, marketing, and administration.
While most of these things can be learned (or eventually outsourced if you have enough funds) if you have little interest in or experience with business management, this may not be the right choice for you.
7. You have a preference for job security
Similar as with taking risks – there is no guarantee of a (similar) paycheck each month when going self-employed. It all comes down to yourself and how you run your business.
Some people prefer the stability of a regular paycheck and benefits that come with traditional employment. If you prioritize job security over flexibility and independence, than self-employment may not be the right choice for you.
There’s nothing wrong with preferring traditional employment
As much as everyone shouts about becoming a digital nomad and earning so much more when self-employed, it doesn’t mean that it is without its challenges, or that it’s suited for everyone.
Being independent is a fantastic benefit for me, but I am also truly independent: as a solo introvert, I have no one depending on me, and I depend on no one. If you have a spouse or kids, that already makes a completely different picture.
Wanting security in the form of a steady pay check or the structure of a 9-5 is not a bad thing at all – it’s just a different kind of freedom.