Finding Fulfillment as a Freelancer

One of the ultimate rules in life is to be happy. Aside from working for money to meet the basic necessities of life, we must not neglect our personal happiness. We must endeavor to find fulfillment in all we do.

Fulfillment is needed everywhere. As a freelancer, it even becomes more important. Most times, it is not about how much you make from doing what you do, as it is about how much you love what you do. It might sound cliché to say “everything is not always about money,” but there is an element of truth in the statement. The first step to get the most out of your freelancing journey is to know what makes you fulfilled.

In recent times, freelancing has become a very popular term. No thanks to the pandemic that gripped the economy. This has also seen many people switch careers, either due to layoffs from companies or personal reasons. The pandemic also brought about a realization that you can not depend on a singular source of income. Whatever the reasons are, everyone is almost bound to be a freelancer. It is either you sell goods or deliver services to clients.

Finding fulfillment is only a broad term for the ultimate goals of freelancers. This article will provide you tips and tricks to attain fulfillment in your freelancing journey. 

What do you love to do?

Before choosing a career, this is the first question that must be answered. Variants of this include questions like:

● What makes you truly happy?

● What can you do all day without getting bored or tired?

● What do others find tasking that doesn’t seem like a chore or task?

Where others might find it tasking to listen to people, you might love listening. With enough training, you could be a life coach. You might discover that you find makeup appealing, whereas others see it as a chore; you can pick that up. Switching careers might be topmost on your mind as you don’t enjoy what you currently do. The most important thing is that you are aligned with yourself. Do something you love, and you will find fulfillment.

‍

Listen the conversation here.

Understanding relationships with clients

Whether you are delivering a good or providing a service, you will have to deal with clients. At times, you might deal with them virtually. At other times, you might deal with them in person. Whatever it is, you have to understand how to deal with clients.

Don’t be a people pleaser

In the quest to have more clients, you might be tempted to please everyone. This only affects you in the long term. Don’t attempt to please everyone at your own peril. You only put yourself in uncomfortable situations when you do that. Understand boundaries too. Pleasing people only makes you lose your joy, and fulfillment becomes unattainable.

Communication

This is another vital tool in the journey of freelancing. Through communication, clients make their problems known, and you provide solutions. You should understand that communication is beyond the message. It is also about how the message is conveyed. If properly done, it opens up a better level of relationship with your clients. Hence, fulfillment is attained gradually.

Community

You have often heard, “no man is an island of knowledge.” Simply put, no one knows it all. In the journey of freelancing, the community is important. There are several times you might be down or depressed, and it pays to have a group of people you can always relate to and share things with. You also gain the opportunity to represent your brand and yourself.

Empathy

Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Being empathetic as a freelancer will endear you to your clients. These are soft skills every freelancer should learn. You can show empathy by using kind statements. It is basically showing your clients that you care too.

Be yourself!

If you cannot convince yourself that you are good enough, how can you even convince others? Thinking of bidding for a job? Don’t be afraid of rejection. You couldn’t deliver to a client? Don’t judge yourself too much. Be yourself. Be who you are. Be authentic. Be genuine. Talking to people opens your mind. Since there is a lack of authenticity in the world, the more authentic you are, the more people will appreciate you.

The journey towards fulfillment as a freelancer is one that must be undertaken with all intent. Asides from knowing yourself, you must also know how to relate with clients. Understand the importance of community, and no man is an island. Knowing the rudiments of communication is a vital tool. Be empathetic, and you will be on good terms with your clients. We are rooting for you!