Don't Forget Playtime in the Freelance Sandbox

One of the biggest problems facing freelancers is burnout. If you're new to the freelancing game, you probably don't believe me. Setting your own hours, being your own boss, working in your pajamas - sounds pretty sweet, right?

I kid you not. When business is good, it's very easy to get lost in work and forget about taking 'you' time. This is particularly true in the first few years, when you're afraid to set limits, or turn down work because who knows when the next contract will come along. No sense looking the proverbial gift horse in the mouth and pissing off the gods of freelance fate, right?

It's true. For the first few years, until your reputation is a rock solid monolith, and repeat customers are banging down your door, freelance work is pretty much feast or famine. So it's logical while at the feast to want to gorge 'til you burst because you have no way of judging how long the famine with last. This easily leads to over-extending yourself with long hours that stretch into days and weeks and months. But you're making money, so who cares, right?

That's a dangerous attitude. Downtime needs to be scheduled and treated with as much sanctity and respect as work time, or burnout is inevitable.

Stretch yourself too thin and stupid mistakes are made, the quality of work goes down, and you start feeling just plain miserable. And it's a vicious cycle. This impacts your reputation and forces you to have to work longer and harder before you're firmly established. And more stupid mistakes are made... and so on... and so on...

Burnout sucks.

It's okay to take on a big rush job and work like a maniac. Just know your limits. Know how far your can push yourself before the stupid mistake monster rears its ugly head, and bid on those rush jobs accordingly. Schedule down time and stick to it.

I'm one to talk. Here it is, Sunday, the traditional day of rest, and I'm typing away. But the thing is, we're back to one of the big selling points of freelancing in the first place. You set your own hours. Find your natural rhythm and stick to it. If your workweek is ten days straight, then do it. You choose the when and where of down time. Just don't underestimate its importance or you risk frustration, anger, depression - and ultimately burnout.

All work and no play makes for very miserable freelancers, and that's not good for anybody.

So go have some fun! It will make you more money in the long run.



image by bukutgirl