3 Reasons You Will Never Be a Successful Freelancer

Hey there, aspiring freelancer! So, you're dreaming of that sweet taste of independence, setting your own hours, and being your own boss? Fantastic! But let's have a real talk about something crucial: your inner game.

You see, while talent and skills are definitely your weapons in the freelancing arena, having the right temperament is the armour that keeps you in the fight. Without it, honestly, your freelancing career might just be heading for a brick wall.

Here, I will mention three bad habits that can ruin your freelancing career, so it is time to shun them right away.

So, here I go.

1. You are Impatient

It's a tough pill to swallow, but if you're chasing instant gratification and expect freelance success to materialise overnight, you're likely setting yourself up for disappointment.

The freelance journey is rarely a sprint; it's more of a marathon, demanding patience and perseverance. In the initial stages, brace yourself for rejection, failures, and moments that might feel disheartening.

Landing clients takes time and effort, and not every pitch or proposal will be a winner. However, these setbacks are not roadblocks but rather crucial learning opportunities.

Unless you navigate these challenging times, analyse your missteps, and adapt your approach, the growth essential for a thriving freelance career will remain elusive.

What to do

Building a strong freelance foundation requires resilience and the understanding that true success is often forged through overcoming adversity.

Freelancing is a business that takes time to grow. In the early months, you may see no or little progress. With time, you will hone your skill and learn marketing. All these things require time and patience.

Once you spend a hard time, you will begin to see growth. When you become an expert in your skillset, know how to win clients, and have excellent communication skills, you begin to see exponential growth.

Initially, you will earn $100 a month, which will multiply to $200 per month in the coming months. Then, it will turn into $400 or $ 500 in the next few months.

If you do it right and employ the proper strategies, you can reach $1000 per month or even more in a year.

With time, you will understand the whole game of freelancing. For that, you have to be patient.

2. You are a spoon-feeder

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This "spoon-feeding" mentality actively hinders your ability to take initiative, a cornerstone of successful freelancing. Clients often hire freelancers for their expertise and problem-solving skills, not just to execute pre-defined tasks.

By waiting for absolute clarity on every single aspect, you demonstrate a lack of proactiveness and an inability to navigate the inherent ambiguities that can arise in project work.

This not only limits your capacity to impress clients with innovative solutions but also stunts your own professional growth.

What to do

Freelancing demands adaptability and a willingness to figure things out, and if you can't step outside the comfort zone of explicit instructions, you'll find yourself perpetually stuck in low-paying, unfulfilling roles, watching other, more resourceful freelancers thrive.

As a beginner, you need to understand that confusion and questions will remain in your mind. There are many things you will understand with practical implementation.

That is why trying to grasp everything at an early stage is not a good approach. You are not supposed to know everything before you start.

There are many things and terminologies you will understand along the way. Don’t be a spoon-feeder who should be told everything.

If you have questions, you can do research on them on the internet. Most probably, you will find the answers.

Also, you can join Facebook groups where other freelancers are sharing their problems and experienced freelancers are coming up with solutions. That way, you will learn from their experience and grow.

3. You complain and blame

You're absolutely right! The freelancing journey is a tough one, and if you're constantly finding fault with clients, platforms, or even the weather, you're likely sabotaging your own success. This habit of complaining and blaming acts like a thick fog, obscuring your vision and preventing you from seeing your own role in less-than-ideal situations.

Instead of analysing what went wrong and identifying areas for personal growth, your energy is spent pointing fingers, a futile exercise that not only alienates potential clients and collaborators but also stunts your professional development.

By refusing to take ownership of challenges, you miss crucial opportunities to learn, adapt, and ultimately improve your services and business acumen, making sustained success an increasingly distant dream.

What to do

As a freelancer, you are a one-man army and a lone wolf. You have to handle everything yourself.

You are your own boss. You don’t take orders from any employer. You don’t have to cope with the negative attitude of other employees.

However, being one’s boss does not suit everyone. Because everyone is not used to being accountable.

As a freelancer, you are responsible for everything. If you are facing any issue, you are accountable. If you are not marketing properly, you are accountable.

Remember, if you don’t consider yourself teachable, you cannot become a freelancer. You need an attitude that if you face any problem, you have to find the solution.

You dream of the freedom and flexibility of freelancing, envisioning a thriving career built on your skills. However, the path to becoming a top-rated freelancer isn't paved with wishful thinking. If you find yourself constantly frustrated by a lack of progress, take a hard look inward.

Conclusion

In short, if you want to grow as a successful freelancer, you have to be patient, understanding that building a strong reputation and client base takes time and consistent effort. Secondly, hold yourself accountable for your failures, viewing setbacks not as insurmountable obstacles but as valuable learning opportunities for growth.

Finally, stop blaming external factors or constantly complaining about the challenges; instead, focus your energy on proactive solutions and skill development.

Once you diligently work on growing your clientele and command higher rates that reflect your expertise, while consciously avoiding these common pitfalls of impatience, blame, and a lack of accountability, you will undoubtedly be well on your way to becoming a highly sought-after, top-rated freelancer in your field.