The traditional work setup is no longer applicable in the digital age because it is no longer efficient or effective. With the advent of the internet and new technology, our work has changed dramatically. We can now work from anywhere globally, making traditional work setups obsolete.
While many companies, employees, and industries still pursue on-site setups because of their preferences, there are more people appreciating work-from-home or remote arrangements and telecommuting. As a result, they expose themselves to the possibility of freelancing.
The freelance lifestyle is becoming more and more popular. There are many reasons for this, but one of the biggest is the benefits that freelancing offers. Here are some of the top benefits of freelancing.
You Can Work from Anywhere
One of the great things about freelancing is that you can work from anywhere. You don’t have to stay tied down to a traditional office space. You can work from home, your local coffee shop, or even from different countries. This location flexibility is one of the main reasons why people love freelancing.
Since you have freedom of movement, you can also stay flexible with your equipment. You might need a laptop at the bare minimum for your job. Some might have a good setup at home to improve their performance, but the ability to move places can be convenient enough for your other responsibilities and errands in life.
The world will be your office instead of the four walls of an office. If you want to be around people, you can sign up for co-working spaces. If you feel like you need a change of scenery or some inspiration, all you have to do is pack up your laptop and go.
You Are in Control of Your Time
When you freelance, you are in control of your time. You can take on as many or as few projects as you want. It gives rise to the possibility of having a more excellent work-life balance – something that is often difficult to achieve with traditional employment.
With freelancing, if you want to take a day off or even a week off, you can easily do so without asking permission from your boss or clients. You can also work hours that better fit your daily schedule and routine.
You can start working earlier and finish earlier if you’re a morning person. If you’re a night person, you can work late into the evening. It’s all up to you and what works better for you.
You Have More Freedom with Your Projects
When you freelance, you also have more freedom regarding the projects you want to take on. You can be choosier with the tasks you want to work on and only take on those that interest you.
It contrasts with traditional employment, where you might not have a say in the assigned projects. If a project doesn’t fit your interests or skillset with freelancing, you can turn it down without consequences. It might mean fewer clients, but you can find more prospects when you market your services online.
However, it might lead you to believe that there is no growth in freelancing. While it is true that you might not have a direct path to follow, such as in traditional employment, there is still room to grow in your career.
You can continue to market your skills and services online and look for bigger and better projects. You can also work on developing new skills that will make you more attractive to clients. The sky is the limit when it comes to freelancing.
You Can Make Your Schedule
As we’ve mentioned before, one of the great things about freelancing is that you can make your schedule. If you want to take a break in the middle of the day to go for a walk or run some errands, you can easily do so.
You can also work around other commitments in your life, such as taking care of your children or elderly parents. If you have a doctor’s appointment, you can work around it without using your vacation days or sick days.
There is no need to ask for permission to take some time off when you freelance. You can easily adjust your schedule to accommodate what you need to do in your personal life.
You Might Earn More Money
When you freelance, there is always the potential to earn more money. You can start by charging higher hourly rates than what you would make in traditional employment.
As you gain more experience and attract more clients, you can further raise your rates. The goal is to reach a point where you are making enough money to comfortably support yourself and your family.
Of course, there is no guarantee that you will earn more money when you freelance. It will depend on how well you market your skills and services and how in-demand they are.
But if you’re willing to put in the work, there is a good chance that you can make more money freelancing than you would work a traditional job.
Final Thoughts
The freelance lifestyle has pros and cons, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. If you’re thinking of switching to freelancing, these benefits might have motivated you to do so.