“Good or Bad, habits always deliver results." —Jack Canfield (Co-founder, Chicken Soup for the Soul)

Did you know there has been a massive resignation in the last few years? 

The Great Resignation, also known as the Big Quit or Great Reshuffle, is a term coined in 2021 for the economic trend of more and more employees voluntarily quitting their jobs for want of work-life balance and job satisfaction.

Well, work-life balance is one of the vital things for freelancers, isn’t it? 

But if you have been a freelancer for some time like me, then you and I both know that it is not all a cakewalk.  

Work-life balance is the benefit of freelancing. 

More often than not, freelancers find themselves in a loop of bad work days, lethargy-ridden days, and a lack of motivation! Such times can make you feel work is trickier than ever. 

Simply put, the glass is half empty, or rather just empty.

But like every problem, there is a solution!

The solution is to identify the bad habits that drag your freelancing career down and pave the way for all the aforementioned problems.

So here is a list of 5 common habits you should let go of today:

1. A Messed Up Sleep Cycle 

Quality sleep is probably the most overstated and cliched advice to start with. But what can you do? Sleep deprivation can cause half of our problems. So, just by fixing your sleep schedule, you can increase your productivity, improve your mood, reduce stress, boost your creativity, and the list goes on and on. 

So if you are not getting at least 7 hours of sleep every day or you are reading this article at 2 am, this is your sign to fix this habit today.

2. Taking up too much work

One of the common freelancing habits we all make is biting off more than we can chew. It is a real challenge to limit your working hours when you are your own boss and have time for yourself.

If you are doing this, remember that it is crucial that you take time for yourself and do not let yourself get burned out. 

Life is so much more than working and making a living. 

3. Using too much Social Media

If there is one thing 99% of us are guilty of, it is spending too much time on social media. I mean, is it really our fault that those short TikToks and Instagram Reels are so addictive that we just absentmindedly keep scrolling through them? 

(Sobbing quietly as I write this).

Well, as difficult as it is to keep away from all the trends on social media, it is necessary to change the habit to ensure that you don’t jeopardize your freelancing career. I guess it is time to download one of those digital well-being apps and try some mindful social media detox.

4. Procrastination

Without a boss to impose strict deadlines on, you often accompany freelancing with a bad habit of procrastination.  

Regardless of popular belief, it is not an obvious task to be the boss of your own time. 

From personal experience, I can suggest that making a to-do list on paper with a pen can be helpful. It is because there is a unique sense of satisfaction in crossing off the completed tasks, which will help to overcome the reasons you give yourself to delay your work.

5. Always Working From Home

Our surroundings have a tremendous impact on how we perceive our work, and the monotony of working space can be the reason for the failure of all your recent freelancing endeavors. 

So, you can work from anywhere and give yourself a treat working from anywhere.

The world is your office!

Conclusion 

One of the best things about habits is that if you adopt the good ones, they can become your strength and turn your freelancing career around. So, what are you waiting for? 

Break some old habits and adopt some new good ones today.

Want to Start Freelancing in Dubai, UAE?

Freedom2Work aims to be your one-stop shop for all things freelancing! We provide exceptional services and reliable guidance to help you kickstart your freelancing career in the UAE and begin your journey towards achieving financial freedom. Our experts ensure to deliver the highest-quality service and prompt resolution of any queries that you may have. You can, therefore, rest assured that your business can start off on the right footing.

You can get in touch with us at our toll-free number, 800-FREEDOM (373 3366), or at info@freedom2work.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes most beginner freelancers fail?

One of the biggest reasons why beginner freelancers fail is poor time management. It is not easy to be your own boss, and freelancers often make the mistake of not making a proper work schedule. 

2. What's the most challenging part about being a freelancer for you, and why?

Many freelancers have identified setting a schedule as being one of the biggest challenges faced by them. Unlike a 9 to 5 job where your work time is fixed, freelancers often find themselves procrastinating and are unable to meet deadlines.

3. What should freelancers not do?

Here are some common bad habits that freelancers should avoid making.

1. Checking email too many times

2. Taking up more work than possible to complete

3. Underselling yourself

4. Over-promising to a client

5. Not making a schedule for work

6. Spending too much time on social media

7. Procrastinating work

8. Not knowing to say no

4. What are the problems faced by freelancers?

Here are some common problems that many freelancers face.

1. Not finding regular work

2. Not having consistent cash flow

3. Lack of employment and organizational benefits

4. Jumping between clients

5. No Paid Time Off

5. How do I permanently break a bad habit?

Here is how you can break a bad habit.

1. Avoid temptations and triggers.

2. Replace the bad habits with good ones.

3. Let go of the all-or-nothing mindset. 

4. Know it is okay to slip up sometimes.

5. Practice mindfulness.

6. Keep your focus on why you want to break the bad habit.