It’s a whole new year baby, and that means it’s time to put up or shut up. Being a freelancer is all about answering only to yourself, so the question is: Are you going to hold yourself accountable for being awesome in 2018, or let mediocre slide?
You know the answer.
Here’s your ultimate quick-start guide to getting it done in 2018, no matter what your freelance jam is.
#1 — Get Clear on Your Goals
Before you dig into your inbox, before you start filling out your planner, spend at least a day figuring out where the hell you’re going with all of it.
Having a goal in mind will help you sharpen and target your daily tasks so that they’re actually productive, not just busy work. Figure out what you want, get REALLY specific, and then spend a lot of time visualizing why you care about getting it.
Once you have it all figured out, write it down in your planner, stick it to a note on your monitor — make this goal the center of your focus (literally) for 2018.
#2 — Know Why You Want What You Want
The why is arguably more important than the what. Saying you want to make $100,000 in 2018 is fab and all, but knowing WHY you want to make that specific amount is what brings it all home and keeps your actions on track with your goals.
Do some goal visualization in any way that works for you — write a story in which you have everything you want. Set up a vision board in your office full of images of what your life looks like having met that goal. Make it really fun and plan a dream vacation, right down to the color of the bikini you wear at the five-star resort you’re staying at.
#3 — Surround Yourself With Ballers
According to Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Work Week, “You are the average of the five people you most associate with.”
Take a closer look at the people you spend the most time communicating with — are you cool with being the average there? If the answer is no, it’s time to be more selective in who you spend your time with.
It sounds harsh, it sounds selfish and elitist, but the reality is that you can’t get to where you need to go by thinking the same way you did before. People tend to mimic the actions and beliefs of those they surround themselves with, and if the people in your life aren’t motivated, then chances are, neither are you.
#4 — Get Serious About Productivity
In the era of multi-tasking, thought leaders are finally starting to say that monotasking is where it’s at.
Concentrate, and don’t let your focus get divided, or you’ll never get it all done. Use productivity hacks that’ll help bring you closer to your goals, have a daily to-do list, use a planner — whatever works for you.
#5 — Network Like a Pro
You can’t be successful without a great network, and that goes for business contacts just as much as it does friends and family. If you’re naturally antisocial, find ways to break out of that shell so that you can allow your actions to better serve your goals.
Connect with people you admire on LinkedIn, share great advice with strangers, and if someone says they’d love to connect, set up a virtual coffee date. In the age of the digital freelancer, you can’t let introversion be the death of your growth and ambition. Find. A. Way.
#6 — Sharpen Your Skills (And Pick Up a New One)
The digital landscape means things change lightning fast, and if you’re not on top of what your customers are craving, you’re missing out on BIG business, and an opportunity to serve them even better.
Always be learning something, whether it’s a fresh perspective on your money mindset, or boning up on your email marketing skills. Make it a goal to conquer a skill or piece of knowledge that’s been gathering dust in your life every month.
#7 — Recognize Numbing Out (And Stop)
At the end of a long day of conquering and owning it, it’s natural to want to unwind, but recognize when it’s just because you want to relax, and when it’s because you don’t want to think about something.
If something’s bothering you, address it in a healthy, proactive way, whether that’s with a quiet walk or with some journaling. Then, at the end of the day if you really need to watch some trashy TV, tune in shamelessly to Netflix, and today’s problems won’t be tomorrow’s distractions.
#8 — Put Yourself on a Schedule
As a freelancer, work tends to wander into our personal lives a little too often. Don’t let it. Set clear business hours, both for yourself and your clients, and stick to ‘em. Schedule meeting when it’s convenient for you, and just as important: block out time for self-care and unwinding.
#9 — Improve Your Sales Game
A lot of freelancers HATE sales, and that’s not uncommon, but it’s not productive, either. If you hate sales, it’s time to do some mindset work, figure out why, and they get over it. Embracing selling is what will make you a successful freelancer, so lean into the rush, connect with a message that feels real and authentic to you, and recognize that you’re not a guy on a street corner with a jacket full of watches — you’re someone with something to offer that’s worth paying for.
What are you doing to propel yourself towards your freelance goals this year? Tell us in the comments below!
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