More people than ever are now freelancing. The freedom it provides and the ability to make your own money without the pressures and stresses of a regular desk job make it a very enticing prospect.
However freelancing isn’t a good fit for everyone. Below are the pros and cons so you can decide if it’s right for you.
Pros
- Set your own hours – This is a big plus for a lot of people since it means you can plan your work around your schedule and also take breaks and holidays when you want. This freedom is a big part of what attracts people to freelancing and it’s undoubtedly a massive pro.
- No limit on how much you can earn – Another great thing about freelancing is that there isn’t an upper limit on what you can earn, at least in theory. To be successful at it you will need to put in a lot of work but unlike a lot of work environments where there’s a very rigid structure in place; with freelancing you can earn as much as your talent/hard work enables you to.
- No commuting – When you work for yourself from home then you can completely avoid the rush hour traffic that’s inevitable when you’re working a typical 9 to 5. The stress of driving in such conditions every day can soon mount up so this is a big plus.
Cons
- You need to be self-motivated – This is perhaps the biggest potential downfall of freelancing. A lot of people who’ve never done it before might assume that they’ll be just as motivated to work from home as they would at an office where they’re held accountable. Human nature dictates that this often isn’t the case. Therefore if you’re not the type of person who is able to motivate yourself then freelancing may not be the right path for you.
- Can be isolating – Another potential downside to consider about freelancing is that it can be quite isolating. If you prefer to work in a bustling environment with a lot of other people around then you’re unlikely to enjoy it in the long run.
- Pressure of finding consistent work – Being able to find enough work to sustain yourself is something a lot of freelancers struggle with. Depending on what your area of expertise is and how well you advertise yourself, you might find getting enough work a struggle.