Great article!

I’ve been freelancing since 1993, and I’ve found the following to be one of the hardest things to consistently do. However, I have noticed that when I pull the plug sooner, rather than later, it has cleared the way for greater success.

Kinda like cleaning out your closet — the longer you procrastinate, the more it weighs on your mind. But, the sooner the task is done, you feel so much freer.

I constantly keep this in mind to keep from inhibiting the growth of my freelance business.

Yuwanda

I know I suck at print work, so I don’t do it. But within that, think about networking with others to keep those clients close and perhaps continue to grow your business from the core out. There’s opportunity everywhere, so don’t be scared that well is going to dry up any time soon.

1.) If you’re brand new to freelancing and still trying to establish a referral network, sometimes saying yes (when you probably should have said no) can be a necessary evil. It keeps the money in the bank, and the hours coming in. I’m not espousing saying yes to everything, but just like the corporate world, you have to start somewhere - headaches and all. Of course, if getting work/hours isn’t a problem off the bat, then you can afford to say no except for the cream of the crop.

2.) Sometimes a ’stretch’ client that pushes the limits of our professional skills is worth it - for the stretch in our skills. But, I’d reserve this kind of stretching only for the skills you find enjoyment doing, and want to eventually specialize in.

Even with those caveats said (and even if you disagree), I’m sure all of us reading the article agree on the important theme underlying it all - to be comfortable with yourself and your skills, and avoid decisions made out of fear and obligation.

Cheers,

Clarity, focus, self-confidence, and query query query, if only I spent 100% of my time feeding those qualities.