Goal Planning: Is There Life After Freelance?
A goal without a plan is just a wish. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery
You might have noticed it already, but I really enjoy living the freelance life. The freedom and the flexibility that I now have allows me to look at things differently. I may not have the security that comes from a steady paycheck, but as one commenter noted a while back, it’s unlikely that all of my clients are going to disappear at the same time, and I will always have the ability to go out and find new clients.
As much as I enjoy this lifestyle, it’s not something I see myself doing for the rest of my life. No, I don’t think I will ever be comfortable working directly for someone else, but I do anticipate graduating from virtual assistants and working from my home office. I can see an office environment, with a small team, where we can help small and medium sized businesses achieve their goals.
“Start small and dream big.” ~Robert T. Kiyosaki
To achieve this dream, I have set goals with milestones to hit over the next three years. Currently it’s all in my mind, but it will all be on paper by the end of this month, so I can review it regularly and track progress – or lack of it. Thursday wrote a great post earlier this year about the next steps for the freelancer – is there life after freelancing?
Do you have a plan for your business?
Is it written down, or locked away in the confines of your brain?
Have you shared it with a friend, associate, or colleague to ensure it’s realistic and achievable?
“A plan is a bridge to your dreams. Your job is to make the plan or bridge real, so that your dreams will become real. If all you do is stand on the side of the bank and dream of the other side, your dreams will forever be just dreams. First make your plans real and then your dreams will come true.” ~Robert T. Kiyosaki
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I’ve been a freelancer for 10 years. I agree with most of what you’re saying, but I have to add that when the recession hit, most of my clients DID disappear at the same time.
I, too, see myself more as an extremely small business rather than a freelancer. I think it’s actually called a “micro-business”. Like all businesses, I would like to grow; I would like have a few people on staff and an office somewhere. What I am mindful of, however, is growing too quickly or too big.
I read a fabulous book a few years ago that did a great job showing how 14 very successful businesses chose to stay relatively small and thrived because of it. Each business then had the opportunity to define success in their own terms — community involvement, staff contentment, work environment. Of course, revenue was always a goal — just not the only goal. The book is called Small Giants: Companies that Chose to be Great Instead of Big by Bo Burlingham. It’s well worth the read.
And, no, I don’t have my plan written down but this is a great reminder to do that. Thanks!
My husband and I are planning on starting our own freelance business, but it can only happen for real once he’s finished all of his business with his employer. We’ve already accomplished milestones to get there though and it’s exciting.
Writing down your goals is always helpful and effective for me. Seeing my goals and milestones helps by reminding me what I’m supposed to do and what I’ve started on.
The freelance life is definitely a great one. It’s relaxing and you’re free to do as you please. Take breaks when you want. You are your own boss.
I thought you would write something like ‘Is there life after freelancing death’ .. but hey, you make perfect sense. Who would want to work for a lifetime. I think we all want some kind of financial freedom these days and I say it’s nice to have a plan, but be sure you’re as flexible as a bamboo when it comes to facing the tides of time. Anything can change and uncertainty is in the air – but having something to look forward to is a hope as fresh as an orange juice in the early morning ( sweet, tangy, pulpy ).