The Pros and Cons of Freelance Flexibility
Robert Janelle
Many freelancers have unique workspaces, either by design or by necessity. But as I sit at my coffee table writing this piece and experimenting with different word processors along the way, I realized something: I’m doing this my way!
There are the obvious benefits of self-employment, like no half-hour time limit on lunch breaks, assuming you start work before lunch, or a computer timing every second your spend in the bathroom. But lately, it’s the smaller things that have left me feeling more free.
I’m not forced to use a computer set up the way someone in management told the IT department to do it, everything is set the way I like it and no web sites are blocked by a company. Thinking back of working in cubicles, I remember some fierce restrictions. One place I worked in forbid the use of web-based e-mail (What?!? I can’t use Gmail here?!?)
Ditching The Man means no one dictates whether I use a Mac or a PC, the software I use to do my job and I don’t have to worry about getting issued a cell phone with all the features locked-down.
I can completely re-arrange my work area without having to submit a formal request and then waiting a week to see if it’s approved or not.
But then a question dawned on me: just because I can, does that mean I should?
This leads me to the Con issue of the unlimited flexibility. As I experiment with the bare-bones text-editors Leo suggested, I also have to own up to the fact that I’m spending more time tinkering, and less time working. Or worse, playing with all the features on my phone that weren’t locked to make sure I only use it for company business.
Creating a better system to organize documents is great, as long as it doesn’t become a new procrastination tool (”No, I can’t start a new project until I have a system in place for it!”)
Sometimes simplifying isn’t really simplifying if the process is more work than using what we already have.
So, as someone whose self-employed, it’s time to consider cracking down on my employee and setting aside tinkering and full-on organizing time in my schedule, in order to curb some of my obsessive-compulsive tendencies. That time toying with new software, ideas or systems can be valuable, as long as it’s not taking away from tasks at hand.
For example, I’m finding this text editor (JDarkRoom) kind of inspiring, with it’s Apple II-like look. Plus, I don’t need to worry about it being compatible with the company’s system, because I am the company!
gillo
May 19th, 2007
So true that it hurts. And you didn’t even mention the whole GTD thing. With all this abundance of books, software etc. There’s always the tendency to spend time finding the *right* GTD tool, while instead you should get your things done!
Rajesh Shakya
May 19th, 2007
Hi Robert
Yes, freelancers are all company by themselves - “You, Inc.”. You are your own boss. How you manage your company is up to you. If you want to set the rules for yourself and follow that, that gives you different height. Remember, your client treats you as “You, Inc.”. He expects everything from you what he may have asked if he worked with a large company. You have freedom to be organized and disciplined company . You completely have freedom to lead your way. That is what freelancing all about.
Rajesh Shakya
http://www.rajeshshakya.com
Chris Hoeppner
May 19th, 2007
Know what? I’m procrastinating right now. Instead of reading this, I should be getting my blog app done *lol*
Michael
May 19th, 2007
Robert, it seems like your focus on technical side of freelance work does not go well with the title of this article. At least I was mislead by it…
Respiro the logo guy
May 19th, 2007
I need to:
1. have the freedom to have my working space, just as I like
2. to have the freedom to have my working hours, just as I like
3. to have my daily coffees, just when I want them
So, to make it short, I need freedom as creativity is conditioned by freedom!
Respiro
http://www.RespiroMedia.com
mave
May 19th, 2007
I, too, found the title of the article misleading. I was expecting an article about how the opportunity for flexibility can be a pitfall for freelancers (which it can at times), but instead I got an article about procrastination. I don’t really identify with the whole freelancer - procrastination equation. I think it’s a bit of a stereotype. any undisciplined, unmotivated or uninspired person will have difficulty with procrastination, regardless of whether they freelance or not.
Jill Draper
May 19th, 2007
I am fully committed to the freelance lifestyle. I’m more likely to be writing at 2:00 am than disco dancing. Mornings have never been my most productive time of day, and I can generally route my schedule around that speed bump. The flip side to all this freedom, though, is the ongoing challenge to find the self-discipline and drive from within, reinventing that particular wheel that came with working for the “man.”
Good, strong habits do induce productivity. And those “good” habits do not include sites like Lifehacker and 43 folders, del.icio.us as they are .
The corporate world is generally set up to work best for the more concrete/sequential among us. Writers and artists tend toward the more abstract and random, so there’s a continuous tension between the freedom that nurtures the creative firmament and the potential anarchy of a day without an externally explicit form.
Somehow, most of us manage to find a way to muddle through. That said, I wouldn’t have as much to say to myself if just tended more toward self-imposed structure.
Pawel
May 19th, 2007
Same here, the title was completely misleading. And is it only me who finds recent articles on FS as if they were written only because something had to be published?
Guys, you could do (and have done) much better!
Benek
May 20th, 2007
I agree Pawel. I’d like to see some more real content and quality. I’d prefer fewer better posts than a post per day just to fill gaps.
Jack Jebedee
May 20th, 2007
You’re thrilled at leaving The Man to be a freelancer only to learn that you’re The Man now because SOMEone has to be The Man if anything is going to get done?
Jill Draper
May 20th, 2007
It’s the God’s truth, Jack. I ‘da man. I donna wanna be ‘da man. I’m better at other things.
Ali
May 20th, 2007
I set my own rules now, I’ve spent a good part of 6 months setting up stuff. Now it’s time to get some work done and make some moolah!
Tom
May 20th, 2007
This article describes me almost exactly. I was supposed to work on a design today, instead I read feeds, tinkered with programs, bought some music, … hell, to be quite honest, I don’t even really remember what I did all day. That realization really shows it’s time for a change.
Surendra Chaurasiya
May 26th, 2007
It just seems to be the issue with every individual. You after all have to find what you are comfortable with - not following any rules or regulations that corporations have to. But at the same time getting around self discipline is the crucial key.
It’s a disaster falling into mess ups working alone since no one’s is really controlling you.
The choices for tools, utilities, platform, interface, etc. once again by choice to find what you are comfortable with. By most have confidence in yourself - and everyone will follow you.
Bidfreelancers
June 20th, 2007
What i believe is working more does not helps rather then working smartly. I have see many PHP coders trying to design designs wasting lots of time. If you are a PHP coder partner with some designer. That will help in saving time and you can do lots more with more $$. So in short every project needs to be a team work rather then one men show. One men show can be fine small projects but when it comes to mid-hige projects or many projects at a time we have to go for a team where each team member contributes their own expertise.
Regards
Bidfreelancers