I think the title of this post pretty much says it all. Lazy freelance writers will find it difficult to succeed. There is really no margin for error in this area. If you are not willing to work hard you cannot expect big things. Unfortunately, a good work ethic is something that some people simply don’t have. And when you are working as a freelancer this will become quite obvious sooner rather than later.
I want to compare my job as a sales manager to my current position as a freelance writer to illustrate this point. When I had a steady paycheck it was easy to take a few hours off from time to time, or cut out early. This did not mean that I was lazy; it just meant that I knew the money was coming one way or the next. But as a freelance writer this is not the case. If I become lazy it means that I won’t find new clients, current clients will go elsewhere, and subsequently my income will drop like a brick. This alone should be reason enough to show you how important it is to work hard, day in and day out.
There is nothing wrong with having a “lazy day†from time to time. Everybody needs a break, and this can be good for you. What you need to be careful about is letting this turn into a habit. It feels good to be lazy sometimes, doesn’t it? Since this is the case, you may feel inclined to take time off and procrastinate more than you should. Once again, when this happens you are putting your entire career at risk.
There is no easy way of saying this: lazy freelance writers will not last very long. If you are going to become a freelance writer make sure that you are ready to work hard everyday of the week. It is this work ethic and determination that will allow you to succeed in every facet of your career.
When I started my career as a freelance writer I made a few big purchases. One of the most important was a new computer and printer. I knew that to succeed that I needed to the right equipment from day one. But that was many years ago. Since then I have upgraded my equipment a few times. Listen up: if you need new equipment, such as a computer, you should buy. Of course, this does not mean that you should recklessly spend your money just because you have been craving the latest and greatest technology.
I use my computers and printers until they pretty much die or become so obsolete that I need to upgrade. Some of my units have lasted a few years, and some have disappointed me and hit the wall much sooner. At this time, I have two computers: one is a laptop that I purchased to start my career and the other a newer desktop.
You need to draw the line between knowing when to update your equipment and spending just to spend. If you have the money there is nothing wrong with splurging from time to time. But that being said, making a change, especially to something like your computer, is not always necessary.
To be honest, I hate changing computers. This means that I have to get used to a new setup, transfer all of my files, and take on other tedious tasks. For this reason, once again, I try to keep my computer and other similar equipment for as long as possible.
If you need to upgrade the equipment that you use on a regular basis, go for it. Just remember, there is a fine line between buying something that you need and buying something that you want.Â
No matter what your career choice, there should be something that drives you to work hard everyday. If you cannot pinpoint this detail it is safe to say that switching to another career is something to consider. What drives you to new heights as a freelance writer? For me, there are a couple of things that keep me going.
First off, I love my job. This alone is enough to drive me to succeed, day in and day out. If you like what you do you will find it easy to work hard towards your goals. In past jobs I found it difficult to stay motivated on a regular basis. This was due in most part to the fact that I did not enjoy my position or duties. Once you find a job that you enjoy, such as freelance writing, you will find it much easier to pinpoint the engine behind your career.
Secondly, money is always a huge motivating factor. If you know that you will get paid good money you are much more likely to work hard and do your best. This is something that I have learned time after time as a freelance writer. If you want to get paid and you want clients to hire you again and again, you need to work hard and produce results. I know that there is a lot of money to be made as a freelance writer. And this always drives me to work as hard as I can.
So what drives your freelance writing career? If you cannot answer this question, take a step back and think about it. Chances are that you share my love for this career and the money that can be made.
