Well you did it, you’re finally free! You’re your own boss, which means no more being supervised, no more co-workers and no more annoying meetings – the world is your oyster. Ah, sweet freedom!
There’s one problem, though: you have to be your own boss. So whilst it’s great that you no longer have to worry about wearisome meetings with a superior if things go amiss, it does mean that you have to do that to yourself instead. You have to be the one who sets and meets deadlines, the one who communicates with the client, and the one who makes sure all the work gets done on time.
However, as leading contractor accountants, we’ve found some useful techniques to help you in your quest of being your own boss. Here are a few for you to make use of…
A Clear Vision
A lot of how you succeed in the freelancing world is down to your attitude and your philosophy. You must have a clear vision that can be summarised in a single paragraph before you de-construct this into actionable and measurable goals. These will not only help to keep your attitude fresh and your spirit motivated, but they will also help you to establish a time-frame for management and progression purposes.
A Task System
Having a clear vision is one thing and keeping yourself organised is another, but it’s equally as important, if not moreso if you want to be successful. We know you’re a hard-working person, so you won’t be letting tasks fall through the cracks and letting deadlines pass you by, but it can still get overwhelming when you’re managing all the tasks at once.
There are plenty of tools on the market that can help you when it comes to managing your workload, so it’s just a matter of finding out what works best for you. For a visual person, Trello is a good choice, but if you’re a simpler, ‘list kind of person’ then something like Wunderlist might be better for you. You might even choose to go old school with pen and paper, and if that works for you, then you have our blessing.
A Brain Full of Motivation
Freedom is great because you answer to no-one, and depending on the kind of work you’re in, you can sit in your pyjamas all day and work. However, this comes at a price, because you can actually sit in your pyjamas all day.
What we’re trying to say is that, while freedom is great, it can whisper in your ear, tempting you to not stay focused and get work done and just relax instead. To avoid this, you need to find out how you work best and put yourself in that situation every day.
Oh, and stick to your guns once you’ve found out what works!
A Mind To Take Breaks
When it comes to working, taking a break sounds like one of the most counter-productive things you can do. Wouldn’t it make way more sense to keep going and crack on until the task is done? Well, it turns out you might be making it a lot harder on yourself!
Taking a break not only helps your brain’s ability to focus and prevents burn out, but it also helps you to stay on task. You’ll also find that it helps with your decision making around your work, such as food choices for the day.
Even if it’s for a few minutes each hour, taking a break can mean the difference between a job done, and a job well done. So, step away from that desk, take a breather and you might find yourself looking at something from a different perspective.
Of course, one of the scariest parts of becoming self-employed is having to manage your finances. This includes making sure that you save enough for taxes, get paid on time, track expenses and send out invoices. It’s a hassle, but you don’t have to worry about it all that much as ICS is here to help!
Here at ICS, we’re specialist contactor accountants, so helping you manage your finances is our bread and butter! To find out what ICS can do for you, contact the team today on 0800 195 3750, or keep up to date with us by following our Twitter and Facebook accounts.
