To be or not to be a freelancer?

 

Is there any difference between being employed and self-employed? Wouldn’t you say “yes, there is”?! … I wouldn’t.

Why?
Well, you see, positives and negatives of both options are pretty much one and the same thing, though they may appear different on the surface.

How’s that?
Let’s think about the most common argument people use to persuade us that freelancing is an attractive option – money! Compared like for like a self-employed web designer may earn over 100% more than an employed one. Though somehow it escapes us that self-employed earnings are pre-tax, pre-medical insurance, pre-holiday and days off sick, and it already includes spending on training courses, membership and accountant fees. When I do this sobering math my freelance earnings suddenly look more like just “quite a good wage”. Of course as an independent consultant I could opt out of the medical insurance, do the books myself and not be a member of any professional organisation as well as drop my indemnity insurance – I could! But shouldn’t we be comparing like for like?

Now, how about the freedom and the flexibility? Choosing what and when you do?
Just between us – if you know there is such an opportunity somewhere there in the world of freelancing, tell me – I will apply! Or even better, don’t tell anyone – grab it yourself, quickly!

Truth is – when you are employed you have co-workers whom you can help to develop professionally (read – give them stuff you don’t like); when you are a contractor in the same office – you are the one given things to do no one else wants or knows how to! And as for the flexibility – this moody creature is greedy and coldly calculating – the moment your finances start feeling tight, squeezed or just not opulent enough the flexibility turns its back on you and demands obedience to the first job that comes your way… Doesn’t matter how boring, tiring or far away from home it might be. And the worst thing is – you can’t even moan about it!

Why would you want to become self-employed at all?
There is this scent of a constant challenge and opportunity in the air of freelancing. The notion of unlimited possibilities and chances if you would just dare to grab them. It is very appealing and sexy – a little bit like an ad that promises you that you can be earning millions soon, like Joe Block who’s pictured on that ad, did. And you fall for this promise and you give it a go and most likely you stick to it for a while because it’s fun.In the long run and I mean the whole 20-30 years you end up working/earning money, I think you should try both options and mix them depending on your personal circumstances and the state of the market. To pepper this up I would also suggest to venture at least once or twice into the world of entrepreneurs, business owners and employers.

 Give it a go!