I don’t think I chose the freelance life, I think the
freelance life chose me.
While other kids were playing little league, I was trying to
build a two story colonial house for my teddy bears out
of logs, complete with shutters. That never really panned
out so well (lack of nails maybe?!), but it taught me that I
am most at home in the wild, without the road map laid
out for me.
If something failed, I tried again. If people thought I was
crazy, it didn’t faze me much. Naturally, upon entering
the “normal” adult world of office jobs, I was more than
a bit shocked.
I began to pursue freelance design on the side, with the
intention of going in that direction one day. The more I
did it, the closer that day seemed.
Along my six year journey through one full-time and two-
part time jobs, the following signs led me to finally make
the leap. If any of these resonate with you, the edge of
the cliff might be closer than you think.
Start packing your parachute, and get ready to jump!


1) You’re cheating on your
desk job::
Have you ever snuck into the office bathroom to make a
secret freelance call from the porcelin desk chair? Or
used work time to send a quick reply or proof to a
freelance client?
Yep, me too.
I still needed my day job at that point, so it was a risky
game to play. It can certainly lead to trouble, especially if
you signed a non-compete agreement (I didn’t luckily).
It really is unfair to pursue your personal business on
another company’s time and property. Eventually, you
WILL get caught as you attempt to juggle both acts. That
is NOT how you want to leave a company.
So, if you find yourself in a torrid affair with your
freelance business while at your full time job, take it as a
sign to make some changes!


2) You’re bad at normal tasks::
In grade school I used to get in trouble for standing at
my desk. Yes, standing there, next to the chair while the
teacher lectured. “Tamara, sit down!” I hated sitting; I
tried, but it was so unnatural for me.
As I got older and took my seat in office land, I realized I
honestly struggled with administrative tasks that most
people find “easy.” I WANTED to do well, but I’d miss all
these things that other people were seeing as an issue.
Example: in my designs, everything must be perfect. I
measure my documents to the millimeter. But I’m totally
undisturbed by that two day-old coffee cup sitting on
top of that jumble of paper.
I would “get in trouble” for slip ups like this all the time in
my normal jobs. It made me feel small, and stupid.
But then I realized I am neither. I am just
different. I have different strengths. (And you do,
too.)
I can design a mean logo and convince a client to pay me
for it. I can stay dedicated to my goal long after others
made excuses. Why should I keep putting myself into
situations where my weaknesses are utilized and my
strengths tamped down?
If you feel as though you just don’t DO well in normal
work environments despite your best intentions, maybe
it’s because you DON’T! And that is OK! Take it as a sign
to pursue something that makes you feel worthwhile
every day.


3) Changes you’ve made are getting you no closer to your
freelance goals::
The final push I needed to go freelance came when I
started a second, minimum-wage “part-time” job with
11-7, M-F hours. (I didn’t want to be “that person” who
didn’t have a job.)
I could kiss my design business farewell. With hours like
that, I wasn’t getting any closer to my ultimate goal. No
time to accommodate clients during normal business
hours before the shift, and no time after.
I sat there and I cried.
Then I took it as a sign. Now was the time. Now was
when I would put 100% into my freelance business.
I quit and never looked back.


4) You honestly don’t want to live an “average” life::
Some people work the same job their entire lives. We all
know one or two. Twenty years in with the company, a
nice pension, security, stability. That’s cool. If they are
100% genuinely happy with the life they live, more power
to them! I however, am not this person.
For a creative like myself, I want to explore. I want to try
new things. I want my potential to have no limits. I
worked to design my entire life around those goals. I
want to be able to travel, to meet so many people that
come so uniquely into my life. I want everyday to be
something different and I never want to stop learning.
I am willing to give up stability (but really, how safe is
your job?) for that chance.
I’m not ashamed to say….I don’t want a fancy car in my
two-car garage like I’m supposed to!
If you don’t want that either take that as a sign, it’s time
to seriously start budgeting and planning out your
freelance career.

“AVERAGE” is a choice. Choose more for
yourself. If you can’t kick that desire out of your
system, chances are you never will. Let it manifest and
lead you to jump into your freelance career!

Source: http://www.graphicdesignblender.com/4-glaring-signs-to-take-the-freelance-leap