As a freelancer on Upwork, you may have wondered how much power you hold in your environment.

Do you have a say in the projects you work on, or are you just submitting to whatever is imposed on you?

These are important questions, and it all boils down to your personal power.

But don't worry; gaining personal power as a freelancer is not as complicated as it may seem. In fact, it can be broken down into a simple four-step framework.

Step 1: Develop the Right Personal Traits.

Confidence and resilience are two critical personal traits that every freelancer should cultivate.

Having the right mindset and internal strength allows you to pursue your goals and navigate the ups and downs of freelancing.

To start, focus on strengthening your sense of self by improving your communication skills and setting achievable goals.

This will help you develop the confidence and resilience you need to succeed as a freelancer.

Step 2: Acquire a Unique Skillset.

As a freelancer, having a unique skillset or expertise is your unfair advantage.

Becoming good at what you do not only improve your self-confidence but also empowers you socially.

Find out what you're good at and become the best at it.

This will not only help you stand out from the crowd, but it will also help you build a strong reputation and attract more high-paying clients.

Step 3: Enhance Your Emotional Intelligence.

If steps one and two get you started, enhancing your emotional intelligence is what will keep you going.

As a freelancer, you need to be able to understand, manage, and express emotions effectively, as well as empathize with and respond to the emotions of your clients.
High emotional intelligence enables you to navigate complex client relationships and build strong connections.

This is essential if you want to succeed as a freelancer.

Step 4: Expand Your Network.

Expanding your network is crucial for any freelancer.

By connecting with just one client, you potentially open the door to a network of dozens of clients who you could work with.

Every new client you work with can lead to multiple additional connections.

By doing so, you unlock access to more resources, opportunities, and knowledge, which can be leveraged to enhance your personal and professional growth.

So, where do you start as a freelancer? The best way to start is by being assertive. This means being confident in yourself, setting boundaries, and having clear communication. By doing so, you will be able to empower yourself and harness the power of self-confidence and clear communication, ultimately leading to your success as a freelancer on Upwork.