Just like any profession, freelancing can come with its ups and downs, and sometimes, along the way, freelancers can get stuck in a rut or find it challenging to get back into the swing of things, especially following a break or a dry work period.
For some, it might be that they feel like they’ve lost their mojo, or everything appears a bit humdrum and lacking in excitement, especially if things aren’t progressing as quickly as they’d hoped.
If that sounds like you right now, we’ve put together 5 ways to put the fun back into freelancing and get your freelancing magic mojo back!
1. Enjoy what you are doing
For some people, freelancing is more than just a job. It’s their passion. They are doing something they are good at and they love to do. And this shows up in their work and is often positively reflected in the results they achieve, too. So that’s why it’s important that you enjoy what you are doing.
When you enjoy it, you naturally put more effort and love into it, which has the dual effect of being immensely satisfying for you and, equally importantly, the end client or customer gets something valuable from your product or service.
So if you’re feeling a bit ‘meh’, now is the time to go back and identify what it is you really enjoy about your work. What gave you goosebumps when you first started out? It could be that you’re an artist who loves the creative process, a marketer with a passion for getting your clients results, or a fitness coach who loves to transform other people’s lives by getting them in great shape.
Find your why, write it down and pin it to a board or somewhere you can see it, like your phone screensaver. Let it be your compass, guide and reminder as to why you do what you do!
2. Whistle while you work
Do you have a specific piece of music you love to listen to and that motivates you? Something that, when it comes on the radio, automatically puts you in a good mood? If you can, try giving it a little blast now and then throughout the day or when feeling unmotivated.
Listening to your favorite power ballad or watching a quick clip of your favorite motivational movie or video before a work session can work wonders for your mood and energy levels.
Consider creating a playlist of tracks that motivate you that you can quickly insert into your day to help blast away the cobwebs and put back your missing mojo. Working from home? Have a little dance if you want. Nobody’s watching!
Or you can literally whistle while you work if the circumstances allow it. It is known to be a mindful practice, after all. However, the phrase is more about having a positive attitude toward all the tasks you have to do – even those that aren’t your favorite.
3. Get paid faster
Who doesn’t like getting paid? Imagine sending your invoices out and then getting paid at the click of a button. No hassle, no late payment, no endless chasing? That would make freelancing much more fun, wouldn’t it?
With Invoice Ninja, a leading free invoicing software, your clients can pay you with just 1-click without leaving their client-side portal. It includes multiple payment gateway options (you can even get paid in Bitcoin), professional invoice templates, automatic payment reminders, quotes, deposit invoices, recurring invoices, time and task tracking, and lots more to ensure you get paid quickly, hassle-free, and on time.
Try it for free at the link here.
4. Create the right working environment
Where you work has a significant impact on how you work, so creating the right environment for you is essential.
If you work remotely and other people share your household, or if you prefer working with others, co-working might provide a better, more productive environment for you.
But wherever you are, make sure your working space is not only optimum but also inspires you. This can be achieved by the things you have around your workstation (think photo frames of loved ones, mood-improving and air-cleaning houseplants, or motivational wall posters). Or simply where you sit, such as facing a window where you can see trees or birds and be inspired by nature.
An optimum working environment can even manifest in your attire. Maybe you work better wearing a comfortable pair of sweatpants, or you could have something quirky like a lucky hat that puts you in the freelance mood. Do what works for you and inject a bit of fun into your day.
5. Reward yourself
Don’t forget to reward yourself from time to time. And don’t be afraid to get creative with it. If you work with a team, how about having a fun awards night or, once you’ve reached a specific goal, rewarding yourself by enrolling in courses, learning new skills, or attending network events? You can even gamify it – i.e. once you’ve landed a set number of clients, you can reward yourself by attending a well-attended and popular industry event.
Networking doesn’t need to be boring, either. Nowadays, there are plenty of fun and off-the-wall events you can attend that mix professional networking with education and entertainment. Choose one that inspires you, where you can also connect with others.
Having something enjoyable to look forward to that also has the added benefit of self-development and connection with others can seriously put the fun back into freelancing.
You’ve got this!
