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As a self-employed writer, I never expected to discover I had employees on the payroll. If you're a freelancer, get ready to meet your staff. And surprise - they're the worst workforce you could ask for.
They loaf around and constantly interrupt you when you're productive. They delay important projects until the last minute. They have the best of intentions, but they are robbing you blind.
Meet Farley, the Fun Employee
You spent years of your life working under the watchful eye of an employer before becoming your own boss. Suddenly, you could play fetch with your dog "to get the creative juices flowing." You could have a two-hour lunch with an old friend "to network." You could work on downloading a music compilation. No reason, Farley said it was okay.
Farley justifies any fun activity because, after all, you work hard. You deserve a little "me time." Farley loves diversions and sucks you right in every time. Thing is, Farley gets paid just for showing up. And his salary comes out of your earnings. Just let this fun-loving employee take you on a few adventures and you'll see it for yourself at the end of the month when bills are due.
Farley's the reason you'll miss a deadline or have to make an excuse to a client. At some point, you'll realize the guy's gotta go.
Meet Patty, the Practical Employee
Did you know that if you shop for groceries early in the day, you beat the crowds? Patty does, and she'll encourage you to do that - as well as take your car in for an oil change and do the dishes (your spouse will really love that!).
As far as Patty's concerned, these things have to get done anyway. Go ahead and leverage all this freedom you have. You'll feel like you accomplished a lot when 5:00 rolls around, even if you barely saw your computer. And Patty will feel that she truly earned the money she slipped out of your wallet.
Rather than busy yourself with non-income building activities, do those things when employed people do them - in the evening or on the weekend. And show Patty the door.
Meet Connie, the Connected Employee
Connie likes to keep multiple tabs open in her browser. Some are articles she plans to read when she finds the time, a couple are client related, but her favorites are Facebook and Twitter. You rarely check on her, so Connie checks her Facebook friends' posts whenever she feels like it. Oh, she posts some clever responses!
Connie also checks email regularly because she wants to respond quickly to clients... but will follow a funny video link first. Or check out the deals from her favorite shopping sites. Or take several minutes to respond to a non-essential message from a friend who hates this or that. Connie's conning you out of your bread and butter.
Close the Facebook tab you keep open. Social media can wait - as can so many other digital deliveries to your desktop. Take control of your time, and kick Connie out of your business.
If you started your own business thinking you'd enjoy more freedom and time to do what you want, you can have those things. They're the result of hard work, dedication, efficiency and accountability. Those precious few hours from the time you wake until dinner time will make or break your success as an entrepreneur.
At the end of the day (or week, or month), you can enjoy the freelance life for all it represents: Freedom, career satisfaction, financial rewards and more. Best of all, you can do it all with a staff of one.
