5 Ways To Be A Stable Freelancer

courtesy of infocarnivore

I'm a freelancer myself and I spent nearly ten years stressing until I stopped.  Here are five realizations I had that help me lead a stable life doing what I love.

1. Don't Stress
Your mental stability is the most important thing you have.  Your health matters more than your wealth.  So chill out.  Don't drive yourself crazy.  Don't pitty yourself.  Don't worry.  All of this energy attracts more problems.  Yeah, you may not know where your next check is coming from but if you pull your hair out you'll need money for food, rent and a wig.

2. Trust Yourself
Being a freelancer or an entrepreneur is risky.  All risks require trust.  You have to trust in yourself and in your talent.  You may not be the best, you may not even be good, but trust that you can do it.  You will get better with practice.  You have to trust this and really believe this in order to be productive.  What's that saying?  A little faith goes a long way.  It's true.

3. Trust the Universe
One thing I have recently learned to do is trust not only myself but in the universe.  It's important to know that you're not in this alone.  Whatever you believe in spiritually, know that it does exist.  There is a higher power out there making things happen.  You think you're in charge?  You're not.  So you have to learn to trust the energy that surrounds us, the universe that really controls what happens.  You don't have to micro-manage your goals, you don't have to struggle.  Just work, focus on your craft, your business, your dream...whatever that may be.  And know that the universe has your back.

4. Make Smart Financial Choices
You just got a big check this month.  Put some aside.  Save for a rainy day because there will be rainy days.  You got your big break.  Don't buy that house in Hollywood Hills just yet.  Live below your means.  Figure out ways to leverage your money.  Invest in stocks or even a small business.  Plan for retirement, this is the smartest thing a young freelancer can do.  We don't have 401Ks set up for us.  You have to do it on your own.  An excellent option for freelancers might be 4N1FUND.  I like this better than my Roth IRA because it leverages my individual money by combining it with money from other individuals (kind of like Groupon). 

5. Limit Expectations
Don't think about what you want to get.  Work at your craft because you love it.  Work at your business because it's yours or because it's a good idea.  Don't worry about being the next big thing.  Don't expect or depend on fame and fortune.  Just do good work.  All the rest will fall into place.