Freelancing exposes your deficiencies

Freelancing challenges you precisely in the areas of your deficiency. 

If you struggle with time management, freelancing will expose that. If you don’t keep your finances organized, freelancing will challenge that. If you aren’t comfortable networking, pitching, or negotiating, freelancing will force you into uncomfortable situations.

Most jobs at most companies don’t force non-accounting people into accounting work. They don’t force non-confrontational people into pitching and negotiation. But you wanted more than what “most jobs” could offer. Which means you have to learn what to do when your deficiencies are challenged. 

This isn’t to say you need to become an expert at everything, or spend countless hours making up for what you lack. You should be spending most of your time in the area where your passion and proficiency meet. 

There are a few ways to solve for your deficiencies. You can find the right partners to help you do them. You can learn how to outsource them. You can learn to do them yourself. Or, you can design a business where they aren’t needed. 

For example, not every freelancer needs to pitch and negotiate their own projects—a manager paid on percentage could do that. Not every freelancer needs to run their own accounting—a work trade with a CPA can solve for this. Not every freelancer needs to network in-person—a strong digital presence can solve for that. 

You got here by riding on your hard-earned skillset. Don’t be surprised when more is required of you.