What to Do About the Ongoing Fear of Losing Freelance Work
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Understanding the Fear of Losing Freelance Work
If you find yourself grappling with this anxiety, know that my sympathy is with you. Experiencing these downturns can be truly challenging. However, it’s important to realize that you don’t have to endure this feeling indefinitely.
While it might feel reassuring to have a stable roster of freelance clients, becoming too comfortable is not wise. Even the most reliable projects can come to an unexpected halt, and sometimes, you may even need to let go of a client. Whether you’re facing a significant loss of work or just feeling uneasy about potential future declines, it’s essential to have:
- A larger pool of clients than you might think.
- A consistent habit of searching for and applying to new opportunities.
I have personally experienced losing several clients in a single day due to various factors like seasonal shifts or industry downturns. Conversely, I've also had days where I found myself overwhelmed with more work than I could accept. This variability is quite common in the freelance world.
Trust Your Instincts
Having spent over 14 years in freelancing, I can often sense when a project is nearing its end, even when everything appears to be going well. And more often than not, my instincts are correct.
You begin to develop an understanding of client behavior and industry trends. If you think your feelings of concern are just paranoia, consider this: your instincts may simply be the result of your accumulated experience.
Finding Job Security in Freelancing
It’s crucial to recognize that the ebb and flow of freelance work is simply part of the landscape. Many will argue that freelancing lacks job security, but I’ve found it to be more secure than traditional employment.
In a standard job, losing your sole position could leave you struggling to find a replacement for a significant amount of time. However, in freelancing, unless you’re overly reliant on just one client (which is a risky strategy), losing a few clients doesn’t have to devastate your overall workload.
My primary advice for maintaining job security is to keep applying for new roles, even when you feel secure in your current situation. Dedicating just 10 minutes a week to browse job boards or spending an hour daily on LinkedIn can provide you with valuable insights into available opportunities, making it easier to pivot back into job searching when necessary.
If you discover appealing positions, there’s no downside to applying. You can either accept additional work or politely decline if it doesn’t align with your current needs. Remember that the hiring process can take time, so establishing a regular application routine can help ensure a continuous influx of opportunities.
As for the applications you’ve submitted recently, be patient. Responses may take weeks to arrive. It’s worth noting that I’ve often been informed that a position has been filled, only to receive an email months later when the company is once again looking to hire. You never really know what opportunities might arise.
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