Mindset Matters: How to Master it as a Freelancer

I don’t know about you, but things have been pretty damn hard lately. With all that’s going on in the world … that on top of work life and personal life … Oof. It’s enough to take you out if you let it.

Therein, lies the problem: So often, we let it.

How do I know? Because I used to as well.

Having run my own business for more than 25 years, looking back, I can tell you that—without a doubt—mindset is the single most important factor when it comes to freelancing.

It can literally make or break your business.

It is at the core of your business. And you can’t let it lead you astray.

Now, I don’t say all this to be woo-y. Not that there’s anything wrong with that … that’s just not who I am.

I say it because it’s so damn important.

Even one of my coaching clients came around to agree:

I found this to be so telling … and now? She is rocking it!

Now, I’ll be the first one to admit I haven’t always been a “freelance rockstar.” I’ve certainly had my fair share of ups and downs throughout the years.

Yet, once I figured out this one integral piece, I was able to get things going in the right direction.

And, you know what happened?

I started getting my shit together. I found confidence. I learned to embrace my own badassery.

And you can, too.

Set Yourself Up for Success by Getting in the Right Mindset

What you think and how you feel makes a HUGE difference … especially when it comes to your outlook, productivity, performance and, hence, earnings.

Whether you want to call it a positive mindset … or optimal mindset … or growth mindset, it’s important to not only obtain it, yet maintain it as well.

And getting in the right headspace* can certainly help get you there. That and, of course, taking on the right habits to shape your future.

Here are a few tricks that might help:

1)    Practice Self-Care

I posted this graphic on social media a while back when emotions began to run high due to a certain high-profile global event. But I think these habits are good to get into – and maintain – at any time!

• Prioritize Rest & Sleep—Your body and your mind need rest. Listen to them and honor them. If your body needs 8 hours of sleep a night, aim to get 8 hours of sleep a night. You can’t function well without proper rest.

• Exercise Regularly—I know, this is probably the last thing some of you want to hear. Yet there is so much good that comes from movement. Increased endorphins, better physical and mental health, the list goes on and on.

• Obtain Healthy Eating Habits—What you put into your body plays a vital role in how it’s going to function and feel. Be good to it. Treat it well.

• Temper Vices (alcohol, weed, etc.)—Again, this may be the last thing some of you want to hear, yet this really can have a huge effect on your mindset. Be smart about things and, if you do imbibe, do so in moderation.

• Practice Good Hygiene—This ought to go without saying; however, because so many of us work from home and are regularly isolated from the outside world, it’s easy to let simple habits like this slide.

• Get Outside—Get some fresh air and some vitamin D. Again, simple things with huge benefits. Your body and your mind can feel replenished by connecting with nature, even if it’s just for a quick walk.

I know much of this sounds like common sense. But there are many people who often forget that these simple habits can have a profound effect on us!

Ask me how I know … I used to be one of them!

2)    Treat Your Business Like a Business, Not Like a Hobby

If you want to succeed as a freelancer or a solopreneur, guess what. You cannot go about your business all willy nilly! You’ve got to get serious about it. And that means working when you might not want to work and doing everything you can to present yourself as a professional, trusted business.

So, how do you do that?

• Treat This Like Any Other Job—When you go in with that perspective, it’s a gamechanger. You have a job to do. Only you get to do it on your terms. That means showing up, even when you don’t want to … or when you think you don’t have to. Some people will even get in their car and drive around the block to make it seem like they’re “going to work.” Do what works for you.

• Set Office Hours … and Stick to Them—I know, I know. You work for yourself and flexibility is key. I get it. That doesn’t mean you can’t still set office hours for yourself. Maybe they’re different every day. It doesn’t matter. Whether they’re a traditional 8-5 or somewhere in between. Just set them. And keep them. Tell yourself, your partner, your clients, your family and friends what your office hours are and keep them sacred.

• Set Yourself Up as a Business—whether that’s as an LLC, S-Corp … or whatever is right for you. (Talk with an accountant and/or attorney who works with small businesses to decide the best route.) Register with the government, get yourself an EIN, open up a business banking account … you get the gist.

• Present Yourself as a Business—You want clients and prospective clients to view you in the most professional light. You want them to know, like and trust you. So, do all the things necessary to get there. Start with developing a professional brand, setting up a killer website, getting all your paperwork together, etc.

Here’s the kicker: When you …  

3)    Act Like a Business, You’ll Get Treated Like a Business

It’s amazing how a little professionalism can go a long way and get you the respect you deserve. How often do we see agencies or businesses trying to take advantage of us? All because we’re self-employed. For some odd reason, they have it in their head (perhaps subconsciously) that they’re above you. Yet, that’s not how it works. Flip the script. Shift the narrative. You are a business owner, a trusted vendor or partner … not a peon.

• Embrace a Business Owner’s Mindset—YOU run your own business. Clients and prospective clients are not your employer. That means that you get to make the rules. You get to call the shots. Don’t let them dictate rules that you wouldn’t set for yourself.

• Create Policies & Procedures—Set up shop so you run like a well-oiled machine. Ensure you determine things like extra fees (late, cancellation, rush, etc.), what will happen if a client doesn’t give you needed assets in order to get the project done by the deadline, appears not to be paying their invoice, and more.  

• Set Boundaries—Understand what’s negotiable and what’s not. For example: Client wants to meet you after hours? That’s an imposition on your personal life / time. Will you do it or not? (Completely up to you. Oftentimes, it depends on how much you like the client.) If so, will you charge extra? (Yes. The correct answer is always yes.) Just because you (might) work from home or you work for yourself doesn’t give clients 24/7 access. Set those boundaries and be prepared to uphold them.

• Establish Clear Expectations—Communication is key with any client / vendor relationship. Get everything in writing that you can. Whether it be in an email, your SOW, contract … or even maybe you’ve got a Working with Me document or a What to Expect hidden page on your website you can send them. Review policies in emails if and when they become applicable.

• Use Legal Contracts—This can’t be stressed enough. Especially for all new clients and large projects. (If they’re new, it doesn’t matter how much the estimate is for.) Those who are serious about doing business know that this staple is nothing personal, it’s just business. Sure, some larger companies may provide their own contract for you to sign instead. And that could be okay as long as their version includes the things that are most important to you—and if not, they’re willing to negotiate.

Motivation Hacks to Motivate Yo’Self

You know what goes hand-in-hand with mindset? Oh, yeah! It’s motivation.

Does mindset come before motivation or motivation come before mindset? Hmmm. Either way, they work in tandem.

So, let’s talk about a few hacks that can really help:

• Set Office Hours—Remember those that we talked about above? As mentioned, the key is to keep them. That means working even when you don’t want to. AND working when you don’t have any paid work to do. This is a concept called working on or in your business. The gist is, even when there’s no paid work to do, there’s still work to do. Think: new business development, self-promotion, bookkeeping … even organizing and cleaning. Anything and everything you can do to set yourself up for future success.

• Make Your Bed—Sounds crazy, right? Yet there’s some real psychology behind it! When you make your bed after you get up each day, not only will you have a sense of accomplishment yet also, if you’re a napper, studies show you’ll be less likely to crawl back in. It doesn’t have to be fancy; you don’t have to put on the pillow shams, throw pillows, etc. Just pull up your comforter or blanket and call it good.

• Have a Morning Routine—Whatever that looks like for you … eating breakfast, watching the news, taking the dog for a walk, exercising, praying, journaling, meditating … whatever it is, just make it a habit. Once you’re done with that part of your day, your mind will instantly know it’s time to go to work.

• Get Dressed for Work—Just like you would for any other job. Take a shower. Do your hair, make-up, etc. Put on (comfortable) work clothes. Don’t forget hard-soled shoes! Those, too, can have a huge (albeit subconscious) effect. Again, now your mind will know it’s time to get serious about your day. Plus, BONUS. When you do all this, if a client wants to meet right away, you won’t have that as an excuse and can go meet them in person or hop on a video call with no delays, excuses or embarrassment.

• Have a Dedicated Workspace—Like a legit space. If you have the option, find a spare bedroom to use that you can turn into an office. If not, set up shop somewhere (a basement corner, living room wall, dining room table, etc.) where you‘ll be able to sit upright in a good chair at a desk or table with dedicated space for your computer and work. (Read: that means no lounging in bed, on the couch, beanbag, etc.) Pro Tip: de-clutter this space and keep it organized. What‘s that ol‘ saying: "Messy desk = messy head.“ There‘s some real truth to that.

• Minimize Distractions—This one is huge. Especially if you work from home because there are so many! Yet it’s essential to keep your distractions at bay, whether that be TV, social media, video games … whatever your vice may be. Heck, even chores and errands can get in the way of you having a productive workday! Schedule those for breaks or before/after work. Make sure any partners, roommates, kids (if possible) understand that you’re busy during those hours. Ensure your friends and family understand that you can’t always be at their beck and call to, say, talk on the phone or go on a play date. Again, schedule those for time outside of your office hours.

At the end of the day, you have to train people how to treat you. And it starts with you training yourself first.

No more excuses. You’ve now got the tools for success.

So, go on. Get out of your own way. Get in the right mindset. And do whatever you’ve got to do to keep the motivation alive.

What other tips do you have for mindset and motivation? Sound off with your favorites in the comments.

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*Note: I am in no way shape or form a trained or licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. These are simply tips I’ve picked up along the way that have helped me and other self-employed folks. Please seek the help of a professional if needed.