Lifestyle Issues

It would not be too much of a stretch to say the main reason that freelancers choose this alternative career path is because it affords them the best of both worlds: a great job doing what they love, and the freedom to choose where, when, and how they perform the work.

For some time now, people have been able to choose when they watch their favorite TV programs. Being forced to plan your other activities around the TV Guide schedule is a concept from another era. First there was the VCR, then the DVR; now we have video on demand.

This concept has now crossed over to careers. People are no longer tied to the clock, geography, or a method of getting work done. Technology has played a big part in this, but beyond that, more and more people are simply demanding to have greater control over their destiny.

Here are some compelling lifestyle reasons to freelance:

• To have greater control over your time. This manifests itself in many ways — from working when you are personally more productive to simply being able to work around your other priorities.
• To have greater control over your destiny. Layoffs are a worry from the past once you establish your freelancing practice.
• You get to pick and choose what projects to take on, so your interests can be satisfied and you can learn new things to keep you motivated.
• It’s easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating the right foods, finding convenient times to exercise, and setting up an ergonomic office.
• When you are your own boss, you get credit for the work you do, experience higher productivity, and receive the direct benefits from your efforts.
• You get to control your working environment by selecting your surroundings, music (or lack thereof), sitting by the pool, etc.
• You experience the ultimate in flex time: choose anytime in the 24 hour period to work that best accommodates your family schedule.
• Relocation is rarely a problem if you should find that you need to move.
• If you are disabled, freelancing may accommodate you better than if you worked in an office setting.
• If you wish, working vacations are possible. You can still be where you want to be even though you may have that deadline.
• You can justify having the coolest technology and write it off to boot!

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