Freelancer's Guide Series: Setting Up at Home

PART ONE: Setting Up at Home

So you've decided to do the freelance thing and set up shop at home. While it may sound liberating now (and it is, don't get me wrong) working from home has its own challenges. For one thing, you'll be responsible for EVERYTHING and that means...everything. You'll be CEO for sure but you'll also be CFO, CSO, HR, IT, PR and Head of Sales & Production. Freelancing is serious business and if you really want to go for it, there are some things to consider first.

Set clear boundaries.

If you live in a home with more than 1 room, identify one as your "work room."  Don't work where you eat, where you entertain and most especially, NEVER work where you sleep. Having clear boundaries at home can help you keep your focus and you need that in freelancing.

Make and Follow Rules.

Be strict with yourself and be responsible for your own productivity. It may sound bossy and naggy but then again, you're the boss, aren't you? Setting some rules for yourself will go a long way in your freelancing. One of the challenges of working from home is the tendency to forget the hours. In that case, you can have a rule that imposes a break time for yourself, or if you do breaks too much, set a clear work time. It can be as simple as "No work from 3-4pm" or "Wake up at 8am, work by 9am" or "Saturday is sleep day." The important thing is you follow them.

Polish your Payment Scheme.

You're now solely in-charge of your finances. There's no HR to handle your payroll. But before you start charging for your services, you need to know your options in getting your money. Once you've done that, create a system for you to monitor and record all your transactions with proper receipts. You can link your Paypal account to your bank account or do direct payment, it's up to you. What's important is that you don't miss any payments. You should always get your work's worth.

Beautify your Work space.

You might think this is just common sense, but history has taught us that common sense isn't that common. It's a must to have an organized work space. Avoid clutter and stay clean, not necessarily minimalist. It helps the brain's creativity when it's in a clean room with bright colors and some greenery, if possible. Indoor plants, fish bowls and some wall art are great for creating a beautiful ambiance and stimulating creativity. Don't forget good lighting.

Avoid the "I Am Legend" Curse.

You're not alone in the world!

Freelancing is not a love story where you end up with your computer. Don't forget to go out and talk to other people face to face. Social interactions should still be in your to-do list. Again, you're the boss here. You don't have to be stuck where you are round the clock. Take time out of the home office once in a while to work in a crowded space, perhaps a coffee shop or the park. It's great for creativity and will help you out of a rut.

Working from home is a great way to cultivate reliability, independence and responsibility. It also takes a lot of courage to step out and go against the norm. But remember, success follows those who work for it, so don't go freelancing if all you want is to relax and bum around.