{"id":117,"date":"2015-12-28T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-12-28T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freelancetofreedomproject.com\/?p=117"},"modified":"2021-10-22T17:14:13","modified_gmt":"2021-10-22T21:14:13","slug":"make-this-your-year-to-go-full-time-freelance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freelancetofreedomproject.com\/make-this-your-year-to-go-full-time-freelance\/","title":{"rendered":"Make This Your Year to Go Full Time Freelance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When I first read the statistic from a Freelancers Union study that\u00a01 in 3 US workers are freelancing<\/a>, my jaw dropped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If over one-third of the workforce is working for themselves, it not only must be getting more accepted, but easier to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I quit my job to go full time freelance in January of 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, actually, full disclosure, I quit right after Thanksgiving, ran away to Asia for all of December, and then went right into freelance life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Was I scared?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sh*tless.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea of giving up a steady job with a great boss, especially after living through 2008, made me feel ungrateful and a little insane. But on the days where I was really honest with myself, I knew that mentally, I was one foot out the door and it was showing in my work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So I booked the extended trip to Asia to push myself to have a real sit down with my boss. The delusional side of me told myself, \u201cWell, if they can be okay with me being gone for so long, maybe I could stick around a little longer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When my boss asked me how I thought I would be able to keep up with my work, the words that actually came out of my mouth ended up being, \u201cI think this is the end.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And just like that, we started planning for my exit.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how you can build momentum to make this the year you decide to go full time freelance:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. START SAVING NOW.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not just saving, but putting away every dollar you can squeeze out of your oh-so-steady paycheck. Open up a separate savings account. Call it something motivating, like your freedom fund, or your freelance fund, or, maaaaaybe, your freelance to freedom fund (wink wink).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Figure out an amount you can comfortably save from your income and set up an auto transfer to go into this account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, sign up for digit.co, a super cool savings app that links to your bank account and quietly saves small sums of money for you on a regular basis based on your spending habits. I\u2019ve had clients and workshop participants end up saving between $300-$2,000 in just a few months!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a savings cushion is the simplest and most critical piece to giving you the financial momentum to make the transition, so save now and save often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a general rule of thumb, it\u2019s good to have 3-6 months\u2019 worth of living expenses in a savings account to have a comfortable cushion. It\u2019s okay to have a little less saved if you have side income or projects lined up when you\u2019re ready to quit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. START BUILDING A RUNWAY OF SIDE INCOME.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I recommend that before you even begin to think about quitting your job, that you take on some side gigs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(NOTE:<\/strong> Before you really get in, though, check with your HR department to make sure you\u2019re not crossing any legal lines or violating non-competes\/non-disclosures.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will give you some clear ideas on:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n