Freelancer: Too Young, or Too Old?
“You’re too young to be freelancing fulltime. Freelancing is for those who have worked for many many years, probably seniors who got bored of what they do for a living and decide to do the same thing with freedom. You should get a fulltime job and stop messing with your career. Your mom is worried.”
If you are a fulltime freelancer at the early 20s of your life, this is probably something you hear every time you meet an elderly. As a 24 years old fulltime freelancer for the past 6 months, I have heard of this more than a hundred times and it drives me up the wall each time. Of course, I appreciate their concern and care; but seriously, at what age should someone embark on a fulltime freelancer career? Is there a perfect age?
Of course, there is no perfect age. There is only perfect life phrase. Different people enter into different life phrase at different time; It is not determine by how old we are but the situation of which we are in. And that very situation will determine if it is the right time to dive into fulltime freelancing. So when is it ever the perfect time (or age)?
When You Have No Financial Commitment. This is one reason I decided to go into fulltime freelancing at such a young age; because I don’t have any financial commitment that would stop me from doing so. When there is no home loan, car loan or any other loans to commit to every month, you don’t have to stress yourself out to earn a certain amount of money each month just to see yourself through. What you earn is what you eat. If you are in this situation, you should leverage on this freedom to do the things you like to do. Because you are only accountable to yourself, and not the banks. It’s the perfect opportunity.
When You Don’t Need The Money. What it really means is when you have financial back-up to see you through the first few months of your fulltime freelance adventure. Save up! If you an independent individual like me who don’t like to depend on others, save up! And make sure you can live on for at least six months without your first client before you dive in. Because when you first start out fulltime freelancing, you’ll probably spend the first month seeking for clients and there will not be any income coming in. If your savings permits you the privilege to live on for a couple of months without incoming income, leverage on this opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and do the things you have always wanted to do.
When You Have Clients Awaiting Your Service. When you find yourself having to turn away clients cause you cannot handle the freelance workload after working hours; When you realise the part time freelance projects you are doing earn enough to feed you; When you can already earn your first paycheck the moment you dive into fulltime freelancing. Do it! This is the golden hour for you to dive into fulltime freelancing because it’s already there waiting to be kicked start by you.
When You Can Find Another Job Anytime. There is one thing I always tell myself when I get discouraged as a fulltime freelancer, “Worst come to worst, I’ll just get back into the corporate world and find a job. With my experience, I should be able to get hired if I want to.” And I believe it is true for all fulltime freelancers. As you complete more freelance jobs, you build a portfolio. And this portfolio would be your safety net. When all things fail, your portfolio will get you hired. So if you are confident that you can get a fulltime job anytime, then there is nothing else to worry when you freelance fulltime.
So there you go… Age should never be a barrier in deciding your fulltime freelancing career because it doesn’t matter at all. It only matters that you manage your expectations accordingly so that you know what you would face when you start out as a fulltime freelancer. For all you young fulltime freelancers out there, keep up the good work! You are doing grand.
Originally written by Gina Yap Lai Yoong © 2010
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never too young or too old to do anything if u have d heart to do it…..just like us……lol
lol.. dah baca sebelum u tag
I tahu. Facebook lambat gila bila upload kat sini.
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
Who’s your cousin, veterinary technician?
I tahu. Facebook lambat gila bila upload kat sini.
Will do!
that’s right! im 24 and just 2 months being freelancer.. Elders always drive me up to the wall but i’m fortunate to have supportive partner. I quit my office job without any saving and it’s not easy to live with “money not enough”.
But no worries, do the best and God will do the rest. Cheers~
Yes, Bertley, we just do our best, and let God do the rest. He will provide. Since the first day I stepped into the Freelance World, He has been providing in ways that are beyond me, I’m amazed and thankful all the time.