Comments on: Oh, you get to wear pajamas all day. Your job is so relaxed!

By: Apes

Apes — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:27:12 +0000

I agree completely too. my biggest discussion w/my hubby is the hours i work. he too is a business owner but he has a biz partner and a couple employees. his biz requires occasional travel as well. so, if he’s off workin late, i figure – i might as well keep working too. some mornings i’m wrapping up a project from the night before – it’s 6am and the hubby is off to work seeing me still sitting there.

then other times, i’m already booked w/work but its a new client, so of course i tell them “sure no problem” but i’m actually thinking to myself “when can i fit in some sleep?” i never turn down the opportunity for new clients because they may turn out to be amazing long time clients. one never knows and marketing yourself is a full time job itself.

i’m very organized but a procrastinator – a very odd mix. i’m always competing against myself. i think it’s because i’m a gemini. i usually just blame the other twin.

By: Matt from Jester Graphix

Matt from Jester Graphix — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:47:11 +0000

Amen to that sister!

I agree whole heartedly to what you have said. There are very many times that I am up until 2 or 3am because a client needs something by the morning (or sooner sometimes). This is all on top of my daily freelancing schedule and my part time “on-site” gig that takes up 30+ hours of my week.

And dont forget the weekends and holidays. I have spent many a Saturday (in my pajamas) working all day to get a “rush” that was handed to me at 4pm on Friday afternoon job done by Monday morning.

In order to be a freelancer you have to be even MORE aware of your time management. Time is money and our job isnt always done at 5pm. Most of my work is done between the hours of 8pm-2am with Saturday and Sunday thrown in for equal measure.

By: Gregone

Gregone — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:33:13 +0000

Nicola,

i definitely agree on the importance of scheduling and organization. It’s something i learnt the hard way when i started (since those were not really my intrinsic qualities…).

To complete your answer to the misunderstanding of a freelance’s responsibility and schedule:

- Yes, we can roll out of bed late when there’s not much to do, but we sometimes have to pull all-nighters when required. How often does that happen with a 9to5 job? (I am personally writing this after 12 full days of work, no day off!)

- Not everyone gets to wear pajamas all day. If you have your own office, you better dress up. And clients’ expectations might require you to show up at 8AM sharp and wearing a suit.

- We have no one to answer to… except clients. And some may be worse than your boss.

Thinking about the freelance lifestyle only in its advantages barely scratches the surface of it.