Breakfast Leadership 10/8/24 Breakfast Leadership 10/8/24

Freelancers, Are You Being Taken Advantage Of?

The rise of the remote work environment and the fact that it has propelled a growing gig eco to new heights has created a legion of new freelancers over the past few years. If you’re one of them, you quickly need to learn how to be savvy and stand up for yourself. Here, we will look at common ways clients, especially long-term ones, can take advantage of you.

Being Pushed to Take on Unpaid Work

Freelancers often face the challenge of clients expecting additional work beyond what was agreed upon without offering extra compensation. This phenomenon, sometimes called "scope creep," can lead to taking on unpaid tasks. To avoid this, freelancers should clearly define the scope of their work before starting any project. A well-written proposal or statement of work outlining deliverables, deadlines, and costs is crucial. If a client asks for work beyond the agreed terms, freelancers should be prepared to renegotiate the contract or set clear boundaries.

Not Being Able to Set Boundaries

Freelancers often feel the pressure to be constantly available, responding to client requests at all hours. This lack of boundaries can lead to burnout, overwork, and decreased productivity. To prevent this, freelancers must establish precise working hours and communicate these to their clients. It's essential to resist the urge to work outside these designated times unless necessary. Tools like project management apps can help freelancers organize their workload, ensuring they aren’t stretched beyond their limits. Setting expectations early about response times, project timelines, and availability helps establish a professional relationship with clients and ensures that boundaries are respected.

Being Treated Like an Employee Without the Benefits

Freelancers often find themselves in a gray area where they are treated like employees without any benefits, such as healthcare, paid time off, or retirement plans. Clients may expect freelancers to work specific hours, attend numerous meetings, or report regularly, which mirrors an employee-employer relationship. However, freelancers are independent contractors and must be careful not to fall into the trap of being treated as employees. This can become sham contracting, which is illegal. Freelancers should clearly outline their working terms in a contract to avoid this. They should communicate that their role is task or project-based rather than hourly and maintain their independence by avoiding tasks that resemble employee duties.

Working Outside of a Contract

Without a contract, the client has no legal obligation to pay for the work or respect deadlines and deliverables. A contract protects freelancers by clearly outlining the terms of the project, payment schedules, deadlines, and other essential details. Ensuring that both parties sign the contract before work begins is vital. This way, freelancers can refer to the agreement to resolve disputes if issues arise during the project, such as late payments or scope changes. In addition, freelancers should avoid "handshake deals" or verbal agreements, which are difficult to enforce legally. Ensuring that a detailed, signed contract backs every project is essential to protecting a freelancer’s rights and financial security.

As a freelancer, especially working with a long-time client, it can feel like the balance of power is shifted against you. However, there are legal options to redress this if you think you’re being taken advantage of. Take the time to look into them.

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Breakfast Leadership 9/6/24 Breakfast Leadership 9/6/24

Balancing Act: Tips for Freelancers to Manage Remote Work, Finances, and Health

Freelancing is rapidly gaining popularity, with more people opting to work from home or other flexible locations. While this shift offers exciting freedom, it also introduces unique challenges.

Balancing work, finances, and personal health can feel overwhelming when you manage everything independently. We understand that juggling these aspects can be challenging, so we're here to help.

This blog will provide practical tips to tackle these challenges head-on. Read on to discover strategies for achieving balance and success in your freelance career.

1. Managing Remote Work

Create a Dedicated Workspace

Having a separate, organized workspace is crucial. When you work in a specific area, you can focus better and be more productive. A dedicated workspace helps you keep your work and personal life separate. This separation is essential for maintaining concentration and preventing distractions. Make sure your workspace is comfortable and equipped with all necessary tools.

Set Clear Boundaries

Establishing precise work hours is crucial for maintaining productivity and mental well-being. Determine your start and end times for each workday and stick to them as consistently as possible.

Communicate your schedule to family members or housemates to minimize interruptions during your focused work periods. By setting these boundaries, you help yourself stay in a professional mindset and prevent work from spilling into your time.

This separation is critical to avoiding burnout and ensuring sufficient time to rest and recharge. Creating these boundaries allows for a healthier work-life balance and helps you maintain productivity and personal satisfaction.

Use File Sharing Platforms

File-sharing platforms are beneficial. They streamline collaboration and keep your work organized. Platforms that offer payment secured file sharing are beneficial. For example, you can share your files with clients; they can only download them after processing payment.

This feature ensures you get paid on time and reduces the hassle of chasing payments. Real-time updates and easy access to documents make managing your work more straightforward and efficient.

Implement Time Management Tools

Effective time management is crucial for freelancers. Use tools like task lists and scheduling apps to stay on track. Apps like Trello, Asana, or Google Calendar can help you plan your tasks and deadlines. They keep you organized and ensure you meet your goals.

2. Handling Finances

Track Your Income and Expenses

Keeping detailed records of your earnings and expenditures is essential. Use tools and apps like QuickBooks or Mint to track your finances. These tools help you monitor your income and manage your spending. Accurate records are crucial for budgeting and financial planning.

Set Aside Money for Taxes

Freelancers need to manage their taxes carefully. Since taxes are not automatically deducted from your income, setting aside money regularly is essential. Estimate your tax obligations and save a portion of your earnings. This helps you avoid surprises and pay your taxes on time.

Create a Budget

Developing a budget is critical to managing irregular income. Outline your monthly expenses and compare them with your earnings. Adjust your budget to account for fluctuations in income. A well-planned budget helps you manage your money effectively and avoid financial stress.

3. Maintaining Health

Establish a Healthy Routine

Maintaining a healthy routine is vital for freelancers. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep are essential. Incorporate physical activity into your daily schedule, even if it’s a short walk or home workout. Eat nutritious meals and get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. A healthy routine keeps you energized and focused.

Take Breaks and Practice Ergonomics

Taking regular breaks is essential to prevent physical strain and mental fatigue. Stand up, stretch, or take a short walk every hour. Practice ergonomics by setting up your workspace to reduce strain. Use a comfortable chair, adjust your desk height, and position your computer screen at eye level. Proper ergonomics prevent discomfort and injury.

Manage Stress Effectively

Stress management is crucial for overall well-being. Practice techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. Engaging in hobbies or activities you enjoy can also help reduce stress. Finding ways to relax and unwind is essential for maintaining mental health.

Seek Professional Help if Needed

If you’re struggling with mental health issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Therapists and counselors can provide support and strategies for managing stress and other challenges. Seeking help is a proactive step toward maintaining your mental health and overall well-being.

Conclusion

Balancing remote work, finances, and health is crucial for freelancers. Using the above tips, you can improve work efficiency, maintain financial stability, and ensure well-being. So, implement them to achieve a balanced and successful freelance career.

Please stay connected with us! For more insights and valuable content, don't forget to check out the following resources:

- **Breakfast Leadership Show Podcast**: Tune in to our podcast and get inspired by leadership lessons and success stories from top industry leaders.

- **Breakfast Leadership YouTube Channel**: Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video content on leadership, personal development, and more.

- **Hire Michael D. Levitt to Speak**: Looking for a dynamic speaker for your next event? Hire Michael D. Levitt, the founder of Breakfast Leadership, to share his expertise and insights.

Breakfast Leadership 6/28/22 Breakfast Leadership 6/28/22

The 5 Best Careers for Lone Wolves

Since the pandemic, many people have been on the look for new opportunities that line up with their values. Careers, for many people, are just about what you qualified in, but about ensuring that you are dealing with the least amount of hassle possible. Some people like to operate by themselves and will turn to sites similar to Salestrax to find the perfect job to suit their needs. These “lone wolves” find themselves more inclined to certain types of roles. Some people like to be outgoing in the work environment and introverted in the office, but being a lone wolf reduces stress, and increases flexibility and focus, and it also tells up with their sense of happiness. Here are a few jobs where you can work by yourself.

Delivery Driver

Food delivery is high in demand, but a lot of people don't necessarily like the less-than lucrative pay packet that comes with it. A lot of people are now opting for CDL jobs that involve long-haul travel. A lot of people who work by themselves like to get to grips with the road because it provides a focus, but it also means that you can actually relax and enjoy the open road rather than having how to deal with a lot of traffic that comes with delivery driving.

Market Research

Working by yourself in a physical sense is important for a lot of people, but what about those people that like to be by themselves but still want to be sociable? A market researcher is someone that can speak to others over the phone to get their opinions. It's an amazing opportunity to get to grips with so many different walks of life, and these days, as the pandemic has shown us we can work from home, it provides the ideal balance.

Writing or Transcription

Naturally, it's one of those careers that involves being by yourself. Writing is one of those things that a lot of people may not necessarily feel they have the creative gumption for, but if you would rather get the balance right, a transcription job could be a better alternative because you can set your own schedule, and if you do it with the right companies, you can earn a decent pay package, but it all depends on how fast you type!

Pet Sitting

Sometimes pet owners need people to watch their animals and look after them while they are away. Pet sitting is a great choice for people who don't want to work with other people, but are more than happy to work with animals. It's always in high demand, and you can work on your own schedule. For many people, this is a great side hustle because you can do other work while you are keeping an eye on the animals.

Virtual Assistant

Similar to an office assistant, but working virtually, you can perform a variety of roles and tasks from your own home. It's also a great foundation if you want to work your way up a certain career ladder, such as in business. You could be posting on social media, sending emails, updating website content, and so much more.

Whatever the balance, there is always a great career choice for lone wolves.