Remote Work: A Game Changer

Initially, I began my quest for clients after receiving inquiries from individuals impressed by my Medium articles. At that time, I was commuting to an office, spending around 45 minutes driving each way. This amounted to a significant time investment—90 minutes daily—dedicated solely to travel.

To manage my time effectively, I started writing in the early hours before heading to work. However, I soon realized that I lacked the time to engage with potential clients, which became a significant hurdle. When opportunities arose, scheduling calls often took days as I needed to request time off from my job, which was unsustainable.

This realization prompted me to seek a remote job, which I successfully obtained. With this new arrangement, I eliminated my lengthy commute and gained the flexibility needed to devote sufficient time to my clients. In summary, while freelancing alongside a traditional office job is possible, remote work significantly enhances your time management capabilities.

Estimating Task Durations

A crucial aspect of freelancing is accurately gauging the time required for each task. Failing to do so can lead to missed deadlines, which ultimately frustrates clients. Furthermore, understanding your time requirements allows you to evaluate your capacity for additional freelance work, all while ensuring your primary job remains a priority.

For instance, if you write articles as a freelancer, start tracking how long it takes to complete one. Over a few days, you'll develop a clearer understanding of your workload and timelines. When I first began freelancing, I struggled with estimating how long it took to write articles, resulting in long hours before and after my 9–5, and often working on weekends, which led to burnout.

The Danger of Burnout

It's essential to acknowledge that burnout is a real concern. The demands of a full-time job, combined with freelancing, can quickly overwhelm you. Balancing performance in both roles, managing client relationships, and handling administrative tasks can become incredibly stressful.

This is why learning how much time you need for each task is vital—it enables you to allocate time wisely for all your responsibilities, including personal time for yourself and your family. Remember, taking breaks is crucial; pushing through fatigue can lead to prolonged recovery periods.

Choosing Your Path

As you progress in your freelancing journey, you may eventually face a pivotal decision. If your freelancing income begins to rise and client inquiries increase, you might find yourself needing to choose between full-time freelancing and continuing alongside your 9–5.

While it's possible to juggle extensive hours in both roles, the risk of burnout escalates. Speaking from experience, it's wise to decide on a direction before reaching a breaking point.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, defining what "success" means to you is critical. For me, success is maintaining the ability to write for Medium and manage a handful of clients alongside my full-time job, ensuring I have financial stability without compromising personal time.

Finding the right equilibrium is essential, and I hope this guide offers valuable insights into becoming a successful freelancer while managing your 9–5 job.

If you enjoyed this career advice, you may find these articles helpful:

• How I Graduated While Working Full-Time (and Having a Family)
• Why You Shouldn’t Focus on Climbing the Corporate Ladder (and What You Should Do Instead)
• From Stability to Agility: How to Build a Sustainable Career in an Unpredictable World

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