Are You Ready to Make the Leap? (Part 2)

If you’re trying to figure out whether it’s time to quit your day job and pursue a freelance career full-time, you’ve come to the right place.

This week, I’m giving a rundown of some of the signs that led me to pursue freelance writing and editing full-time. If you recognize any of these signs in your own life, it may be time to get serious about pursuing the freelance life.

1. You’re restless.

2. You’re looking for flexibility. When I decided to quit, I was trying to juggle 30 hours a week at my full-time job (after having dropped down from 40, thanks to an incredibly accommodating boss), graduate classes, and teaching composition at a local college. Oh, and I was taking on freelance writing and editing projects too.

Trying to squeeze my 30 “official” work hours in during prime work time for the rest of my company was tricky—and sometimes I felt like I was leaving my coworkers high and dry when I wasn’t around.

But I needed flexibility, so if I had a term paper due I could spend more time that day on researching and writing the paper, or if my students had turned in their term papers I had enough time to grade them in a timely manner. I didn’t want to forsake my full-time writing and editing duties, I just needed the time I devoted to them to be a bit more loosely structured. And that wasn’t really possible—the 30-hour workweek was a generous concession, but asking for even more flexibility would have been too much.

I realize, of course, that the flexibility of my 30-hour workweek (with a whacky schedule to accommodate mid-day teaching) is a rarity. But if you’re interested in sticking with your current job yet could use some freedom to pursue grad classes or freelance more, it doesn’t hurt to ask your employer what your options are. Particularly in this economy, some employers may even welcome alternative work arrangements. Just think hard before you do—what happens if she says yes? What schedule will you propose? Are you prepared to do more work in less time and bring home a smaller paycheck?

And if she says no? Are you ready to pursue more freelance work without the safety net of full-time income and benefits?

Learn More
Well, I Quit My Day Job
To Plunge or Not to Plunge: Becoming a Fulltime Freelancer
Free Download: Are You Ready to Quit Your Job and Work from Home?
Before You Quit Your Day Job: 12 Practical Ways to Build an Emergency Fund
The Transition from Part-Time to Full-Time Freelancer

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