We live in uncertain times.
Political discourse seems more divisive than ever.
Many world economies are in a state of turmoil.
And the rise of AI threatens the careers of knowledge workers everywhere.
It’s little wonder so many freelancers feel concerned about their future. How can you grow and thrive in the face of so much uncertainty?
First, let’s diagnose the underlying cause…
We feel anxious because we have no control over the world around us.
There’s nothing we can do about the economies of the world. And there’s no way we can halt or slow down the rise of AI and its ability to write, code and design.
That sense of being powerless is deeply disturbing.
“It’s just me is a sea of chaos. There’s nothing I can do!”
Not so fast.
First, we never have been able to control the world around us.
Second, there are plenty of things we can control.
Here are some things I can control when I sit down to work tomorrow…
I choose to avoid doomscrolling through what’s going wrong in the world before I start my workday. Not helpful.
I choose to spend 20 minutes catching up with what’s new with AI. This helps me pivot from seeing AI as an enemy to seeing it as a way to amplify my gifts.
I choose to make that hard phone call and establish boundaries with the client who expects me to work at weekends.
I choose to stand up, stretch and take some deep breaths every 20 to 30 minutes.
I choose to update my website and LinkedIn profile to better articulate my brand, my strengths, and my value.
I choose to make an appointment with my accountant to asking about whether there are ways to reduce my tax bills.
I choose to stop work at 4:30 and spend an hour exercising… walking, cycling, gardening.
None of these tasks are earth shattering… But I just spent my day in the driver’s seat. I’ve led the way forward. I made my own choices.
That collection of small wins leads to a feeling of control.
And when you feel in control, you feel good.
In fact, feeling in control of your life and your work has a positive impact on both your mental and physical health.
This is what it means to be a Sovereign Freelancer.
Sovereign Freelancers have high agency. They see themselves as small business owners, not just freelancers for hire.
They take control of every aspect of their freelance business.
They move fast, acting on their professional decisions with clarity and intention.
They don’t wait and react. They step ahead and are proactive.
They choose the clients they want, define their own value, and shape their future.
And what they never, ever do is say, “It’s just me is a sea of chaos. There’s nothing I can do!”
If that sounds good, but you’re not quite sure how to get there, learn more about my course, The Sovereign Freelancer.