What about vacation time?
I kind of felt like the question smacked me in the face, mama. Like, I actually recoiled from my screen when I read it.
Because this question indicates that you’re thinking like an employee — and not like a Free Mama.
Over the past few years, I’ve had the honor of helping thousands of women start their freelancing careers, and I’ve noticed that the most successful Free Mamas share three critical qualities.
When you’re a Free Mama, skill you need to be a freelancer? You have to be self-motivated, because no one will ever come and check up to see if you’re at your desk and doing your work.
On the plus side, no one will ever come and check up to see if you’re at your desk and doing your work. 😉
But you have to be honest with yourself.
- Will you sit down and do the work even when no one is checking up on you?
- Do you want the responsibility that comes with being a freelancer?
- Will you hold yourself accountable?
If you’re not going to be responsible and accountable to yourself, then freelancing may not be the best choice for you.
Successful Free Mamas are also go-getters, meaning they are willing to go out there and get the work, the clients, and the projects.
They’re willing to get visible, even when it makes them uncomfortable. Even when it scares them. Even when they’re shy and introverted, they get out there and talk to people about what they do and how they can help.
When you’re a freelancer, no one is going to drop a project on your desk and tell you to get it done. It’s up to you to find the work, and you can only do that if you’re going to build connections with potential clients.
If you’re not going to talk to anyone, then where will you get the clients?
And finally, the most successful Free Mamas have stamina. When things go wrong, they don’t give up.
They get up, again and again.
They show up every day.
They see challenges as opportunities for growth, and not as reasons to quit.
If you’re going to see every setback as a sign that you shouldn’t be doing this, you’ll be stuck at the starting line for a long time.
Again and again, these three qualities show up in the Free Mamas who go the furthest. Success has nothing to do with degrees or education. It’s not about certifications or what you did before you had kids or where you grew up.
It’s about being self-motivated, getting the work, and having the stamina to keep going, every single day.
If you’ve got those qualities, you have what it takes to be a Free Mama.
So… what are you waiting for?
P.S. Seriously, Mama. If you have what it takes, then it’s time to start your journey.
P.P.S. Do you suffer from overthinking? You won’t want to miss this Free Mama Radio episode!