by Leo Wiles
11 March 2016
Overcoming fear (of non payment, lack of clients, crappy commissions etc) is a major part of being freelance. It’s the number one thing that separates successful freelancers from those who fall by the wayside to return to a safe, reliable in-house role. To date, I’ve been freelance for over two decades and yet I can still find myself experiencing project paralysis when it comes to a big or new client project.
I blame the curse of perfectionism for my bad habit of postponing the beginning of a job (a habit that can have potentially major financial and reputation repercussions). I tie myself up in knots, quibble over minor details, waste time with copious unnecessary research (which eats into my hourly rate) and basically do anything (like fold washing) rather than begin.
And, raised by my Nan to believe that you NEVER put off till tomorrow what you can get done today, I get a good old dose of guilt kicking in too. But in my defence, it’s an overwhelming fear at the importance of the task and my desire do it well that paralyses me – rather than laziness. And, faced with it once more as I attempt to put the finishing touches to a series of 20 short documentaries it’s taken me a year to create, I’m tackling my paralysis head on.
Hopefully the following tips will help me and other freelancers currently intimidated or overwhelmed by work.
Talk yourself down off the ledge. Acknowledge your feelings but don’t put them in charge. Accept that landing a new or big project makes you nervous and move on.
Eat well and sleep well. If you’re feeling tired, stressed or hungry, there’s no way you’ll be bringing your A game to the task at hand.
Break the job down into milestones. When a project feels monumental and I feel like I’m standing on the precipice, I literally write down a project plan so that I can focus on each step. Doing this also helps understand what time will be required and what resources will be required along the way.
Sit with past successes. Remind yourself of projects you’ve completely well, or to rave reviews by clients, by rereading testimonials. Or flick through cuttings you’re proud of to remind yourself that you are more than capable.
Clear your mind and your desk. As a creature of habit, for the past few days I’ve spring cleaned my study, filed my desktop folders and even backed up my data in preparation for this immense task.
Banish perfection. Nobody’s perfect. That’s what first drafts (and sub-editors) are for.
Reread the brief. It’ll refresh your initial enthusiasm for the gig that landed you the job in the first place.
Be prepared. All great projects start with a solid foundation and the more informed and prepared you are, the better. The knock-on effects will be more confidence to ask better questions and deliver a great result.
Remember Sabre tooth tigers no longer exist. Flight and flight endorphins and adrenalin may have worked for our cave dwelling forefathers, but it’s a pretty bloody useless reaction typing into a hot Mac. Breathe deeply, make a cup of tea, meditate – in short, do whatever it takes to bring down your blood pressure and begin.
It’s okay to fake it ‘til you make it. Isn’t that what happened the very time you wrote an article for money? Look how that turned out.
Be realistic. You’re not performing open-heart surgery so chances are no one will actually die.
Call a freelance friend for moral support. One of the best pieces of advice I received from my dear colleague Rachel was a reminder that the four bedroom home I bought outright for my children was paid with money I have earned as a media and communication professional, so why doubt my value and ability this time…
What do you do to counteract project paralysis?
