by Rachel Smith
25 March 2015
I’m new to freelancing and am fielding a lot of negativity and resentment from those around me. I’m also finding people don’t seem to think I’m doing a ‘real job’. Any others in this situation and if so, how can you be taken seriously? Karen
Making a living when you work from home can be difficult enough without the support of your loved ones. Part of this may be some unspoken but deep-seated resentment from people (your spouse, family members, friends who work in a traditional office space) who’d secretly love to be doing what you’re doing but aren’t in a position to. It sucks, but it shouldn’t derail you.
Not surprisingly, around 18 percent of of survey participants mentioned the thing they loathed about freelancing was friends/family thinking they ‘weren’t really working’ or were ‘at their disposal’. Not having support from your immediate family when you’re trying to get a freelance business off the ground is tough – as this survey commenter confessed: “I feel undervalued by my kids and husband because no one sees me ‘go’ to work so sub-consciously they don’t recognise my stress/tiredness/excitement over my job and still see me as the ‘stay-at-home-mum’ taking on the majority burden of chores.”
Bottom line? To be taken seriously, you have to take yourself and your business seriously. That’s the first step. If you’re worried you won’t meet your financial goals this month, be careful who you talk to about it. And while we can all be guilty of putting ourselves down in a weak moment, resist doing it to those who are just looking to draw conclusions about your business that you’d rather they didn’t. Always act and talk from a position of strength (the old ‘fake it til you make it’ saying really applies when you’re fresh to the freelance world). If you need to vent or moan, do it with your freelance pals. They’ll listen – and get it.
And, while freelancing’s great for giving you the freedom to work when and how you’d like, create some kind of structured work day (even if it means doing your writing after the kids are in bed), set goals you’re committed to meeting and try to create a home office space that’s all yours, even if it’s a converted nook under the stairs. It’s also important to set firm boundaries with those around you so you’re not asked to do this or that or endure unannounced pop-ins when you’re on deadline. Doing all of this, I’ve found, can really encourage others to take your work as seriously as you do.
Have you had to deal with negativity from friends and family who resent your freelance life? Or do you sometimes feel you’re not being taken seriously? We’re sure Karen would love to hear any strategies you use in the comments.
The biggest problem I have around this is that no matter how many times I explain it to my wife, she still thinks that sitting down and reading the newspaper or a magazine I’m planning to pitch to isn’t work.
In answer to Karen’s question, the only thing I’d say is dress as if you’re going to work. It might seem funny to put on the tailored slacks or skirt, nice top etc., especially if your ‘office’ is just a corner in your bedroom like it was when I started freelancing; but you will feel and look like you are at work a lot more than if you’re still in your PJs
That’s probably a fight you’ll never win with your wife, Darren 😀
And while I do think dressing for work is good if you need help getting into the mindset, I personally don’t do it. For me, the biggest perk of working from home is being able to go to work dressed in tracky-dacks and ugg boots!