The 3 topics below shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who's ever worked towards achieving something. Whether it be improving a skill, doing better at work or going on a date with someone you really like - life skills help you get through life, it's a fact.
The right life skills applied in the right situations are an essential part of moving forwards and achieving something worthwhile. That's why I've written this post highlighting a few of the essential skills I've relied upon in starting and growing my Freelance Voice Over Business.
The first 6 months of starting were particularly challenging. Leaping into doing something I loved and running my own business was exciting, but I hated the uncertainty of the future and the drop in finances that I knew would follow.
I knew what I wanted but didn't have all the kinks worked out yet.
The prospect of leaving a stable job and relying on my own income was a major hurdle because like so many of us, I was conditioned from early on to be very money-conscious. The fact my mother is a financial adviser, definitely influenced my decisions during these first few months. Her advice has consistently been, "Track all incoming and outgoing expenditure. Work out how much you need to live, then try to save the rest."
Although I knew it was something I wanted to do and could do quite well, I had to break out of the conditioning that was against taking risks. If I was going to be honest with myself about what I wanted in life, then I could see the worth in taking the risk.
Living in the fear of the unknown and doubting myself wouldn't have allowed me to leave my small home town and throw myself in the middle of Sydney to study at AFTRS. Although it was rough at the start, it taught me life skills that I needed to start the business.
The best accomplishments in life are usually the products of life lessons perfected over time.
Tip 1: Be Confident
Confidence is something that so many of us take for granted. Without confidence in what you do - particularly related to art - you will never know your potential, let-alone anyone else. As a Freelancer, you're your own PR agency. That often means cold-calling and networking. That takes guts. It also takes guts to handle the rejection that you'll face. Never stop being proud of what you're putting out into the world and don't be scared to set your prices to what you're worth.
Tip 2: Be Patient
Building any business takes time. Making a great website takes time. Building a client-list takes time too.
It's great to be excited about what you're doing, but keep in mind that it takes a level of trust for customers to knock on your door. That trust can come from word-of-mouth, good reviews, or because you did a great job last time.
When a new cafe opens in town, the first customers will usually be friends and family. When word spreads about how great the coffee is - that's when things will start growing.
Tip 3: Do your BEST work
No matter how much business you have (or don't have), never drop your quality. If you're always putting 110% into every job, you can never lose. Work with your client, be willing to learn new skills and don't be afraid to be honest with your customers. Remember you're only as good as you allow yourself to be.