Sorry, what was I saying?
Apologies for the radio silence
So, last time you heard from me, I was mithering about putting up Christmas decorations in November. Well, a few days later that became the least of my problems by some way. A family emergency took me out of the game - the work game, Christmas game, the newsletter game, all the games.
It’s been a time, I can tell you, rushing back and forth across the country during rail strikes and dealing with a Byzantine healthcare system during nurse and ambulance strikes. (NB: I fully support all these strikers.) It’s not over yet but life is settling down and becoming less terrifying and less frantic. As I told a friend this week, I’m not exactly getting back on the horse but I’m in the paddock with it and have given it a sugar lump. We are in discussions about going for a trot.
Needless to say, it’s been a precarious time to be a citizen of FreelanceLand. I’ve learned a few hard lessons and had some lucky breaks but a lot of it has been guesswork. So what else would I do but share this experience with you? I sincerely hope none of you have to go through any such trial but just in case, here’s my best advice.
Futureproof yourself
Good bosses: When you’re in a jam, you really find out who your friends are. And in FreelanceLand, you really find out who you’re working for. Perhaps it was prescient that in my last missive I mentioned not working for Big Evil. It wasn’t just sheer dumb luck that my various employers have treated me kindly. Nonetheless, I had never asked myself: “How will this person react if I’m suddenly unable to work?” We all really should. I couldn’t be more thankful for the support I got from employers and colleagues, it was extraordinary.
Financial safety net: Despite the above, in FreelanceLand, if you’re not working, you're not earning. I don’t want to scare you* but at what point would you have trouble paying the rent/mortgage without a full month’s work? Because it’s amazing how fast the weeks go by - even when the minutes drag.
(*I do want to scare you.)
Help people to help you
Speak up early: Tell people what’s happening as soon as you suspect it’s going to affect your work. Don’t wait. OK, no one wants to bring trouble to the door of their employer or to start a big panic about nothing but put yourself in their shoes - what’s worse?
“Hey boss, there’s a chance I might have to stop work in the next couple of days and I don’t know how long that situation will continue.”
Or
“Hey boss, I can’t work today and I don’t know when I’ll be back”
Even if it turns out to be a false alarm, even if you end up needlessly losing work because your boss had to make a contingency plan, the goodwill you’ll generate for not leaving them in the lurch is essential for when you’re ready to work again.
Be honest: For the same reason, don’t pull any punches. You don’t have to give your boss every detail but you’ll do no good by playing things down. Also, remember that you’re dealing with another human, not an amorphous organisation, and there’s a good chance they’ll have been through something similar and be sympathetic. And be honest with yourself too - you’ve got enough to handle without setting yourself up to fail. You may need to fire yourself, effectively - for all sorts of reasons, your boss doesn’t want to replace you at short notice (but hopefully because they like you and feel dreadful about doing so). If you’re the one to suggest it and make it easy on them, your gesture will be appreciated.
Cut costs everywhere
It sounds obvious, but if you’re not earning, stop spending. Look for things that are coming straight out of your bank account. Most of your regular subscription services can go, at least temporarily. If you don’t have time to work, you’re unlikely to be going to the gym and you can probably make do with Freeview TV for a bit, yeah? Many services now let you pause instead of cancelling. And if not, these things will all be there when you’re working again. In a couple of cases, I explained my reasons for cancelling and was given a free subscription for a limited time - we’re talking small, creative businesses here, not Netfilx. The first sent me a “tell us why you’re leaving” query, the second I wrote to post-cancellation to reassure the creator that they’d done nothing wrong. In both cases, I gave no specific details but just said I’m freelance and had to stop work to look after a family member. And in both cases, I got lovely “let me help with that” replies.
Otherwise, get comfy with budget options. Coach not train, for example - where have you got to be in such a hurry anyway and why can’t you set off earlier? Sorry to rub it in, but you’re not working. And you can take a thermos flask of coffee and a packed lunch with you. Pret is not your friend. (I speak from experience - I made that mistake once and realised that my breakfast had cost me nearly as much as a 200-mile journey.)
Become Mr Micawber
There’s no use in panicking about your finances at a time like this. You’ll just need to use some fancy footwork and keep faith that “something will turn up”. I’m not suggesting you literally run away from your obligations. Juggle some things around, contact suppliers and creditors and see what can be done in the short-term while you get yourself sorted. Get a bit of breathing space and then you’ll be able to spot or create opportunities - to grasp the “something” when it does turn up. Start scanning the job ads and freelance gig listings as soon as you have the mental space to do so.
Reset or rewind?
If half your work has been blown out of the water, this could be a pivotal moment. Do you want your old gigs back asap or do you want to find something else? I’m still wondering about this myself. I’m in no position to commit to a new full-time (or even part-time) job but I am thinking hard about the future and what I’d like to try next.
Anything could happen.
Yes, yes it could. Ultimately, you need to view the words “anything could happen” through the lens of optimism not dread. I’m certainly glad that I had my freelancing-is-a-big-adventure epiphone a while ago. Despite everything, I’m still up for it.
Next edition out… ummmm…
I know you’ll forgive me if my publishing schedule becomes a bit erratic for a while. But I’ll be back whenever there’s anything useful to pass on. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’ve got a meeting with Ned the Horse to go over our calendars and pencil in a trotting date.
Sounds like a really hard time Celine and I hope you’re going ok. Lots of excellent tips though, thanks for sharing
So sorry you’ve been going through a hard time. But I’m pleased your back with lots of useful advice 😀