Is There a “Right Time” to Start Freelancing? Here Are Some Signals
Know when it’s time to leave your 9–5 job.
“When is the right time to begin freelancing?” is a lot like asking “When is the right time to buy a house?” or “When is the right time to have a baby?”
There’s never a perfect time.
Or if you wait for the perfect time, when you think you’ll have enough clients or have enough in savings, you’ll miss so much opportunity.
I didn’t wait. As a matter of fact, I was thrust into freelancing when I was laid off — like so many other people. It was a way to quickly earn money instead of looking for a full-time job.
But honestly? If I hadn’t lost my job, I would have left it, probably within a few months. The signs were there. I just hadn’t worked up the courage to make the leap yet.
If freelancing is on your mind, here are some things that might help you make a decision.
You think it’s unlikely that you’ll find a dream employer.
One reason people turn to freelancing is that they’re fed up with employers. Usually it’s not just a single employer, but they move from job to job and nothing is the right fit.
