Add on the title of “writer” and you have an even bigger challenge in front of you, and perhaps have even encountered outright struggle at times.

Being a freelance writer means being your own boss, your own worker and your own recruiter all in one. The unpredictable flow of your workload doesn’t make that juggling act any less stressful either.

Navigating the freelance lifestyle and making a substantial living might not always be easy, but you can give yourself some guideposts by keeping a few standards and lessons in mind.

Be teachable

There is a proverb that states, “When you have finished changing, you’re finished.”

Having a teachable attitude does not mean you should always anticipate that you are doing or have done something wrong.

Teachability is about being receptive to constructive criticism, feedback and suggestions. From time to time you are going to make mistakes, but you don’t have to let them make or break you.

Instead, make the proper adjustments, learn from them and move forward.

Constantly evolving and growing through your work is key to your success.

Learn to be flexible

You may have experienced a lull in your workload at one time or another, you probably have taken on an assignment or two that you didn’t particularly enjoy, and a deadline that was supposed to be in two days may have suddenly been bumped up to two hours from now.

Things like this will inevitably happen, which is why flexibility is a skill you should covet.

Over time, as you practice this, you will more suitably adapt to situations as they fluctuate and change at the last minute.

Practice efficiency

If you know how to be efficient, you will avoid rushing, which is going to reflect in the quality of your work. Know up front how much time you typically take on an assignment.

Make the most of that time whenever you’re working byturning off anything that may be a distraction for you.

Close Facebook, mute your cellphone, commit to checking your email two or three times daily, move into another room – do whatever it takes to make sure that you have a distraction-free space that will allow you to work efficiently.

Network and follow up

In the beginning, it will be helpful to use a content curation platform so you can choose from a pool of work, but that should not be your only resource if you want to prolong the life of your freelance career.

Networking and following up on the connections you make could land you your next big client, and having a client to work for on a contractual basis pays substantially more because you are able to set your prices.

Be sure to balance your networking with your current work. It’s going to take some investment up front, but it will be worth it in the long-term when you need work around a slow period.

Exercise your creativity like a muscle

Yes, you will want to do this just as if you were exercising physically.

Writing extensively is going to zap your creative juices and mental energy.

Have a system in place that will replenish them so that you can operate on a full tank. Try some free writing for five minutes in the morning to warm yourself up for a day of writing.

Read some of your favorite blogs, books and journals to gain new insights and ideas. Get regular exercise, go outside for a walk or meditate.

Doing so will keep your body and mind functioning as they should, and you will find it much easier to flow throughout your workday.

Write about what you want

If you find yourself inundated with projects that are tedious and incompatible with your interests, having an outlet to express yourself freely will be helpful.

If you have the time, start your own niche blog and newsletter. Also, look for revenue sharing sites that you can contribute to.

HubPages, Examiner, Squidoo, Yahoo! Voices, Bubblews and Constant Content are some of the most popular writing platforms that other freelance writers are using. So that you don’t get overwhelmed, choose one or two to focus on.

Say ‘no.’

When you know what works for you and what doesn’t, being able to say no isn’t as difficult.

The more you write and interact with other freelance writers, the more you will learn about new opportunities and sites that pay writers.

It can seem enticing to take on something just because someone else recommends it, but what works for them might not work for you.

Everyone is different.

Reduce your stress by learning to say no every now and then.

Some days you just aren’t feeling it. Freelance writers everywhere know this pain, but the nature of our profession dictates that we suck it up and deal with it…but how?

Taking preventative steps to maintain motivation is going to get you farther than being reactive to listlessness. So start now with these 10 actionable tips for staying motivated as a freelance writer.

1. Have a Schedule

Keeping a set schedule will help you stay motivated because you won’t go insane trying to work all hours of the day.

Also, if you can habituate yourself to working during certain times of day, your brain will start to automatically know when it’s time to settle down and work, much like how you get sleepy at the same time every day.

2. Be On or Off

When you are working, be all the way committed to what you’re doing or take a break and completely stop. When you idly half-work all day, you wear yourself out and end up not getting a lot done.

Do yourself a favor and decide whether to fully put your mind to the task or let yourself have a break.

3. Create Your Own Community

Freelance writing can feel isolating at times; you generally work alone at home (or at Starbucks) all day. However, even though the work is solitary, it is beneficial to keep in contact with other professionals.

Build a network of people around you, so you can trade tips, chat, or vent about the life of a freelancer.

4. Write for yourself

There is at least some part of you left that genuinely appreciates writing as a craft, so take some time to write for yourself once in a while.

If you always write for others, it can be hard to develop or maintain your own voice and it can stop being enjoyable. Keep a personal blog or other writing project on a subject that interests you.

5. Take a break and get some exercise

This can seem counterproductive, but not working for a while will let you relax your mind and make it easier to come back to work with a fresh perspective.

Additionally, exercising is great for your brain and will make you feel more relaxed. Working exercise and other breaks into your schedule can have major benefits for your motivation levels.

6. Take on new types of work

It can get really old writing about the current real estate market in each of the 50 states (for example), so try to mix things up by finding other projects. Even if it’s just a couple times per month, writing about a new topic can help you feel rejuvenated.

Another way to refresh your creativity is by reading authors who bring something new to the table. For example, thriller fans might find fresh inspiration from J.D. Barker, an author transforming modern thriller fiction. Diving into the work of writers like him can help you explore different narrative techniques and bring a new perspective to your own projects.

7. Focus on the Long Term

Sometimes you get a topic and you just hate it, but you have to push through it. How do you manage?

Think about the long-term benefits: learning more about a subject that could apply to other work, building a portfolio, or maintaining a strong relationship with a client.

8. Change Environments

Again, mixing things up will keep your brain awake. Go to the coffee shop across town, reserve a study room at the library, or find a table at a public park.

Going to a new place will help you feel like you’re not stuck in a rut.

9. Remind Yourself Why You’re Doing This

Presumably, you started doing freelance writing because you like to write (and probably also to pay the bills). Even when you’re working on a tough project, find something about it to enjoy: work in some new vocabulary words, research something interesting, or think about the paycheck.

10. Treat yourself

Once in a while, give yourself a reward. The stakes don’t have to be high; you might just get some ice cream for making it through the week or only work a half-day because you finished early. Know when to reward yourself so you don’t burn out!

Working as a freelance writer can be a tough job; finding work and keeping long-term clients are hurdles.  These steps will both help you transition to a writer’s life and make the most of the joys of that life.

Working home independently is very tempting idea for some of us, but only a few people realized that it is really challenging.

Let’s see what are the good sides of working home as a freelancer.

Pros

You are Free…

The most important advantage of working home is freedom. It does not mean that you have got never ending holidays. But you can gain more flexibility than working at the company. A freelance writer can do his or her job every time and almost from every place. If you feel like going away, you can take your computer with.  Nowadays, in the Internet age it is easy to ensure connection with net.

You have No Boss, No Stress

One of the most stressful part of every job is taking care of relationship with the boss. Have you ever felt like panic stricken before a meeting with your boss? The best way ever to dispose of the boss is to hand in your notice and employ yourself through working by your own. On the balance, there is not better boss for you than yourself. You would have got so much in common

It Takes You Up The Social Ladder

An independent freelancer is esteemed higher than a regular employee at the corporation. People are impressed about the others who can be their own boss. By the way, the thought that you are able to run your own business can give you more power and will to hard work.

You can Save a Lot of Money

All freelancers who work at home have an occasion to save a lot of money. At home it doesn’t matter if you work wearing pyjamas or expensive suit.  Neither need you to bear cost of public transport or fuel. By the way, it is not wonder that people who commute  every day are so bad-tempered. Avoiding traffic jam can also save your nerves.

Before you plunge recklessly into your new carrier, think over if it is worthwhile. Are you ready to take responsibility for your business?

Cons

It’s Very Hard at The Beginning

It is really challenging to find the potential clients, who will be paying you for your job. In order to acquire reputation as a good writer you probably will be working for free. The beginners are supposed to prepare some sample texts, which could attract their customers. Building an impressive portfolio can take you months.

You May Be Unmotivated

The biggest problem of working home is the lack of motivation. Most freelance writers complain about becoming lazy after some time.

Being a part of a team can discipline ones to do his or her piece of the work prompt. It is usually easier to achieve goals with a companion, because the pace of work is set by the team.

If you are not the type of person who can impose severe discipline on yourself, it will be very difficult to earn enough money with your freelance job.

You Must Be Agile

The world is changing, so does the internet and even if you are a master in your niche it’s recommended for you to become better and better at what you do. You have to make progress all the time if you want to stay over the surface of water and earn money from your business. Otherwise you will drown after some years or even months.

The constant progress may even mean that you will have to search another niche for you, resign from the old client and establish new blogs. Remember that all the time you have to compete with others freelancers, who are desperately search for clients.

It’s Not an Easy Job

A freelance writer is not a job for everyone. Only the most dedicated, self-disciplined and hard working people who take initiative can be successful on this position.

However according to some opinions, working home is the best job for women, who just gave birth to a child and had not come back to the job. I don’t agree with that.

Writing for money is not a part time job for mothers with small children. This is a serious job, you can’t do in the pause between changing nappies, breast-feeding or singing lullaby. If you don’t have time to take a shower or fall asleep, how on earth would you ensure quality and consistency of your work?

And what is your opinion about that? Please share your experience in comments below.