Freelancers come and freelancers go.

It’s a fact that many start freelancing, but not everyone who starts a freelance business sticks with it. What do you think it is that really separates those who stick with freelancing from those who quit?

Could it be talent? Is it the amount of knowledge that a freelancer has? Or, perhaps popularity is the true measure of a freelancer’s ultimate success…

While all of these factors are important, there is something that is even more crucial to freelancing longevity.

The answer lies in a single word–commitment.

In this post, we’ll discuss some of the traits of a committed freelancer. I’ll also share my own observations about freelancing commitment.

Traits of a Committed Freelancer

Those freelancers who stay in business over the long run tend to have a completely different mindset than those who try freelancing and then move on to pursue something else.

There are many traits that separate the committed freelancer from the rest of the bunch. Here are a few of them:

• Has a Plan B. Not only is it important to plan for success, it’s also important to plan for failure. If things don’t go according to their first plan, the committed freelancer comes up with another plan (Plan B).
• Goes the Extra Mile. The committed freelancer is not just the one who gets the job done. They also go the extra mile to make sure that the work is the best that it can be.
• Is Passionate About What They Do. Freelancing is not just about the money or the ability to work from home for the committed freelancer. They truly enjoy the work that they do. Many of them can’t imagine doing anything else.
• Determined to Succeed. Determination goes a long way towards freelancing success. For those who are truly committed, quitting just isn’t an option. They’ll keep trying until they make it work.
• Is Willing to Learn. I’m convinced that the freelancers who have the real staying power are those who are lifelong learners. They are constantly seeking out ways to improve their skills and grow their business.
• Works Smart. Oddly enough, the successful freelancer isn’t usually the one who works the most hours. Rather, it’s the one who learns to work efficiently and minimize wasted time who succeeds in the end.

The bottom line is, when it comes to freelancing, commitment pays off. Throughout the years that I’ve been freelancing, I’ve witnessed the benefits of commitment over and over again.

My Experience

In the seven plus years that I’ve been freelancing, I’ve noticed that many of the freelancers that I knew when I first started freelancing are no longer in business. Despite a seeming initial success, many freelancers ultimately leave the freelancing world and return to the traditional workforce.

At first, this observation frightened me a little bit. I knew that some of the folks who left the freelancing arena were more talented and probably much smarter than me. If they couldn’t make it as a freelancer, how could I?

Then I realized something. Those who quit had very little tolerance for setbacks. As long as things were going smoothly these seemingly successful freelancers were fine. However, whenever they encountered a difficulty they became frustrated and didn’t know what to do.

After one or two setbacks, these freelancers simply gave up. They weren’t adaptable and they weren’t committed to their freelance business.

What About You?

Are you a committed freelancer? What keeps you going?

Or, have you already left the freelancing world behind? We’d like to hear your story as well.

What traits do you think separate those who quit freelancing from those who stick with it?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

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