99 Problems (but a boss ain't one)

One of the first things people say when you freelance is “oh you’re so brave” and often they mean “you’re so crazy”. But actually it does take courage to go - and stay - freelance. So let’s jump in with both feet.  

Sometimes it’s hard to keep a sunny disposition and we’ve all had our ups and downs as freelancers.  In this episode we discuss why there is actually a place for negative thinking,  consider whether Katy is a witch, and look at how to turn your negatives into "megatives"... along with some actual practical tips for staying positive.

You’ve probably heard that Steve Jobs always wore the same kind of clothes to give him one less decision to make. Should we humble freelancers be following the lead of the late tech entrepreneur? In this episode we look at how we can make the "right" decisions and share tips on simplifying the decision-making process. 

Wouldn’t it be good if you predict what the future holds for your business? How can you predict what the future holds and make decisions now, that will benefit you in the months and years to come? Dust off your crystal ball as wl share some futurecasting tips and techniques.

The world can be an unpredictable place. There are some things that even the best business planning can’t forsee as many people are probably finding out (at the time of recording, Coronavirus has been declared a pandemic). Our flexibility makes us desirable but when panic sets in it can also make us disposable in the eyes of some clients. How do we make sure we keep the show on the road when the unexpected hits?

We're officially over half of the way to 99 and in this episode we're talking about how to manage tricky conversations, in particular with clients. We share tips to help you plan for these calls or meetings (or emails, if you must) and what to do if you find your emotions taking over. 

It's quite common for freelancers to have a bit on the side, but with our "day job" and life rudely getting in the way, how do we make time for other projects? In this episode we talk about the benefits of having a side hustle and how to overcome the barriers that can prevent it from moving forward. 

We each get 86400 seconds a day, so how do we actually do what matters in this time? In this episode we look at why freelancers sometimes struggle more to manage their time, and why the phrase "time management" might not actually be the right way of looking at the problem. We also share some practical tips on how to prioritise your days and get things done!

The classic freelance conundrum: if your business is doing well, should you grow it? And if so, how? In this episode, we question the idea that success is measured by growth and talk about the benefits of staying small (and yes this is the Paul Jarvis appreciation episode) as well as looking at how to grow sustainably if you do go down that route. Have a listen to find out why Michelle thinks "friends with benefits" could be the key to your freelance success 😉

In this episode we look at whether freelancers are more susceptible to mental health challenges, and chat about ways to manage time and clients if you're struggling. We share insights from our own experiences and discuss how much to share with clients.