In this class we talk about the many freedoms that come from owning a flexible, location-independent virtual business. We share five different kinds of freedoms that you can embrace in your business so you're living the lifestyle you've always wanted. We also discuss six ways that you can make sure you are staying free and alive in your virtual business.

Podcast Outline:

0:00 - Opening thoughts

1:18 - Introduction to the topic of "Freedom"

• 1:39 - Top three reasons for freelancing from the "Freelancing in America" survey:
• • 1:52 - To be my own boss
  • 2:01 - To have flexibility in my schedule
  • 2:04 - To work from the location of my choosing

3:05 - How the freedom lifestyle was marketed in the past

5:54: Five Different Types of Freedoms:

• 6:04 - #1: Personal Freedoms
• • 6:52 - Story about micromanaging boss
  • 8:11 - Craig and his family's personal freedom

• 12:24 - #2: Location Freedoms
• • 12:32 - Story about a FreeU student's location freedom
  • 12:53 - Craig's location freedom

• 13:05 - #3: Financial Freedoms
• • 13:30 - Story about a FreeU student's journey

• 14:18 - #4: Relationship Freedoms

• 15:15 - #5: Time Freedoms
• • 15:48 - Benefits of the Pomodoro Technique

17:08 - The importance of self-care

17: 58 - Six Strategies to Stay Free in Your Business

• 18:11 - #1: Do meaningful work that you love and that you're good at.
• • 18:41 - Type of work
  • 18:58 - Autonomy of work

• 20:07 - #2: Know your big WHY.

• 21:03 - #3: Set clear boundaries
• • 21:09 - With yourself
  • 21:52 - With clients

• 22:50 - #4: Own your business; don't let it own you.
• • 23:21 - An example of the need to unplug

• 24:01 - #5: Be productive.
• • 25:00 - Freelance University course recommendation

• 25:14 - #6: Connect with like-minded people

26:23 - Summary of Six Strategies to Stay Free in Your Business

27:15 - Closing thoughts

Resources and tools discussed in this episode:

"Freelancing in America Survey": https://www.upwork.com/i/freelancing-in-america/2018/

Freelancers Union: https://www.freelancersunion.org/

Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/

Zumba: https://www.zumba.com/en-US/

Freelance University: https://www.freelanceu.com/university/

Freelance University Courses:

"Setting Boundaries and Building Healthy Client Relationships": https://my.freelanceu.com/courses/setting-boundaries-and-building-healthy-client-relationships

"Creating Effective Systems for Your Business and Your Clients": https://my.freelanceu.com/courses/creative-effective-systems-for-your-business-and-your-clients