As a freelancer, you may not have employees or a regular manager, but you are still your own company. And like any company, it’s important to know and share your values to set boundaries and attract the right clients.
Our values are based on our own cultures, lived realities and communities. You may know exactly what qualities you look for in a friend or partner, but have you mapped out what values you look for in a client? Where you do your best work and add the greatest value for your clients? While there may be some overlap between your personal and professional life, especially as a freelancer, it’s important to take the time to design a values-based approach for your career.
Here’s an easy-to-use guide for values-based career growth:
1. Get to know yourself in and outside of work
You may feel that you know yourself well, but have you ever taken the time to write a list of your values in and outside of work? The latter is probably even less likely, particularly if you’re a freelancer and therefore, operating as your very own company. You know the ‘our values’ pages you can find on most company websites or as part of mission statements? It’s time you work out what you hold dear in and outside of work so write a list as this will outline the kinds of clients, and sectors, to look for.
2. Avoid burn-out: think work-life balance
Now that you have your lists, look at what matters to you in both your personal and professional life. If you value, honesty in both areas, then you know what types of people and clients to look for – for example. In life, you may value quiet time or nature. Those are values you are unlikely to get from work unless you’re the type of freelancer or digital nomad reading this from the beach(well done, you!). The values you share personally and professionally, like honesty and integrity, can be fulfilled in both veins, but for the ones you simple can’t get from work, it’s important to make time for them to avoid eventual burn-out.
3. Set boundaries
Carrying on from the previous point, it may feel exciting to attract new clients, it may also help you pay off your tuition and save for the future. But before taking on another new client or project, it’s important you evaluate your own capacity honestly. Can you really handle a new client right now? Does this new client and their respective work/project/sector match your values? Will this additional work allow for work-life balance? If you answer ‘no’ to any or all of these questions, it’s important to step back and honestly think before you sign on.
4. Keep things formal: don’t get pushed around
As a freelancer, many of your earliest or best clients will be people or companies you’ve worked for in a different capacity, such as in a previous full-time role. These are therefore people with whom you have an existing relationship, often making setting boundaries (see previous point) and formalities like ‘terms of references’ (TORs) and detailed contracts harder to pin down. But this doesn’t mean you should let go of the reins – even if this is a former boss, you are the one currently in control of your own business. Insist on formality so you avoid doing any work outside the scope of your existing contract or TOR.
5. Stay organised: track your values, clients, and references in one place
Work tends to come in waves for most freelancers. Use some of your down time to get ahead and set yourself on the best path to success. Check out My Career Capital, an online platform that allows you to record all of the above and more in one spot with totally customisable tools, including self-coaching to walk you through tough decisions, like when to say no to a client that doesn’t match your values or who demands more than what’s agreed. The platform also allow you to work out your Unique Value (Selling) Propositions – again, based on experience and values – and work on your branding, which also comes down to who you are as a person, your character and where you want to go in your life and career.
Living a life – professionally and personally – that stays true to who you are is one of the most fulfilling things you can do and when you will do your greatest work. We often put so much thought into our personal relationships – the people we hold most dear, why not take some time today to design a values-based approach to your career? It’s time to excel in both areas!
Join us on My Career Capital to find your unique value and design a values-based career!