Dear freelancers,

Life is like the Nile and we are all traveling on it in our own little sailboat. On a journey from the source to the sea. From birth to death. Let’s not kid ourselves – we know where our journey ends. We know it and most people suppress it very successfully. We are only confronted with it when we lose loved ones and when we get older. When we are reminded that the river inevitably flows into the sea. That it is pointless to equip the boat with a loud, expensive outboard motor just to get to the destination faster. Just to impress other people in the boats next to us. Because the reality is – the others in their boats and on their journeys are usually not interested in us or our journey…

Especially as a freelancer, you usually work alone and are regularly isolated. You realize sooner than the masses that you have to steer your boat every day and take responsibility for your trip. You sit at your PC, easel or workshop for hours on end and work for your dream. For your future. For determining the direction of your boat yourself. Not to let go of the helm in order to increase someone else’s wealth every day in a nine-to-five job.

You will lose people on your journey who call themselves your friends or who you call your friends. Who don’t understand that you don’t go out partying on Saturday nights because you want to work on your dream. Who don’t understand that you don’t check in all the time because you’re in the flow and forget the time. They don’t understand that you don’t want to drink beer with them and would rather use your time productively.

But I have good news for you – you will meet others on your journey. People who understand you. Who share your passion. Who know that you have to take this path. Other freelancers. And people who understand your path. Who want to see you succeed and who enjoy it.

How can you deal better with isolation as a freelancer? Here are 10 tips to help you deal with isolation:

1. Coworking spaces: here you are not alone and can make interesting contacts. You can also draw a clear line between your private life and your freelance work.

Here are some sites where you can find coworking spaces:

https://www.wework.com

https://www.regus.com/  (here you will also find private offices and conference rooms)

https://www.spacesworks.com/

https://www.huckletree.com

https://breather.com

https://impacthub.net

2. Coworking sessions with other freelancers – find someone in your industry. Network with each other. And work in a joint session. If you are an artist, for example, you can paint/work together in a studio or in the great outdoors.

3. Take regular breaks. Plan regular breaks to clear your head. To get some sun. To drink a coffee or tea. After an hour at the latest, you can continue working with more concentration. These breaks should not be spent on social media or in front of the TV. Neither will increase your creativity or concentration. They are time wasters. 5-10 minutes can quickly turn into 2 hours.4. attend networking events and trade fairs in your industry. Network with each other. Gather inspiration and ideas together. Maybe even virtually in a webinar.

4. Have a virtual coffee with other freelancers or friends (you can also maintain social contacts here! 😉 ). Exchange ideas. Inspire each other. Listen to each other. Be there for each other. It’s so incredibly important in this day and age.

5. Attend networking events and trade fairs in your sector. Network with each other. Gather inspiration and ideas together. Maybe even virtually in a webinar.

6. Create clear times in which you work. Plan your week as early as Sunday evening if possible.

7. Cultivate your hobbies outside of your freelance work or take up a hobby. You need a balance.

8. For example, maybe do some sport. It reduces stress and the endorphins help you. Whether it’s in the gym, yoga, team sports or a walk in the countryside – you’ll clear your head and, in the best case scenario, you’ll be able to socialize.

9. If you have strong feelings of loneliness and isolation, it can be useful to seek professional help. There are now offers outside the mainstream such as https://www.betterhelp.com/ .

10. Join a network to connect and exchange ideas. I founded the freelanceboosters community for this purpose. It is absolutely free of charge. You can find it under this link:

https://www.skool.com/freelanceboosters-1101/about

I hope I’ve been able to inspire you to continue to set the course of your boat yourself. Feel free to write in the comments if you have any other tips on how to deal better with loneliness and isolation as a freelancer.

Thank you for your time.

Best regards

Tobias

Dear Freelancers,

Today I want to write about a topic that surely moves many of you.

Fear. It comes in many forms. Some people are afraid to become self-employed and follow their calling because they think they are not good enough. Because they think there is no market for their service (let me tell you – there is a market for EVERYTHING… just think about the people who buy used socks on the internet :-D). They think no one will buy their art, their service, their book, in short, their product.

But ultimately, it’s the fear that people won’t want them as a person. A deeply rooted fear of rejection. Because no matter what we sell. No matter which product or great service we offer. The actual product is us. WE are being bought. Our authenticity. Our originality. Our brand. Our honesty. Based on the trust that people have in us. Because if people don’t trust, they won’t buy your product or service.

It could be as great as possible. Every sales conversation. Every pitch. Every offer. The decisive factor is YOU! And I say this with several years of sales experience. Because I have successfully sold various products and services. I was always very good at it for a certain time. Until I realized that the product or service provided no real value for the buyer. That it didn’t move people forward. In short – that it was all about money. And I’m too honest for that, and money itself is not important enough to me. That’s why I couldn’t sell anymore from that point on. I was afraid of ripping people off. The fear of losing my integrity. A justified fear. Because my values are important to me.

There are justified fears. Because fears are a protective mechanism. It is right to be afraid of jumping off a cliff because it could hurt you. With such fears, you should check where you land. As far as possible. And whether it might be more sensible to just jump into the water below and not take the detour via the cliff. 😉

But there are also unfounded fears. And irrational fears. The fear of becoming self-employed is one of them. I’ve always had the fear of leading a life of mediocrity and regretting that I didn’t live my life to the fullest. Not following my passions. Giving up what brings me joy and fulfillment. I never had a fear of failure. Luckily, that fear doesn’t exist for me. I always jump into the cold water and then wonder why it’s cold. That I have to start swimming. That I swallow water and need to cough. But through that, I’ve always grown. And I know that many people don’t jump into the cold water and thus miss out on amazing experiences. I think that’s a real shame. That’s why I founded freelanceboosters. That’s why this blog and community exist.

I have a big request for you… for each and every one of you who are thinking about whether freelancing or self-employment is right for you and are afraid to take the leap:

Make sure that your fear doesn’t stop you from living a fulfilled life!

It’s a marathon. Not a sprint. There are no short-term rewards, and you will always encounter obstacles. Problems you will need to solve, and you will solve them. And through that, you will become better at what you do. Because with every obstacle, with every stone on your path to success, you will get better at your work. You will grow. Your product or service will grow with you. You will build momentum and become unstoppable. And if you walk this path long enough and continue to develop, success will come naturally. A beautiful sentence I’ve learned here is: “I don’t fail. I either succeed or learn.”

Maybe we’re also simply afraid of success, as Steven Pressfield writes in his book. What do you think?

If you have questions, want to network, or be part of a strong community that inspires and supports you every day, feel free to join our new, free Skool community: Link

Thank you for your time!

Tobias

“Inner resistance lives from fear. We even experience it as fear. But what are we actually afraid of? We are afraid of the consequences if we listen to the call of our hearts. We are afraid of failure, of poverty, of going bankrupt. We are afraid of embarrassing ourselves if we make it on our own, and of being humiliated when we crawl back to square one after a failure. We are afraid of appearing selfish. Afraid of being bad wives or unfaithful husbands. Afraid of not being able to feed our families anymore. Afraid of sacrificing our loved ones’ dreams for our own. Afraid of betraying our ethnic group, our social class, or our friends. Afraid of failure. Afraid of making a fool of ourselves. Afraid that our studies, our education, and everything our relatives have sacrificed for, and for which we’ve worked ourselves to the bone, could be in vain. Afraid of the unknown. Afraid of emptiness. Afraid of not being able to turn back, undo anything, or change anything, so that we have to live with a wrong decision for the rest of our lives. Afraid of going crazy. Afraid of losing our mind. Afraid of death.

These are all serious fears. But they are not what we’re truly afraid of. Because behind them is an even bigger fear, the mother of all fears, so close to us that we don’t even believe in its existence, even when we speak its name.

The fear of success.”

Freely quoted from Steven Pressfield’s “The War of Art”

Dear freelancers,

Today I would like to write about a topic that I am sure moves many of you.

Fear. It comes in many forms. Some people are afraid to start their own business and follow their purpose because they think they are not good enough. Because they think there is no market for their service (let me tell you – there is a market for EVERYTHING…just think of the people who buy worn socks on the internet :-D). That no one will buy their art, their service, their book, in short, their product.

And it’s actually about the fear that you don’t want them as a person. A deep-rooted fear of rejection. Because no matter what we sell. No matter what product or what great service we offer. The actual product is us. WE are being bought. Our authenticity. Our originality. Our brand. Our honesty. Because of the trust people have in us. Because anyone who doesn’t trust you won’t buy your product or service.

No matter how great it is. Every sales pitch. Every pitch. Every offer. The decisive factor is you! And I say that with several years of sales experience. Because I have already sold various products and services very successfully. I was always very good at it for a certain period of time. Until I realized that the product or service didn’t represent any added value for the buyer. That it doesn’t help people. In short – that it was only about money. And I’m too honest for that and money itself isn’t important enough for me. That’s why I couldn’t sell from that point on. I was afraid of ripping people off. The fear of losing my integrity. A well-founded fear. Because my values are important to me.

There are well-founded fears. Because fears are a protective mechanism. It’s right to be afraid of jumping off a cliff because you could injure yourself. With such fears, you should see where you are coming from beforehand. As far as you can. And whether it might make more sense to jump straight down into the water and not take the detour over the cliff 😉

But there are also unfounded fears. And irrational fears. The fear of becoming self-employed is one of them. I’ve always had more of a fear of living a life of mediocrity and regretting that I didn’t live my life to the full. Not having followed my passions. To have given up what brings me joy and fulfills me. I never had a fear of failure. Fortunately, this fear doesn’t exist for me. I always jump in at the deep end and then wonder why it’s cold. That I have to start swimming. That I have to swallow water and cough. But I’ve always grown as a result. And I know that many people don’t jump in at the deep end and miss out on great experiences as a result. I think that’s a shame. That’s why I founded freelanceboosters. That’s why this blog and the community exist.

I have a big request for you…for each and every one of you who are wondering whether freelancing or self-employment is for you and are afraid to take the plunge:

Make sure that your fear doesn’t stop you from living a fulfilled life!

It’s a marathon. Not a sprint. There are no short-term rewards and you will always come up against obstacles. Problems that you must and will solve. And this will make you better at what you do. Because with every obstacle, with every stone on your path to success, you become better at what you do. You grow. Your product or service grows with you. You build momentum and become unstoppable. And if you follow this path long enough and continue to develop, success will come naturally. A nice sentence I learned here is: “I don’t fail. I succeed or I learn.”

Perhaps you are simply afraid of success, as Steven Pressfield writes in his book. What do you think?

If you have questions, want to network, want to be part of a strong community that inspires and supports you every day, please join our new, free Skool Community: Link

Thank you for your time!

Tobias

“Inner resistance lives from fear. We even experience it as fear. But what are we actually afraid of? We are afraid of the consequences of listening to the call of our heart. Fear of failure, of poverty, of going bankrupt. We are afraid of embarrassing ourselves if we go it alone and of being humiliated if we crawl back to square one after a failure. We are afraid of looking like egotists. Afraid of being bad wives or unfaithful husbands. Afraid of no longer being able to provide for our families. Afraid of sacrificing the dreams of our loved ones for our own. Fear of betraying our ethnic group, our social class, our friends. Fear of failing. Fear of making a fool of ourselves. Fear that our studies, our education and all that our loved ones have given so much for and for which we have worked so hard could be in vain. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the emptiness. Fear of not being able to turn back, of not being able to undo or change anything, so that we have to live with a wrong decision for the rest of our days. Fear of going crazy. Fear of losing our minds. Fear of death.

These are all serious fears. But they are not what we are really afraid of. Because behind them is an even greater fear, the mother of all fears, which is so close to us that we don’t even believe it exists, even if we say its name.

The fear of success.”

Quote from Steven Pressfield’s “the WAR of ART”

Reading time: 5 minutes

Dear freelancers,

Irregular income is one of the biggest challenges you may face. As a freelancer, your assignments and projects may not always be constant, especially at the beginning, and this can lead to financial uncertainty.

But there are various ways in which you can successfully overcome this challenge. In this article, I offer you practical solutions to tackle the problem of irregular income and achieve financial stability.

Mastering irregular income as a freelancer – 10 tips plus bonus tip

1. budgeting and cost control

Create a budget to keep an eye on your expenses and reduce unnecessary costs. This will allow you to remain financially liquid even in times of lower income. You can use an Excel file for this, for example.

2. build up an emergency fund – the squirrel strategy

Set up an emergency fund to cushion you in financially difficult times. These funds should cover three to six months of your living costs (i.e. all fixed costs such as rent, electricity, health insurance, other insurance, food, internet/mobile phone contract, etc.). Be sure to separate this fund from your private account and always transfer about 20-50% of your income to this fund. A free account with N26 also offers the option of distributing your income to various sub-accounts.

Click here to go to N26: link*

3. diversification of income sources

Aim to tap into different income streams. Offer your services in different areas.

4. periodic invoicing

Issue your invoices at fixed times of the month or quarter. This ensures that your income flows more regularly. For example, you can issue your invoices on the 14th of the month with a payment term of 14 days, so that in the best case you receive your payment by the 1st of the following month.

5. long-term projects and retainer contracts

Aim for long-term projects or retainer contracts. These offer you a continuous source of income and increase your financial stability.

6. service providers for recurring payments

Use service providers that specialize in processing recurring payments. Here you can use service providers.

7. flexible payment terms

Negotiate payment terms with your customers. Receive payment in advance or agree staggered payments to balance out financial fluctuations. An advance payment also increases commitment to a project on both sides.

8. bridging work

If there are no freelance projects, you can consider temporary jobs or temporary work to stabilize your income. You should always use temporary jobs to bridge financial bottlenecks in order to live your dream in the long term. You can also be active on several platforms.

9. training and further education

Invest in your skills and knowledge to be more competitive and get more lucrative jobs. Take courses to expand your portfolio.

10. financial advice

Seek advice from a financial advisor to develop a personalized strategy for your financial future and read good books on finance.

Bonus tip: Build a network

Maintain your professional network to find potential clients and projects. A strong network can contribute to a stable income and open up new opportunities for you.

These solutions can help you better manage the irregular income as a freelancer and build a financially healthier future. Remember to choose a combination of these strategies that suits your individual situation and goals.

Thank you for your time and attention!

Best regards

Tobias

Reading time: 5 minutes

Dear freelancers,

One of the greatest freedoms of being self-employed – being able to manage your time independently – is also one of the biggest challenges.

If you don’t structure your day, you won’t make progress. You won’t be able to overcome internal resistance and will see no progress. Below, you’ll find tips on how to boost your productivity and use your time more effectively.

Tip 1: Find your most productive time of the day

Some people are particularly productive/creative in the morning. Others work better during the day, and some are night owls who love working late into the night. Find out when you work best and have the best ideas, and use that time. Settle on a specific time of day.

In my experience, nothing overcomes inner resistance better than routine.

If you need to schedule client appointments (e.g., for video calls or meetings), the morning or afternoon is ideal. Prepare for these meetings the evening before so you don’t waste time in the morning.

One small note – those who consider themselves night owls should keep in mind that working at night is not healthy for your circadian rhythm in the long term and can take a toll on your health. Our bodies are naturally designed to work during the day and rest at night to regenerate. Artificial light is a very recent invention in evolutionary terms and disrupts these natural needs.

Tip 2: Plan your week – Proper prior planning prevents poor performance!

Sit down on Sundays, grab a journal (or your smartphone), and plan your week (similar to a to-do list). Set your priorities: What must be done (A-priorities such as productive/creative work, walking the dog, spending time with family, important appointments, key tasks, bookkeeping, training, exercise, etc.), what should be done (B-priorities, which can be postponed to the next day, like washing dishes, shopping, etc.), and what can be done if time allows (C-priorities). Label each task with a priority. Tackle unpleasant tasks first (the “eat-the-frog-first” principle). Check off what you’ve completed.

Tip 3: Use a tool

There are plenty of apps and tools that can help you plan your week and projects. Use them. Later in this blog, I’ll introduce some of them to you.

Tip 4: Reserve time blocks for specific tasks

Nothing is more frustrating than being interrupted when you’re in the zone. That’s why you should block time for yourself. This time should be fully dedicated to you and your work – even if it’s just a few hours a day when you’re unavailable to others. You’re worth it.

Tip 5: No multitasking

No one can multitask. Science has proven this by now. Unfortunately…

Therefore, focus on one task at a time. If you try to do too much at once, the results will always be subpar, and you’ll never achieve flow. This doesn’t mean you can’t listen to music while you work.

But don’t try to, for example, paint a picture while constantly replying to messages on WhatsApp or Instagram.

Or, if you’re a writer, you might lose your train of thought and get stuck.

Tip 6: Don’t force it

Even if you only write a few words or start a painting – it’s progress. Don’t force it! You can always continue writing or painting later. It’s your work, and you decide when it’s finished.

Tip 7: Don’t hesitate too long – better to start imperfectly than never start at all

Self-explanatory, right? You can prepare as much as you want, but there will be no result unless you take the first step. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s your song, and you’re playing by your own notes. After all, you’re self-employed. No one dictates the melody. You set the pace. But start as soon as possible! Otherwise, internal barriers will become insurmountable.

Tip 8: If you get stuck, change the medium

If you encounter a creative block while writing, try crafting something. Mold something out of clay. If you’re stuck painting, write a short text. Don’t get stuck. It will come naturally! Creativity will return. The “horror vacui” – the fear of the blank page – only exists if you leave the page blank. Once you start producing something, that knot will untie.

Tip 9: Set deadlines

Be honest with yourself about how much work you can complete within a given time. Set realistic deadlines and include buffer time for unforeseen events. For example, if you need to finish a project by the 30th of the month, set a deadline for the 23rd. This way, you’ll have an extra week in case something unexpected comes up or the project takes longer. Don’t need the extra time? Great! Start the next project. Use the remaining buffer. Don’t let a gap form. The secret to success is continuity.

Tip 10: Create a tidy workspace

“If a cluttered desk represents a cluttered mind, what does an empty desk say about the person using it?”
Albert Einstein

If you love chaos, work in chaos. But keep in mind that chaos may lead to spending time searching for things you need to continue your work. This disrupts your flow, and you’ll have to get back into it. Arrange everything you’ll need beforehand.

Tip 11: Take short breaks

Take short (e.g., 5-minute) breaks. Step back and observe your work briefly. If you’ve painted a picture, move away from it for a moment. If you’ve written something, take a step back – not to critique it, but to see the bigger picture and gain new ideas.

Tip 12: Regularly exchange ideas with other freelancers

Regularly exchange ideas with fellow freelancers. Inspire each other. Help each other grow. That’s why I founded freelanceboosters.

Bonus tip: Learn to say no or use waiting lists

As a freelancer, it’s tempting to say yes to every project – after all, every project means income. But be realistic about your capacity. Your time is your most limited resource. Learn to say no to projects that don’t align with your goals, exceed your resources, or involve clients who give you a bad gut feeling. You don’t have to accept every client. Saying no strengthens your ability to say yes to the right opportunities.

Alternatively, use a waiting list. This way, you don’t have to turn down a project entirely. Offer this option to clients – it signals that you’re interested but currently unavailable. A waiting list also shows that your work is in demand. Clients who value your work will be willing to wait a week or even a month longer.

And now?

Pick a few techniques from this list that resonate with you and integrate them into your daily life and work. I hope this blog post has been helpful.

Do you have additional tips or experiences to share? Feel free to write them in the comments! I’m curious, and our community can benefit from them.

Thank you for your time!

Best regards,

Tobias