Traditional job and freelance career, how to reconcile them?

It is well known that many people end up entering the freelance career because of the difficulty of finding a job, instability in the traditional market, or even an inability to adapt to the work routine (those 8-hour days, clocking in, the office, etc.). But there is also a growing number of already-employed people who want to leave the traditional market and embrace a more independent, dynamic, and sometimes risky life.

Freelance work is increasingly seen as a real possibility of an independent career, but on the other hand, there are also those who want or need to combine it with salaried work.

How to get started

If managing one career is complicated, imagine two! But it is perfectly possible to combine freelance work with a traditional job. Little by little you can discover which path is really for you and choose just one.

To start with, define a few services you can offer outside of working hours and look for your first client. The important thing is not to take on anything too complex or costly at the beginning. The goal isn't to get rich, but to gain experience and, of course, some extra income. As you build up experience and knowledge, you can look for bigger projects. Pay attention to how you feel at your day job and when you're doing freelance work. Which one brings more pleasure and personal satisfaction? That factor, even more than money, will be a strong indicator of the direction to take.

A double work schedule, your personal life, hobbies, physical activity, and household chores can end up overwhelming you if you don't know how to organize yourself. Planning will be your best friend in this case. Set schedules, including one exclusively for your freelance work. An organized routine will help you not waste time and know exactly how much time is acceptable to complete each task.

Advantages

Among the advantages, working as a freelancer gives you the opportunity to work with what you like most, in the area where you really want to build your professional career. The result is you becoming a more well-rounded professional, with differentiators on your resume that many of your competitors won't have.

As a freelancer you will put into practice a range of skills that are highly valued by today's job market. These are things you may not be able to exercise in your traditional job.

In a traditional job, you have your fixed salary guaranteed at the end of the month and some benefits that save you money every month. Even though you're sure of earning those amounts, everyday expenses are numerous, and besides, it's always good to think about having savings for emergencies or even to make your dreams come true. In most cases salary alone isn't enough, and freelance work can help. It's important to remember that the income you receive from your freelance work is variable and requires a certain amount of care and control.

Is it worth taking on a double schedule?

It takes a lot of energy and organization, but it will certainly be rewarding. You'll get to know yourself better as a professional, what your strengths are, and what value your service has in the market. At the same time, you keep the "security" of your fixed job so you can try and experiment with different things as a freelancer.

It's important to take that time to rest. Freelance work can be a trap because it has no defined schedule. Pulling all-nighters isn't a good option. Don't forget that without proper time to rest, it won't take long for the quality of your work to suffer.

Finally, yes, it's worth it! If you follow the tips, you'll be able to prepare yourself for a more successful career without compromising your health or your time with family.