Four things you need to consider before quitting your corporate job to be a freelancer.

One of the most common questions I always get is:

"Should I resign from my corporate job and be a freelancer?"

There's no easy answer to this question because there are many things you need to consider.

And I get why it's trending right now.

As an employee, we pour our hearts and souls into our work. But often, the amount of money we're getting does not equate to the effort we're giving. Additionally, we spend a lot of time on the road, sleep fewer hours, and deal with office politics, which leads to a lot of stress.

That's why we get attracted to exploring freelancing.

However, leaving your job and pursuing freelancing without planning may not be the right move because it may end up as a waste of your time and energy. It is important to understand when to let go and know more about freelancing before you make a decision.

Today, I will share four things you need to know before you jump into freelancing. So you will know what to do next.

Before quitting your job, consider these four things.

There will be slow progress at the beginning.

I started my freelance career in September 2016 and got my first foreign client in March 2017. Yeah, it took me eight months before I found the first client that pays me $3/hour. I'm glad that in that eight months, a friend delegated some transcription jobs to me, and an agency rented my FB account so they could run ads.

I wouldn't have anything without these two gigs in those eight months.

I didn't quit because I was unemployed then, and freelancing was my last straw. If you're a newbie, it may take a long time to see if you're making progress. So before you quit your job, ask yourself, "am I ready to take the risk?"

There is no timeline.

But if you're determined to try multiple approaches despite the challenges ahead. It might be time to THINK about it and move on from your current job because there will always be a client for you as a freelancer. We just don't know when.

Your routines and tasks will dramatically change.

As an employee, we're accustomed to doing the same thing regularly. You drive to work, talk to your colleagues, work, break, lunch, work, break, time off, and go home. You're also doing the same tasks daily. I know some who bring home some of their tasks and do them on the weekend.

But whenever we encounter a problem, there is always someone we can turn to for assistance.

We have technicians, maintenance, IT, supervisors, guards, and even your boss when we encounter problems at work. You have your HR that takes care of everything that you need. And even your colleagues to do some stuff for you.

But working at home?

You'll handle all of these things on your own. And this is a big one because we're so used to having someone do it for us, especially when you need to set up or troubleshoot your computer. It is the most challenging part. Not to mention the paperwork and tools you need to function.

If you BELIEVE you will struggle with these things. It may not be the right time to quit your job.

You'll start from zero.

Your position from your current job won't matter here. Your future client will not ask about your title, recognitions, and achievements. Sometimes even your experience will not fit into the mix because your prospective clients won't need that. They only care about themselves and the solution you can offer to their problem.

Good thing if a freelance friend is already assisting you as you transition.

But for those who don't know anyone in the community? It will be a huge, huge challenge. That's why newbie freelancers are vulnerable to offers, social media posts, and sweet talks promising instant results. They'll do everything to get started.

But not all courses or mentors are a good fit.

If the course does not align with your current situation, it is not worth your time, money, and energy. I often talk to aspiring freelancers about their goals and type of work, only to discover that the program that they're in is carrying them further away from their objectives.

If you're a newbie freelancer, I put a list of people in the freelance community that you should follow in this post.

You need to spend time learning new things.

Freelancing is a competitive industry, and learning is the key to staying ahead. Some thrive in this kind of situation, while others learn by doing. You have to find your sweet spot and take it from there.

It's beneficial to consume content, read books, knowing the current trend and what tools to use.

If you're not interested in learning new things because you believe what you have is enough, then you need help. Because one of the most fulfilling aspects of freelancing is learning new skills that will help you grow as a person.

To sum it off...

It can feel like a loss to resign from your current job. But working on the wrong job for a long time is a bigger loss, especially if it's robbing you of the best things in life.

Once you decide, you must trust yourself and have confidence in your abilities.

Be confident that your decision to resign or work as a freelancer was right.

The future is full of possibilities, but only if you take the risk will you discover what opportunities await you on the other side of the fence.