Make Your Freelance Dreams Come True in 2009

Since tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, I thought I’d help jumpstart your freelance goal-setting process for 2009.

I don’t know about you, but every year around this time I start reflecting on the accomplishments of the past year and begin mapping out goals for the year ahead. Of course, losing the holiday pounds will be at the top of my overall list.

But typically, I develop a separate set of goals for my work and business life. Throughout the year, these goals help guide my decisions about how I spend my time, the assignments I pursue, the clients I decide to work for, and my overall business focus or plan. Before writing any goals down, though, I always ask myself several questions.

Based on my experience, here are some questions to ask yourself in preparation for setting your freelance goals for 2009:

• What is the least profitable part of my business? Would an increased focus or slightly different approach make that part of my business more profitable, or do I need to shift my focus away from that area and concentrate my efforts on something else (e.g. move away from newspaper and magazine work to focus more on corporate assignments)?

• What are my greatest strengths and how can I better capitalize on those this year?

• What are some skills that would make me more competitive in this marketplace? For example, would learning some multimedia skills like podcasting boost my income potential?

• Do I have some clients who are more trouble than they’re worth? If I was going to eliminate two or three clients from my list, who would those clients be? What would I need to do to replace those clients and the income they represent?

• What goal(s) do I keep putting on the back burner? Are these goals still important to me? If so, what am I willing to do and what sacrifices am I willing to make to accomplish these goals in the new year?

• If money and other factors were not a consideration, what freelance dream would I pursue in the coming year (e.g. writing a novel)? Is there a way to begin working toward this dream regardless of any obstacles that appear to be standing in my way?

• Where do I want to be five years from now with my business, and is the work I’m doing today supporting that vision? If not, what do I need to do differently in the new year to better position myself for that long-term business vision?

• Is there any work that I’m doing that I no longer enjoy? What would I like to do instead, and what would it take for me to shift my direction?

• What do I feel passionate about? Is there a particular topic area or type of work that would really fire me up? How can I incorporate this passion into my daily work? Are there clients or publications that would allow me to focus on these things?

• When I compare myself with other freelancers or professionals I know, are there areas that make me think: “Gee, I wish I knew how to do that” or “Gosh, I wish I had those credentials!” What are some specific things that I can do in the new year to help me accomplish those goals?

Have I left anything off the list? What questions will you be asking yourself as you set your freelance goals for next year? Drop me a line—I’d love to hear from you!

-Jenny

Photo credit: husin.sani (Flickr)