Breaking Free from the Nine to Five

It’s so easy to get roped into the standard way of working nowadays. As soon as we head to school, we’re taught how to make our resumes stand out to employers. We are encouraged to choose subjects that appeal to employers and pursue degrees and qualifications that appeal to employers rather than the focus of education being laid on learning for its own sake. As soon as we leave education, we’re encouraged to start applying for jobs. But the nine to five working life isn’t really for everyone. Sure, some people may thrive in this environment, but many of us feel stifled in it. Commuting to and from the workplace can be bad for our health. Wearing uniforms can be uncomfortable. Relying on someone else to provide us with an income can be daunting. So, what are the alternatives? The good news is that there are other options out there! Here are just a few you might want to take into consideration!

Starting Up Your Own Business

One option is starting up your own business. This will entail selling a product or service to the consumer market. The good news is that this is now easier and more accessible than ever with the rise of E-commerce and it’s a great way to make money online for free. Of course, if things go well and you begin to expand, you will have to start investing in your company, but the profits will make your time, effort and funding more than worth it!

Freelancing

If you have a skill that you can capitalise on, why not freelance? Freelance means building a network of clients and completing one-off projects and jobs on their behalf. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll work for a client and never hear from them again. Instead, you may simply work for them once a year or as and when they need your services. This is a great option, as you can determine the worth of your own work and set your own prices, choosing who you want to work with and what projects you’d like to work on.

Contracting

Contracting is like long-term freelancing. You’ll work for a company, often on a daily rate, and you may even attend the place of work. However, you won’t be a permanent employee. There are benefits of doing this. Generally, contractors can earn more than the standard employee, as they choose daily rates and stick with them. Just make sure to negotiate an agreeable contract when you start, so you’re on the right rate from the outset.

These are just a few alternative options to the employed, nine to five lifestyle. Remember you don’t always have to go down the beaten track and do the same as everyone else around you to make a comfortable living and experience success! These alternative options are more than worth trying out, as long as you have the drive and determination to make a success of them!

You might also like to read:

• Things you might want to consider before going into freelance work
• Productivity tips that could help you to build for the future
• Launch your freelance career
• Working as a freelancer: the good, the bad and the fantastic
• How to prepare for your first employee: hiring employees for your small business