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This post first loomed March 8, 2021 on The Tsohost Blog.
Meet Sarah Townsend.
Sarah is a successful freelance marketing copywriter. She is the author of the# 1 Amazon bestseller, Survival Skills for Freelances. Sarah is a freelance speaker. A instructor and consultant.
Sarah is also a woman in business.
Her freelance journey began back in 1999. This was the same year she became a parent for the first time. Sarah changed her business as her children germinated, from part-time to full-time, and through 12 times as a single parent.
While being your own boss can be great, Sarah declares it can be tough, too. Each woman’s journey into ego employment is different. It is unique to them. During the past few decades though, the business mentor and advisor has examined some shared challenges girls face.
“A common theme is a lack of confidence. We have the skills, ability and experience but often scarcity the confidence to pursue our goals, ” says Sarah.
Overcoming that “self doubt” can open the door to a whole new world of possibilities. Indeed, recent research from The Recruit Venture Group revealed that 72 per cent of women, who have their own business, say they are in their dream job.
In this special feature for International Women’s Day, Sarah talks to us about the challenges of running a business as a parent and provides advice and support for women looking to start their own freelance career.
How did you match self-employment and parenting and what top tips-off would you give to anyone in a same situate?
This was the hardest lesson for me. Even now, when my boys are 21 and 18, I still struggle from time to time.
It’s easy for office and home man to blur if you don’t have clear bounds around when operate stops, and residence being begins. Both bounds and number are key to achieving a health balance and making a success of self-employment.
Setting frontiers often involves doing things that can meet us feel unpleasant, such as learning to say no, understanding our worth and accusing a proportion that shows this, and get super clear about our terms and process- and persisting to them!
Aim to start and end your day at a provide epoch and planned regular interrupts. Build in time to take lunch away from your table, and gobble a healthy and healthful meal to set you up for the afternoon. Try to take an outdoor break for fresh air and exert, whatever the climate- it’ll boost your productivity and help you to focus.
Over time you’ll learn when and how you’re at your more productive. Combine this knowledge with your parenting commitments- such as the daily academy operated- and use it to structure your daylight in a way that works for you.
What’s the biggest challenge females face with self-employment?
Every woman is different, but a common theme is a lack of confidence. We have the skills, ability and experience but often shortage the confidence to pursue our goals. We panic parties will guess us for being obnoxious, for showing off, or for being too ambitious( is that even a thing ?!). We go into our own way and let perfectionism and the fear of judgement or failure nursed us back.
This can show up in different ways for different people- perhaps as nervousnes, imposter syndrome or negative self-talk. These strong feelings can restrain you protrude if you make them.
As a cause, there is a tendency to move ourselves see smallest and don’t strive for everything we’re capable of.
Being aware of the situations and circumstances that trigger self-doubt can help you feel more equipped to deal with them, and you merely grow as private individuals and a business owner when you take risks and put yourself out there.
Sometimes you merely need to grasp those opportunities and show those panics who’s boss.
What one portion of advice would you give to women looking to start their freelance journey?
Am I allowed to say buy Survival Skills for Freelancers ?! I’ve had so many emails from people saying it’s given them the skills and the confidence they needed to take the change into self-employment. It contains everything I please I’d known when I began my freelance journey, so it’s a great neighbourhood to start.
Other than that, investing in yourself and your occurrence is a great way to boost your confidence. Sign up for affairs, listen to podcasts, and read voraciously. Learn from those who’ve already achieved success in your realm. Engage with announces from parties you admire on LinkedIn, join in Twitter schmoozes, and watch Facebook Lives that share practical gratuities and advice.
How do you stay caused?
Short term, it’s all about the end goal.
For my copywriting toil, that might be knowing that I’ve cured a small business identify and articulate what attains them stand out from the race, or that my entanglement mimic has helped an organisation to raise its chart, attract more our customers and meet more auctions. With my training and mentoring- all of which has come about through Survival Skills for Freelancers- it’s about helping freelances and small business owners get more enjoyment from self-employment. Helping them to feel subsidized, understood, and less alone- and boosting their confidence in the process.
Long-term, it helps to know why you do whatever it is you do. Not simply “because it compensates the bills” but what the money you deserve allows users to do. It could entail expend more go with your family, wandering and exploring brand-new locates, or experiencing a hobby in your spare time.
It’s easier to stay focused and caused when you understand what drives you.
What’s “the worlds largest” rewarding thing about being self-employed?
For me, there are currently several things. As a parent, I cherish the fact that I never missed a school play or a boasts date. I got to help out on school trips and affairs when my children were younger, and I’m always there when they need me- the benefits of being your own boss!
A lot of that comes down to setting bounds that protect your family time and allow time for you. It’s all too easy to find yourself being plucked in many different directions but, as the saying exits, you can’t pour from an exhaust cup.
Take care of yourself first, so you can take care of those around you – your family, your best friend and your clients.
Other than that opennes it’s the people and the sheer variety of work. For most freelances , no two days are the same- and that establishes life interesting. As for the people, I work with some incredible patients whose industries are making a real difference in the world, and have peers and collaborators( or work friends) who inspire me daily. I worked hard for my success, but I still consider myself lucky to have a job I love.
More about Sarah Townsend
Since publishing her bestselling template to self-employment, Sarah Townsend has been participating in a mission to raise awareness of the importance of mindset, mental health and wellbeing for freelancers and the small business community. She is an Enterprise Nation adviser, a FreelanceHER 100 representative and mentor and has been incorporated in Forbes.
In Survival Skills for Freelancers, Sarah shares strategies for tackling the inevitable ups and downs of self-employment- from lonelines and imposter syndrome to knowing what to charge and when to say no. The bible has been described as “absolute gold”, “a pocket business coach”, “warm wisdom” and “worth buying a Kindle for” and is available on Amazon.
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