Now I have to declare my hand here. This post is a bit of a catharsis for me. Being self-employed there are times when its a bit like being a resting actor. The Peter Sellers character of the actor Warrington Minge, who was forever lurching between feast and famine. Taking his play Fulfilling less Last Finale around the provinces to less than eager audiences. So keeping motivated through times of feast & famine as self-employed, a freelancer (or any other title for those working for themselves) can, like Warrington Minge, be a challenge that needs constant attention.
Now then by virtue of what I do you’d a thought motivation would not be a problem. Its one thing motivating others than doing it for yourself. So with the theories & models of motivation as long as both arms, what how works for a self-employed person? What one or two models of motivation work for us to keep us going through the “resting” times?
If you are self-employed a freelancer (or even thinking about it) you have probably read the usual stuff of keeping good time management etc. Not selling yourself short, getting out and networking and keeping in touch with cash flow etc. Though this practical stuff can be a challenge if you are not thinking positively during your “resting” period.
What is Motivation Anyway?
So what theories are there to keep you motivated throughout the days and the weeks when times are tough. Well, dear old Maslow & his hierarchy of needs probably won’t help you here. There are those that feel this theory is pretty self-indulgent navel-gazing stuff. Especially for those that have the time and inclination to self-actualise. Most other theory’s and models of motivation are there to help people within organisations perform better. So may not help the self-employed or freelance individual either.
What do we make of all this then – what theory or model of motivation might help the lonely self-employed person working at home? Here are three that seem to fit the bill but I am sure there are many more that may work too.
Goal Setting
Developed by Locke et al is perhaps the most important and practical for helping us stay on track. Using the simple and sometimes much derided SMART goals will begin the process of ensuring your self-employment goals are achievable & measurable. Creating challenging and stretching goals with milestones will help stimulate and motivate you. Moreover, focus you upon those important reasons why you are self-employed in the first place.
Learned Optimism
I am sure you have heard of learned helplessness, well, learned optimism from Seligman helps us understand our style of interpreting events. In principle how we explain and interpret events into a positive or negative. Therefore to change our view may need a change in explanatory style. So if we believe we can achieve & focus upon the great reasons why we are self-employed regardless of drawbacks, i.e. “resting” it will help our overall sense of optimism. Granted this model is not without its criticism but certainly worth looking into more.
Attribution Theory
At its simplest Weiner’s theory is about how and why we explain events as they seem. Even when they are the same. Fortunately, this model fits in with learned optimism/helplessness so well worth looking at together. Our attributional style may predict how we react to certain circumstances. Including the likelihood we could enter into learned helplessness or perhaps start to be more optimistic. Again this theory is not without criticism. However at least starts the process of helping us understand how we can learn to see things differently. Even when times are tough. There are plenty of attributional style questionnaires online, so might worth looking into that.
Enough of the theories already
Of course, and as they say, “nothing more compelling than a good theory, just that reality gets in the way.” So what can we as self-employed/freelancers try to stay motivated?
- Firstly, set goals. Not just any goals they have to be realistic and achievable. You know the ones that stretch you and take you out of your comfort zone. Setting goals too far into the distance will end up being forgotten and never achieved.
- Get out and meet people. Network and create contacts, socialise a bit. Try to feel optimistic and create optimistic conversations with like-minded souls or potential new clients and new friends.
- Learn a new skill for your work and feel good you are doing some professional development whilst you have time.
- Do an online course. Many available for you work with sites like Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare.
- Career Skills, such as volunteering, online such as YouTube videos or a friend or family member has your new desired skill, reach out.
- Make time to read with a goal to firstly enjoy it, but learning something new
- Plan a few fun activities, either for your work & perhaps clients or just for your self. Kind of goal setting in a way.
Of course, there are many more but these will help you stay focused. Help also to avoid daytime television and the biscuit barrel.
Lastly……….
These are only potted versions of these extensive theories and models but there is a great deal of good stuff in them to get the grey matter going.
So what does all this mean to a self-employed or freelance bod who is trying to stay motivated and active? Clearly controlling how we think about the situation we are in and setting realistic goals will help us stay focused. Putting processes in place whilst we have the time and perhaps looking at “resting” periods with a chance to plan better with more optimism could be the answer?
Good luck and I would like to hear about those self-employed or freelance motivational strategies that can help others.
