DO YOU REALLY WANT THAT PROJECT?

For most of us, the early days of our freelance journeys are filled with unqualified yesses. We sign on to virtually any job proposition that comes our way, both out of excitement that our client roster is growing and fear that each opportunity could be our last. 

When you’re still finding your footing, turning down work feels almost audacious. Especially if you are steeped in that “all work is good work” ethos, it may be hard to imagine declaring yourself overqualified for an opportunity or deciding it isn’t worth your time. We deal with that cognitive dissonance by convincing ourselves that the work we don’t want will somehow lead to work that we do want, even when we know that data entry project has nothing to do with our dreams. 

If you’re faced with a project that doesn’t fully align with your business goals, pay attention to those hesitant feelings. Whether you’ve been freelancing for 30 years or 30 days, you’re fully entitled to preferences regarding:

• The kind of organizations you partner with
• The type of work you do
• Your rates 
• Your processes for communication and feedback

While there’s probably no such thing as the perfect project or client, understanding your deal breakers before you commit will keep you from yessing all over yourself (and inadvertently making yourself unavailable for the work you’re really excited about). Before you take on work that’s outside of your wheelhouse, ask yourself a few important questions: 

Will This Project Teach Me Something?

Sometimes taking on work outside of your comfort zone is an opportunity to build useful skills. If an otherwise appealing project requires you to learn some new software or take a few Google Academy courses, future-you may be glad you did.  

The exception, however, is a project that teaches you how to do something you already know you don’t ever want to do again. Hate copyediting? Memorizing the MLA style manual won’t make you like it more. If you’re facing a knowledge gap in a field you’re already trying to get away from, learning would essentially be suffering. No one has time for that. 

Will This Project Meet My Needs?

Work is about a lot more than money, but it’s silly to pretend the two are unrelated. Sometimes slow periods and dry spells can make you reconsider offers you wouldn’t otherwise entertain, and that’s more than ok. 

There’s no shame in being motivated by money, as long as you’re valuing your time appropriately. Just make sure that your “yes” doesn’t come at the expense of your business identity (i.e don’t let yourself get rebranded as a transcriptionist if that isn’t the direction you want to move in) or your ability to pursue the projects that are ultimately a better fit. 

Will This Project Disrupt My Life?

Before you commit to a new job, consider how it will fit in with everything you already have going on, professionally and personally. 

If that client in a different time zone needs you to be available during their business hours, you may have a scheduling nightmare on your hands. A project that requires quick turnarounds may be a poor fit for a freelancer who is already short on bandwidth. 

Though a particularly lucrative or exciting project can justify (temporarily) burning the midnight oil, it’s important to be honest with yourself about whether the stress is worth it. Don’t fall into the trap of assuming that things that cause us the most mental anguish must have the best payoffs. We don’t know who started that rumor, but we can confirm that it’s not true. 

Will This Project Be Good For My Business?

So the project on the table isn’t the next big thing, but could it be a stepping stone to something authentically exciting? While it’s best to be wary of anyone who tries to pay you in referrals or exposure, it’s certainly true that a less-than-ideal job can be an asset to your portfolio or a foot in the door with a desirable client.  

These situations require a judgment call and faith in your instincts. If you have good reason to believe that saying yes will bring you closer to your goals, full steam ahead! If you have a sinking feeling that it will only lead to more of the same, take a pass. 

Will This Project Drive Me Crazy?

Sometimes personalities, communication styles, and expectations just don’t align. If you pay close attention, even your earliest exchanges can offer helpful clues as to whether or not a client will be a good fit.  

If you are someone who needs things to be very buttoned up, a client who is clearly scattered in your discovery call can be counted on to remain scattered. Moving forward when your intuition tells you to run typically ends with fraught relationships, dissatisfied customers, and frayed nerves. Pay attention to your feelings of reluctance and don’t gamble with your sanity. 

Sustainable business growth doesn’t happen at all costs. Know and honor your deal breakers so you can feel great about saying yes to your next good opportunity.