{"id":7471,"date":"2020-04-30T08:43:14","date_gmt":"2020-04-30T08:43:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/?p=7471"},"modified":"2020-04-30T08:43:14","modified_gmt":"2020-04-30T08:43:14","slug":"a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/","title":{"rendered":"A Freelancer\u2019s Guide to Staying Happy and Positive"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_45_1 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" area-label=\"ez-toc-toggle-icon-1\"><label for=\"item-69f49ec3b305f\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input  type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-69f49ec3b305f\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/#Common_Challenges_Freelancers_Face\" title=\"Common Challenges Freelancers Face\n\">Common Challenges Freelancers Face\n<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/#Tips_for_Staying_Happy_and_Positive_as_a_Freelancer\" title=\"Tips for Staying Happy and Positive as a Freelancer\">Tips for Staying Happy and Positive as a Freelancer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/#1_Have_a_Fixed_Working_Schedule\" title=\"1) Have a Fixed Working Schedule\">1) Have a Fixed Working Schedule<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/#2_Start_Working_Smarter\" title=\"2) Start Working Smarter\">2) Start Working Smarter<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/#3_Sleep_and_Eat_Well\" title=\"3) Sleep and Eat Well\">3) Sleep and Eat Well<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/#4_Move_Move_Move\" title=\"4) Move Move Move\">4) Move Move Move<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/#5_Reward_Yourself\" title=\"5) Reward Yourself\">5) Reward Yourself<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/#6_Make_an_Effort_to_Socialize\" title=\"6) Make an Effort to Socialize\">6) Make an Effort to Socialize<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/#7_Cut_Out_Toxic_Individuals\" title=\"7) Cut Out Toxic Individuals\">7) Cut Out Toxic Individuals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/#8_Have_Multiple_Income_Sources\" title=\"8) Have Multiple Income Sources\">8) Have Multiple Income Sources<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/#9_Work_at_a_Coworking_Space_Periodically\" title=\"9) Work at a Coworking Space Periodically\">9) Work at a Coworking Space Periodically<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><em>George Chiang provides 9 tried and trusted tips for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Post&amp;utm_campaign=FL-Happy\">freelancers<\/a> to stay happy, positive and motivated.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a freelancer myself, telling people what I do often elicits a certain amount of admiration and jealousy. There is the misguided notion that being your own boss automatically equates to having more freedom, more money, and ultimately, being happier. However, there are also downsides, as listed below.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In this post how to stay happy and positive as a freelancer even during moments you question your career choice. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Challenges_Freelancers_Face\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Common Challenges Freelancers Face<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Inability to Separate Work from Home<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; According to a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2019\/07\/25\/why-92percent-of-freelancers-say-they-can-never-take-a-vacation.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recent study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 92% of freelancers work when they are on vacation, with most of them feeling pressured to do so.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Social Isolation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Loneliness is the number #1 complaint of freelancers in the Viking survey, with 64% saying that they feel lonely daily at work.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Job Insecurity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Finding consistent work was ranked as the fourth worst aspect of doing gigs. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.gallup.com\/poll\/102883\/strong-relationship-between-income-mental-health.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fluctuating income<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is also linked to mental health deterioration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Sedentary Lifestyle<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Freelancing almost always equates to sitting in front of a computer for a greater part of the day. This <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sedentary<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lifestyle<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can lead to depression, dementia, and Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Poor Diet<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Many freelancers\u2019 diets consist of ordering fast food, frequent snacking, and eating prepackaged foods. Unfortunately, according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/depression\/is-your-diet-making-you-depressed.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">various studies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there is a strong link between these types of food and poor mental health.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Lack of Quality Sleep<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Being a freelancer means staring at a screen for hours on end. The artificial light from these screens and late nights can seriously disrupt your ability to get enough quality sleep at night.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips_for_Staying_Happy_and_Positive_as_a_Freelancer\"><\/span><strong>Tips for Staying Happy and Positive as a Freelancer<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news, most of the potential pitfalls of freelancing can be offset with a little awareness and change in your routine. Here are my top tips for staying happy as a freelancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Have_a_Fixed_Working_Schedule\"><\/span><strong>1) Have a Fixed Working Schedule<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the perks of freelancing is being your own boss. Take advantage of that power and enforce your own work schedule. The idea is to be consistent and only do work-related things during this scheduled time. This frees up time for other activities during the day that contribute to your happiness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your productivity peaks around 7 am to 11 am and again around 6 pm to 10 pm, then work during those hours. Refrain from working more than 7 to 8 hours per day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make those hours\u00a0 as productive as possible by learning good time management skills. Turn off your social media and remind your family not to disturb you during these hours. I also suggest taking advantage of tools like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/trello.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trello<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toggl<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to better manage your time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Start_Working_Smarter\"><\/span><strong>2) Start Working Smarter<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re a freelancer, there\u2019s always the thought that you should be working as much as possible to maximize your earnings. But really, the goal should be to work smarter, not longer. To that end, consider the following tips:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Say no to lower-paying jobs and invest your time on your higher-paying clients.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take courses that will help elevate your pay grade<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constantly network, whether online such as Facebook groups, or in person at conferences and seminars. In the freelancing industry, who you know is just as important as what you know.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Sleep_and_Eat_Well\"><\/span>3) Sleep and Eat Well<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your body is just like a machine. Without proper care and maintenance, it\u2019s bound to give out eventually. To keep your physical and mental health in tiptop shape, get at least 7 hours of sleep daily and stick to a balanced diet. Here are a few tips that can help you achieve this.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home cooking is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sliceofkitchen.com\/eating-out-vs-cooking-at-home-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">much healthier<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> than eating out. Try to cook at home as much as possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re not much of a cook, or you feel your time is much better spent doing something else, try meal kit delivery services like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home Chef<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that deliver pre-portioned ingredients with step-by-step cooking instructions for balanced meals. If you do not want to cook at all, healthy pre-made meals from companies like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fresh n\u2019 Lean<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are your best option.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of junk food, snack on mixed nuts, fruits, yogurt, granola bar, and other healthy foods to maintain your energy throughout the day.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use apps and plugins like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Water Drink Reminder<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthy Browsing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to remind yourself to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. There are also bottles with time markers to help you track your water intake.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid using devices which emit blue light around your bedtime, which can seriously disrupt your sleep.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintain a consistent sleep\/wake schedule and watch your caffeine intake in the hours before bed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Move_Move_Move\"><\/span>4) Move Move Move<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercise is one of the best ways to release stress and quickly raise your mood. Physical activity helps release chemicals called <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">endorphins<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that triggers an energizing and happy feeling. Make moving and exercising a habit, and happiness will ensue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few ways that you can add some physical activity to your daily routine.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/ergonomictrends.com\/best-ergonomic-exercises-stretches-office\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stretch periodically<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at your desk to quickly encourage blood circulation and elevate your mood.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week, as recommended by the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ODPHP<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure you\u2019re not <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin D deficient<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is a known cause of depression.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your coworking space is not that far, consider walking or riding a bike to work.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Reward_Yourself\"><\/span>5) Reward Yourself<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to best-selling author <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/blog\/psychology-rewarding-yourself-with-treats\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gretchen Rubin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,treating yourself every now is the best antidote to feeling depleted, burned out, and resentful, all negative emotions freelancers are quite familiar with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two ways that this can be done:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Goal Based &#8211; These are the rewards that you give yourself <\/span><b>after reaching a goal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For example, after completing a big client\u2019s website, reward yourself with a weekend spa retreat.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Milestones Based &#8211; These are the rewards that you give yourself <\/span><b>as you work towards your goal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For example, this could mean treating yourself to a fancy meal\u00a0 once you hit the 25% milestone.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Make_an_Effort_to_Socialize\"><\/span>6) Make an Effort to Socialize<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Between juggling clients, projects and trying to run a business, socializing is often the first activity to fall by the wayside for freelancers. However, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/newsletter_article\/the-health-benefits-of-strong-relationships\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">countless studies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have linked a healthy social circle with increased happiness, health, and overall well being.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a good look at your relationship with your family and friends, and make sure you are making time in your busy schedule to see at least one or two of them weekly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can even kill two birds with one stone by expanding your professional and social network at the same time. Attend conferences, barcamps, meet-ups, book clubs, seminars, and charity events. Get inspired and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/14508020\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">give back to the community<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to add another form of satisfaction to your life.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Cut_Out_Toxic_Individuals\"><\/span>7) Cut Out Toxic Individuals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As freelancers, we\u2019re exposed to people from all walks of life, and some negative characters are bound to slip through. Be it a toxic family, friend, coworking member, or client, cut your losses before they start seriously dragging you down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surround yourself with people who support and care for you. Peers who help you grow but still accept your flaws and weaknesses are the best.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you don\u2019t seem to communicate well with a client and it\u2019s just rough dealing with them, politely remind your client about the processes and agreements you had at the start of the deal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If after some time, his behavior doesn\u2019t change, consider ending the contract. Tactfully let your client know that someone with more availability might be more suitable for the task or what he\u2019s demanding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this very useful post, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.cloudpeeps.com\/signs-its-time-to-fire-a-client\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cloud Peeps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> explains how you can end a toxic professional relationship in various situations without causing tension.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Have_Multiple_Income_Sources\"><\/span>8) Have Multiple Income Sources<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to get rid of the stress caused by job uncertainty is to have more than just one source of income. This guarantees that even if something happens to one of them, you\u2019ll still have a steady flow of income. Before you explore other revenues though, it\u2019s best to have one stable income stream first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re determining how to diversify your income, think about your interests and skills and the client demand. Depending on your passion, you might want to write and sell ebooks, create online courses, try affiliate marketing, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a freelancer, income diversification is the name of the game for establishing a sense of security, one of the pillars of staying happy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Work_at_a_Coworking_Space_Periodically\"><\/span>9) Work at a Coworking Space Periodically<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the best ways to combat those feelings of isolation is to use a coworking space. Unlike noisy cafes, a coworking space gives you a quiet, work-oriented area to do your tasks with other like-minded individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/ergonomictrends.com\/coworking-space-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">studies show<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that up to 89% of members are happier after joining a coworking space. This is due to benefits like an expanded social network, the ability to socialize with other members after work, and, of course, the ability to discuss your work with people who understand you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coworking also helps freelancers expand their professional network, giving them more work opportunities. Plus, it can make maintaining a good work\/life balance easier.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Freelancing is not always milk and honey. You\u2019ll face many challenges along the way to true freedom. Take a step back. Think about your inspirations and what drove you to start your freelancing career. Then, start incorporating some of the proven techniques above to elevate your happiness and ignite your passion again.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>George Chiang provides 9 tried and trusted tips for freelancers to stay happy, positive and motivated.\u00a0 As a freelancer myself, telling people what I do often elicits a certain amount of admiration and jealousy. There is the misguided notion that being your own boss automatically equates to having more freedom, more money, and ultimately, being<\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/\" title=\"Read More\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":7493,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[403,247],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.1 (Yoast SEO v20.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>A Freelancer\u2019s Guide to Staying Happy and Positive - The Kolabtree Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From desk exercises to rewarding yourself: how to stay happy and positive as a freelancer, even during times you question your decision.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Freelancer\u2019s Guide to Staying Happy and Positive\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From desk exercises to rewarding yourself: how to stay happy and positive as a freelancer, even during times you question your decision.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/a-freelancers-guide-to-staying-happy-and-positive\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Kolabtree Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kolabtree\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-04-30T08:43:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.kolabtree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/freelancer-guide-to-staying-happy.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1350\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"901\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ramya Sriram\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@kolabtree\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@kolabtree\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ramya Sriram\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"A Freelancer\u2019s Guide to Staying Happy and Positive - 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