9 principles for finding fulfilment when self-employed

According to a study conducted by the Institut Montaigne, employees currently rate their job satisfaction at 6,7/10, compared with 7,6/10 for the self-employed. Finding fulfilment at work is essential for growth and happiness in every area of your life. When you are self-employed, happiness and satisfaction at work are all the more important because they are sources of inspiration and productivity. So how can you feel fully fulfilled in your work when you are self-employed? How can you look after yourself to stay motivated in the long term and be happy in every aspect of your life? Here are some answers from Sequence.

Defining your “why”: the Ikigai method

Clearly defining what you want to do, how you want to do it and the impact you want to have on society is crucial to finding true fulfilment in your career. Whether you are self-employed or not, in fact. But even more so for freelancers, creators and craftspeople who get up in the morning for themselves rather than for a boss.

Yet understanding your ultimate vision is no small task. There is a simple method for understanding your strengths, your values and what you can bring to the world: Ikigai. This Japanese concept could fill an entire article. In short, it involves answering 4 questions:

• What you love;
• What you are good at;
• What you are paid for;
• What the world needs.

At each intersection lies a passion, a vocation, a profession or a mission. And the connection between these four elements can give you a sense of one unified vision.

Organising your time effectively

Nothing puts you off your work quite like procrastination and wasted time. When you are self-employed, it is essential to organise your work effectively and stick to that approach. This means predefined working hours, a working environment that supports concentration, eliminating all distractions and using quality equipment (no more computers that crash every 20 minutes).

Delegating administrative tasks

When you start working for yourself, you want to find fulfilment in your projects and stop doing everything you dislike. However, administration has other ideas: turnover declarations, quotes, invoices, paying taxes and contributions… All of this is a chore for self-employed professionals.

So take the initiative and use an effective tool to delegate your administrative tasks. With Sequence, you can see your business's sales and purchases at a glance, automate payment reminders and simplify your financial management. In short, a must-have in your toolkit for a fulfilling self-employed life.

Click here to enjoy a free 30-day trial with no commitment.

Maintaining a balance between your personal and professional life

It is difficult to find fulfilment if you work 12 hours a day, 6 days out of 7. Especially if you enjoy having fun with friends, spending time with family and taking part in activities outside work. You therefore need to find your own balance between your personal and professional life. Sticking to your working hours and being well organised are often the keys to maintaining this balance in the long term.

Knowing how to say no: the art of refusing for your own wellbeing

Saying yes to everything means giving others control over your life. To find full fulfilment in your professional life, always prioritise your own interests and vision. Protect your predefined working hours by avoiding late calls, switching off work notifications at weekends and during holidays, and avoiding taking on a new project when your diary is already full.

Reflecting on yourself each week

With their heads down in projects, self-employed people often struggle to step back and assess their work, personal satisfaction and overall wellbeing. Asking yourself each week how your tasks went, how much you enjoyed your work, whether you achieved your goals and how you are feeling overall is an excellent habit. Schedule it in your diary at the end of the week, on Friday afternoon, for example. Ideally, write your thoughts in a notebook or record them as audio if you prefer. This allows you to gain a different perspective on your tasks and take action (if necessary) to steer your professional life towards even greater fulfilment.

Developing your skills

The world is constantly changing, particularly today with technology and artificial intelligence. Self-employed people therefore need to stay up to date through continuous learning. Platforms such as Udemy and Coursera offer affordable training courses in many different fields. Freelancers and service providers can therefore broaden their skill sets or deepen their existing knowledge with a video course. Challenging yourself and pursuing training helps you build your expertise and position yourself as an authority among your clients.

Expanding your social connections

The image of the freelancer or business owner working alone is often a reality. Without colleagues and often without an office, loneliness can quickly set in. There are several options available to help you expand your social connections and grow your network.

You can visit coworking spaces several times a week, paying by the day or subscribing to their services. Many professionals go there every day, so you will be surrounded by people and able to build connections with others.

Professional events take place every month, especially in larger cities. Consider attending those related to your profession and expertise. You will meet self-employed people in your sector and have the opportunity to discuss topics relevant to you.

Taking responsibility

Finally, finding fulfilment in both your work and your personal life involves taking responsibility for events. Imagine an obstacle arises and prevents you from moving closer to your goal.

Seeing yourself as a victim means blaming the world and feeling sorry for yourself.

Taking responsibility means finding a solution to the problem and overcoming it to achieve your goal.

Even if you did not cause the problem, always take responsibility so you can find the solutions you need.

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