Six Actions to Reduce Freelancer Burnout

For us self-employed, burnout is probably not a foreign idea anymore. According to the Queensland Department of Health, burnout is described as a state of complete mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. Almost everybody has been through those days when we feel we’re getting carried along by heavy workloads and feel completely overwhelmed by deadline pressures. Despite the fact that many freelancers entered the freelancing industry in the hope of more freedom and flexibility at work, because most of us are high-achievers, we can end up falling into the trap of freelancer burnout, working longer hours to build relationships with clients and striving to deliver high-quality service. 

At Freelancing Gems, we believe that while we are finding personal meaning, and hitting goals and KPIs as a freelancer, our mental well-being is not something that can be ignored or taken lightly. Here we will take a closer look at the prevailing job burnout experienced by Australians and propose six actions for you to stop burning out and start burning brighter as a freelancer!

Astounding Figures Reveal Prevailing Burnout at Work  

Although job burnout is an idea recognised by researchers for some time, in recent years, its impact has increased dramatically (in some countries more than others). As indicated by a 2021 study by global consulting firm McKinsey, Australian workers reported the highest burnout rates worldwide. Based on the New Work Order Report commissioned by Freelancing Gems, as many as 82% of Australians believe they have experienced burnout at work. 

Normalising Burnout Doesn’t Solve the Problem

Amongst the 82% of Australians in the New Work Order study who reported experiencing burnout, 29% believe burnout is an inevitable part of achieving success. While wearing burnout as a badge of honour might bring some emotional comfort, it is certainly not a sustainable way to achieve success. If handled improperly, burnout can lead to serious consequences.

• For starters, this personally distressing experience negatively impacts your quality of life, leading to physical and mental discomfort. 
• What’s more, as key components of burnout, the loss of motivation and increased cynicism could negatively affect a freelancer’s professional performance. Extensive research has shown that increased levels of burnout could cause professionals to emotionally distance themselves from clients, even leading to a desire to leave one’s position.

As a freelancer, burnout is one of the last things you want to experience. 

Six Actions to Reduce Burnout as a Freelancer

As daunting as burnout can be, research findings on positive psychology and successful coping strategies tested by other freelancers could help you to methodologically prevent or reduce burnout. Ready to start beating burnout as a freelancer? Here we have six actionable tips for you to get things started. 

1. Revisit your purpose once in a while.

Still remember what inspired and motivated you to start freelancing? Whether it is flexibility, creativity in daily work, more aligned work or other prospects, revisiting and rediscovering the purpose that gets you started can help you re-energize in no time.  Think of this task as a business essential, like reviewing your performance metrics and financials. Book yourself in to a weekend retreat, mid-week overnight stay at a local hotel, or take yourself to lunch. 

2.  Working smarter – job analysis and job crafting are essential to reduce burnout.

Regularly conduct a job analysis to prioritise your tasks. Sort out the tasks that really make an impact on your business and focus your efforts on those. Working smart also involves job crafting, and taking action to balance your job demands and job resources with your personal abilities and needs. Certain aspects of our work excite us and build a sense of accomplishment while other less pleasant tasks drain our energy. Monitor your work demands not only to prevent being overwhelmed but also to ensure involvement with work activities that can build a positive sense of accomplishment.

3. Know when to say no.

Working with clients and projects with different needs and characteristics is part of your daily routine as a freelancer. However, more is not necessarily merrier. In order to save yourself from toxic clients and freelancer burnout, you need to take on a reasonable workload and know when to say no. You should be the master of your workload, not your clients. 

4. Actively seek out connections and look for resources.

An article from Harvard Business Review mentioned that when experiencing inefficiency and cynicism-related burnout, it’s rewarding to seek out rich interpersonal interactions and continual personal and professional development. Talking to people and attending networking activities might just help you identify some creative ways to freelance without the burnout.

5. Re-establish boundaries between personal and professional.

In the New Work Order report, findings suggest that the lines between personal and professional are blurring at an extremely rapid rate. In contrast to these ‘blurred lines’, survey findings proved that having a work-life balance and finding happiness were among people’s top priorities. Consider setting a limit to your daily workload and setting aside time to spend on other things in life. Detaching yourself from work and regaining that flexibility you crave can actively counterbalance burnout.

6. Prioritise self-care – give yourself the time and space to recover.

Healthy diets, regular exercise, and enough sleep can get freelancers a long way. Making time for self-care is an active way to reduce burnout. Change your outlook by taking your work to a cafe, the beach or a coworking space instead of sitting at home all day. Freelancing is a flexible career, take advantage of that!

“All work and no play makes Jackie a dull girl.”

Every freelancer has their own pace, don’t get carried along by the current. Remember, your clients are paying for your years of experience and skills, not the time it took you to complete the job. 

We trust that what we mentioned has echoed with you and your freelancing experience. If you feel ready to take a further step into the beauty of freelancing, need a hand accessing freelancing opportunities, or simply wish to connect, join the Freelancing Gems membership and become a Gem today!