Sometimes web development projects are extremely engaging, and other times they can feel like a drag. I have found that when I’m working in code, for me, this tends to be a more fun process. Especially when I am doing something more complex. The more complex it is, the more fun I have.
You’re a freelancer – find projects that you like
As a freelancer one of the things to take advantage of is finding projects that you like. I think that being a freelancer gives alot of opportunity for growth, and one of the ways to grow is to seek out new contracts. I am in a position where I have been working with the same client for a long time. This was a client I met on Upwork, and I have enjoyed our relationship, and I have been able to learn alot. But I do believe that one of the perks of working as a freelancer is expanding your business and development skills by working on new projects, on new contracts, with new people.
With my current client – he runs a digital marketing agency. He scores jobs from many different clients, and then he contracts the work out to developers like me. This is a good system because it means that there is steady work, and there are new projects all of the time. Hell, actually one of the perks is that I don’t have to spend lots of time looking for new contracts – there is always something in the pipe. It’s steady work, which I can see the value of. Not having steady work can be stressful, and you’re not making money necessarily while you’re looking for the work.
Time flies when you’re having fun, and it’s slow as shit when you’re not
When you’re not having fun, it’s hard to keep working. Yesterday I was working on debugging an issue with a custom PHP / JS calendar that I built for the website Alchemist Farm. At first it was actually a drag to get started – which is an interesting point: if you would have asked me if I wanted a choice to do this project, I probably would have said “no” – but it turned out to be extremely engaging and enjoyable.
One of the enjoyable things about code is improving the project. You can see the code, and it’s almost like a sculpture. You’re the craftsman, and you’re able to mold and chip and chisel and make the code more into a Michaelangelo’s David.
It’s easy to forget that there are better things to do
The past few days I’ve been lamenting doing work. I’ve felt this way in the past, and I think it’s a shame. I’m not saying that everything needs to be fun. There are of course some parts of work that will be boring – but I should be able to know enough to not have to take on projects I really don’t want to do, if I don’t have to. I can have the freedom to reject certain projects, but of course this will probably mean less offers and less work from the client offering those projects. There is a tradeoff to the freedom of being able to do the work that you enjoy – but it’s probably worth it in the long haul. Especially considering the fact that doing work you enjoy allows you to have alot of fun, and the time goes by so fast.
I think to be a successful freelancer and developer you have to enjoy your work. It sucks when it’s a drag. It’s been such a drag for me the past few days that it made me loathe the fact that I was in this field, but just switching projects has me totally engaged. It’s worth the work to make yourself enjoy what you’re doing more. Even if it’s not your life’s passion and purpose, if you’re doing it anyway, you should make it as fun as possible. In the long run this is going to make you more money anyway (think of all the hours during the days I’ll be working instead of taking breaks, because I want to keep working).
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Featured image forest by Sergei A on Unsplash
Bridge in forest image by Amos Gwa on Unsplash