Ditch Your 9-to-5 in 9 Steps
Because I don’t have a 9 to 5, I get to slow travel and explore beautiful Moroccan beaches like these in my down time. This was my Happy Hour today :)
A lot of people dream about waking up without an alarm, booking spontaneous trips when flights are cheap, and never having to deal with a soul-sucking boss or annoying co-workers again. Sounds ideal, right? But the truth is, many people don’t know how to make this leap into working for themselves—and even if they do, fear often holds them back. That’s why I’m here to walk you through exactly how to get started.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
Step One: Establish a Product or Service
First things first—you need something to sell. If you’re unsure what that is, I highly recommend reading The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris or 100 Side Hustles. These books will help spark ideas for what you can offer. If you’re still drawing a blank, try reflecting on your hobbies or past interests.
Ask yourself:
- What activities did I love as a kid?
- What skills or passions do I have now?
For example, maybe you loved putting on plays for your family, and now you’re the go-to person for throwing themed dinner parties. You could combine your knack for entertainment and teaching into a unique business—like creating online language courses or in person workshops for kids, complete with costumes and funny accents. Don’t be afraid to get creative here!
Still unsure? Think about a problem you solved for yourself a year or two ago. Maybe you moved to a new country and had to figure out the residency process. Now you could offer that service to new arrivals. The key is to lean into your experiences and passions.
Step Two: Build Your Reputation (Even if You’re Faking It at First)
You’ve got an idea, but now you need to make it real—and that starts with building a killer online portfolio. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but it *does* need to look professional.
I once scored some very important sponsors for a non-profit I was co-founding (before we were actually registered legally as a non-profit) just because of our beautiful website.
Need a beautiful website? Get in touch here: https://nicolepaulus.com
Start with simple platforms like Instagram, a Facebook page, or Squarespace (use the discount code NICONE20 for 20% off your first year subscription.)
To get testimonials, offer your services for free or at a steep discount to a few people in exchange for feedback. Case studies and reviews are your golden ticket to building trust. Once you’ve got a few under your belt, register on Google Business so that you can gather reviews. This helps build credibility and makes it easier for clients to find you.
Step Three: Attract Paying Clients
Once you’ve got your portfolio and a few reviews, it’s time to start marketing. Begin by promoting yourself in spaces you already frequent. Maybe that’s your yoga studio, a local café, or your online social groups.
I’ve found that Google reviews and a solid website have been my most effective marketing tools—hands down. I also post lightly on LinkedIn, send out a Substack newsletter, and update my blog with relevant content a few times a month. The goal is to create momentum so clients can find you organically.
Additional Reading: How to Find Clients —> https://nicolepaulus.com/blog-content/2021/1/18/how-to-find-clients
Step Four: Establish Trust
Now that you’ve got clients coming in, you need to keep them happy. Here’s how:
- Aim to respond to emails within 24 hours.
- Meet your deadlines, keep your promises, and provide regular updates.
- Always say yes—even if you’re not sure how to do something (Google, YouTube and ChatGPT are your best friends).
- Try to keep your inbox at zero to stay on top of things (this rarely happens for me but when it does it feels so good!)
Step Five: Get Paid (And Protect Yourself)
Before you start any project, make sure both you and your client are clear on the Scope of Work (a document that outlines exactly what your deliverables are). This avoids misunderstandings later. Once the scope is agreed upon, create a contract, and always ask for half the payment upfront. This protects you from clients who disappear without paying.
Make it easy for clients to pay you—use highly recognizable services like PayPal to streamline the process.
Step Six: Know What to Charge
Pricing can feel tricky at first, but here’s a simple formula: estimate how long the task will take you, then multiply that by your desired hourly rate. Don’t forget to factor in extra time for things like responding to emails and meetings.
Don’t undervalue yourself! Charge what you’re worth, and don’t be afraid to increase your rates as your experience (or inflation) grows.
Additional Reading: How Much to Charge for Services — > https://nicolepaulus.com/blog-content/2021/1/20/how-much-to-charge-for-services
Step Seven: Master Accounting
In the beginning, I recommend using PayPal to keep track of your invoices and payments. Once you’ve established yourself, consider switching to a more robust accounting service like FreshBooks. This can help you manage expenses and make tax season much less painful.
Step Eight: Overcome Loneliness
Freelancing can get lonely fast. Here are some ways to stay connected:
- Join a co-working space or work from a café.
- Make plans with friends in the evenings in advance to give yourself something to look forward to.
- Befriend other freelancers—online groups or meetups can help you connect with like-minded people.
- Focus your socializing on hobbies, not work, to keep life balanced.
Step Nine: Stay Focused
Distraction is the enemy of productivity, so here’s what I recommend:
- Turn your phone on airplane mode during work hours.
- Create a dedicated workspace in your home.
- Reward yourself for staying on task (like 20 minutes of Instagram after 3 hours of focused work).
- Use tools like Todoist (a to-do list app) to stay organized and Google Calendar to track appointments.
By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to breaking free from the 9-to-5 grind and building a life that you’re excited to wake up to. Will it be easy? Maybe not at first, but it will absolutely be worth it. The freedom to wake up without an alarm, to pursue your passions, and to create something meaningful on your own terms is priceless.
It’s ok if you start messy. It’s perfectly fine if you start scared. Just make sure you start. The life you’ve been dreaming of is within reach and this is the sign you’ve been waiting for to take that leap.
You’ve got this!