How to Take On Work You Can’t Do Yet
Being a creative freelancer means that you often say “yes” to things that you’re not 100% sure we can do (yet).
In a world of authentic marketing, “faking it” can feel disingenuous. But here’s the distinction that will ease those feelings. Faking it is not about tricking others into believing you can do something. It’s about tricking yourself into believing you can do something, so that you can push through the fear.
Humans are hard-wired to avoid risk and faking it allows us to push the fear aside and seize opportunities that come our way. The good news is, the more we push through that fear by faking it and take on new challenges, the better we become at our job and the more valuable our services become to others.
Not sure how to “fake it til you make it”? Here are 5 strategies.
1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
In my early days as an agent for freelance creative professionals, I learned how to write a detailed creative proposal. In order to develop an accurate document that defined the deliverables, budget, timeline, fees and terms, I had to learn how to ask the right questions.
Feeling very conscious of my youth and inexperience, I worried that too many questions would make me appear stupid to my clients, so I tended to hold back. The result was unnecessary revisions, stress on my part and lots of back and forth with the client.
The more I did it, the better I got and the more efficient I became. It’s a process that we all go through. So ask questions, learn and don’t worry what other people think.
2. Reach out to your network
In 2010, I transitioned my business from creative agent to business coach for creative professionals. It was an entirely new business model and there was a lot I didn’t know. Rather than feel badly about it, I acknowledged that I didn’t know what I didn’t know and reached out to people in my network that did have the answers.
People are more than happy to share their knowledge and expertise, so ask for help. How do you repay them? Pay it forward and share your knowledge with anyone that asks for help.
3. Know your limits
While I will say “yes” to something that I know is within the realm of my expertise and just requires me to stretch myself, I won’t say “yes” to something that isn’t in my wheelhouse.
Know what makes you unique and how your client will benefit from working with you, then stretch yourself within those boundaries.
4. Do power poses for 2 minutes a day
Doing power poses for 2 minutes a day can actually change your body’s chemistry and, in turn, dramatically alter how you feel about yourself. A power pose will increase your testosterone (the dominance hormone) and decrease your cortisol (the stress hormone).
The result? You perform better, and once you’ve done that a few times, you actually become better.
5. Acknowledge your successes
Freelancers are so busy making things happen, they often blow by their successes without so much as a backwards glance. Acknowledge the obstacles you’ve overcome to become better at your work and give yourself props for doing so. Your successes will give you courage to take on the next big challenge.
SOURCE: Freelancers Union
