How To Set and Surpass Your Freelance Goals

Being your own boss has a lot of perks. It also means that you’re responsible for keeping yourself focused and motivated. Setting aside time to establish goals and measure your progress each month is one way to stay on track. But determining which freelance goals make the most sense for your field and career trajectory is a little trickier since each freelancer’s path is so unique. 

Whether you're looking to increase your income, expand your client base, or improve your skills, setting clear and achievable goals can help you get there. In this article, we'll explore some monthly goal ideas for freelancers that can help you stay motivated and achieve your objectives.

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Identifying Priority Areas for Goal Setting

Goals fall under different “categories” of business. Before setting your freelance goals, define these categories to help narrow your focus. Some examples might include:

• Financial goals: This includes setting revenue targets, increasing profitability, and reducing expenses.
• Client acquisition goals: This includes identifying target clients, developing marketing strategies, and improving client retention.
• Skills development goals: This includes identifying areas for improvement, seeking out training opportunities, and expanding your skill set.
• Work-life balance goals: This includes setting boundaries, reducing work-related stress, and improving overall well-being.

Once you’ve identified the categories most relevant to your work, assess your strengths and areas for improvement in each. Consider what you’re doing well in each category, where there is room for improvement, and what tools or techniques you can implement to grow. You may want to research current best practices related to each of these areas since all industries evolve so rapidly in the digital age. 

It’s not all about the numbers though. Aligning your career goals with your personal values and business vision can also help you stay motivated and focused. Consider what's most important to you and how your goals can help you achieve those values. This can help you create goals that are both meaningful and fulfilling.

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Setting SMART Freelance Goals

When setting goals, it's crucial to define them with clarity and precision. You’re probably already familiar with the concept of SMART goals. If you aren’t, the acronym stands for:

• Specific: describe your goals in detail (ex. “increase your monthly income by 20% within the next six months”)
• Measurable: establish clear metrics and milestones (ex. “reach $75,000 by Q3)
• Achievable: keep your goals ambitious, but realistic to stay motivated
• Relevant: make sure your goals are aligned with your business vision or “big picture” objective (setting an easy goal just for the sake of crossing it off your list is not SMART)
• Time-bound: deadlines create a sense of urgency, so set a reasonable “due date” for your goals

The SMART framework has been widely used for decades because it gives the goal-setter a clear objective, the motivation to achieve it, and enough of a challenge to push her out of her comfort zone. So, next time you’re setting your monthly goals (or quarterly or however frequently works for you), try using the SMART framework to increase your chances of success.

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Creating an Action Plan

Now that you have goals in place, it’s time to create a solid action plan so you can see them through. Here are a few steps to help you create an effective action plan:

1. Break goals down into actionable steps

The first step in any action plan is to figure out which specific actions you need to take to achieve your goals. For example, if your goal is to increase your income, you may need to:

• Compare your current rates to the market
• Research ways to upsell your services
• Target higher-paying clients
• Update your portfolio

Once you have identified your specific actions, break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks until you have a crystal clear picture of the path.

2. Prioritize tasks and set deadlines

To ensure you follow through with these tasks, it’s important to prioritize them and set deadlines for each. Establishing systems for tracking progress can help you stay organized and motivated .

Focus on the most important or time-sensitive actions first. Try using task management tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com to set deadlines and reminders, coordinate with clients or collaborators (if relevant), as well track progress in real-time.

3. Allocating resources

Finally, it's important to understand what resources are required to achieve your goals. This includes time, energy, and finances. Make sure you’re setting aside time each day or week to work on your tasks, as well as a budget to help advance your goals.

Time management software can help you track how much time you spend on your own business and extrapolate how much time you will need to see progress. Meanwhile, Lunafi allows you to track and categorize business expenses so you can adjust your goals budget month-to-month.

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By following these steps, you can create an effective action plan that will help you achieve your monthly freelance goals. Remember to stay focused, motivated, and flexible as you work towards your goals, and don't be afraid to adjust your plan as needed along the way.

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Tracking Progress and Staying Motivated

Setting and achieving your goals is thrilling. It’s the middle part – the day-to-day work– that most people struggle with. The best way to stay motivated is to track your progress and celebrate the small wins as you work toward the big milestones.

To achieve this, review your progress weekly or bi-weekly. While reviewing, remember to:

• Stay positive: When you face obstacles or setbacks, remind yourself of your long-term goals and why you started freelancing in the first place. Use positive affirmations or quotes to stay motivated and focused.
• Be flexible: Goals can change based on circumstances. Be flexible and adjust your goals accordingly.

• Reward yourself: Set up a reward system for achieving your goals. For example, treat yourself to a nice dinner or buy yourself a new book.
• Share your achievements: Share your achievements with friends and family. Celebrating your achievements with others can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

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Some Monthly Goal Ideas

Some of the most popular goals for freelancers include:

• Increasing your rates or fees
• Landing new clients or projects
• Building your portfolio or website
• Networking and collaborating with other freelancers or professionals
• Learning new skills or technologies
• Streamlining your workflow or processes
• Improving your work-life balance or well-being

Remember that setting goals is just the first step. You also need to track your progress, adjust your strategies, and celebrate your achievements.

Ultimately, the key to achieving your goals as a freelancer is to stay committed, persistent, and adaptable. You may face obstacles, setbacks, or distractions along the way, but if you stay focused on your vision and values, you can overcome any challenge and reach your full potential. 

So, go ahead and set your goals, take action, and make your freelance dreams a reality!