The Freelancers' Ultimate Survival Guide during Covid-19
Some simple, effective and actionable steps that might help 😊
Step 1
Visit the following Websites to find out key information about what support you are entitled to:
Step 2
Get your work/life schedule and routine set up. We all know the importance of a good night’s sleep and regular good habits. https://www.coachingpositiveperformance.com/power-positive-morning-routine/
Daily, weekly, monthly planners can be easily found online.
Step 3
Signup to relevant job alerts and work based social media such as: https://www.creativerecruitment.co.uk/job-search and
@Creative_Rec
Apply accordingly but be mindful of applying for non-relevant jobs as this clogs up the system for quality qualified candidates.
Step 4
Review your CV and folio and follow these principles:
CV – What am I? What do I want to be? How am I perceived? A great way to test this is by sending your CV to 3 or more people and asking them ‘What do you think I am?' without influencing or persuading them in any way. This will give you a true reflection of how and what you are on paper.
Folio – If using a PDF, ensure you have an average of 5 pages that showcase relevant case
studies to the roles you apply for. Always have your strongest work at the
front, middle and last page with either 1 or 2 extra case studies either side.
Remember, if your work isn’t Pintrest quality then it’s probably not strong enough to showcase.
Step 5
Utilise your personal and professional network. I’d recommend at least one WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Hangout meeting or phone call per day - I was Zooming every day, now I recommend quality over quantity - maybe 2 or 3 well placed Zooms per week coupled would a few quality phone calls seems to work best for me. This can be with friends or co-workers. Make sure you are ready for an e-meeting at any time.
Bonus tips:
1. Don’t watch more than 1 hour of news per day – try to only keep tabs on the positive outcomes. Use apps such as: https://nextdoor.co.uk/ much better for you!
2. Try and mediate for 5 mins at the start of the day: https://youtu.be/inpok4MKVLM Ideally in a pocket of natural sunlight.
3. Try to spend at least 5 minutes doing some kind of exercise – dynamic stretches, energy yoga, rotations, high knees, etc. Tune in at 9am for: https://www.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1 and try to go out if possible for 1 hour of exercise.
4. Have as much of a nutrient rich diet as possible and get some good background music on if you can. Open your windows and get fresh air circulating.
5. Be ready for when the market picks up! Now is your chance to research and get ahead of IR35, review your kit and home working conditions. Make an action plan for what you need to have ready and need to upgrade e.g. new software and additional skills to learn for when things pick up (and they will)!
I hope some good comes from the Covid 19. Experience, learning the importance of our health and sensitivity to those in need and more vulnerable. Better work-life balance and more home working for general well-being.
For regular updates you can follow me on: @deancousin
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