Summary

The article discusses the practical motivations behind a freelancer's discipline, emphasizing the role of financial necessity in driving productivity.

Abstract

The author of the article reflects on a conversation with a friend who marveled at the self-discipline required to succeed as a freelancer. Contrary to the romantic notion of creative passion being the sole motivator, the author reveals that the tangible need to pay bills is what consistently compels them to work. Despite the love for creative freedom and the desire to produce art, the reality of financial obligations, such as mortgage, utilities, and insurance, serves as the primary catalyst for maintaining a disciplined work routine. The article underscores the necessity of discipline and productivity as learned skills for freelancers, with the stack of bills being a potent motivator to ensure consistent work output.

Opinions

The author acknowledges that while creative impulses are important, they are not the sole driving force behind their work ethic.
Financial responsibilities, like bills and living expenses, are depicted as the unromantic yet effective motivators for freelancers.
The flexibility of freelancing is appreciated but is tempered by the imperative to meet financial obligations to avoid serious consequences.
The author values the freedom of freelancing and has no desire to return to a traditional 9-to-5 job, indicating a preference for self-employment despite its challenges.
Discipline and productivity are seen as skills that can be developed and honed, essential for the success of a freelancer.
The author implies that the fear of financial hardship, such as not being able to afford basic needs, is a compelling incentive to remain productive.

365 Days of Productivity

The Great Productivity Motivator

An unromantic explanation of how freelancers maintain discipline

Many years ago, a friend expressed being impressed that I had the self-discipline required to make a living as a freelancer. He said that he’d have trouble forcing himself to sit down each day to work without the structure his day job provided. It’s not that he didn’t have any motivation. He had loads. He was great at his job and made a good living, was a brilliant horn player, and generally one of the most capable people I’ve ever known.

But finding the motivation and discipline of freelance work was not something he could wrap his head around. I understand. My home is full of potential distractions from TV and video games to a very comfy napping couch.

Then I showed him the one thing that, more than anything else, gets my butt in a chair and working whether I want to or not. My great productivity motivator.

I showed him my stack of bills.

Mortgage. Electricity. Gas. Water. Internet. Car payment. Car insurance. Health insurance.

Those were just the bills at the top of the stack.

“If I don’t work, I don’t pay my bills. I don’t have money or food or to put gas in my car.”

He understood immediately.

Believe me. I wish I could have told my friend that my primary motivation was something more romantic or inspiring. I wanted to say to him that it was a need to write, to create, to be an artist.

I mean, that’s all true. Those are all reasons why I do what I do. I also love the freedom to be doing the work I want to do. But if I don’t sit down to actually produce the work, I can’t get paid. And if I can’t get paid, I’ll be starving in the streets.

This is the trial-by-fire all freelancers experience at one point or another when starting out. Sure, we enjoy a lot of flexibility in our work schedules, but that flexibility is only liberating up to the point when the lights get shut off.

Then it’s the wake-up call.

You don’t work, you don’t get paid, you can’t pay your bills.

Starving in the streets.

These days I’m married. My wife and I share expenses, but the cost of living often outpaces income. And we have a kid and all the extra bills that brings in. More motivation.

Don’t get me wrong. Don’t think that I’m complaining. I love being a freelancer, and I can’t imagine ever going back to the 9-to-5 daily grind. But freelancing takes discipline. While the need to create is an important reason why I do what I do, it’s the stack of bills that ensure I get my butt working each and every single day.

It may be a daily grind in just another form, but it’s my daily grind. Discipline and productivity are skills that can be learned and strengthened.

Until you have those skills down, though, a big stack of bills makes for great motivation.

Cheers!

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