Sometimes freelance life can feel all about the big wins and the massive achievements – especially when we’re looking at other people’s, which (and I don’t know about you, but this is so true for me) seem so, so HUGE and way bigger than our own. It’s like the world is meeting all their goals and milestones while we’re just, well….. trying (and feeling like we’re failing).

From book deals and podcast launches to collaborations, downloads or super duper follower numbers, everyone shouts about the big wins, don’t they? I know I do it too, for sure! It’s the large wins that we often focus on, work towards and celebrate the most. The new clients, the price raise that a customer goes for, launching a podcast, writing a book or being interviewed for an article.

The little wins often get forgotten. But then the problem is that if there is no really big win, and you also forget the little wins, it can feel like there are no wins at all. Which is rubbish – even if it’s not the case. You see, there are always wins. There is always something you did that you didn’t expect to do, or that challenged you. Let’s big up the little wins together!

And I’m not talking medium, I’m talking little. The things that might seem teeny-tiny, that you consider to be everyday occurrences, or that you don’t feel count as a win – those ones. The day-to-day ‘stuff’, the things we overlook but that actually do the hardest work to keep us going more than we might realise.

Recently I’ve been experiencing a lot of anxiety, and I’ve been working hard to manage it. (I share that not to make you worry, but so you know that if you have, too, you’re not alone). One thing that’s come to the fore is that the smaller things in life are actually big things when you’re feeling pretty on edge or not very positive about yourself.

Here’s an example:

Lots of groups that I’m in, including one I co-admin, have ‘wins’ threads, where you can post the things you’ve been up to, shout about your work, share things, crow about your success. They’re great – a clear way to share if you want to engage with people, or a place to show off without seeming so ‘showy offy’.

In one group I’m in, I shared some news, that I had signed up a new one on one client. And then… well then I shared that I’d been ‘brave’ enough to leave the dogs by themselves (safely at home) and go to M&S to get my favourite wrap for lunch.

It felt like a huge deal. And I realised that it really was a huge deal. It showed me I was doing better than I thought. I was managing. I’d got out, I’d made a choice, I’d achieved the goal of getting that wrap.

For many of us, it’s the small things that can show we are still managing. The small things can be an indicator of our commitment, our drive, our courage or our tenacity. It wasn’t just any old wrap, it was a wrap that I battled the ‘leave the dogs alone’ anxiety to get. (And they got treats, too, so it’s a win-win).

As I’m sure many of you do, I follow Matt Haig for his words of wisdom, and this post stood out to me, in particular the part about being scared of things and still doing them. That can apply to the ‘little things’ too.

mattzhaig

A post shared by @mattzhaig

Taking those small actions outside or beyond our comfort zone can feel like huge mountains to climb and not acknowledging them is a shame.

Little wins can be business related, or life related that help your business. Getting out for a walk when it felt – and became - impossible the day before. I joke on Instagram about hair washing day but getting up, washed and dressed is a huge little win for many of us. Sending an invoice (which I always put off, like it’s asking a favour. I know. I shall speak to my coach about this!).

Each tiny thing is a cog in the machine that makes you ‘freelance you’ and they are vitally important.

Maybe you got time to yourself, finished off that ‘thing’ that was really bugging you. Maybe you posted on a group when you had a dilemma and that, for you, was a huge deal. Perhaps you tidied your desk, did a bit of admin, or made an effort to drink more water. Maybe you got up, perhaps that was your win. It doesn’t have to be a work thing to make a difference to your work. That wrap was the boost I needed for my afternoon ahead! (Oh, and the ginger beer, too).

The point I hope I’m making is to not dismiss the baby steps you take day by day to get through freelance life. Those are the foundations that the house of ‘big wins’ are built on.

So let’s celebrate the little wins. If you want to, please do share them with me. If you reply to this email I’ll screen grab and share on social. Or feel free to share and tag me (Instagram is best) @freelance_feels

Use the hashtag #littlefreelancewins

Some things I’m doing that you can sign up to….

This Saturday (May 8th), I’m running a one-day workshop, Going Freelance With Confidence, at City, University of London, and there are still places available.

My masterclass for coaches who want to know all the secrets of how to get press coverage for your coaching business is now open for bookings. you can choose from June 11 or 12. It’s £350 but for newsletter subscribers, £300 if you book in May.

Join in with National Freelancers Day 2021, where I’ll be speaking about how to diversify your freelance career. That’s also Freelance Feels’ second birthday!

LISTEN: A friend recommended this podcast to me and can’t believe I’d not listened to it before! FEEL BETTER LIVE MORE with Dr Chatterjee looks at all things mental health, with some great guests and bitesize episodes too.

Another great listen was the Gardener’s World Magazine podcast with Gynelle Lyon of Prick London, talking all about Cacti and their resilience!

READ: Seven ways I deal with stress as a freelancer

SUBSCRIBE: This is slightly more of a ‘sign up’ but I want to highlight the Introduction to Copywriting course with Maggie Richards, who has been a huge support to me while I begin my work with City. The next date for this is May 22.

Thank you for reading my newsletter! If you enjoyed it, do share it. If you enjoyed this, why not try the Freelance Feels podcast - and if you enjoy that, do take a moment to write a review.

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