Make 2018 the year to go freelance

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Fed up of the daily commute?

Had enough of mundane water cooler conversations?

Sick and tired of Sarah in IT and Jo in HR making your life a misery?

Then maybe it is time to go freelance.

While you might not have the security of a 9-5 role, a monthly salary or 21 days holiday a year, being your own boss does offer you flexibility and the chance to do what you love but on your terms.

We aren’t saying hand your notice in now, but have a think about what you want to do and if you consider the points below, we think you might start making that dream a reality.

Have a plan
Create a business plan that looks at finance, growth, location, activities and skills. This don’t need to be anything long or fancy but setting things out in black and white can give you a focus and realistic goals.

Network
Breakfast meetings, lunches and evening events are all greats ways to start making connections even if you are still in a full-time job. If you are nervous, why not go with a friend and then swap notes at the end of the session?

Contacts
The old saying, ‘it’s who you know not what you know’ is very true when you start a new venture. Maybe your best friend works on a magazine, your old school mate is a blogger or you know a couple of people who design websites or do PR? Make the most of the people you know and it could well be there is synergy between you and them that could lead to business opportunities.

Look at the Competition
You might be able to make a mean cake or write a really creative marketing plan – but so do loads of other people out there. Do your research, check out the competition and work out what makes you different and where your offerings would site in the market place.

Think About the Money
Let’s not beat about the bush, starting out requires hard cash investment and you are going to need this, so start planning. Look at how much money you need to start your business, what equipment you would need, and before you make a start make sure you have a buffer saved up for those unexpected costs and quiet patches. It might even be that you need to work part-time for a while to get things up and running and keep money coming in, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Marketing and PR
This is something you can do as you get ready to take the next step of full-time freelancing. Decide in a business name, get a logo, set up your social media feeds and ensure you have a website in place. All of this takes time, and money, but if you get the basics set up in the background, when you are ready to go, people will be able to find when you when you are open and firing on all cylinders.

Small Print
The excitement of setting up something new can mean the details get left behind, but this isn’t a mistake you want to make. Finding an accountant or book-keeper, registering for tax, considering VAT status and researching professional insurance might seem boring, but they need to be done and will make you more efficient and professional in the long run.

Location, Location, Location
When you work for someone else, you go to their premise day in and day out but when you fly solo it is a very different matter. You need to make sure you have a base to work from and one that is ideally close to local amenities, has a decent internet connection and phone support as well as good transport links.

Whatever you do, if you have a dream, go for it.

Team Pure-Beauty

Sit back and do nothing

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100%, coffee, dream, drink, ease, go, happy, laptop, meditate, neighbour, nothing, pressure, Relax, screens, sleeping, stress, three good things, tired, TV, yourself

Are you always on the go?

Feel stressed most of the time?

Need an extra day in the week?

Feel tired mid-afternoon, however much coffee you drink?

Have trouble sleeping?

Constantly rushing from one thing to another?

Feel as if you never give anything 100%?

Stop, for just a moment and try to remember the last time you sat down and did nothing?

Yes, that’s right, nothing.

Bet you can’t remember?

Bet you feel uncomfortable just thinking about it?

Many of us are busy juggling hectic careers, family and friends and don’t get time to do anything for ourselves. Whilst we know we should relax, most of us don’t.

“I rarely sit on my own and relax, it just feels, well, lazy.”
Jo

“I dream of having a morning off to do nothing but with the school run, a dog to walk, home to run and family to look after, it really is just a dream.”
Sam

“I have exams coming up, a new boyfriend as well as a busy job and lots of friends. Sometimes I just wish I could run away and escape from the pressure for an hour, but I can’t, can I?”
Talia

Whilst you might think that doing nothing is a waste if time, it really isn’t. Making time for yourself to do nothing can help improve your life, ease your stress and in the long run, make you happier and more productive.

We’ve got some easy ideas that we hope will help you sit back and relax, so you can reflect and refresh.

Take stock
This doesn’t have to take up hours and hours but by stopping for ten minutes a day and seeing where you are, you can really make progress. Find somewhere quite where you can time out and reflect. Whether this is in your living room, bedroom or even in the shed, for a little time each day, go there when you want to stop and start to feel calm again.

Drop the gadgets
We are becoming increasingly dependent on our screens and that can actually add to our stresses and pressures. Once a day, and not just at bedtime switch off your phone, laptop or TV and for ten minutes enjoy being incommunicado. We have come to think we can only exist when we are switched on when in reality it is almost the opposite. Give it a go, we think you might like it.

Three good things
Rather than focusing on the bad in life, try to come up with three good things that have happened every day. A promotion, coffee with a friend, sunshine or even a chat with your neighbour – if it makes you smile and helps you connect with the world, and yourself, write it down. Before long it will become part of your routine and however tough your day has been, you will see still the good in it.

Meditate
Meditating is a fantastic way to clear your mind and simply be at one with your thoughts. Sit quietly, close your eyes if you wish, and then focus on your breathing. As you breath in and out let go of your work and family worries and start feeling lighter as you enjoy a moment of stillness.

Turn the lights down
You will never sleep well if you go to bed buzzing. Try not to eat late at night and avoid caffeine in the evening it you can as these can both keep you awake. Run a warm bath, light candles and relax in the bath before getting into bed and leave your day far behind you.

The only thing you’ve got to do now, is decide when to get started doing nothing.