The VALUE of a Freelancer

The VALUE of a Freelancer

by | Mar 18, 2025 | Freelance

I’m certain that virtually every professional in the IT sector has, at some point in their career, considered the idea of becoming a freelancer.

But I’m even more certain that, in a high percentage of cases, that possibility has faded away like an innocent and amusing fantasy.

Why?

  • Because, to begin with, we still carry the cultural and social legacy of Daddy State and Mommy Corporation.
  • Because staying under the protective umbrella of a company seems — falsely — safer than going solo.
  • Because, for some damn reason, many (too many) young people aspire to become civil servants as a career path — in other words, stifling entrepreneurship as a country and burying the seeds of creativity deep enough to ensure they never bloom.
  • And because the vast majority of professionals are never truly informed about the different career options available. Or rather, they are — but being an employee is the only one that “exists”.
  • Did you know that many, many professionals you come across on a regular basis have never paid into the Social Security system — and yet are not in any irregular situation, nor does it mean they won’t receive a retirement pension?
    1, 2, 3… wake up!

So, what does being a freelancer actually mean?

  • Having “VALUE”, without losing reason.
  • Bringing VALUE — not better, not worse, just different.
  • Taking pride in your own successes.
  • Feeling miserable about your own failures — but owning them, pushing yourself to become a better professional and a better person.
  • Evaluating yourself, day after day, to understand what VALUE you have and what value you bring to the market.
  • Not getting distracted, not dozing off, and not letting yourself be parked on some dead-end track.

But please, don’t get me wrong — I don’t judge or demonize any type of employment. If you need to work (as I do), any option is absolutely valid. Of course!
All I’m saying is: let’s amplify and dignify the VALUE of being a freelancer.

And to wrap up, let me ask you a question — a tricky one, I admit — but one we should ask ourselves from time to time:

Am I ready to survive, professionally, as a freelancer?

If the answer is YES, congratulations.

If the answer is NO, congratulations, you now have the challenge ahead of becoming ready.

Because let’s not forget: “LIFE IS FREELANCE.”