As freelancers we don't tend to get appraisals, so it can be hard to know how we're doing. In our final episode of 2019, we open up about how our year has gone and look back at the highs and lows, as well as discussing the importance of making this time to reflect. 

The beauty of freelancing is that you can work from anywhere, but the challenge with freelancing is… you can work from anywhere! From the kitchen table to a dedicated office, how do you decide where is best?

After Michelle had what can only be described as "a bit of a day", we look at how to cope when everything goes wrong, and discuss ways to turn a negative mindset into a positive one. We also chat about how to cope with other people's negativity!

Sometimes you will find yourself needing to change direction or make some changes. In this episode we’re going to talk about why we might want to hit refresh, and what to bear in mind when we do it. 

The opportunities for freelance guilt are neverending, so how do you cope? You feel guilty for not working enough, you feel guilty for working too much. With so much to feel bad about, we chat about why we feel guilty and what we can do about it. 

You’re working on a client project and then you get the dreaded question. “Could you just…?” And inevitably what sounds like a five minute task ends up taking hours. So how do you protect your time whilst also keeping a good client relationship? We discuss options.

As more people go freelance, how do you stand out against your competition? In this episode we look at what you can do to set yourself apart from the crowds, and why it can help to make friends with your "competitors". 

As freelancers we’re in a unique position to be able to “pivot” and make changes to our business. But how do we deal with the impacts of change or uncertainty, and what happens when the change isn’t our choice?

When we first started out we dreamed of being busy. Then, we finally get there and it’s harder than we thought. In this episode, we look at how to manage when work starts to pile up!

Do you ever feel like you haven't found your purpose? You aren't alone. Most of us haven't had that lightning bolt moment, so we take a closer look into the idea of searching for a purpose and ask whether it's something that's found or created. 

A couple of episodes ago we talked about what characteristics are helpful as a freelancer, and resilience came up. So we wanted to take a bit of a deeper dive into what resilience means for freelancers, and share our tips on how to cope with the harder parts of self employment (spoiler alert: Katy's involves a video of milk bottles).

We’re a third of the way through our 99 problems, so we thought this might be a good time to get all reflective. So we’re going to fire up the Delorian and take ourselves back to our first days of freelancing. Knowing what we know now, what would we do with that time?

Are freelancers born or made? In this episode we chat about whether freelancing is suitable for everyone, and the common characteristics that you often find amongst people who are self-employed or small business owners. 

Coming out as a freelancer and explaining your new job to friends and family can be a challenge. In this episode, we share some tips for helping to get people on board with your freelance life. Plus we chat about some of the common reactions when you tell people you're self-employed (and how to deal with them). 

We're back after a short break whilst Katy moved to Anglesey, and so we thought it would be fitting to talk about how to juggle freelance life during big life events like moving house or getting married. We also talk about how to handle unexpected interruptions to your freelance work and managing client expectations during these periods. 

You know that feeling when you're on fire and everything just seems to be working right? Chances are you're playing to your strengths. In this episode we look at why focusing on your strengths is better than thinking about your weaknesses, how to spot what your strengths are, and how you can use them more. 

As a freelancer you're often juggling lots of different roles, which can be a challenge. In this episode, we talk about the three main areas of focus in a business and the different hats you have to wear to keep all those plates spinning. 

If it's good enough for James Bond, it's good enough for us. Or is it? In this episode we chat about the pros and cons of mixing business with pleasure. Should you be friends with clients? Should you work with your friends? 

With everyone living their best #authentic Instaperfect lives, it's easier than ever to fall into the comparison trap. In this episode, we look at why we tend to compare ourselves and how to deal with it. 

As freelancers, are we especially susceptible to digital distractions during our working days? In this episode we discuss how notifications and multi-tasking can affect productivity, and look at techniques for managing our devices whilst still staying connected. Don't worry we aren't going to tell you to renounce your smartphone!

If you're a freelancer you probably don't have a CSR budget, so how do you give back? In this episode, we talk about the benefits of volunteering if you run your own business, some tips for finding the right way to give back, and what to do if your voluntary role stops working for you. 

Forget your Fortune 500 top CEOs, as we talk about our daily schedules as freelancers. Do you have a daily routine? Do you need one? And what have wolves and bears got to do with it?

Sshh. Ssshh. Now we've successfully got Bjork in your heads, let's talk about what to do during those times when you don't have as much work coming in. We'll look at how to make the most of it and what you can do to get that cash flowing in again. 

Celebrate good times, come on! No seriously, come on. When we're freelance we don't always get the pat on the back or the employee of the week award, so how can we celebrate our achievements when we're flying solo?

Because you're worth it. How much of your time do you spend on your personal development? Does it feel like an indulgence or luxury? We talk about why you should grow yourself as well as your business.

Who do you call in sick to if you're a freelancer? In this episode we look at how to keep the freelance show on the road if you're feeling under the weather. Should you keep going or give yourself a day off?

The struggle is real. Or is it? Misery loves company but you don't have to attend every pity party you're invited to. In this episode we look at how best to balance the good times with the bad when sharing with others. 

Do you ever find it hard to say no? We do. In this episode we talk about why we struggle with this little word, and look at how to say no without damaging a client or professional relationship. 

Oh blimey. Did you submit yours at the last minute? This week, we discuss how to avoid panicking at the eleventh hour when it comes to your taxes. Does DIY mean Do It Yourself or Don't Involve Yourself? We look at two different approaches to dealing with your freelance finances. 

If you're already freelance - or even if you're just thinking of taking the plunge - chances are you've had well meaning friends, family and strangers offer up their opinion. So how do you deal with this advice avalanche? We chat about some of the 'helpful' tips we've received and how to cut through the noise to find the advice that actually can help. 

In our first episode of 2019 it seems fitting that we're talking about looking ahead to the coming year, as well as celebrating successes. We also chat about the difference between working "in" the business (the day to day work which generally does need doing) and working "on" the business (planning, strategy and checking in to make sure your business is working for you), which often gets waylaid by everything else! 

Christmas: time to crack(er) on or time to slow ho ho down? (I'm so so sorry for the puns). Being self-employed allows to you shun the 9-5 existence but sometimes it seems like the rest of the world didn't get the memo. How do you handle being a freelancer in an employed person's world at Christmas?

When you're freelance it can be very easy to go in with expectations that are too high or unrealistic, so then you put pressure on yourself and beat yourself up. In this episode, we look at how to be a better boss to yourself when you're self employed.

In this episode we look at ways to network effectively, how to avoid standing in the corner like a lemon, and why networking is like fishing for old boots.

Is creativity something that you are born with or can you learn to be creative? In this episode we look at why all freelancers need creativity and share 10+ practical methods for being being more creative.

In this episode we talk about whether there's such a thing as a "bad" client, how some people always seem to end up with nightmare clients, and why hiding in your email inbox isn't the answer.

What is motivation? In this episode we look at why it can be hard to find if you're a freelancer, the counter-intuitive way to get it back, and the proper way to pronounce Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

In this episode we chat about why you are doing customers a disservice when you undersell yourself, how to protect your value and why it's probably all your parents' fault (just joking, Dad).

Is there such a thing as failure? In this episode we look at why we're so afraid to fail, why we should celebrate "failure" and why nobody cares about your Barry Manilow t-shirt.

Being freelance can be lonely, so how do you overcome that isolation? In this episode, we look at why we need a human connection and what actions can help if you're feeling a bit isolated.

As freelancers we're obviously all sitting around watching Netflix in our pyjamas most of the time instead of doing work 😉 So what can we do about it? As always, we delve into both practical and mindset tips to help solve this common freelance problem.

In this episode we look at why it can be so scary to ask for money, and how to work out what to charge for your client services or products. We also include some tips on getting into the right mindset so you're charging the correct value.

Finding clients is obviously quite important for most freelance businesses, but it can be tricky if you're just starting out (or even if you're an experienced freelancer). We look at why it's hard and what you can do about it!

Ever felt like a fraud? We have. In this episode we explore Imposter Syndrome, the impact it has and how to overcome it.

The very first instalment of 99 Problems (but a boss ain't one). We introduce ourselves, explain why we created the podcast and let you know what to expect in upcoming episodes.