Perspectives on the Future of Work: September 9

Upwork’s biweekly column brings you the latest news on the future of work, including trends, freelancing, and other shifts in the way we work.

This week’s roundup looks at information for freelancers:

• When you’re stressed out, finding ways to calm down can help you regain control of things.
• The advertising world is changing, relying even more than it has on the past on creative freelancers for their specialized skillsets.
• Different cities offer different perks, and some could be advantageous for freelance professionals.

Here’s a look at some of the latest headlines.

The Entrepreneur’s Guide To Freaking Out (Huffington Post)

In every freelancer’s life, a little stress will happen—the question is, how can you manage it without letting it completely distract you? Writer Liz Gutman has some tips for you to try out.

Remembering to breathe is her first suggestion. “I know – it’s a total cliché. But it’s everyone’s number one piece of advice for a reason: it works, as long as you really commit,” she said.

Remembering to move and taking the initiative to ask for help are also on her list—but she also says it’s important to stay in the moment. “Break a task into as many small steps as you can and check them off as you go; it can really help remind you that every little thing you do counts and is moving you closer to your goals.”

Finally, Gutman says taking a few minutes to write everything out can help clear space in your head.

“Remember: it’s okay and completely normal to freak out,” she said. “It can even be cathartic and helpful in the long run.”

How the Freelance Economy is Changing Advertising (The Globe and Mail)

Creative work has always been a strong area for people who wanted to go freelance, but as reporter Susan Krashinsky explains, that preference is becoming the norm as the advertising industry shifts the way it does business to match.

“Freelancers such as [art director and designer Nicholas Bujnak] have long been a significant engine of the ad industry, sweeping in to add creative heft to a pitch for new business [or] helping to run hard at a client’s demanding deadlines” Krashinsky explained.

But the need for freelance specialists in advertising and PR is on the rise; many current job titles didn’t exist five or ten years ago. Krashinsky notes that nearly 17 percent of people working in that sector in Canada are self-employed.

“We’re not just making TV spots and print and radio any more,” Pete Ross, creative director at Toronto’s Co-Op Advertising, told Krashinsky. “There are all these other types of media. Which means you have to expand your talent roster, and work with different kinds of people on different kinds of jobs.”

Where Are the 10 Best U.S. Cities for Freelancers? (NerdWallet)

For many professionals, a freelance business means freedom of movement—the option to work anywhere you choose. If you want to set down roots in the U.S., however, where’s a good place to go?

“Being a freelancer, rather than a company employee, can mean particular worries about money,” said Veronica Ramirez and Daniel Tonkovich for NerdWallet, noting that many considerations can vary depending on where you live.

Looking at factors like rent, health insurance premiums, and cell coverage, NerdWallet just released their list of the best cities for freelancers.

Topping the list? Austin, TX, Nashville, TN, and Dallas, TX.

What shifts in the future of work have had an impact on you recently? Share your experience in the comments below.

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