3 Lessons From Last Year To Make 6 Figures as solo freelancer

In 2023, I lost my job. I was a creative director. I had given everything to that job. I even stopped freelancing to focus only on it.

One day I got fired

When it ended, I wondered: was this a blessing or a curse?

It depends on how you look at it. Instead of feeling disappointed, I chose to see it as a lesson. Mistakes aren’t bad things—they’re chances to learn.

That day, I made a small promise to myself:  “From now on, I’ll treat my freelance work like a real business. Not a side hustle.”

That simple mindset shift changed everything.

I stopped waiting for inspiration.
I stopped working “whenever.”
I stopped undercharging.

And within a year, I made six figures.

What Most Freelancers Get Wrong

Most designers I talk to have the same problem.

They treat freelancing like a side job.
Not a real business.

They only work when they feel like it.
They forget to follow up.
They undercharge.
They hope things will magically grow.

I did all of that too. Until I changed how I think.
3 Small Shifts That Changed Everything

I Changed My Thinking

The biggest change happened in my mind.

I stopped seeing myself as "just a freelancer" and started seeing myself as a business owner.

I "hired myself." I set work hours. I built a proper workspace. I showed up daily.

No more working whenever I felt like it. No more designing only when inspiration hit.

This one change doubled my productivity almost overnight.

I Created One Simple System

My biggest struggle was being a complete mess.

My emails were everywhere. Client follow-ups got missed. I forgot what I had talked about with clients.

Then one day, a friend asked me, "Why aren't you using a CRM to manage your clients?"

As a designer, I had no idea what this meant.

So I signed up for Airtable and HelloBonsai. Things got easier.

I could follow up with clients, create proposals, and see my income at a glance.

But I was still using too many different apps. So I built my own Notion CRM.

• Every client conversation
• Every follow-up
• Every proposal and invoice
• Every dollar earned

The surprising result? Having a system made me more creative, not less.

When your mind isn't trying to remember everything, it's free to create amazing designs.

I set clear price rules.

Even with better thinking and better systems, I still had a money problem.

So I made two simple rules:

Rule #1: I set my bottom line at $250 per hour. I NEVER go below this. Ever. Even if it means saying no to a project.

Rule #2: I raise my price with each new client.

So if I charge Client A $250, I tell Client B my rate is $300. This gives me room to say: "But for you, I can do $270."

They feel special, and I still make more money!

I've switched to fixed project prices. Still, I count my hours to avoid being ripped off.

P.S. Check out the podcast "​Mastering the Value Conversation​" to learn more about pricing. It changed how I think about it.

The Simple Truth

Getting fired turned out to be exactly what I needed.
It forced me to stop playing small.
It pushed me to build a real business.

This week, think about this: What one part of your business can you improve to make everything else easier?

Pick just one thing to make your business better:

1. Mindset Shift: Set work hours for yourself this week. Show up at the same time each day.
2. Simple System: Make a list of all your clients. Write down when you last contacted them. Reach out to anyone you haven't talked to in the past month.
3. Value Your Work: Write down the lowest hourly rate you'll accept. Put it where you can see it. Never go below this number.

P.S. If you find advice like this helpful, check out ​Notion CRM OS​. This Notion template and quick course will help you manage clients. You can automate tasks, track invoices, and see your revenue all in one place.

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