New Year`s Resolutions for Freelancers and Contractors

The presents are unwrapped, the turkey has been feasted upon and Quality Street wrappers are strewn about the house. The big day is over and so we turn our attention to the impending New Year.

It’s a time for looking back at the year just gone and to determine the changes we want to make for the year ahead. If you’re a contractor then the end of the year is about looking at more than losing a few pounds in weight or getting more organised. It provides an opportunity to look at your business, your goals and the satisfaction and success you get from your career.

As it’s that time of year, we’re having a look at some of the most important New Year resolutions that a contractor can make to take their business to the next level.

Get ready for the self-assessment deadline

It’s the same every year. 31st January comes around and there’s a flurry of activity in the preceding weeks to make sure that your forms are filled in and any tax owed from the previous year is paid in full.

We understand that Christmas is a busy time of year for everyone. However, preparing yourself for January’s self-assessment deadline is one of the greatest pieces of advice we could give to any independent professional. The earlier you gather all of the required information, from earnings and expenses to personal assets and pensions, then the smoother the journey to the deadline. There’s no better way to start the New Year than by being prepared and organised.

Get comfortable with networking

One of the greatest things you can do as a contractor is expanding your business network. It can be a solitary lifestyle, especially if you don’t employ anyone else to help you. Engaging with other professionals in the same field has numerous benefits; it can lead to collaborative projects, potential leads, referrals and access to new resources.

It’s worth leveraging your social media accounts for business purposes; LinkedIn is brilliant for professional networking, while Twitter is perfect for starting conversations with individuals with similar interests. And never forget the importance of face-to-face networking. Find an event for local business people and enhance your professional network.

Find some balance

We’ve written before about the importance of learning to balance your work life and personal life to help avoid the common stress pitfalls. One of the greatest resolutions you’ll ever make, New Year or otherwise, is to redress a work life balance that is, well, out of balance.

Making more time for relaxing, hobbies and quality time with your loved ones will help you to manage your stress levels and will also leave you refreshed and better able to tackle any issues during the working day.

One issue we can resolve for you is access to comprehensive contractor insurance while you’re busy growing your business. Here at Kingsbridge we’ve created a unique contractor insurance policy that contains five key elements of cover, including Public Liability, Professional Indemnity and Employers’ Liability cover.

If you want access to one of the most wide-ranging, single policy contractor insurance packages then apply online now to purchase cover immediately. If you wish to speak with one of our highly trained team to further discuss your requirements then do not hesitate to call us on 01242 808740 where one of our customer advisers will be on hand to help.