Last week, I introduced  the Rule of 100 to help you get out of a freelance rut. Here are the 3 steps:

Step 1: Identify your primary struggle.

Step 2: Identify a primary action that could alleviate that struggle.

Step 3: Do 100 of that action every day for 100 days.

An amazingly cool and talented person replied to this with a fantastic question (😉 you know who you are):

"I'm not sure if I know what my biggest problem is. I see deficiencies in my networking and in having a focused and impactful portfolio (among other problems). Are there steps you would suggest taking to identify the biggest problem?"

So let's dig into this.

Ways to uncover what your primary struggle is...

Let's start off by simplifying freelance into five categories.

1. Creative Skills

2. Marketing

3. Sales

4. Soft Skills

5. Budgeting

In each category, you should at least have a foundational level of skill. Think of this as an MVP (minimum viable product).

STEP 1 – Do you have an MVP level of proficiency?

Here's what that "minimum viable product" level could look like for each:

1. Design & Animation Skills • You can handle basic design and animation for clients • Your portfolio is decent • You might not be fast, but you can get the job done

2. Marketing • You are working on networking with peers and clients • You have your portfolio/reel on a website • You are posting at least a little on social media

3. Sales • You are getting some gigs here and there

4. Soft skills – Some indicators that you have MVP levels... • You make good, personal connections with clients and peers • Some clients have hired you multiple times

5. Budgeting* • You have a general understanding of how you spend your money (in your freelance business and personal spending)

*A special note on budgeting: I would probably weigh budgeting a little lighter here. Budgeting is likely your biggest issue when you're doing great with getting good paying work, but you have no idea where all the money goes. Budgeting won't save you. You can only cut spending a certain amount, but you can increase earning a LOT. I highly recommend getting your spending in check and having good systems/habits around this. But if you're not bringing in money, let's fix that first.

If Step 1 doesn't give you your answer, go to Step 2...

STEP 2 – Rate each category

For each of the 5 categories, rate yourself on a 1-5 scale. 1 being Minimum Viable, 5 being Top Notch. Don't worry about this being perfect or absolute, this is more how they relate to each other.

If something (perhaps with the exception of budgeting) is super low compared to all the rest, that might be your biggest problem.

If Step 2 doesn't clarify things still, move on to Step 3...

STEP 3 – Tie Breaker

This is a little like Paper, Rock Scissors. Here's what I think wins in a two-way tie between...

Design & Animation Skills vs Marketing → Marketing
Design & Animation Skills vs Sales → Sales
Design & Animation Skills vs Soft Skills → Soft Skills
Marketing vs Sales → Sales
Marketing vs Soft Skills → Marketing
Sales vs Soft Skills → Sales

This isn't scientific, but this is how I think of it for myself.

However, if Step 3 still doesn't clarify it for you, move on to Step 4...

STEP 4 – Go with your gut

At this point, you may just need to go with your gut.

You could also ask a trusted friend to get their opinion.

And remember, this decision isn't permanent. Let's say you're not sure if you should work on your portfolio or your sales skills. You flip a coin and it's Sales. You spend 3 months focused on learning sales techniques and practicing it on new clients. This will not be wasted time even if your creative skills were technically lacking more. It's all additive.

Really, the worst case scenario is not deciding at all. If you spend the next 3 months doing nothing to improve... you'll still be struggling in the same spot.

Do yourself the favor of becoming someone who makes decisive decisions. You won't regret it.

Would you like to make more money with freelance motion design? Here’s how I can help.

Sign up for the $200k Freelance Newsletter and get 1 freelance tip each Sunday (sign up below)

• Reply to the first email I send you with a burning question you have… I read every message and use these to write content that is tailored to what you need help with 🙌