Trying something new is hard. And when you’re trying to launch a whole new career, it’s only natural that fear and doubt are going to creep in. And when this happens, the excuses are going to start popping up.

I can personally attest to this because I’ve made pretty much every excuse under the sun. But I found a way to get over them and take action anyway, so I know you can do the same.

7 Excuses That Are Holding You Back

Honestly, the list of reasons people come up with for not starting their freelance writing business is endless. But here are the seven excuses I hear about most often.

1. I don’t have enough experience

I can 100% relate to this point because when I started freelancing, I had no experience. And my big hangup was the fact that I didn’t have my Bachelor’s degree.

The first time I did a call with a potential client, I was terrified that he would ask me where I graduated from college. I just knew that if he found out I didn’t have my degree, he wouldn’t want to hire me.

But much to my surprise, the subject of my degree never came up, and that client did end up hiring me. Since that day, I’ve done many calls, and not one person has ever asked me if I have a degree.

At this point, I don’t worry about the fact that I didn’t graduate from college. I have hundreds of articles on the internet that show my writing capabilities, and I think that says more than any degree would.

The point is, experience doesn’t matter as much as you think it does. Most clients will be willing to overlook a lot if you have a good attitude and are willing to work hard.

2. I don’t feel inspired to write

For some reason, there’s this persistent myth that we should only do things when we feel inspired or passionate about them. And this definitely seems to be the case when it comes to creative endeavors. Endless articles, podcasts, and books exist about “finding flow” and getting in your “zone of genius.”

The problem is, this can quickly turn into an excuse that holds us back if we aren’t careful. To be successful, you’re going to have to write many articles that you don’t feel like writing.

I woke up at 5 AM this morning so I could write this blog post before my workday begins. Do you think I felt super inspired when my alarm went off? No! Inspiration and passion are important, but they usually come after you’ve shown up and done the hard work to get started, not before.

If you want a kick in the ass when it comes to this subject, I recommend checking out Mark Manson’s blog. In particular, this blog post illuminates why feelings don’t matter that much.

3. I don’t know what my niche is

Other freelance writers put a lot of emphasis on finding a niche and for a good reason. A niche is essential because it will help you stand out as a writer. Clients want subject matter experts, and you’ll be able to compete for high-paying freelance writing jobs once you have a niche.

But it takes time to figure out what your niche is. Personally, it took me two and a half years to finally choose personal finance as my niche. Before that, I was a generalist and wrote about everything under the sun.

And if you’re unsure about a niche, it’s probably better to write about a variety of topics and see what you like. When I first started writing, I never would have imagined that personal finance would become my niche, but now I love it.

All that matters is that you’re finding new work, writing consistently, and making money. If you do this, then over time, your freelance writing niche will take care of itself.

4. There are too many freelance writers already

There is this persistent lie that says that once the market reaches a certain point of saturation, there isn’t any room for anyone else. Guys, this simply isn’t true.

Yes, there are a lot of freelance writers out there. But that’s because there are tons and tons of businesses that need quality writers. Every website you visit and every blog you read had to have been written by someone. Why can’t it be you?

Instead of worrying about competition from other writers, why not focus on how you can be the best? In my experience, that’s the best way to stand out in a crowded market.

5. I have kids

Years ago, I was part of an MLM, and one of the things my upline would always tell me was, “Don’t let your 'why' turn into your excuse.” At the time, I resented this phrase, but now I completely understand what she means.

Often, we try to start a freelance writing business (or any new endeavor) because we want a better life for our kids. We’re tired of being stuck at a job we hate, we’re tired of never having any extra money, etc. But then the minute it gets hard, we use our kids as the reason why we can’t continue.

For years, I used my kids as the reason why I couldn’t work harder in my freelance writing business. I thought that if I took it seriously, then I would end up working all the time and missing moments with them.

Then I read The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone, and he said something that changed my perspective on this. To paraphrase, he wrote, “Does it benefit kids to see their parents constantly giving up on their goals?” That hit me like a ton of bricks.

Instead of telling yourself you can’t do something because you have kids, why not reframe your perspective? Instead, start asking yourself, “How can I do both? How can I be a great parent and thrive in my career?”

6. Nobody ever responds to my proposals

I get how frustrating it is when you’re sending out tons of proposals, but no one is responding or showing much interest. But this isn’t a sign you should quit; it’s just a sign you need to tweak your proposals. There are proven strategies that can help you improve your freelance writing proposals and land more work.

7. I don’t have enough time to write

Oh, the old “I don’t have time” excuse. Truthfully, I’m sure there are probably a lot of legitimate reasons why it would be hard for you to start a freelance writing business.

Maybe you have a full-time job, are in school full-time, or stay home with toddlers. I don’t want to minimize how hard it is to do any of those things and freelance at the same time.

But you don’t need eight hours a day to build your freelance writing business. And many successful freelancers built their business while working a full-time job. One of my freelance writer friends has a full-time job and writes before he goes to work. Oh, and he also has four kids.

What it comes down to is that you need to find a way to manage and make the most of the time you have.

If You Want Freelance Writing Success, Say No to Excuses

If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this blog post, it’s that you have what it takes to be successful in your freelance writing business. Yes, you may be in the midst of some challenging life circumstances, but if you’re motivated to succeed, then you can find a way.

If you want to learn how to start your freelancing business the right way, then you need to download the Freelance Writer’s Starter Guide. This free guide will teach you how to get out of overwhelm and find your next freelance writing client.