Are you feeling stuck in the traditional career ladder, chasing promotions that come with more stress and less satisfaction? In this blog post, we explore the surprising perks of freelancing that allow you to redefine success on your own terms. Discover how you can take control of your income, prioritise work-life balance, and create a fulfilling career that aligns with your passions. Say goodbye to the corporate grind and hello to a more flexible, rewarding path!
Listen to the podcast episode below, watch it on Youtube, or scroll down for the summary!
Avoid Promotions, Go Freelance!
The Ben Askins Video mentioned in this episode: https://youtu.be/ETBqDHmjhQA?feature=shared Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmacossey Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/emmacossey.bsky.social Email: hello@emmacossey.com Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group : https://www.facebook.com/groups/freelancelifestyle/ Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership: https://freelancelifestyle.co.uk/
Prefer to read it? Here are the main points!
The traditional career path has long been defined by promotions, pay raises, and climbing the corporate ladder. But what if that ladder isn’t leading to a destination you actually want? A recent video by Ben Askins titled Why Nobody Wants Motion got me thinking about freelancing and the unexpected perks it offers over the conventional career trajectory.
Many employees today are rejecting promotions, and for good reason. They often come with added stress, longer hours, and responsibilities that pull people away from the work they actually enjoy. But as freelancers, we have the freedom to define success on our own terms. Let’s dive into why freelancing might just be the best career move you can make.
Why Are Employees Turning Down Promotions?
Ben Askins highlighted a fascinating statistic: 42% of employees have turned down promotions, and 52% of Gen Z workers have no interest in moving into middle management roles. This isn’t due to laziness (despite what some outdated opinions may suggest). Instead, many workers are realising that promotions often come with a hidden cost.
One major issue? Dry promotions. This is when employees are given more responsibilities without the perks—no pay increase, no additional benefits, just extra work. And even when promotions do come with financial incentives, they often require taking on managerial duties that strip away the parts of the job people actually love.
For example, imagine you’re a graphic designer. You love creating, designing, and bringing visuals to life. A promotion could mean less hands-on design work and more time spent managing a team of designers, sitting in endless meetings, and handling administrative headaches. Sure, you might earn more, but at what cost?
The Corporate Burnout Cycle
Another reason many workers are resisting promotions is that they’ve seen the long-term effects of chasing corporate success. Millennials and Gen Z have watched their parents burn out in management roles, dedicating decades to companies only to be easily replaced upon retirement. It’s a sobering reality that has led many younger workers to question the value of the traditional career path.
Rather than working toward a future filled with stress and exhaustion, people are now prioritising work-life balance, mental well-being, and job satisfaction. And that’s where freelancing comes in.
How Freelancing Gives You More Control
As a freelancer, you get to define your own career growth. Instead of waiting for someone else to offer you a promotion, you can increase your income and expand your business in ways that suit you. Here’s how:
- Raise your rates – As you gain experience, you can charge more for your services.
- Diversify your income – Offer new services, collaborate with others, or create passive income streams.
- Choose the work you love – Stick to the tasks that energise you instead of being forced into management roles you don’t want.
- Avoid unnecessary meetings – No more pointless catch-ups that eat into your productivity.
- Build your own version of success – Whether that means a small but profitable solo business or scaling up with a team, the choice is yours.
I like to think of freelancing not as a ladder but as a tree. You get to choose which branch to climb and when. If you’re happy halfway up, building your own little treehouse, that’s totally fine. There’s no single definition of success—only what works best for you.
The Bigger Picture: Life Beyond Work
Since the pandemic, people have re-evaluated their priorities. Success is no longer just about making the most money—it’s about creating a life that’s fulfilling, balanced, and sustainable. Freelancing provides the flexibility to build a career that aligns with your personal goals, not just corporate expectations.
Yes, money is important, and we all need financial stability. But instead of working yourself to the bone for a bigger paycheck, freelancing allows you to grow your income on your terms while keeping your stress levels in check.
Final Thoughts: Rethink Success
So, if you’ve ever felt pressured to chase a promotion just because it’s what you’re supposed to do, take a step back and consider whether it truly aligns with your goals.
Freelancing offers an alternative path—one where you’re in control, you decide how and when to grow, and you get to keep doing what you love without being pushed into roles you don’t want.
If this resonates with you, why not take the first step towards freelancing? Whether it’s picking up a side hustle, raising your rates, or shifting to full-time self-employment, you have more control over your career than you might think.
Here’s to building careers that make us happy, not just rich. Cheers to freelancing!
What are your thoughts on career growth and freelancing? Have you turned down a promotion before? Let’s chat in the comments!
The Ben Askins Video mentioned in this episode: https://youtu.be/ETBqDHmjhQA?feature=shared
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Bluesky
Email: hello@emmacossey.com
Come join us in the free Freelance Lifestylers Facebook group
Want more support? Check out the Freelance Lifestyle School courses and membership.
