Here's how you can smoothly transition from a traditional job to freelancing.

If you're in the position to start freelancing while working a W2 job, do so to guarantee a steady income. That said, it's not always possible. Be willing to take on side (by side...by side) hustles until your freelance provides enough income. A part-time job may seem irrelevant, but it's amazing how many connections you can make doing something unrelated to your industry that will help you. For instance, most of my first freelance clients in graphic design came from my ultimate frisbee circles. You never know.

I hate networking. There. I said it. The mistake I always made as an inexperienced introvert was to try to drum up business. Rather, form genuine relationships with no agenda. People don't want to be sold to, they want to be heard. Those relationships of value are the ones who will become clients.

Set financial goals for yourself. But also set boundary goals, educational goals, etc. For example, "I want to make $X in the next 6 months. I want to work no more than 40 hours/week most weeks. And I want to learn 3 skills in Y software I don't already know."

I've been working from home since well before it was the cool thing to do. Something that helps me is always putting on clothes (rather than staying in my jamjams). Simple. But getting "ready" for the day is a good way to get into a mindset that doesn't feel lazy. When I'm not very busy, I have less structure, but when I'm busy I like to use a calendar. It keeps my tasks to appropriate time commitments so I make sure everything gets addressed as-needed.

Transitioning from employee to freelancer is one I see a lot as a Virtual Assistant Coach. You are essentially the company which means you set your own hours, determine what projects you want to take on, and where you get to do it all. The major things that I coach on is finding the best tools for you to maintain that structure. If calendar blocking is what you will use then do that, if setting timers or a schedule and having it printed at your desk is best then do that. Just like a diet, the structure that is going to work for you is the one that you're willing to follow. One thing that helps me is keeping my office separate, I keep m laptop in my office so when I leave there then I am "clocking out" for the day.

When you can, hire professionals to help with this. Time–and not dealing with the stress–is worth more than their cost. Having been audited twice (Yay, I had done my taxes correctly both times!), I'll never get the time back for dealing with that (being on hold for 2 hours at a time, massive runarounds, delayed refunds, etc.). It might not be affordable initially, but when it is, pay someone else to deal with that. My accountant tells me to balance my books and then handles my quarterly taxes. If there is an issue, he deals with it.