Finding and Defining Future Freelance You
Welcome back to the Six-Figure Freelancer Recipe! I’m Jaz, your pricing queen, and today I’m closing out our special series with something that absolutely transformed my freelance journey—the Four Futures Framework (with a big freelance twist, of course). If you’ve ever caught yourself dreaming about what your freelance business could look like—beyond just the next project or paycheck—this episode is for you.
I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to sort out what you truly want from freelancing, especially when you’re caught up in the day-to-day. When I started using the Four Futures exercise, everything became so much clearer: why I run my business the way I do, how I make decisions, and what really matters to me for the long haul.
So, in this episode, I’ll walk you through a guided visualization of your future freelance self across four core areas: the business you’re building, your financial stability, your daily lifestyle, and the impact you want to make. You’ll get the chance to picture your ideal clients, your dream projects, the money you want to see in your account, and exactly how you want your workdays (and life!) to feel.
I’ll share personal insights on how dialing in these visions made it easier for me to choose my clients, set rates I’m proud of, worry less about feast-or-famine cycles, and—most importantly—build a business that aligns with my values.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have actionable steps to get clear on your own Four Futures and a special invitation to share them with me for some one-on-one, practical guidance—because I know how much having support can make a difference.
If you’re ready to design a freelance business and life that you’re truly excited about—and get out of reaction mode for good—tune in and let’s take the first purposeful step toward your six-figure freelance future.
Transcript
Hey there, fellow freelancer. To finish up this series, I'm sharing something that completely changed my freelance trajectory, and I think it could do the same for you. It's called the four futures framework, but I've made it freelance because, of course, I have. And it helps get you crystal clear on what you're actually building, not just for next month, but for the long haul. I've been where you are. Having this clarity made all my business decisions so much easier. Take a deep breath and think about the freelance life that you really want, and we'll start with your business future. Picture yourself sitting down at your desk on a typical workday in your ideal freelance future.
Jaz [:The first email that you open is from a dream client, the kind that values your expertise and respects your process. They're thanking you for the work that you did and asking about booking their next available slot. Feel what that's like to be known for something specific and for something great. To have clients seek you out because you are the go to person in your area of expertise. What exactly are they coming to you for? What problem are you solving for them better than anyone else? And I want you to change tabs and look at your calendar. Notice how your services are structured now, and you are now looking at a really well rounded calendar. Are you booked up for intensive VIP days that command premium rates? Are you running a small group program or something that is a group offering alongside your one on one work? See the details of how you've packaged your skills in a way that feels energizing, not draining. I want you to flick over to your client roster.
Jaz [:These just aren't any clients. These are the ones that make you think, I cannot believe I get paid to work with these people. Notice how many clients you're working with now. Is it a small select group of ongoing partnerships, or do you prefer a variety of different projects? Are there some names on there that make you proud? And how does it feel to be selective about who you work with? Flick over to your rates on your services page or the proposal that you last sent out. The numbers would have once seemed impossible to you, but now they feel like a fair reflection of the value that you're providing. Feels pretty good to have the confidence to quote these prices without second guessing yourself. Right? Now let's look at future two, your financial future. You grab your phone and you open up the banking app in this future freelance life.
Jaz [:Your business account shows consistent monthly deposits, a financial stability that you once craved. What specific numbers are you seeing? 8,000, 15 thousand, 20 5 thousand per month? Whatever it is, notice how it feels to see that number consistently month after month. Now flick over to your financial dashboard that tracks the multiple income streams. Client work might form the foundation, but there's more. Other elements of income from maybe a digital product that you created or affiliate revenue from tools that you genuinely love, maybe royalties from a book or a course, or some recurring revenue from a retainer. Feel the security of not relying on just one income source. Head back to your banking app and look at your savings accounts. That emergency fund is fully funded.
Jaz [:The retirement account that's growing steady, the tax account that has more than enough set aside for your quarterly payments. Remember that peace comes from knowing that you're financially protected, and it's something that is the norm now. Notice your relationship with money. Feel the absence of that knot in your stomach when checking your balance, and instead, it's replaced with confidence and clarity. You know exactly what's coming in, what's going out, and have systems that handle all the details without the constant stress. Now future three, your lifestyle future. It's 09:30AM on a Wednesday in your future freelance life. Are you just getting started from your workday after a morning routine that's filled your cup, Or have you been deep in focused work since 6AM and now breaking for a midday walk with the dog? Notice the rhythm of your days now that you've designed them around your natural energy and preferences.
Jaz [:Feel what it's like to have firm boundaries that clients respect. No more last minute panic projects or weekend email emergencies. Your work happens within the container you've created for it, whether that's a four day week or a six hour day or whatever structure has served you best. Look around at your workspace, the setting that supports your best work. Maybe it's a sunlit home office with all your favorite things nearby, a dedicated studio space where creativity flows, or your favorite cafe where you are a regular. Feel how that environment energizes you rather than drains you. Think about what you did last week outside of work. The freelance life that you built has room now for relationships that matter, hobbies that fulfill you, and time to simply rest.
Jaz [:Notice how it feels to be more than just your work, to have the space for all the parts of yourself to thrive. And finally, future four, your impact future. Think about the message that you receive from a client in this future freelance life. They're sharing how the work that you did together has transformed their business. Maybe they've hit revenue goals or reached new audiences or solved a problem that was holding them back for years. Feel the satisfaction of knowing that your skills made a tangible difference. Consider the ripple effects of your work, perhaps the branding that helped a small business compete with corporate giants, the strategy you developed bringing sustainable practices to an industry, or the platform that you built that amplifies their voice that needed to be heard. See clearly how your work extends beyond the immediate deliverables.
Jaz [:Look at your role in the professional community. Maybe you're mentoring newcomers into your field, sharing your expertise through a small but mighty newsletter, or advocating for a better industry standard, experience the fulfillment of contributing to something larger than yourself. Reflect on how your work aligns with those who matter most to you. In this future, you've built a business that doesn't require you to compromise your values, and instead, your work is an expression of them. Feel the connection between who you are and what you do professionally. Now I want you to take a step back and see how these four futures fit together in one cohesive view. Your business future creates the foundation, the what, and the how of your work. This enables your financial future, the stability, and the wealth that you build.
Jaz [:Together, these support your lifestyle future, the day to day life that you actually want to live in. And all of this allows you to realize your impact future, the difference your work makes in the world. This isn't just a business that you're building. It's a life purposeful designed around what matters to you. The distance between where you are today and the future freelance you that you are creating might feel vast. I remember that feeling. Standing at the start of that journey, seeing where I wanted to go and wondering how I would ever get there. What I discovered was that that path becomes so much clearer once you know exactly where you're headed.
Jaz [:Each of those futures gives you direction to move towards one decision at a time. If connecting with your future freelance self has sparked something in you today and you're ready to start bringing those futures to life, first, I want you to take ten minutes to write down your four future snapshot while it's fresh in your mind. What details stood out to you vividly? Which future feels more urgent or more exciting right now? Secondly, I want you to share your snapshot with me. I'll pop my email in the show notes, or you can head over to Instagram at your pricing queen and let me know there. Be honest about what you want and where you feel stuck. And in return, I'll give you a free twenty minute session where we'll identify the best steps towards making those futures real for you. No pitch, just practical guidance from someone who's walked this path before you. Building your ideal freelance life happens one step at a time.
Jaz [:Having clarity on these four futures makes those steps more purposeful. And having someone in your corner, like me, who sees the potential in you, that could make all the difference. Your future freelance self isn't just a possibility. It's a version of you that already exists in potential waiting for you to bring it to life. And I'm here to do exactly that for you, and I cannot wait to meet future freelance few.
