You'll often see or hear someone say, "I want the freedom to do what I want" when talking about their work. But what do they really mean when they say freedom?

Is it just being able to escape your 9-5 job and do your own thing? But what is your own thing? What is in 9-5 jobs that you want to escape from?
We can assume people have this in mind when they say they want freedom:

• Location freedom

• Time freedom

• Income freedom

• Work freedom

Different Forms of Freedom

Location freedom -- one could say they don't want to get stuck at the office all their life. They want the freedom to do their work wherever they go, without location requirements.

Time freedom -- some say they want the freedom to do the work on their own time. How much time they spend on their work is their prerogative, so they want to escape the 9-5 prison.

Income freedom -- yet others say they want the freedom to determine how much they'd earn at a given time. In a fixed company job, your pay is determined by your boss and there isn't so much flexibility to increase or decrease it on your whim.

Work freedom -- and yet other people say they want to determine the work they do. They don't want work shoved in their faces, with a "Do-it-or-else!" expression. People want to do the work that plays to their strengths, the ones that they can relate to.

Sacrificing Some of Your Freedom 

Now, if you work for yourself you can have all four freedoms. But if you work for someone else like clients, you may have to sacrifice some part in the above.

Of course, you can choose the work you want but when you're dealing with clients they may give you tasks you might not like. You can of course reject it and be on your way, but then that decreases your income.

You can find other clients that will fit your preference, but you get the point. You'll have to make some sacrifices here and there if you work with clients. Your clients become your new boss.

Work with Total Freedom

Now, what work is there that you won't have a boss? You can write and be paid passively for what you write. You could create content such as podcasts, newsletters, and youtube videos. You could sell products on amazon. You could sell courses.

By doing so, you'll have customers instead of clients. The power dynamics are a lot different when you're dealing with customers. When dealing with customers, you've got the upper hand.

For total freedom seekers, these jobs mentioned above are the only ones worth pursuing. How about you, how much freedom are you willing to sacrifice?