Freelancing is not easy. Making a living as a freelancer takes diligence, hard work, and most importantly effective time management skills. It's easy to become distracted in a home office. Pets, children, spouses, and the allure of the television can all pose significant distractions. It's highly important to learn time-management skills as these can severely impact a freelancer's finances.
Turning a Home Office into an Actual Office
The trouble with home offices is that distractions are everywhere, especially if that office is in a small apartment and part of the living room or bedroom. Most freelancers, especially writers, have no need to purchase office space because most or all of their work is telecommute.
In this case, it may be helpful to devote a single room to an office. If this has already been done, than half the battle has been won. If this is impossible due to a lack of space, finances, or both, it may be best to create a make-shift divider and place it around the desk. For instance, stores such as Pier 1 sell stand-alone dressing curtains or doors (Similar to what actresses and models use).
The point is to build a divide between work life and personal life. It will be much more fulfilling and satisfying in the long-run. It may be common-place today for people to be workaholics and personal and work life to intermingle but not only is it bad time management; it's a recipe for emotional and possibly even financial disaster.
Try to Stick to an Eight-Hour Work Day
Full-time freelancers should try to keep their hours like they would in a usual job. The easiest way to do this is to spread long projects out throughout the week and immediately take care of short projects that pop up. Of course there will always be exceptions such as tight deadlines and such or errands that may take half of the day. For the most part however, sticking to an eight hour day shouldn't be a problem.
For some people it's more like a seven hour work day when lunch is counted. But freelancer's are only paid on a contract basis; meaning no work, no food. This in itself is enough to motivate some of us to eat quickly. Be sure not to throw healthy foods out the window though. Working from home allows the benefit of a home cooked lunch.
Freelance Time-Management Tips
- Be the boss! - Some freelancers have an incredibly difficult time saying no to their clients. However, there are polite and friendly ways to say no without actually saying it. For instance if a deadline is too tight, feel free to say that more time is needed. State any problems or difficulties and assertively work with clients. Freelancing is about having control over one's life. Passivity will not get anyone anywhere, especially in this business. Active and assertive freelancers are the ones making comfortable livings.
- Avoid Facebook and Twitter unless doing promotions until the work day is over. - Social networking sites can post the biggest distractions while working. It's very easy to become distracted by them.
- Play some music. - Some people can work effectively with music, others need silence. Music can really help motivate freelancers and get them in the working mood.
- Eyes on the prize. - Everyone wants something or is saving up for something. All it takes is telling oneself that working hard is the only way to get it. A recent example of this motivational mantra working its magic in the life of a freelancer had to do with a dear friend who desperately wanted a game system. She kept thinking about it every time she became distracted and within two weeks had the extra money. The eventual prize was what motivated her.
It's also helpful to remember that freelancing is meant to better one's life. It's all about choices. Using time management skills will help immensely in the world of freelancing.
 |
