As an administrative assistant, you are a highly skilled and in-demand professional. Your work is often crucial to the success of your company, and it’s something that can be very rewarding on so many different levels. However, when you’re freelancing, it can be hard to stay motivated.
One of the biggest challenges for freelancers is finding ways to stay productive without feeling like they’re working 24/7. So what are some things you can do as a freelancer to keep yourself motivated?. The answer might surprise you: all it takes is a little bit of planning and some self-discipline.
Here are 11 tips for staying motivated when you’re freelancing as an administrative assistant:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Set clear goals and establish a routine to stay focused. |
| 2. Find ways to stay connected with other freelancers for support and motivation. |
| 3. Take breaks and practice self-care to avoid burnout. |
| 4. Break down tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to maintain momentum. |
| 5. Celebrate your achievements and reward yourself for reaching milestones. |
| 6. Seek out inspiration and learn from successful freelancers in your field. |
| 7. Stay organized and prioritize tasks to stay on track. |
| 8. Embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth. |
| 9. Maintain a positive mindset and believe in your abilities. |
| 10. Continuously update your skills and invest in professional development. |
| 11. Keep your passion alive by finding meaning and purpose in your work. |
1. Start Your Day With A Morning Routine
Get up at least two hours before work so you have time to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the day ahead. This can mean different things depending on your profession if you’re a freelance web developer, you may want to spend the first 30 minutes of your day researching coding innovations in JavaScript. If you’re a freelance painter, maybe you’ll want to spend that time meditating as a way to get centered before beginning work on any new painting commissions.
Whatever it is you do for a living, a morning routine will help get your mind into gear and ready to handle whatever tasks await at the office that day. Drink water first thing in the morning! Water is life! You’ve been sleeping all night long without drinking anything, not even water! So drink some now! Like 20 ounces or so! Start strong with some healthy hydration!
To be a successful freelance administrative assistant, it’s crucial to possess the right set of skills. Our comprehensive guide on The Top 14 Skills You Need to Be a Successful Freelance Administrative Assistant provides valuable insights and tips to help you excel in this role.
2. Wake Up Early
Wake up early. Getting 8 hours of sleep a night is great, but it’s also a pretty inefficient use of time. If you can survive on less sleep and wake up 2-3 hours earlier than everyone else, that’s several additional hours per day to focus on your freelance work before the family wakes up or your partner gets home from their job and starts distracting you with a conversation about their day. Plus, there’s something nice about getting some quiet “you time” before everyone else wakes up and all the busyness of the day begins it feels luxurious.
3. Set Goals For Yourself, And Check Off Each Task As You Complete It
It’s easy to get lost in the details of your day-to-day work as an administrative assistant. It can feel like you’re spending all your time racing from one task to the next, and yet at the end of the day, it feels like you’ve accomplished nothing tangible.
To help overcome this feeling you must set goals for yourself and make note of them somehow so that when you accomplish a task it’s obvious. A simple mark on a piece of paper is all that’s needed, but there are more sophisticated ways of tracking progress as well.
- You could use a notebook where you write down each item on a daily agenda, checking off each task as you complete them.
- You could use a calendar app on your phone or computer which allows for checklists within events.
- You can also go old school and use Post-It Notes on whatever surface is handy (a whiteboard works best).
The method doesn’t matter where the main thing is seeing how far along you are with each project so that it feels satisfying every time you complete an item or goal for the day/week/month/project
4. Create A Dedicated Workspace That Is Separate From Your Living Space
One of the biggest challenges for freelancers is demarcating work and home life. When you’ve just moved from a full-time job to working for yourself, it can be difficult to switch off at the end of the day and not let work encroach on what used to be personal time. You must be able to create boundaries between work and home life.
When developing your workspace, try creating an environment that is geared towards promoting productivity. Whether it’s a new desk lamp or a picture of your family to remind you why you’re doing this in the first place, these small details will help you remember what truly matters in life and keep motivated when things get stressful.
Effective workflow management is essential for freelance administrative assistants. Learn how to streamline your tasks and boost productivity with our practical tips outlined in How to Manage Your Workflow as a Freelance Administrative Assistant.
5. Get Dressed In The Morning, And Look Presentable During Work Hours
How you dress can have a major impact on your productivity, so get dressed in the morning and look presentable during work hours. Wearing business attire will make you feel more like you’re at work, even though you’re not. If possible, avoid wearing pajamas to work as it may make it harder for you to stay focused and motivated.
Avoid distractions while working such as social media or TV shows. It’s difficult enough to stay focused when there are other people around, but it seems almost impossible to concentrate on your actual job when interesting things are happening on Facebook or Twitter.
6. Create A List Of Tasks You Need To Get Done Each Day
Create a list of tasks you need to get done each day and chunk them down into smaller things you can accomplish quickly throughout the day this will help you make progress in a way that feels satisfying, too. If you’re feeling unmotivated because you have a huge project on your plate, try breaking it down into smaller chunks so that it doesn’t feel like such an intimidating thing.
For example, if your task is to write up a proposal for your boss which involves research and document-writing, first do the research and then break down the writing part into three parts: an introduction paragraph summarizing what the proposal is about; bullet points for each of your main points; and then a conclusion paragraph summarizing everything you mentioned in bullet point form. Once you break it down into these pieces, it will seem much easier to accomplish and will likely take less time than if you just tried to do everything at once.
7. Don’t Take On More Projects Than You Can Handle
If you are having a hard time saying ‘no’ to a potential project or saying ‘no’ to something that has not met your expectations, then remind yourself that you have the right to say no. It is important for your success for you to let others know when you cannot do something because of your workload.
When you say yes to everything, at some point another client will feel like they aren’t getting enough of your attention and can be turned off from using your services again. Take a look at how much work you currently have and ask yourself if adding one more project will make things too difficult for you. If so, then politely decline the offer. You’ll be better off in the long run.
Transitioning to a freelance administrative assistant role can be both exciting and challenging. Our guide, Tips for Successfully Transitioning to a Freelance Administrative Assistant Role, offers valuable advice and strategies to help you navigate this career change smoothly.
8. Keep Business Cards Or Flyers On Hand To Pass Out At Networking Events
Keep business cards or flyers on hand to pass out at networking events like conferences or meetings with other freelancers in your area. You never know when you might meet someone who needs a new administrative assistant, and it’s wise to have some business cards printed up ahead of time so you’re ready if that happens.
Flyers are another great option because they give more space for information on yourself and your services than business cards, but they can cost more to print. Create templates for these materials ahead of time so they’re ready when you need them. Don’t forget about social media! Facebook pages, Instagram accounts, and Twitter handles are all places where people can find you online and learn what kind of work you do as an administrative assistant.
9. Be Sure To Network
Be sure to network! Networking is an important part of any job and it can be particularly valuable when you’re freelancing as an administrative assistant, especially if you’re working remotely. Networking can mean meeting new people, making contacts, and sharing ideas with people who are not in the same industry as you are and these types of connections are just as vital for your career as networking with other administrative assistants or people in the same field as you.
You should also take advantage of certain websites and apps that allow you to make professional connections easily, such as LinkedIn and Meetup. When it comes to networking, remember that it’s not just about meeting new people but also about making friends: if your clients like working with you and enjoy being around you, they’ll want to continue doing so even after their work is done.
Highly effective administrative assistants possess specific habits that contribute to their success. Discover the key habits you should cultivate by checking out our article on The 11 Habits of Highly Effective Administrative Assistants.
10. Get Organized And Create Systems That Work For You
Create organizational systems that make sense to you, and get into a routine of using them. Every time something becomes part of your daily routine, it gets easier to do, and eventually becomes something you don’t even have to think about.
Keep track of tasks in a list or spreadsheet so you don’t forget about anything. Keep track of important dates with a calendar or planner. Set up an online bill-pay service so bills don’t fall through the cracks. Use an expense tracker app to keep tabs on all your business expenses so filing taxes isn’t such a headache (and bonus: this helps come tax season).
11. Talk To Other Administrative Assistants And Freelancers Who Are In A Similar Situation
If there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s that none of us can do this alone. One of the best ways to stay motivated is by surrounding yourself with people who understand where you’re coming from, so reach out. Talk about what got them through their own periods of burnout or discouragement they might have some great tips that will help keep you going during tough times too.
Also, sometimes it’s easier to see the forest when you’re not looking at every single tree. When things start getting tough, talk with other people who are doing what you’re doing you’ll probably find that they’ve experienced similar challenges and have found ways to overcome them. You may even find some new ideas for how to tackle problems in your own work.
Are you considering a freelance administrative assistant career but unsure if you’re ready for it? Our informative article, How to Tell If You’re Ready to Be a Freelance Administrative Assistant, provides valuable insights and self-assessment tips to help you make an informed decision.
Final Thoughts
Freelance administrative assistants need to stay motivated to put their best foot forward, especially when they’re just starting. Using these tips to keep your work as interesting as possible will help you stay productive and in high demand. Keep them in mind the next time you feel unmotivated or burnt out, and I wish you all the best with your freelance career.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful for staying motivated as a freelancer:
How to Stay Motivated as a Freelancer: Countingup provides insights and tips on maintaining motivation while working as a freelancer.
8 Tips for Staying Motivated as a Freelancer: Just Creative offers eight practical tips to help freelancers stay motivated and overcome challenges.
How to Stay Productive and Motivated as a Freelance Writer: AI Contentfy’s blog post focuses specifically on freelancers in the writing industry, providing strategies for maintaining productivity and motivation.
People Also Ask
How Do You Stay Motivated As An Administrative Assistant?
One way to stay motivated as an administrative assistant is by setting goals for yourself and tracking your progress. For example, if you want to earn a promotion or complete a project, set a few short-term goals that will help take you closer to the ultimate goal. Then make sure you’re keeping track of how each step is going. If something isn’t working well, find another strategy and try again.
How Do I Become A Successful Administrative Assistant?
To become a successful administrative assistant, it’s important to be organized and efficient at all times. As an admin, your job will probably include both clerical tasks (like filing papers) and customer service duties (like answering phones).
Being able to perform these duties quickly without making mistakes will help ensure you’re doing well on your job! That’s not the only key though – communication skills are essential too since most admin positions require frequent interaction with other people throughout each day.
What Is The Best Way To Network As An Administrative Assistant?
The best way for networking as an administrative assistant is through LinkedIn groups or Facebook groups that are related to what you do in your role. You can find out about meetings in person or virtual ones where admins from around the country meet up. This might seem like just another thing on your list but it’s one of the most important ways of networking because it allows new people into their lives who might need some help themselves someday down the line.
What Is The Best Way To Stay Motivated When Working From Home?
You should consider the big picture. That’s not to say you should neglect the work that’s in front of you, but it is important to realize how your job fits into a wider framework and what kind of impact you can have if you perform well.
Remember that administrative assistants are often gatekeepers. You’re usually the first person someone will speak with if they want to reach your boss or other executives. Your ability to help people make their case against those in charge could be an incredible boon for your company, so keep that on the forefront of your mind and remember that every mundane task has a purpose.
How Do I Stay Motivated To Work From Home?
Unstructured time can be draining, so keeping a consistent schedule is essential. If there’s one thing we’ve learned during this pandemic, it’s how much we miss having a routine! Setting aside specific times for lunch or exercising with coworkers is great if you want some variety in your day-to-day, but even if you don’t have access to those things when working from home, carving out chunks of time for similar activities will give structure and purpose back into your day. Plus it gives you something non-work-related to look forward to.
How Do You Motivate Yourself To Work?
It’s normal for your motivation levels on any given day (or at any given moment) to fluctuate wildly, especially when dealing with stressful or repetitive tasks like administrative work. It might be helpful for low energy days where everything feels difficult and monotonous to take frequent breaks throughout the day: step outside for some fresh air; make yourself a cup of tea; watch an episode of whatever show happens to be on right now permit yourself NOT to focus on work if it feels counterproductive at the moment.
What Is Freelance Administrative Work?
Freelance administrative work can be done for a variety of organizations, including companies and non-profits. While some work may be full-time, other projects may be as short as a few hours or as long as several months.
What Are The Duties Of A Freelance Administrative Assistant?
Fundamental tasks include but are not limited to: answering phones, sending emails, scheduling meetings, and travel arrangements, entering data into databases and spreadsheets, filing paperwork, transcribing audio files into written documents, and managing social media accounts (posting content to the company’s website).
Editing articles and blog posts, making presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint or Keynote (Instagram stories), managing budgets (bookkeeping), writing copy (advertising or marketing material), updating mailing lists with new information about people and companies that have moved offices or changed phone numbers/email addresses (business development).
How Much Do Freelance Administrative Assistants Make?
The average salary for an entry-level freelance administrative assistant is $15 per hour. However, this number can vary widely depending on experience level and expertise within specific fields such as accounting or legal research skillsets; it also varies geographically because pay rates differ between areas like Manhattan versus Brooklyn due to cost of living differences across cities nationwide.”
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.