One of the biggest challenges of freelancing is getting everything done, and done well. With no one around to check in on you and make sure you’re meeting your deadlines, it can be tempting to put everything off until the last minute. But if you want to stay on the good side of your clients and make sure all of your projects are high-quality, it’s crucial to have a strategy for managing your time.
Here are some ideas that will help you stay organized and manage your time well:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Start with the Basics: Build a strong foundation of time management skills as a freelancer to optimize productivity. |
| 2. Learn from Others: Explore articles like “Time Management Tips for Freelancers” and “Enhance Your Time Management Skills” for valuable insights and strategies. |
| 3. Prioritize Tasks: Set clear goals and prioritize tasks to manage multiple projects effectively. |
| 4. Utilize Time Management Tools: Make use of productivity tools and resources to stay organized and efficient. |
| 5. Avoid Burnout: Take regular breaks, practice self-care, and avoid overloading yourself with excessive workloads. |
| 6. Handle Time Zone Differences: Use scheduling tools and establish clear communication channels to manage time zone differences with clients. |
| 7. Stay Proactive: Avoid procrastination and maintain a proactive approach to meeting deadlines. |
| 8. Maintain Work-Life Balance: Balance your freelance work with personal life to avoid potential burnout and improve overall well-being. |
| 9. Continuous Learning: Explore further reading materials on time management to enhance your skills and knowledge. |
| 10. Set Specific Working Hours: Establish a routine and set specific working hours to maintain discipline and structure. |
1. Get Into A Routine
When you’re working from home, it’s easy to fall into the trap of wearing pajamas all day and leaving chores until after you’ve finished work. But if you want to be productive, it’s important to maintain a healthy balance between work and life. One way to help yourself do this is by getting into a regular routine for work hours, meals, exercise, and so on. Not only will this help you feel like your time is under control, but it will also help you be more present with the people in your life when they need you most.
Time management is the key to success for freelancers. As you learn advanced strategies, remember to start with the basics. Check out our comprehensive guide on Time Management Tips for Freelancers to build a strong foundation and improve your productivity.
2. Keep Your To-Do List Visible
It’s incredibly liberating to cross something off of your to-do list, but only if it’s actually visible. If it’s hidden in a drawer somewhere, or buried in your phone’s notes app, you won’t feel nearly as accomplished when you complete tasks. Try printing out a to-do list, putting it on your fridge, or using an app that lets you add tasks and check them off online.
Make a schedule and stick to it. When you’re working from home, it can be easy to get sidetracked by the fact that you just have to step into your kitchen to get lunch or take a break on your couch with some Netflix. But if you make yourself a realistic schedule, you’ll get more done.
3. Keep A Planner
If you know where you need to be and when and what you need to do to get there you’ll be far less stressed. Keeping a planner is one of the best ways to keep track of all the moving parts of your day-to-day as a freelancer.
Keep paper notes and a planner with you at all times. We don’t always have our phones with us, but it’s likely we’ll have some sort of pen and paper around. Writing down important information, including deadlines and tasks, will help keep you organized and on track.
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3. Invest in the Tools You Need
If there are tools that can help make any aspect of your life easier, they might be worth investing in. There are thousands upon thousands of apps designed to help freelancers manage their time more effectively, whether it’s by helping them keep track of how much time they’re spending on projects or managing their stress levels more effectively. Find ones that work for you!
4. Create A Schedule And Stick To It
One of the keys to making the most of your time is to set a schedule and stick with it. This can be as simple as setting aside certain hours of the day to work and not checking email or social media during that time or as complex as blocking out each hour of your day into specific segments dedicated to meetings, writing, and responding to messages. The key is having a plan and sticking with it. Make sure your family members understand and respect your schedule, too; they may not realize how important it is for you to stick with this kind of plan.
5. Set Aside Time For Socializing
When you’re a freelancer, there’s no real line between your professional life and your personal life. You work alone, in your house or apartment, and you set your own schedule. It can be easy to lose track of time and get sucked into your work without realizing it—and then suddenly it’s 6 PM and you haven’t talked to another human being all day.
What if I told you you could end that cycle? That you could actually spend more time with other people and still get more done? There’s just one trick: setting aside time for socializing.
That’s right—you’ve got to set a specific time for socializing if you want to make sure it happens. Schedule lunch with a friend once a week so that both of you have that time blocked off from work. Or go on weekly coffee dates with other freelancers nearby so that they have time blocked off too! You’re all self-employed, so now it’s your job to make sure each other takes breaks, eats meals, and has some human interaction every once in a while!
6. Take Breaks
You’re not a machine. You need breaks in order to work at peak efficiency.
It’s tempting to think that you can just push through and get more done if you take fewer or shorter breaks, but research shows that lots of small, scheduled breaks are better for your productivity than one long break. That’s because taking frequent breaks helps you avoid burnout and gives you the opportunity to recharge your mental energy levels and clear your mind.
So what do you do with these breaks? If your mind is getting foggy from staring at a screen too long, get up and walk around for a few minutes. If your back is hurting from all that sitting, stand up and stretch out, or even do some light yoga moves. If all you can think about is how hungry you are, take ten minutes to go grab some food and enjoy it without any distractions (and don’t forget the water!).
The great part about being freelance is that you basically get to make up the rules as you go along—as long as the client is happy with the product they’re getting—so if you want to schedule three 15-minute breaks into every eight-hour workday, that’s totally up to you!
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7. Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Sleep
Push yourself to go to bed a little earlier tonight than you did last night. I know, it’s hard. But if you make small changes every night, eventually you’ll have built up solid sleeping habits. The next time you find yourself scrolling through Instagram in the early morning hours before your alarm goes off (and we’ve all been there), ask yourself if this “urge” is worth losing precious sleepover.
Instead of thinking about what else needs to get done before bed, set aside 15 minutes for yourself before lights-out where you do nothing but relax and prepare for sleep. This will help ensure that when your head hits the pillow, you’ll be able to drift off quickly to dreamland.
You’ll wake up feeling refreshed and energized for the day ahead—and when that happens consistently enough,
8. Have A Designated Workspace And Keep It Clean
One of the best things about being a freelancer is getting to work from anywhere. But if you’re going to be working from your home, you need to have a designated workspace and keep it clean, so that when you sit down, you’re ready to work.
The last thing you want is to get distracted by the clutter in front of you and realize after two hours that you haven’t even started on the project that needs to be completed by the end of the day. Set up a space where all your work stuff is contained—and, ideally, where your family members know not to bother you while you’re working.
9. Setting Deadlines And Priorities
First, set deadlines for yourself. This way you are more likely to get things done in a timely manner. Freelancing can be hard if you do not set deadlines for yourself. There is no boss there to tell you what to do and when to do it, so it’s up to you!
Second, set priorities for yourself. If you know what projects are the most important ones or due first, then you will be sure not to forget about them and let them slip through the cracks. Priorities are very important for freelancers because there is nobody else there that will remind you about an important project or deadline.
10. Make A Habit Of Saying “No”
When you start working for yourself, it might be tempting to take on every job that comes your way in order to keep money coming in. However, this could be one of the worst things you can do for your business. When you’re getting started and you don’t have enough work yet, it makes sense to take on as many jobs as possible. But once you start getting more work than you can handle, saying “no” should become second nature.
If you’re used to dealing with people face-to-face or over the phone, it might not be easy to turn someone down flat. Try saying something like: “I’m afraid I don’t have enough time right now but if there’s anything else I can do for you in the future please let me know.” It’s polite and keeps the door open for future business opportunities while letting them know they need
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11. Don’t Multitask
Time management is a critical part of being a freelance writer. You have to be able to multitask because you’re juggling multiple projects at once.
Many people think that they can work on multiple things at once, but it’s actually not possible to do so. When you try to multitask, you’re trying to be two different people at the same time: one who is working and one who is talking. Therefore, your brain will naturally choose what it thinks is the more important thing first. This means that you’ll get distracted by the conversation and then suddenly realize that the project that was supposed to be done has been put on hold for several hours.
12. Set Limits For Yourself
If you’re struggling with time management, the first step is to set limits for yourself. Be realistic about how much work you can actually accomplish in a day, figure out how many hours of work you want to be doing, and then decide whether or not that’s going to make you happy. If it won’t, consider making some changes in your life so that you can earn enough money to do what you truly enjoy.
13. Be Flexible With Your Time
Some days will be busier than others, and sometimes one task can take much longer than expected. Be prepared to adjust your schedule as necessary so that the most important things get done each day, even if it means sacrificing some lower priority tasks or working late occasionally.
14. Plan Your Day In Advance
The night before, spend a few minutes planning what you need to do tomorrow. Make a list of all the tasks that need completing – even those little ones that only take five minutes. Write them all down so that nothing gets forgotten. Then list them in order of priority and importance, so that you know exactly what to do first thing in the morning (hint: it should be that task that you hate doing but always put off).
15. Use A Timer
If you find yourself working on a single project for hours and hours, set a timer and commit to working on it until the timer goes off. Then set another timer for your break time, so you can make sure you’re taking time to breathe and relax.
16. Give Yourself Rewards
If you find that setting a timer is too restrictive, use rewards instead! Set the number of hours you want to spend on a project, then do it in exchange for a reward like coffee with a friend or going out to see a movie with your family.
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17. Keep An Energy Calendar
A lot of people keep track of their projects, meetings, and appointments on a calendar. But how often do we use a calendar to schedule our breaks? When we give ourselves time each day to recover and renew, we have more energy to put into our work and we’re able to produce better results. Take some time each morning or evening to block off both work and non-work time on your calendar so you know exactly when each is coming up. That way, you’ll be motivated by the promise of an upcoming break instead of dreading another hour at your desk.
18. Get Dressed Every Day Like It’s A Normal Work Day
It may be tempting to roll out of bed, log on to your computer, and stay in your PJs all day, but this won’t get you in the right state of mind for working hard! Getting ready like it’s a normal workday (and even going so far as to leave your house at least once) will help you get into the right headspace for tackling all your freelance
Final Thougts
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Time management is one of the most important skills a freelancer can have. If you’re not managing your time effectively, you’re going to struggle to get work done and earn money.
If you work from home, it can be even more challenging — there are so many distractions around, you need a strict schedule that helps you stay focused. However, learning how to manage your time effectively isn’t easy. It takes patience and persistence.
Further Reading
Time Management Tips for Freelancers: Learn more about effective time management techniques specifically tailored for freelancers in this comprehensive guide.
Enhance Your Time Management Skills: Discover valuable insights and strategies to enhance your time management skills and boost productivity in both personal and professional life.
Productivity Tips for Freelancers: Find practical tips to improve your productivity as a freelancer and optimize your workflow for better results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best time management apps?
There are so many productivity apps out there in the market that it’s easy to get confused. Here are a few apps that can help you manage your time better:
Toggl: This is one of the easiest and simplest time-tracking apps available. You can use it to keep track of your billable hours or to see how long it takes you to complete any task.
RescueTime: This app monitors the time you spend on different websites and applications, giving you a detailed breakdown of where you spend your time. You can set alerts if you spend too much time in any one place, or even block distracting websites if necessary.
Trello: If you use Gmail, Trello is a great app for managing tasks by project, setting reminders, and prioritizing tasks. It also allows you to delegate tasks and collaborate with others on projects.
Evernote: Evernote is a note-taking app that allows you to create notes, lists, reminders, and more. You can store images, PDFs, files, and more. Evernote syncs across all your devices, so no matter where you are or what device you’re using, your notes are always available to access
How many hours should I work in a day?
There’s no hard and fast rule here. Some freelancers like to start working early in the morning, while others prefer to get started after lunch. You should experiment with your own routine to find out what works for you. It’s also important to consider how much time you can commit to your work, especially if you have other commitments, such as family or a full-time job.
How do I stay motivated while working from home?
Working from home isn’t easy, especially if you lack self-discipline. If that sounds like you, we recommend setting up a daily routine and sticking to it. For example, you could aim to start work at 8:00 AM and finish by 5:00 PM each day. This will help you form good habits and keep procrastination at bay.
How do I keep myself focused while working online?
It can be difficult staying focused when there are so many distractions around us — phones ringing, emails arriving and TV shows playing on Netflix! While there’s no perfect solution here, we recommend keeping social media sites blocked during working hours so that you aren’t tempted to check.
Should my calendar be digital or physical?
I think this is a personal preference. Some people like to write things down on paper rather than enter them into their phone or computer. If having a tangible calendar makes you more likely to use it, then go for it!
What’s the best way to track my time?
There are number of time tracking apps on the market, and it’s worth taking the time to find one that suits your needs. A good place to start is the list of the best free time tracking software for freelancers.
How do I set my rates?
Start by looking at what other freelancers in your field with similar experience are charging. You should also consider your costs, including any expenses you may have while completing a project and any taxes you might be required to pay.
Once you’ve determined how many billable hours you want or need to work per week and how much money you need per hour, you should be able to calculate a rate that will allow you to earn the income you require. From there, it’s simply a matter of adjusting your rate as necessary until you find one that works for both you and your clients.
How do I take a break from work?
You’re not alone if this is your biggest challenge. This can be especially hard for freelancers, who are used to having no one looking over their shoulder. The trick is to make sure you schedule breaks during the day and don’t let any work tasks creep in during that time.
What should I do if I get an email or text during my break?
Depending on the answer you gave above, you may be tempted to respond right away when you get a new message. But that can be detrimental to your productivity. It’s best not to have any electronic devices within reach if they are a weakness of yours. If you must have your phone on hand, then turn off notifications so that pings and chimes won’t distract you. Then, only check messages at certain times during the day.
How do I keep track of all the projects I’m working on?
Using a project management app can help keep you organized and on top of tasks and deadlines.
How do I avoid procrastination?
Break down your tasks into smaller chunks to make them less daunting. Then, when you complete each task, reward yourself with something like a walk around the block or a coffee break.
How do I schedule time for family or friends without getting stressed about missing deadlines?
Try to be at least one step ahead of your deadline so you have some wiggle room if you get stuck in traffic or have to take an unexpected call from your child’s teacher.
What is your typical work week like?
I always try to get the most important things done early in the day before my energy levels drop. I take a break at lunchtime and spend an hour or so reading blogs or catching up on news. In the afternoon, I do all my routine tasks (like invoicing) and prepare for the next day.
Do you ever take breaks during the day?
Yes, definitely! A lot of people think that freelancers can just work all day if they want to — but we have to know our limits just like everyone else. If you work seven days a week with no breaks, you’ll soon burn out and your business will suffer as a result — you’ll just start hating what you do!
I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!