Time Management For Freelancers Who Hate To Plan

I hate planning. I mean, I really hate it. All that meticulous organization and scheduling? Makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little bit. 

Even though I’m an entrepreneur now and have to do it, if you were to put a gun to my head and force me to choose between planning or dying, I’d be dead by the time you finished reading this sentence. So…yeah. That’s how much I dislike planning!

Nevertheless, when you run your own business as a freelancer, you need some sort of system or method for managing your time effectively so that you don’t end up scrambling at the last minute looking for work or chasing down overdue payments. 

But because the very idea of creating a schedule or sticking with one is such anathema to me and many other free-spirited entrepreneurs out there after years of trial and error (mostly error!)

Here are some ways that have helped make sure all my i’s are dotted and all my t’s are crossed without feeling like an overbearing schoolmarm:

Takeaways
Embrace flexible planning techniques
Utilize time blocking for focused work
Break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks
Prioritize tasks based on importance
Find a planning method that suits your style
Set realistic goals and deadlines
Incorporate regular breaks for rejuvenation
Experiment with productivity tools
Seek accountability and support
Adapt and adjust your planning approach

Get To Work Early

When you write out your plan, be specific. For example, if your goal is to make $100,000 in revenue this year, don’t just say “I want to make more money.” Instead, write down what activities will help you achieve that goal. 

Do the same for all of your goals: business goals and career goals should be included in the same document. You can also use tools like Trello or Evernote to keep track of all this information in one place.

When I wake up in the morning on a typical day (the kind where I’m not sick), my first thought isn’t about getting things done; it’s about how much time there is left before my next meeting starts. 

But when I first started freelancing from home full time, many years ago now.

I learned that starting work early can lead to better results than if I were sitting around waiting until everyone else was ready to start working too which means earlier mornings are an asset when it comes to productivity!

So get up earlier than most people do and get into “the zone” as soon as possible each day by doing whatever it takes to jumpstart those creative juices flowing through our bodies right away.

Whether that means turning on music while drinking coffee or opening up an inspirational quote wallpaper on our phones while getting dressed (and yes – we still have these things).

Managing time effectively is crucial for freelancers. To learn valuable lessons and techniques, check out our article on 12 Lessons I Learned from 90 Days of Time Management. Discover practical tips to enhance your productivity and optimize your freelance workflow.

Plan Your Day The Night Before

The first thing you should do is plan your day the night before. You can’t go to bed without getting something done, so planning saves time and stress the next morning. 

By planning at night, when you’re relaxed and have a clear head, you’ll be able to focus on what matters: getting things done!

If you wake up with a clear mind and feeling refreshed (or at least not groggy), then it’s easier to get started on work right away. 

It also means that if something comes up later in the day that requires some extra attention or creative problem solving, then there will be no excuses for wasted time or procrastination; because all of this was already planned out beforehand!

Learn To Say “No”

As a freelancer, you’re going to be asked to do a lot of things. Your clients want more work from you, other people want your expertise in their business, and every single person who knows how great you think that they need you for some project or other. 

This can be overwhelming and it’s easy to fall into the trap of saying yes to everything. What if someone finds out that I said no? What if my client doesn’t like me anymore?

But if you’re saying “Yes” when you should be saying “No”, this will only lead to stress and overwhelm. You may not notice it now but over time those little “yeses” add up until they become a huge problem. 

You’ll find yourself working late nights because there’s no way around finishing all those projects (and because the guilt keeps plodding away at the back of your mind).

To avoid getting stuck in this cycle, learn how to say no without feeling guilty about it.#ENDWRITE

Learn To Say “Later”

Learning to say “No” is an essential skill for freelancers who hate to plan. It’s important because saying “Yes” too often means taking on more work than you can handle, which leads to stress and a poor quality of life.

When someone asks you for something, don’t immediately say yes ask them if it’s possible later. Let them know that you’re busy right now and will try to fit it in later on (or in the future). 

This lets people know that their requests are being considered, but also puts off the decision until later when they might be more willing or able to help with your workload.

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Stop Worrying About What Others Think Of You

I know, I know. It’s easier said than done, but this is one of the hardest things for freelancers to do because so many people will judge them if they take time off or don’t meet their deadlines.

However, if you are doing something that makes you proud and brings joy into your life, then don’t let anyone else’s opinion get in the way!

Be Present, Not Perfect

First, there is no shame in being present and imperfect. Remember that your task is to create the best version of yourself for the world to see. This might mean editing, rewriting, and researching until you are blue in the face. 

The goal is not perfection but rather completion and good communication: do whatever it takes not just to get done but also to do well.

If you need help with this concept of imperfection versus perfectionism then here are some techniques:

Use mindfulness meditation techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). These include taking deep breaths before making decisions; staying away from negative self-talk like “I’m a failure” or “I can never finish this project because I never have time”; 

Focusing on one task at a time instead of worrying about multiple things at once; 

Keeping distractions out by turning off notifications on your phone or computer screen when working on important projects that require concentration; 

Going outside if possible (because nature helps clear our minds); remembering that time management isn’t an exact science it’s more art than science anyway!

Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome

Shiny object syndrome is a phenomenon that occurs when your attention is pulled to the next new thing before you finish one task. It’s easy to understand why this happens: when you try to do too many things at once, it can be difficult to stay focused and get any work done.

It’s important to set a timer for each of your tasks so that you can focus on them without interruption. This way, you’ll know exactly how long each task will take, which will help prevent burning out or becoming overwhelmed by large projects or high workloads.

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Listen To Yourself And Your Body

The next step is to listen to yourself. Listen to your body. Listen to your emotions. Listen to your gut feeling, and listen to what others are saying. Listen with all of your senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. 

You might have an inner voice that tells you when something feels off or wrong in a situation listen for that too!

When you’re working on something new or unfamiliar, take some time each day (even just 5 minutes) and ask yourself “What does my body feel like right now?” The answer may be ‘tired’ or ‘inspired’ or even ‘hungry’ (in which case grab some food!). 

Whatever the answer is from day to day will change depending on what kind of work you are doing if it is hard work then perhaps tiredness will come more often than not but if it is easy then maybe not so much tiredness at all!

Give Yourself A Break If You Need One

The beauty of freelance life is that you can work from anywhere. It’s wonderful to have some freedom about where you’ll be working for the day, but that also means it’s easy to get stuck on autopilot without even realizing how much time has gone by.

You might not think you’re spending too much time on your computer, but if you’re always checking email, answering Slack messages, and taking calls throughout your workday even if they’re short breaks.

You’re not giving yourself as much chance as possible to refocus on your tasks at hand. So take frequent breaks! When I need a break or just want a change of scenery, I’ll put my laptop away and do something else for fifteen minutes or so before returning to work again.

Enlist Help From People Who Believe In You

You don’t have to do it all yourself.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and want to reach out, there are a few people in your network who can help. Your family and friends are probably the first ones who come to mind, but sometimes those relationships aren’t enough. 

You may need someone with more experience than your mom has with freelance work or someone who can encourage you on days when you feel like giving up.

To find these people, start by asking yourself some questions: Who else is in my network? Do I know anyone that’s done what I’m trying to do before? Maybe there’s someone from an industry similar to yours that could offer insight into their career path or working style. 

Maybe there’s someone who has been freelancing for longer than you have and has learned some lessons along the way that could benefit both of you!

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Create A Clear Vision For Yourself And Your Business, And Never Lose Sight Of It

To keep your vision at the front of your mind, it’s important to write it down. Keep a notebook with you at all times and write down your goals as they come up in conversation. 

If you’re out with friends or someone asks how things are going, take the opportunity to write down what progress has been made toward those goals and what needs to happen next.

Keep this notebook on hand wherever you go so that when inspiration strikes, whether it’s in the middle of a meeting or while waiting for lunch at a restaurant, there’ll be no way for those ideas not to get written down quickly. 

If there are gaps in between these moments when ideas come up but you don’t have time or space to commit them to paper (or digital memory), use an app like Stickies on Mac OS X or Evernote on Windows or Android devices.[1]

Remember: You can always change course later if need be but if there’s one thing we’ve learned from our favorite movies about time travel, it’s that changing history is dangerous business! 

So make sure every decision aligns with both your vision and current market conditions before diving headfirst into what could potentially be disastrous consequences for everyone involved you included!

Stop Being An Impostor Syndrome Sufferer  There’s No Such Thing!

In our society, we’re taught that there are only two ways to be.

• The first is successful. We can become the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, or an astronaut who visits Mars (or at least get accepted into Harvard).
• The second is a failure. We can fail at something and remain stuck in our current job forever, or even worse: not have one at all!

But it’s time for a new way of thinking about success and failure. We’ll call this new path “success-failure.” 

It’s the place where you go when you permit yourself to try something new out while also understanding that sometimes things don’t work out exactly as planned and that’s okay!

Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself When You’re Trying To Meet Your Most Important Goals

Keep in mind that you are probably already doing a lot of the right things. You’re not going to be able to do everything perfectly, nor should you expect yourself to. 

How many times have you been too hard on yourself because something didn’t go exactly as planned? It happens all the time, and it can hurt our productivity if we let it get out of hand.

You may want to give up on some tasks because they aren’t going well or falling behind schedule, but don’t! Don’t give up simply because something went wrong it’s happened before and will happen again. 

And remember: when something goes wrong, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of your world; it just means there was a problem with how things were going at one point in time (and hopefully now that problem has been fixed).

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Conclusion

I hope reading this has helped you understand that it’s not about being perfect or having a “perfect” business. It’s about staying true to yourself and your values, while also making sure you have enough time to take care of the people most important in your life. 

You’re not alone if you’re struggling with some of these issues and I know firsthand how hard they can feel at times. But remember: every day is another chance to start fresh.

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources for further reading on time management:

Freelance Time Management: Tips and Techniques: Discover effective time management strategies specifically tailored for freelancers to enhance productivity and work-life balance.

Time Management Tips: Boost Your Productivity: Explore a comprehensive guide on time management techniques and tips to optimize productivity in various professional settings.

Time Management Tips for Freelancers: Gain insights into time management practices designed to help freelancers effectively manage their workload and achieve their goals.

FAQs

How can I improve my time management skills as a freelancer?

Effective time management as a freelancer can be achieved through several strategies, including:

• Prioritizing tasks based on importance and urgency.
• Creating a schedule or to-do list to organize your work.
• Setting clear goals and deadlines for each project.
• Minimizing distractions and maintaining focus during work hours.
• Taking regular breaks to recharge and avoid burnout.

What are some useful tools or apps for freelancers to manage their time?

There are various tools and apps available to assist freelancers in managing their time efficiently. Some popular options include:

• Time-tracking apps like Toggl, RescueTime, or Clockify.
• Project management tools such as Asana, Trello, or Monday.com.
• Calendar and scheduling apps like Google Calendar or Calendly.
• Pomodoro technique apps like Focus@Will or TomatoTimer.

How can I balance my personal life with freelancing?

Balancing personal life and freelancing requires setting boundaries and establishing routines. Here are a few tips:

• Define specific working hours and stick to them.
• Communicate your availability to clients and loved ones.
• Prioritize self-care and allocate time for activities outside work.
• Delegate tasks or outsource when possible to free up time.
• Learn to say no to projects that exceed your capacity.

How do I deal with procrastination as a freelancer?

Procrastination can be a common challenge for freelancers. Try these techniques to overcome it:

• Break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks.
• Set clear deadlines and hold yourself accountable.
• Use time-blocking or the Pomodoro technique to stay focused.
• Eliminate distractions by creating a dedicated workspace.
• Find motivation through goal setting and rewards.

How can I handle time management when juggling multiple freelance projects?

Managing multiple freelance projects requires careful planning and organization. Consider these tips:

• Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and project importance.
• Create a detailed project schedule or use project management tools.
• Communicate with clients to manage expectations and avoid conflicts.
• Delegate or outsource certain tasks when appropriate.
• Practice effective communication and time estimation to avoid overcommitting.