How to manage your time as a Freelancer ⏳

Suly Peerally

Jul '24 (edited) • Freelancing

As you guys probably know by now...

⏰ A looming presence when working for yourself. If neglected, all hell breaks loose.

⏰ What we determine our payment value — the better managed, the more valuable.

⏰ Our most valuable asset as Freelancers (Web designers, content writers, videographers etc)

You are 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down.

Every Sunday, schedule your week ahead. Most of you probably prefer digital calendars, but I've preferred using paperback forever, though I'll be going digital with this for 2025.

I've been using The Circle Planner since 2020. An absolute life changer for me. Any diary of your choice will do for now.

Anyway, let's get going with some tips:

Hardest to easiest:

In movies we always see that hero who beats up all the members of a rival gang, then faces the final boss at the end. (I'm sure this is in video games too, right?)

Well, as Freelance web designers we, fortunately, go for the final boss first 😅 Do your hardest, longest and most demanding tasks FIRST & during the peak times of your energy (For me it was 8 am-11 am until my little one was born I now spend the morning with her, so it is now 10 am to 1 PM)

Why?

The rest of your day will feel BLISS. Distractions Eliminate everything that diverts your attention during your working hours.

Phone on DND/Silent
Group browser tabs and keep it closed
Sit in a different room from people & electronics such as a TV and console
Work in a coworking environment e.g. a cafe.

2. Have a break:

Taking short, regular breaks helps you boost your productivity, thus giving you more time in return to hammer out your work.

When I work from home, I usually use small breaks to do the washing, put the clothes out to dry or throw the garbage away.

I also do this as it's also partially my duty as a husband. Balance, right? 😅

3. Step outside of the bubble and look into it.

Find out routines and ways you have been dealing with things efficiently, then optimise that and make it as seamless as possible.

Spend 20% of your time working on the things to automate 80% of the things that take up your time!

Is it the way you onboard clients, the days you schedule calls or the way you set up a new website?

4. Priorities & deadlines:

Is watching a football match with a team you don't even support more important than being on time with your deadlines? (Big up to my United fans 👊)

Do you have the time to go out on a motive with your mates this evening? Hmm, if your priorities are straight, so are your deadlines.

The better you are with time management, the better your work-life balance is.

5. REWARD!

If your time management has been A1 recently, then you deserve to reward yourself. The latest movie at the cinema, that gaming night session with your pals or going out for a meal with your girls is all considered a reward.

However, rewarding yourself comes with a good dedication towards the outcome of your work.

Reward yourself regularly, use it as a recharge and a boost to doing things bigger and better in the near future!

Let me know what you've been doing to maximise your time recently 👇

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