Nobody understands the phrase; time is money, better than a freelancer. This is why many freelancers set their fees based on the time they spend working on a project. No serious freelancer wants to waste their precious time doing something that won’t earn them good money. Working as a private contractor, you realize that time management is what separates failure and success.
Professional freelance writers should ensure they choose a credible writing service like writingjobz.com. Earning money from the comfort of your home might seem like an easy thing to do. But onlookers can never understand the amount of discipline and self-motivation freelancers need to pull this off.
Since as a freelancer you’re your own boss, you have to come up with a schedule for each day. Freelancers can do whatever they like from whichever location. You can choose to work from home, a co-working space, or at coffee shops.
Here are five time management tips that work for freelancers no matter where they’re working from.
1. Have a To-do List
When you have the whole day to yourself, remembering everything you need to accomplish by the end of the day can be a challenge. Create a to-do list that organizes your day’s task in order of priority. To-do lists keep you focused throughout the day. You’ll see the need to complete a task when you know there’s another that needs your attention.
When it comes to creating a to-do list, you’ve got to be realistic. Don’t include ten items on your list when you only have time to complete three. Setting unrealistic goals for the day will demoralize you. When you get up in the morning, write down what you want to accomplish by the end of the day.
2. Track Your Time
Freelancers have those days when time seemed to fly out the window. Failure to track your time gives you the false impression that you have a lot of time in your hands. Track your time, especially when you have deadlines to meet.
There’s nothing as frustrating as not knowing what you did with your day. Sometimes, projects look simple, but once you get to it, they turn out to be time-consuming. You need to be aware of such projects so that you don’t beat yourself over something you have no control over.
3. Get Rid of Distractions
Since you’re not working in an office environment, you’re bound to encounter many distractions. Find ways of eliminating such distractions so you can fully focus on work. You need to be honest with yourself about the kind of environment you work best in.
If you’re one to enjoy music while you work, invest in good headphones that cancel out the noise in your immediate surrounding. However, if you prefer pin-drop silence, find a working environment that will allow you to be undistracted for hours at a time.
4. Break Down Your Tasks
Breaking down your tasks makes it easier to tackle. For instance, as a writer, break large projects into sub-sections and track your progress as you proceed. The reason why many freelancers procrastinate is that a task seems complex.
5. Learn to Say No
This is something every freelancer needs to understand. It is vital that you know what you can do. Accepting projects you don’t have the skills and knowledge to tackle is a bad idea. Learn to say no when a client offers a job you’re not confident you can do.
When you take up projects beyond your capability levels, you end up wasting time trying to learn skills you don’t have. You’re better off dedicating time to learn new skills on your won.
Conclusion
Freelancing is popular today because it allows professionals to have control over their schedules. Excellent time management skills ensure that you account for every minute of your day.
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