Beating the Deadlines
With the freedom of freelancing comes meeting your worst nemesis: Deadlines. It’s either you beat it, or you’re dead ( and the alibis begin to creep in ). If you feel you spend too much time frenzied over a task or two, but you don’t seem to accomplish a thing, it’s high time to reassess your time management skills. Do you simply feel the need to be more efficient? Chances are, you are not alone in your quest to be the most productive freelancer on Earth. In a world where remote work come and go as fast as a single mouse click, you simply cannot afford to waste time. Each hour you spend working borders that thin line between getting fired or getting paid. You truly need to finish and deliver your work, as promised.
Can You Really Manage Your Own Time in the Freelance Workplace?
If you’re just one of the millions having problem with time management, worry not! You have the power to control your time as a remote worker by:
1. Learning the Difference Between Work and Play
Just because you are working at home doesn’t mean an excuse to watch TV or anything else . If you can have a separate home office, do so. Try to avoid work distractions at all costs, and if you are living with your family, make sure they respect your work space and working hours.
2. Being Your Own Boss
Discipline comes a very long way in helping you follow your work schedule. Experts agree that writing down your daily task, the pen-and-paper way, will help you stick more to it than having your schedule ticked in your PC. You must learn how to prioritize your day, where you need to maximize each minute spent.
3. Challenging Your Mood
Your home may give you that cozy ambiance that’s ‘oh-so-good’ for relaxation and sleep, but still, you need to snap out of your procrastinating habits. When faced with a task, challenge yourself to do the worst – or the one that makes you say ” Uggh! “ By doing the hardest task first, other jobs on your to-do-list seems to be simpler, helping you finish work on time.
4. Stop Being a Social Media Freak
Twitter and Facebook are really great social media tools, but unless you are hired to do online marketing, try to stay away from your addictive posting habits. Social networking sites have been the biggest distraction in traditional workplaces as well. It can be counterproductive!
5. Knowing Your Boundaries
By learning the art of saying NO, whether it’s working extra long hours or sacrificing your personal life in the process, you still need to give time for yourself. Know when enough is enough. Never fail to give yourself a well-deserved reward for a job well done.
Managing your time as a freelance worker will definitely help you achieve your goals: short term or long term. Freelancing is only a tool to help you make a better living and it is up to you to make each second count. Value Your Time Well!
Why Time Management Doesn’t Work:
Something Interesting:
Essential Habits of an Effective Professional Freelancer
