Overworked, Week Two
I’m a bit more than two weeks into my working full time plus freelancing. It’s been interesting. I love the day job (albeit a temporary day job). The work is interesting and there are plenty of gaps in the day where I can check my email and respond to client inquiries. No, I haven’t done my freelance work at the office – that’s just wrong. Although there have been days where I’ve sat doing absolutely nothing, I’d never combine the two. I’m paid to sit there. And sit there I will.
This overworked status has taught me a little about organizing one’s work – you’d be amazed at how much you can get done if you’re organized. For instance, when I’m at the office 9-to-5, I use my lulls in workload to map out what I’m going to do that evening when I get home. I start with the priorities – whose project is first? Then I get out important emails to clients and interview subjects. From there, I read up on projects to see what kind of workload I’m looking at. Then I plan my days ahead.
This week, I’m looking at one article revision, two articles due to two different pubs, and an ongoing project that absolutely must see more action. First thing’s first – quick revisions. Then interviews scheduled. Then project work. Toward the weekend, I’ll have (hopefully) an interview or two under my belt, so I’ll be able to put in a few hours over the weekend writing the stories. If not, I can push them both until early next week and they become next Monday’s priority.
I make lists. I start with a list of what has to be done. Then I get out another piece of paper and list what has to be done first, then second, then third… you get the idea. If the work is really slow at the office, I’ll then type this all into an email I’ll shoot home. When I get home, there it is waiting for me.
The tough part is working until quitting time for most people. There’s no way you’re going to convince someone to stay until 5:30 and talk with you via phone until 6:00 when they just want to go home, too. (Hey, they may be working two jobs, too!)
I’m not working under perfect conditions. Frankly, I’d much rather be home doing my thing and organizing without the added pressure of my day disappearing. But when the projects dwindle and the checks don’t arrive, a writer’s gotta do what a writer’s gotta do. The conditions are working, and that’s good enough for now.