Comments on: Say Aaaaahhh

By: Chantal

Chantal — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:26:32 +0000

Great topic. I love that my days are varied and I can choose my projects, but no freelancers aren't free from a time perspective. For example, yesterday I worked from 8:30-5:30. My butt was in the chair for the morning and then I was out in the afternoon conducting interviews for an article.

By: WordVixen

WordVixen — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:05:13 +0000

Well, you know that I'm doing Internet Marketing instead of freelancing, but the work is the same- it's just that I'm my own client. I know EXACTLY what you mean about chaining yourself to your chair just to feel productive. I finally decided that I wouldn't do that over the holidays- if I knew I wouldn't get any valuable work done AND I wasn't intending to play online, the laptop would stay off and I'd watch a movie, read a book, make jewelry, play board games with my husband, and so on. It was awesome. So, I'm still doing it!

In fact, I just bought a Wii so that my non-internet time that would normally be spent channel flipping (not enough time for a movie, not in the mood to read, etc) could be put toward entertaining exercise. It's win win. :-)

Having trouble bringing myself back to being productive though. It DOES take discipline.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:53:17 +0000

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who can only write for three or four hours a day. But there's always admin and marketing to do after that …

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:51:12 +0000

Eileen, I hear you. We have separate finances, so I'm the main wage earner for my little corner of the world.

How do you do it, Diane? Sounds like you're juggling both jobs well!

I'm adopting your model, Devon. Much more sane.

Mei, I'm glad you're here! Glad you like the blog, too. :)

Gabriella, they're like your kids, you know? I hope your dog is feeling better soon.

Susan, I like your conclusion. It's whatever works for you, right?

Good attitude, Paula. You're AREN'T at their beck and call!

Anne, I love your method! I'm of the same opinion. After four hours of writing, the brain is too tired to go on.

Flexibility, right Wenday? Thank God for this job as we can stay up late if we need to, show up early or not at all....

By: Wendy

Wendy — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:30:08 +0000

I set an 8-5 day, but it will change depending on what's going on. Today, my son got sick, so there won't be much work for me for the next couple of days.

I usually only check business email during my work hours during the week. I only check personal emails in the evening and on weekends. I've learned to separate work and personal time... well most of the time I can anyway.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:37:09 +0000

If I try to write more than 3 or 4 hours in a day the next day is shot. After that's done, and I mostly do it early, I do the rest of business and life.

Rarely work weekends anymore and often take Wed's off.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:31:09 +0000

Since most of the people I interact with are two hours behind me, my work days are usually 10-6 (sometimes 7, but I occasionally take off an hour or so here and there - buying groceries is so much faster at 2:00 on a weekday than on a weekend). Occasionally I'll work on a weekend, but I generally try to avoid it.

My New Year's resolution is NOT to make myself too available when it comes to scheduling interviews. I've run into a lot of PR types who seem to think it helps make their client seem more important and so in demand that they need evening or weekend interviews (even then they might keep pushing them back). So 2010 is the year of "They don't pay me enough to be at your beck and call."

Of course, for assignments that really do pay a lot, I'll be more flexible. If it's a crucial interview and I'm up against deadline, I'll consider it. However, I will not be doing interviews after 6 PM unless it is absolutely necessary.

Lori, I think that for me, staying in the office until 6 (or at least checking e-mail and answering the phone until then) is partially because I want to know ASAP if an editor assigns me a new article late in the day.

By: Susan Johnston

Susan Johnston — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:58:20 +0000

Lori, I'm glad that post had an impact on you. I think the reality is somewhere in between. Non-freelancers think we have all the freedom in the world, and many freelancers think they need to work be as diligently as 9 to 5ers. Neither perception is entirely accurate, but obviously it depends on the freelancer.

By: Gabriella F.

Gabriella F. — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:04:27 +0000

Hi Lori.

Unfortunately, I've been in a bit of a funk lately (sick dog), and that's affecting my motivation.

So while I typically work from about 9:30-4 on weekdays, I'm finding it really hard to make myself work, and I haven't been swimming (which for five years, I've done religiously every weekday morning) in about two months.

As a result, last weekend I ended up writing all day Sunday because I couldn't make myself do the job during the week.

That's so not like me!

So I've realized I've got to figure out how to get out of this funk so my entire life can get back on track.

The bottom line: Lately, I've worked more unusual hours than I'm used to doing. But thank goodness being self-employed allows me to do that!

By: Mei

Mei — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:37:49 +0000

This is my favorite blog right now, Lori! Love it.

I work from 9-6 on weekdays because I freelance for an entertainment company. I most blog on celebs and breaking news, so I have to be in and around at certain times. I don't mind it, because it gives me structure.

My husband hasn't worked for four years, so he takes care of errands.