4 Ways to Get More Freelancing Done

Fifteen projects. That was my to-do list by Wednesday of last week.

I would say it’s an usual month, which it is, but lately, I’ve been having a string of months just like this one. While that’s phenomenal for the bank account, it’s lousy for the emotional wellbeing.

But I sit here typing, ignoring most of the list. I can. I’ve done what we should all do in times of great abundance — I’ve planned the workload out so that I have free time.

[bctt tweet=”Yes, #freelance writer, you can have free time when that workload is overwhelming.” username=”LoriWidmer”]

Yes, even with 15 projects, you can get it all done and have free time. It all starts with this:

1. Prioritizing by deadline.

That’s absolutely the first step in bringing some clarity and breathing room back into your life. Knowing when it’s due — and for me, writing it down — takes a load of pressure off immediately. Here’s what my list looked like as of last Wednesday:

• CB’s projects — five days (2 projects)
• DL’s projects — next week (6 projects)
• BL’s project  — next week  (1 project)
• DW’s project — November 3 (1 project)
• ES’s projects — Within two weeks (6 projects)

When you look at it from an urgency perspective, it doesn’t look as bad as it sounds, does it? Yes, I still have (had) 9 projects due within a week, but I knew one of them could be pushed back if need be. That leaves 7 projects for the following two weeks. I’m feeling better already.

Why this works: You’re not seeing the whole, which is frightening. You’re seeing the next few weeks, which look more like “Hey, I’ve got projects for the next few weeks!” instead of “How the hell am I getting all this done?”

If you prioritize like this, you create your own roadmap for completing them. Makes it much less stressful at 8 pm when you’re trying to forget about work, because you know exactly what tomorrow brings.

2. Accomplish one small thing first.

I mentioned this in one of last week’s posts, and I think it’s worth remembering. If you get one small project out of the way, the act of crossing that off your list is absolute magic. For example, I got one article written the same day as the interview. It was in front of me, and I knew it was one of the six that are due this week. Now it’s only five. And if I finished that one in two hours, I know I can handle the other five with similar ease. Whew!

That gives you the juice to tackle the bigger thing on your plate. If you start with the bigger one and you spend four hours just piecing together half of it, you’re going to feel a bit defeated, aren’t you? You still have all that work and none of it finished. But with one small thing out of the way, you’re going to see that one is done and another is halfway to finished. That just sounds better, doesn’t it?

3. Plan your work.

I’m the type who can barrel through the small projects within an hour or two, but I ruminate and rework forever the larger ones. How I’ve accommodated that is to put a time limit on each project.  Two hours per project, especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed, can make me feel like I’m at least chipping away at these things. If I can get three projects roughed in or even one accomplished in one day, I’m going to walk away feeling like my day was successful.

4. Plan your breaks.

Some people use the Pomodoro method — allotting 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off. I think that’s a great idea. I have a Fitbit, so I’m basically scolded every hour by it to get up and move. Not always the best timing on it, but it gets me up and moving.

Set a timer. Create calendar or to-do list reminders. Whatever works to get you away from that desk — yes, even when it’s crazy busy.

Bonus #5. Plan future bounties wisely.

I added a fifth point because this one can save your bacon (or tofurkey) a million times over. When that next client request comes in as you’re seeing a growing pile of work, push back on that deadline. For example, I saw one come in just as another client handed me six. My response to the request was “I can start on it next week.” Notice that’s no promise that it will be completed that week. It’s just a promise to get working on it. At that point, I’ll let the client know when to expect it. But not until I’m able to get through some of the other stuff first.

Bonus #6: End your workday.

Free time happens for you when you put an end point on your workday. Seriously, set a quitting time and stick to it. No emails after that time. Don’t even read them or check your email. Nothing — nothing — is so important that it cannot wait until you start your day tomorrow. Don’t let work invade your private time. Guard it selfishly. You’ve earned it.

And don’t work weekends. Definitely don’t signal that you will. Don’t work holidays. I had a client a long time ago who would ask every single year “Do you work through Labor Day?” The answer was always “No.” There was never a need. If the client can’t plan better, that should not fall on you to fix.

So give yourself two days to recharge without thinking about or touching work. If you don’t, you set a precedent with clients that you have no boundaries. While that may seem like you’re going all out for your clients, that can send a message that you’re not terribly good at running your business. You can’t even give yourself time off!

Writers, when you have a ton of work, how do you get through it?
How do you avoid burnout?