Freelance writing is not easy, even if you do possess the passion for it.
And the task becomes all the more challenging if distractions are all over the place.
A couple of weeks back, my kids and I were at my mother’s place to visit. Last summer, when I asked my eldest if she would like to spend the summer vacation at her grandma’s place, the reply was immediate.
No, she’d rather spend it at home because at grandma’s, there was no Internet connection.
I was on a deadline
Even if I did know there was no Internet connection, I brought my laptop with me – the workaholic in me striking again, I know. And while everyone was busy with their thing – chatting, watching TV, eating – I went about to get busy with my stuff as well.
I just had to tell my mother and the other folks that I was on a deadline, and that whatever it was they were talking about, I still could hear and understand, albeit faintly, since it wasn’t my intention to lock myself up in one of the bedrooms.
Further reading: Pomodoro Technique: How to Get More Things Done in Less Time
I stayed in the same room everyone else was. I went on to say that if there was anything I needed to participate in, all they needed to do was call my attention.
Talk about multi-tasking.
While the deadline was self-imposed, it’s just the way I operate. As far as I’m concerned, if I don’t follow my schedules, I have no business juggling my time between family, full-time work and freelancing.
No Angry Birds, Auntie?
And because everyone made sure to ignore me, except for the younger kids who wondered why I was typing a lot of letters instead of playing Angry Birds, guess what, I was able to write five 500-word articles in a span of, give or take, four hours.
While that may sound like a lot for some, for others, it still is not remarkable. And that’s due to the fact that there was no research necessary. I already knew what I was writing about by heart.
While that wasn’t the first time I’ve ever done such, it was one of those days I remember with a smile on my face.
Become a Productive Freelancer
If you’re a freelance writer, here are four things you might want to keep in mind to become more productive:
1. Limited or absolutely no Internet connection.
The fact that there was no Internet at my mother’s place helped a whole lot – no Facebook, e-mail, Twitter, no browsing of unrelated stuff which normally led to one or the other.
Those days I had been really productive were those days I made sure to limit my Internet usage to research.
2. Mindset.
Because my goal was to finish those articles that same day, not even the TV or the kids running in circles could distract me.
3. Time management.
Time management is something that I have yet to master, especially whenever I morph into my other persona – the online freelancer.
Plus, given all the roles I have to play, wastage of time is a big no-no. But those times when my time management skills are worth applauding, I always end up with more tasks ticked off the to-do list.
4. Setting.
I normally am more productive in settings that are quiet. And that would mean during times the kids are all in bed when I’m at home. When I’m not at home, that’s when my housemates are still in bed or when they’ve already left to attend to their own businesses for the day.
Going back to the example above, the location I was in was not my ideal location, but because mindset outranks setting in this list, I guess, that says it all.
I recognize this isn’t an exhaustive list. But so far, these are the things that work really well for me. Is there anything you’d like to add? Please feel free to leave me a comment.
Image courtesy of africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Freelancing is really hard especially with the absence of internet but as long as you are determined and stayed focus on the task, you can surely hit the deadline. 🙂
Congrats Sis. I tend to do the same too:)
Determination is what clinches the deal, doesn’t it, sis? Thanks for dropping by!
Time management is really my problem in terms of updating my blog or attending to one of the orders in Fiverr. The task seems very easy but due to lack of time management, I ended up delivering my gig late.
Time management is a difficult task to master, isn’t it? There are so many distractions that time seems to be in constant shortage. Thanks for your input, Scolex!
I think with free lancing its important to keep focus and still have a fixed set of working time so you won’t be tempted to be compacent.
Although that’s a hard trick to pull, I completely agree with you, Franc. Thanks for visiting!
It’s right to keep a balance of the work environment as having a place that’s too comfortable can make you a bit lazy and having a place that’s not comfortable makes it hard to focus.
That, too, is important. Way to go, Franc!
Manage your time well, that’s the key to be productive
That sums it all, doesn’t it? Nice to see you again, Herbert!
Thank you for this one. I’m actually thinking of doing freelance work once I’ve taken up my web programming course next semester. Everything on your list will come in handy especially with th time management part since I am also a mother of 2.
You’re welcome, Angie. Yes, freelancing has its benefits. Good luck!
Relate much! That facebook is usually grabbing a time for my work and it feels nice to discipline one’s self at times and have a break from Facebook when doing necessary things 🙂
Facebook is such a tease, isn’t it? Then again, it all boils down to our ability to resist its charms. 😀
Sometimes we really have to get rid with the net especially facebook and it really grabs your attention at work. Happy freelancing!
Exactly, Ed. One of these days, I’m going to download a plugin that’s going to freeze some sites while I’m freelancing.
i do the same .. if i really wanted to finish an article i turn of the net .. and simply listen to my favorite music … then woalllla in not time i was able to have a good article out of nowhere and wondering if it was i really who wrote it … hahahaha …
There are writers and freelancers I know who purposefully unplug their computers from their modems just to get things done. Thanks for visiting, Dennis!
Reading this made me feel as though I was also the writer. I totally can relate. My most productive time is in the morning when the kids are in school…so that means I’d be having that starting next week 🙂
Good for you, Marie. I’m sure you’ll get to accomplish a lot then.
i agree, it’s not easy… there’s just a lot of things to do… like completing facebook thread tasks… LOL. but like you say, time management helps a lot. Yahweh bless.
Time management – those two are the operative words. Thanks for dropping by, Ralph!
hmm.. Oh how I wish I could do this. Self control is what I lack.
It can be hard, Che. But sometimes, we just have to set our priorities.
Writing flows more easily under the right condition although I’m sure many have likewise experienced producing an article under extreme pressure.
Having done both creative and technical writing, I would like to believe creative writing flows more easily under the right conditions. But those days when writing was my bread and butter, even the not-so-right conditions, I always had a way to turn them into the right ones. I guess it’s all mind over matter.
I think at one point or another we all face hardships such as what you mentioned. I for one lack self control [but over food indulging] and time management had always been a bigger ish. Thanks for sharing this read.
Thanks for dropping by, Angel. It’s true that time management has always been the bigger issue with most freelancers. In my case, anytime I’m ready to get things done, for some reason or another, things come up.
I agree with those 4 things. Since I am already working as a freelance for more than 4 years, I would also suggest to have a back-up internet connection.
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Experience of a SUper Mommy
Great catch on that one, Mommy Jem. Thanks for your input!
I have the passion for writing but still, contemplating for possible offers. i just want to keep blogging as my outlet when troubled with something or happy with anything. 🙂
I know you already heard this, Marri, but go where your passion is. Thanks for visiting!