Can you Really Plan your Day as a Freelance Writer?
No matter what day of the week it is I always have a to-do list next to my computer. This more or less guides me through the day, and keeps me on track to ensure that I don’t miss anything that needs to be completed. That being said, many freelance writers feel that planning their day is a lost cause. In other words, they have found that this never works to their advantage because something is always coming around that knocks them off schedule.
There is no denying that your schedule can and will change on a moment’s notice. For instance, even though I have a to-do list it doesn’t mean that I will stick to it if something more important comes up. In the past I have had clients get in touch with an urgent project that needs completed the same business day. While situations like this don’t come up often, when they do it is important for me to scrap my to-do list and move forward with the new project first. Of course, I eventually head back to my list to complete the rest of the day’s work.
I have found that planning my day usually works out just fine. There are times when I may have to stray from my to-do list, but they are few and far between. Even though it is nice to stay on track, you never know what is going to come up. Make sure you have enough flexibility to adjust if need be.
All in all, you can and should plan your day as a freelance writer. I strongly believe in having a to-do list, and this is something that I will never change. Just remember there may be days when you have to tweak your list to satisfy yourself and/or your clients.

November 24th, 2008 at 8:58 am
What do you think of using a computer program or web app to manage a to do list?
November 24th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Thursday – I am not 100 percent against using a web app as I know there are several good ones out there. That being said, I am more of a “sticky note” type of guy. If you think a program or web app could help, go for it!
November 24th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I find the best way to organise myself is a year planner with a full A4 page per day. This allows me to plan my work schedule in advance, and I can also make to-do notes well in advance for stuff I might forget.
As I keep the planner open by my side each day, if I take a phone call and have to scribble down any notes I do it in the planner so I have a record of both what I discussed AND when I discussed it.
Another thing I do is to have a ‘to be done at some point’ list of small jobs (both work and household) on one side of the page. Each day I copy across anything that didn’t get done (and add any new tasks that have arisen) – doing so day in, day out eventually means I get so sick of writing a task out that I’ll get round to completing it simply to end the annoyance
November 24th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
John – Great advice! Everybody should take a page out of your book!