Time Management Tips for Freelance Writers
Over the years I have found that time management is one of the most difficult parts of being a freelance writer. No matter if you are just getting started or have a full list of clients, managing your time is essential to long term success.
Below are several time management tips that can help you keep a better schedule:
1. Make a to-do list. Every morning before I get started I check my to-do list to see what is on the agenda, as well as which projects should receive my attention first. Hands down, without this list I would be lost. Even if you think that to-do lists are a waste of time, I urge you to give this a try.
2. Don’t take jobs that you cannot comfortably complete by the deadline. I am just as guilty of this as the next freelance writer. While it can be difficult to turn down a job, it is often times in your best interest. The worst thing you can do is take a gig, get behind, and be forced to tell the client that they are not receiving the work on time.
3. Plan for days off as well as the unforeseen. As some of you may have noticed, the last time I posted on this blog was eight days ago. The reason for this was simple: I was called out of town on two projects – one at the beginning of the week, one at the end. As you can imagine, this prompted me to prioritize the projects on my to-do list while also making the most of any down time. Had I better planned for this time out of the office, I could have better kept up with my blog while also cutting back on a lot of stress.
At the very least, I hope these three time management tips make your career as a freelance writer more organized.
