Yesterday I spent the better part of the afternoon working on administrative tasks. While this may sound like a quick job, it actually took me two to three hours. Even though I would have rather been writing all the tasks needed completed at some point in time. Running a successful career means working on administrative tasks here and there. It may be boring for you, but in the long run you will realize that it is something that must be done.
What does this entail? When I think of administrative tasks the first thing that comes to mind is paying bills. This is what I was doing yesterday, and while not difficult, it was time consuming. Not only did I have to write out checks for all the appropriate bills, but from there I had to stow away receipts and chart deductions. The more bills on my plate the longer it takes to complete the process.
There are other administrative tasks that come up as well. For instance, next month is a big tax month. I have to send a quarterly payment to both my state and the federal government. This means more time writing out checks, filling in forms, and making sure that everything is in order.
It is easy to get lazy when completing administrative tasks. But remember, you have to stay on the ball from beginning to end. One mistake now could lead to more problems later. Next month, if I don’t pay the right amount in taxes it will mean more that I owe down the line. And that is not something I want to deal with.
As a freelance writer it is safe to say that your favorite task is writing. But to have a successful career you must also work on administrative tasks when necessary.
After a month at full capacity, I have two openings in my freelance writing course for August – September. Over the past few weeks I received more than 10 emails asking about my next opening, so I figured making a new post would be the best way to let everybody know what is going on.
If you want to grab one of these two spots, contact me today. As usual, I expect them to stay available for 24 hours or less. So if you don’t want to wait for another month (or longer) be sure to send me a quick email expressing your interest.
Over the past few months the course has developed quite a bit. It is interesting to look at where things started to where they are right now. Even though I strongly believe that I have always offered something of great value, it is easy to see that the current state of the course is far more advanced than the early days. I have made changes on my end, but most importantly my members have helped to shape the course/lessons into what it is today.
I am looking forward to working with a couple more of you in the days to come!
Before I go any further, I want to say one thing: you will never be able to totally eliminate stress as a freelance writer. Just like any career you are going to face some level of stress from time to time. There will be days when you are 100 percent comfortable and stress free, but others when you are overwhelmed. With all this in mind, you should realize that there are ways to relieve stress.Â
Here are there tips that can help you cut stress out of your freelance writing career:
1. Stay on schedule. I get most stressed when I don’t feel in control. This tends to happen when I stray away from my to-do list. Structure is very important if you are going to succeed as a freelance writer. Know your schedule and do all you can to stick with it throughout the day.
2. Take breaks. There are going to be times when you do not feel like sitting at your computer any longer. Even though you may have a lot on your plate, you should walk away for a few minutes to refresh your mind and body. Staying in one place for too long can become stressful. This is particularly true if you are working hard. Don’t be afraid to take breaks to relieve stress. Upon returning to your desk you will feel rejuvenated and ready to get back to work.
3. Don’t let your clients get you down. Most freelance writers find out soon enough that they begin to stress out when clients are not 100 percent happy. This is perfectly normal, but you don’t want it to take over your career. Do your best to keep your clients happy at all times, but don’t stress out over this. Remember that you can only do so much.
Too much stress can harm your freelance writing career, as well as your mind and body. Try the above tips to see if they can work for you.Â
