I've been working as a freelancer for 9 years and for the last 2 years I've had to schedule my work around childcare. Before starting out I thought this would be really challenging and would effect my how many freelance contracts that I would win, however, this hasn't been the case. As when I have an initial discussion with potential freelance clients, I always set out work boundaries, about the times I will be available and the need for flexibility on working hours. Setting this out at the very first stage, has helped everyone keep informed, and reduced any potential problems along the way, making sure that my work / life balance is exactly how I need it to be.
I make sure that the first thing I do in the morning is to "eat my frog," i.e., work on the task that I dread the most first. For me, that is usually writing, as I run a blog and coaching business. With that out of the way, I feel like I already have a major win under my belt. This positive momentum then carries me throughout the day. Another thing I do is that I will space my blocks of work out over the day. I will have a session in the morning, two sessions throughout the day, and usually two long sessions at night (the last one right before I go to bed). In between these deep work sessions, I try to maximize enjoyment and recovery. For example, I will go to BJJ training or swim in the sea. These physical activities provide a great counterbalance to all the screen work. I also have strict rules about social media and communicating online. I will never check any social media or YouTube unless it is work-related. I don't watch Netflix. I can read books on my Kindle, but only classics and self-help. E-mail and messaging apps are trickier, as they overlap with my business; coaching clients reach out to me via these channels. I used to check them only twice a day, but that was not feasible; I would miss stuff. Now, I check them whenever I think is appropriate, but will only open messages and reply to things that relate to work. Personal stuff I still only reply to twice a day.
Every Freelancer should know when they are the most productive. For me, it's in the morning before I eat my first meal. Knowing that I make it a point to work 3 hours before my first meal. After I eat, I have my first and only coffee of the day. After I work for another 4 hours. After my second shift, I make my way to the Gym and work out. Afterward, I have my second and last meal of the day. Food can make you tired, so I like having my biggest meal after work. So by 6 pm, I will be free to do whatever I want. As a freelancer, it can sometimes feel like you are always working. There's always something to do. So you need to set yourself daily goals, pick the times you are most productive, and set your own working schedule. My approach makes me feel free during the evenings. I can socialize with the people who have regular 9-5 jobs. Also, I spend 7-8 hours a day behind my computer. This leaves me feeling agitated and nervous sometimes. Working out is the perfect cure for that. I feel refreshed and calm afterward. This way, I'm ready to work the next day. As a freelancer, nobody keeps you accountable. I found that treating my job like a 9-5 job where I'm employed somewhere helps me stay focused and stick to my routine. Even though we are free to work whenever I want, everybody needs a routine. We need to plan our days ahead and stick to our plans. This is the only way we'll succeed as our own boss.
At 5 am I drag myself out for a wake-up workout session, whether it’s a run around the neighborhood or weights at the gym, just flips that switch in my brain from sleepy to “let’s crush this day.” By the time 7 am rolls around after a quick shower, I’m fired up and ready to laser-focus on my most demanding projects for a good 4-5 hours. I map my day in 60-90 minute blocks so I can zero in without distraction before taking a short break to recharge. Works like a charm till around noon when I’m starving and desperate for a change of scenery! Grabbing lunch, going to a coffee shop, or knocking out errands is my reward. The afternoon is my chance to handle less brain-burning stuff - I return calls and emails, and free up mental space for creative problem-solving, before wrapping up the day feeling accomplished instead of fried.
Being a self-employed freelancer comes with the benefit of working from home. This means I have the ability to be flexible in how i set my work schedule. I have found from experience that my energy and focus is at absolute maximum levels around mid morning, therefore I schedule the most important task of each day for this time, meaning I complete it with the most efficiency, and to the best quality that i can. I stress the importance of taking the time for proper meals away from the desk, but after lunch I find this time is great for calls and meetings with clients and other collaborators/partners. I find i start to lose energy around 3pm, so i blank out an hour during this time each day to do some light exercise, or run errands before returning. This is a great opportunity to get out of the house. I use the late afternoon for admin, emails and planning out the next day. I have found that efficiency and comfort levels have increased since adopting a more structure routine.
When freelancing as a UX/UI designer, my main goal was to complete a project within the deadline. This might sound easy when you work with the same client over and over again, but if you have multiple clients, it can be a challenge. This is why I always schedule my workweek in advance. I am from Ukraine, and most of my clients were US-based, which allowed me to work very productively. For example, I preferred to choose one client from New York, and another from California. The timezone difference of 3 hours was perfect for me. I could schedule meetings in advance with both clients in the evening time while doing my design tasks during the morning and day. So when they woke up, they saw the progress. Also, a 3-hour gap between clients allowed me to find a perfect slot for each of them. Apart from the timezone difference principle, I love to use productivity tools to track my progress. I use Google Calendar to schedule all my meetings and tasks. While this might sound like a simple tool, it works best for me. It syncs with all my devices and I get notifications no matter what device I am on right now. It's also important to not only schedule a workweek in advance but also be productive. In terms of peak productivity, I am the most creative in terms of the idea generation for my UX/UI project in the morning, while I prefer to do all other simple tasks in the evening time. This tactic is ideal for me because feeling inspired and energetic is crucial for my design work, while I can do routine tasks at the end of the day when I can relax my brain and concentrate less on my tasks because I have created the main chunk in the morning.
I'm a morning person. I'm also a mother who sometimes needs time to cook dinner at 430 pm, rather than 630 pm. As a freelancer, I love not being locked into a 9-5 schedule. I can answer emails and do other asynchronous work at 630 am when I'm the most productive, yet still talk to clients at 830 pm after my kid is asleep. By aligning my schedule with my natural abilities and situational needs, I have a much healthier, happier life.
I use two methods to keep up to date with what's going on, and they are pretty simple. 1. A weekly to-do list The emphasis here is on weekly. Every Saturday, I check in with what's going on for the coming week and plan out each day. Daily tasks are copied over so I never forget them, and then upcoming one-off tasks are assigned to a specific day. You can then add to the list as the days go by, and new tasks arise. I use notes on my phone as it allows me to quickly write a task out when it's in my head without having to deviate from what you are currently doing too much. By planning weekly, you have oversight of what's coming up, which allows you to move things around when something last-minute is sprouted on you. 2. Google Sheets All of my client's work is set to one spreadsheet so that I can mark off each task as they are completed. I mark each row with a different colour in regard to where the task is up to. Very simple. Very effective. Also free, so you don't need to spend on expensive CRM systems. That being said, my processes are currently quite simple as a small business. I realise for a larger company, with lots of employees, this would not work.
The simplest thing I've done to improve my work schedule is to work in time blocks. I take only 3 major tasks for the day, apart from other admin tasks. I block 1-2 hours for each of the 3 major tasks. I do the work required for that task only for the blocked time. For example, instead of writing an article for 3 hours straight, I write for 2-3 days for 1-1.5 hours each day. I can do more without working for long hours. I save my work once the blocked time is up and switch to another major task after a short break. This has been life-changing for me since I've put this into practice. This way I'm able to finish tasks without burning myself out.
I've learned to listen to my natural rhythms and flow when it comes to how I structure my days. Mornings are when my creative energy peaks, so I guard a few precious hours to concept without distraction. By honoring when my spirit feels most inspired, I stay productive and fulfilled in all I do. Simply put, I put creative passion first so I can better serve my partners with full presence after. My best work happens when I respect my own energy.
Focus on quality over quantity My job gives me bread and butter. But freelancing helps me make extra money. So, somewhere down the line, I have to prioritize. First, I check how much time I can devote to my freelancing work. Usually, I can devote 4-5 hours to freelancing assignments daily. Before taking any assignments, I check and analyze if they can be done within that time. Plus, I don’t take multiple assignments at the same time. This helps me to finish my assignments on time. Once I finish an assignment, I move on to the next. The biggest benefit is that I get ample time to focus on the quality, which leads to happy clients.
I tailor my work schedule to suit my preferences and maximize productivity. I start by identifying my peak hours, when I'm most focused, and allocate important tasks to those times. I maintain a to-do list and prioritize tasks based on deadlines and importance. Eliminating distractions is key; I turn off notifications and create a dedicated workspace. Regular breaks keep me refreshed. By adhering to this routine, I've seen increased efficiency and higher-quality work.
As a freelancer, I personalize my schedule by identifying my most productive hours and scheduling important tasks during that time. I block out distraction-free time for focused work and leverage apps to schedule and track my tasks. I also identify low-energy periods and schedule lighter work then to ensure I maximize each work hour. By listening to my body's rhythms and energy levels, I optimize my work time and reduce stress. Working when I have the most mental clarity helps me be more efficient and produce higher-quality work. This personalized schedule has allowed me to be more selective about clients and projects while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
As a freelancer, personalizing and optimizing my work schedule has been crucial to maximizing productivity and aligning with my preferences. Here's my approach and the benefits I've experienced: Identifying Peak Productivity Hours: I pay close attention to my energy levels and cognitive patterns throughout the day to identify my peak productivity hours. For instance, if I find that I'm most focused and creative in the morning, I schedule my high-priority tasks during those hours. Time Blocking: I use time blocking to allocate specific blocks of time to different types of tasks. This helps me maintain focus and prevents multitasking. For example, I might reserve the mornings for client work and afternoons for administrative tasks, emails, and professional development. Flexibility and Adaptability: While I have a structured schedule, I also embrace flexibility. As a freelancer, unexpected tasks or urgent client needs can arise, so I build in time for adaptability. This flexibility allows me to handle unexpected challenges without feeling overwhelmed. Prioritizing Self-Care: I prioritize self-care by scheduling breaks, exercise, and leisure activities. Taking care of my physical and mental well-being is essential for sustained productivity. The benefits include improved focus, reduced burnout, and overall better work-life balance. Utilizing Productivity Tools: I leverage productivity tools and apps to streamline my work process. This includes project management tools, time-tracking apps, and collaborative platforms. These tools help me stay organized, meet deadlines, and collaborate effectively with clients. Setting Realistic Goals: I set realistic, achievable goals for each day. This prevents overwhelm and ensures a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. Breaking larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps helps maintain motivation and momentum.
As a tech CEO, I customize my schedule to match my energy peaks and valleys. Post-morning workout, my creativity is at its highest - an ideal time for innovative technology evaluations and critical strategizing. After lunchtime, my focus shifts to more administrative tasks, such as handling emails, meetings, and reviewing the day's progress. Arranging my day around my personal productivity cycle helps increase my efficiency, enhances problem-solving abilities, and ultimately promotes a work-life balance that keeps me energetic and engaged.
Collaboration and networking with other freelancers and professionals in my field have been crucial in personalizing and optimizing my work schedule. By exchanging insights and experiences, I have gained valuable tips on scheduling techniques. For example, through networking, I learned about the 'Pomodoro Technique' which involves working for focused intervals followed by short breaks. Implementing this technique helped me align my work schedule with peak productivity. By engaging with others in the field, I discovered new perspectives and approaches that I hadn't considered before, allowing me to continually refine and adapt my schedule. This collaboration has been beneficial in not only improving my productivity but also fostering a sense of community among freelancers.
I organize my day into dedicated blocks of time for specific tasks, like client work, marketing, and administrative duties. This structure allows me to focus intensely on one area at a time, leading to higher quality output. The clarity of knowing what to focus on and when has dramatically reduced my stress levels and increased overall productivity.
Founder & CEO at PRLab
Answered 2 years ago
Minimize Distractions and Interruptions I've crafted a work schedule that aligns with my peak productivity times and personal preferences. This involves creating a distraction-free zone. I identify and mitigate common distractions, such as social media and household noise, using strategies like noise-canceling headphones and website blockers. I also establish clear boundaries for personal interactions during work hours, communicating my schedule to those around me. This approach has significantly boosted my focus and efficiency, allowing me to deliver higher quality work in less time.
As the CEO of an educational platform teaching Japanese, I anchor my schedule around when my creativity and focus peak. My mornings kick off with exercising, energizing me for pitching new marketing strategies or crunching financial figures. Post-lunch, I switch over to technological and IT matters, as my mind is more attuned to problem-solving. Aligning my tasks with my productivity rhythms not only boosts output and efficiency but also promotes a balanced lifestyle, an essential perk in my bustling role.
CEO at Epiphany Wellness
Answered 2 years ago
The ability to craft a work schedule that harmonizes with your preferences and optimizes your productivity. Embrace this unique opportunity to design a routine that empowers you to excel in your work. Unlike traditional jobs, where the working hours and tasks are predetermined, freelancers have the freedom to customize their work schedule based on their personal needs and preferences. By creating a schedule that suits your natural working rhythm, you can maximize your productivity and produce high-quality work. Personalizing your work schedule allows you to create a healthy balance between your professional and personal life. This can help prevent burnout and increase your overall satisfaction with work. By setting specific times for work and breaks, you can effectively manage your time and avoid procrastination.