Many people think of freelance writers as having a cushy job that involves leisurely hours tapping away at the computer in the comfort of their home, casually sipping on coffee and enjoying a stress-free workday without pressures generally associated with a more traditional job. If you are a freelance writer yourself, however, you know that this image may be true at times, but most of the time it could not be farther from reality.
What Freelance Writing Is Really Like
Most assignments that freelance writers take on have a specific due date associated with them. So in most cases, you are working to meet a deadline. Usually, you will have multiple projects all in the works at the same time, and each has its own deadline fast approaching. More than that, however, is that fact that most freelance writers work out of their house, which means there are constant interruptions from family and friends. If you have kids in the house, these interruptions are even more numerous and bothersome! This is all coupled with the general expectation by family and friends that you aren’t really that busy at all because you just type at the computer all day, so there isn’t generally a real understanding of the pressures you are working under, which only compounds the issues at play.
Customize Your Work Hours
In an ideal world you could really work from nine to five at home and enjoy traditional business hours if you wanted to. Some freelance writers don’t want that kind of schedule, though, and others may want it but cannot achieve it because of other responsibilities in their lives. The fact is that as a freelance writer, you absolutely have the ability to pick and choose which hours you work during the day. You don’t, however, have so much flexibility when it comes to other responsibilities like when you need to get the kids ready for school or when your spouse may be coming home and trying to talk to you about the day’s events. Use your flexible schedule to make allowances for these interruptions that you know will be coming and plan your work hours around them. Life will certainly be much easier, and you will work more efficiently without the interruptions.
Create Windows of Work Time
Most people who work from home and who have the luxury of not having to punch a clock each day have the ability to work whenever they want to or are able to. Often, the question of working revolves more around finding quiet periods of time during the day to work, and you can take some control over this. Sometimes you can create these quiet periods on a regular basis, such as carving out some work time around your kids’ nap schedule or your spouse’s regular work hours. Other times, however, you need to make your own windows of work time. This may involve asking your spouse to run some errands while you work, or perhaps asking him or her to take the kids to a movie for a few hours.
Focus Your Attention
Some freelance writers actually do have plenty of time to complete their work in the time they have allotted each day, but they run into issues with how they use that time. There are plenty of distractions to take your attention off your work without family and friends demanding your time. If you have a problem checking social media websites, visiting online news sites, or otherwise just cannot sit still for more than ten minutes at a time, you need to make a conscious effort to find some focus. Imagine how much more quickly your work would get done if you would commit a solid hour or two of time purely focused on your projects rather than losing focus every few minutes!
While freelance writers may not project the image of being busy individuals, many freelance writers have to juggle work deadlines and personal responsibilities. If you are having trouble finding a balance between these two different aspects of your life, follow some of these tips to help you find more hours in the day to work!
