For freelancers, mastering the art of time management is not just a skill. Without bosses, it's a necessity. For self-starters, this is easy, but it doesn’t mean it’s not something anyone can learn, with the right approach. Fortunately, I’ve got five tips for helping freelancers manage their time.
Set Clear Goals
Goals are a double-edged sword: if you achieve them, you’ll feel great, but if not, you’ll feel like a loser. That doesn’t mean they’re not worth the risk, so as a freelancer, start your week by goal-setting. Breaking down projects into smaller tasks makes them less daunting, and it gives you the satisfaction of checking items off to-do lists, which is one of my greatest joys. If you’re struggling, tools like Trello or Asana to keep track of your goals and progress. Which brings me to...
Use Tech
If you can’t beat it, join it. You won’t have a boss telling you how to optimize your time, so it’s on you to leverage technology. Tools like Zapier can automate workflows between different apps, and using invoicing and accounting software will save you millions of hours come tax season. Literally, millions.
Get Into a Routine
Routine’s are so annoying until you have one, and then you’re like, wait, why didn’t I do this years ago? I highly recommend freelancers find one. So do so, figure out your most productive hours and build your schedule around them. Do the hardest work when your brain is sharpest—it’ll go so much faster.
Try Promodoros
The Pomodoro Technique isn’t a type of ballet—it’s when you break your work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, and take short breaks in between. They rely on the one thing we all know to be true: the point of work is to get breaks. Plus, for freelancers with varying hours, this means you can work with your free time, instead of around it. And you get a lot of pee breaks, so don’t be afraid to hydrate.
Say No
One of the most challenging aspects of freelancing is managing client expectations while maintaining your salary. It’s really hard to say no when you feel like you spend your life seeking out new opportunities, but it’s so necessary. Sometimes, the most productive decision you can make is to say no to new projects that don’t align with your life right now, even if it means risking a work break down the line. You have to trust yourself.