Due to unforeseen circumstances, a majority of people worldwide have now become freelancers. The workforce was forced to learn how to work remotely, which, surprisingly, helped both employees and employers. Working from home as a freelancer means you don’t have to waste time picking clothing in the morning, getting stuck in traffic or spending money on Starbucks coffee. Similarly, your employer saves on office rent, utilities, and other expenses. But how do you build your work schedule effectively when you also have chores to get through at home? Here are some tips for beginner freelancers on how to balance these duties effectively.
10 Tips for Beginner Freelancers
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
― Nelson Mandela
Organize Your Workspace
You need to allocate a specific workplace and organize it, especially if you and your partner work remotely. The most important thing is to create the right working atmosphere. It does not have to be your favorite place in the apartment. Choose the quietest area in your house that has a strong Wi-Fi connection. Avoid TV zones, distractive noises, children’s toys, etc. Also, inform your partner when you plan to make important calls or video conferences so as to not disturb each other.
“Do what you love and you’ll never work another day in your life.”
― Confucius
Select the Right Project
Every freelancer has a choice – to apply for a project or skip it. In any case, you need to evaluate it to know if the task is worth your time. Here is a simple checklist to refer to for when you’re choosing a project:
- Check the customer’s profile. The clients must mention their full name and the company name. If the client’s profile is bizarre, it can be a wake-up call. Don’t apply for jobs posted anonymously.
- Specify the project’s title and description. Instead of redoing the task, it is much better to know more details from the start. To meet clients’ expectations, ask them about it.
- You set the price, not the customer. Calculate the project’s cost based on the technical assignment and correlate it with the customer’s proposal. If it is what you want, go for it.
- Check the client’s reviews. Once you check that everything is ok and you still like the project, you can safely apply for it.
“Goals are dreams with deadlines.”
― Diana Scharf
Be Productive and Respect the Deadlines
Understanding the peaks in your performance helps you better plan your work schedule. For example, if you are full of energy from 8 to 12 o’clock and ready to conquer the world, select this period for complex tasks with deadlines. But if from 12 to 15 your productivity is low, keep this time for less important jobs.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
– Benjamin Franklin
Have a Plan and Stick to It
Write down all your tasks, at least for a week. If something is already planned for later, be sure to write that down too:
- Create checklists for routine, constant, small tasks for the day, week, and month.
- Keeping track of how much time is spent on what tasks is another great idea. Estimate how many hours it takes to write one blog post or a landing page.
- Alerts and notifications will help you better control your time for a certain task. There are various services you can download as an application. One of them is Trello. With it, you can improve your productivity and organize your projects.
“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”
― Charles Darwin
No Time Wasted; Use Ready-Made Templates
There are many web products available on the Internet to facilitate your work. Many of them are free. But with a freebie, you get no license, no tech support, and low functionality. If you are looking for premium assets at an affordable cost, we strongly recommend TemplateMonster digital marketplace. Users of different professions can easily get first-class web products and customize them without programming skills. It has everything you need for any possible project, from website templates to graphics and plugins. Check it out today.
“Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.”
― Albert Einstein
Prioritize Self-development
No need to invest in expensive training or courses. Browse free lessons, books, or useful blogs. Always try to learn new skills; otherwise, your competitors will quickly bypass you. Determine what you want to achieve professionally in 2-3 years. For example, becoming a senior designer, creating effective product kits for developers, or working with clients worldwide. Look for opportunities to achieve your goals. Determine how much time you can spend on training: per week or month. For example, 2 hours a day can be enough to master a new skill quickly.
“One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it.”
― Knute Rockne
Do Sports
Tips for beginner freelancers also include practicing various sports. At least 15-30 minutes a day is better than nothing. If powerlifting is not for you, try relaxing yoga. If you hate Latino dances, try cardio exercises. Sports can help cheer you up and prevent health problems, including neck pain – something that is unfortunately common for people working on PCs.
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
― Lao Tzu
Plan Your Rest Too
To prevent burnout:
- Try to set aside time for rest in the day.
- Pick the hours at which you are most ineffective. There should be at least 2-3 hours of rest per day.
- Make a list of activities that help you boost your energy.
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
― Winston S. Churchill
Stay Positive
Now that you don’t have to spend time driving to the office, you will have the benefit of extra time to enjoy yourself. Stay positive and think about how great it is to work remotely. You can sleep an extra hour or meditate in the morning. You can finish that interesting book you did not have time to read before. You can do so when you are a self-manager!
Our Final Thoughts
Yes, maybe being a freelancer is not for everyone. Remote work is a test of your ability to balance your personal and work life. Anyone who decides to become a freelancer must be prepared that they will have to learn self-control techniques.
There will ofcourse be mistakes and disappointments, but sooner or later, you will be able to evaluate your work and organize yourself quickly. It is possible with proper time management!
Be flexible, plan well, and motivate yourself. Praise for achievements or new ideas, encourage initiative and proactivity. You are already doing great by reading this article! Follow our tips for beginner freelancers. Remember, once you find your perfect formula, you can enjoy the benefits of being a freelancer to the fullest.
