The Life of a Freelancer: Organization Hacks
The best thing you can do for your business and mental health is to unapologetically protect your right to call your home your office during work hours.
Highlights
How to write down daily, weekly, and monthly plans to stay organized and balanced.
How to set up a dedicated work area at home to boost productivity and focus.
How to limit distractions and separate work time from personal time to maintain mental well-being.
Living the remote work dream for almost a decade, I affirm work-from-home is every bit as liberating as imaginable. However, the freelancer utopia can easily transform into a mental prison if you fail to establish structure in your daily life.
My experience snuggled in my abode during a snowy winter was envious to most, though the depths of sluggish self-isolation with a sprinkle of social anxiety is a hell I don’t wish on my enemies.
In this article, I will share my expert tips on how to organize a day by balancing the PERSONAL and PROFESSIONAL.
Put Your Day on Paper
I must have everything in writing when it comes to my daily organization, whether it be chores, workload, or events. My notepad is my trusty ally through the entire daily, weekly, and monthly routine. Writing down your plans and goals for a certain period doesn’t only serve as a reminder; it sets the tone for your days.
Usually, I will start the month with a monthly planner: a simple list of all tasks, obligations, and important dates that will eventually be timestamped and organized by weeks and days. Sunday evenings are reserved for in-depth weekly planning, where I’ll assign each day a bundle of tasks, depending on the current workload.
I will also include personal plans, such as coffee dates with friends, weekends away, and workout sessions, creating a balance between my professional and personal life. Being a freelancer is a slippery slope when it comes to time management, as the boundaries between personal and professional tend to fade away. It is, therefore, crucial to make room for both on a day-to-day basis.
Create a Designated Work Station
The beauty of remote working is that you get to choose your office for the day and are not tied to a single location. While I appreciate the freedom and take advantage of it occasionally, I prefer to work from my “work station,” i.e., my office. You will catch me working from my bed once in a while, but if I want maximum productivity, I will not stray too far from my office.
If you’re like me, and you can’t phantom working in a busy, noisy cafe, I recommend dedicating an area of your home to a designated workstation. I know it can be rather difficult to create an office space in a small studio apartment, but you don’t have to aim for a big office from your Pinterest board immediately. A small desk and a comfy chair go a long way and will get you in the right mindset. No matter the equipment you have or the space you dedicate to this area – it will instantly turn on the work mode switch in your brain.
Limited Distractions & Clear Boundaries
The key to staying on top of your daily tasks is limiting all distractions. This means having my phone out of reach and on silent, TV off, no comfort show in the background, and absolute silence. I used to think that I could become the person who takes their laptop to the nearest cafe and types away, ignoring the noises and the crowd. I have simply come to terms with my work persona, fully embracing the fact that I thrive in silence and solitude – and that’s okay.
The best thing you can do for your business and mental health is to unapologetically protect your right to call your home your office during work hours. Don’t let anyone diminish your profession just because you’re not leaving your living room to do the job you’re paid for! In my case, this means no unannounced visits and sudden drop-ins for a quick chit-chat - the same professional conduct you’d expect in an actual business environment.
Curious to uncover your remote work persona? Dive into this quiz to unveil your unique style and preferences when it comes to navigating the world of remote work.
Cherish Your Free Time
The fact that you work from home can easily trick your mind into erasing the line between work and play. It is, therefore, your responsibility to yourself to make sure that line is as bold as they come. There was a time when I got sucked into the freelancing whirl, taking on more work than I could handle, which resulted in me jeopardizing my free time and personal relationships.
While there is nothing wrong with ambition and professional growth, they should never come before your physical and mental well-being. I take logging off very seriously—this means that my notifications are off, and my weekends are sacred. Making a clear distinction between working hours and free time can do wonders for your daily organization and productivity, as well as your mental health.
Final Thoughts
Perhaps the biggest advantage of being a freelancer lies in the possibility of choosing your clients, working hours, and location. However, for this setup to work, and for flexibility not to become a liability, it is necessary to prioritize organization. You can take the elements you appreciate in a traditional work environment and apply them to your daily routine, all while escaping the restraints of an office job.
