Do you do this, too?
Every day I make a to-do list. Typically, I write it at the end of the day – so I know what ‘tomorrow’ will look like and so I can really (attempt) to let go of work when I go home, you know, because a piece of paper is holding down the fort for me. (Odd sidenote: my to-do list is the ONLY work thing I do on paper. I’m sure it’s because I LOVE crossing things off the list with a good old-fashioned pen.)
So, the last thing I do before I leave my office is make my new to-do list. The second to last thing I do is look at the current day’s list to take stock of all I’ve accomplished. And, I’ve noticed this pattern recently. Somewhere in between the tasks that I’ve crossed off, the notes that I’ve scribbled down throughout the day and my incessant doodling (3-D boxes and stars circa 2nd grade), there is always one to-do that I did not complete.
It isn’t usually a huge or monumental task, though sometimes it is. And sometimes, it’s the same thing that I’ve managed to not complete over and over, day after day. Point is – there’s always something.
Why? I wonder. Wouldn’t it feel fabulous to have everything done? You’ll have to tell me, I wouldn’t know.
I have two thoughts about my ‘issue’. First, I think it’s left over trauma from college where, if you remember, we were simply never done. Right? There was always something that had to be read or written.
Or. It’s simply that I hate goodbyes and endings (unless it’s a headache or a mean person that I’m leaving), so this remaining task must be some kind of anchor. A thread that ties me back to my office, my business, my writing – making it truly impossible for me to let go and disconnect. Like a love note, promising that I will be back.
Filed under Critical Copywriting, How To, The Business | Tags: copywriting, copywriting business, organization, time management, to-do list, Writing | Comments (5)
my un-epiphany: calendar for the freelancer
I’m staring at a blank calendar – seriously attempting to fit my daily life as a freelance copywriter into these solid, inflexible, militant spaces.
I can’t believe I’m about to do this…but, I have to. After my post last week where I pondered the ability of a calendar to boost my productivity, and I both encouraged you, my readers, to do the same and then said I would lead the charge, after all of that, and a lot of soul and brain searching…I’ve decided that I can’t wedge my work life into a strict schedule.
At least not by the end of today.
I already have many, many meetings placed randomly throughout every day over the next 3 weeks. And, like Ron Miller said so well in his diatribe explaining why he couldn’t and wouldn’t do this scheduling thing with me, we really are at the whims of our clients.
If a prospective client contacted me and asked for a meeting on Tuesday at 3:00, would I really say, ‘No. Sorry, I do research every Tuesday from 3-4:00′??? No, I would not. Now, I do see the other side of this. I could say, ‘I’m sorry, I already have a meeting schedule at that time, but I could meet at X, Y or Z on Wednesday.’
But, I have a few other points (that don’t have other sides):
- My muse writes when she wants to and I’m positive she won’t be okay with ‘making it happen’ from 10-12:00 every day.
- If I’m on a roll, I can’t just stop because my schedule tells me too. That’s just plain bad writing practice.
- Just a scenario: I’m working on a project A (as scheduled), when I get an email that gives me a huge lead for project B – it’s time-sensitive and ground-breaking. Project A can officially wait; project B needs me.
So…
There is still a small part of me that thinks I should create this new schedule and begin following it as soon as my current un-scheduled schedule has been filtered in to the strict flow because I said I would and I do have hope. And then, there is a large part of me that feels like a cad, a loser and a wuss for hyping you up and then bowing out so ungracefully.
But, as I’ve struggled with this for the last 4, long, internet-empty days in Vermont, my urge to let my work life follow the fancy of my creative strides is far too strong…and I just can’t fight with my muse – she’s way too good to me and way too valuable.
Filed under Critical Copywriting, The Business | Tags: copywriter, copywriting, freelance writer, organization, work schedule | Comments (7)some tips for the freelancer or self-employed on time, business and self-management
The business is just ticking along lately, so my over-analyzing mind started picking out the whats, whos, whys, hows and wheres of the positivity. Here are a handful:
1. Every night before I leave my office, shed, shack (I need to name the thing), I make a list of tasks that I need to do the following day. This sounds so simple! But it severely reduces my stress and organizes the millions of thoughts that I carry around in my head. When I leave the office, I find that I am literally and mentally able to leave my office and go home – because all of my to-do’s are safely inked in my notebook. I don’t have to spend any energy replaying and remembering them. And when I get to work in the morning, I look at my list and get right to work – I don’t have to spend any time figuring out what needs to be done.
2. I have a place to go that is all my own. For years, because ‘I was freelancer with a home business’, I assumed that I could work when I needed to wherever I could find a place to set up my laptop. That might work for some people, but for me, it did NOT. I have never been this productive in my life, and I know that it’s because I now have my very own 120 square feet of heaven. My office could be half this size, and the effect would be the same. When I’m at work, I work. When I’m at home, I’m home. Even if your work space is in your home – define it, seal it off. Compartmentalize.
3. You know what they say about dating: when your single it’s impossible to find a date, but the minute you begin a relationship, people are asking you out left and right. I believe on Sex and the City they referred to it as having your cab light on (for all of you SATC lovers). Anywho, the rule applies for freelancers – the busier I get, the more calls and opportunities I get. I suppose it makes sense because the busier I am, the happier I am and, I’ve said it before, people want to work with happy, productive people. Success attracts success…like a good musk.
Filed under The Business | Tags: business management, copywriter, copywriting, freelance copywriter, Julie Roads, organization, self employed, time management, Writing Roads | Comments (2)
