The secrets of a successful and lucrative career of a freelance writer are hidden between these lines. If you are a freelancer who wants to know how to be a Lord of self-management, this article is for you.
Nowadays, to work as a freelance is like to have three kids, it looks so cool from the outside, but only moms of three know what is behind it. Nevertheless, a profitable freelance writing career has become a life goal for many of individuals, especially students, just because it implies a lot of opportunities and benefits (flexible working hours, independence, high income, etc.)
However, the most challenging tasks for all of the freelance writers are to keep up with the time and manage a workday. The experts who used to write me an essay when I was a student have gathered some efficient tips for you on how to make it easier.
Procrastination / Frustration / Writer’s Block Are the Barriers for Any Freelance Writer
To manage your time wisely, you need to control your frustration. So, first of all, we would like to talk about the worst enemy of any freelancer – procrastination. Motivation is the measurement of the energy that is put into any endeavor. Whether you write an article, a book, or a research paper, you will have to struggle with moments where you experience writer’s block or lack motivation.
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To deal with it, you should always have an arsenal of tools that can help you overcome motivational issues. And we are about to give you these.
When it comes to motivation for writing as a freelancer, one of the main issues you need to fight with is frustration, a thought that motivation does not necessarily come easily and stick. Given all the practical complexities of research, grammar issues, and all the multiplicity of details that have to be considered and woven together, it is no surprise that being a freelance writer and staying motivated can be something of a challenge. What to do? How not to waste your time on that? Here is a quick guide for you.
Rule #1: Forget about Writer’s Block
As a freelancer, you can cure writer’s block with one simple sentence: “Give yourself permission to write garbage.” Why does this work? Let’s think about what writer’s block is. As the name implies, something is blocking your creative flow. As it turns out, that “something” is the need for perfection, the need to be good, the need to write well. So, how to remove that need for perfection? Here are some essential steps:
- Open your file or whatever you are going to write in.
- Think about what you wish you could write if you were not blocked.
- Set a timer for three minutes.
- Give yourself permission to write garbage
Then, go! Write as much as you can in three minutes. Now, if the words still do not flow instantly, go one step further and make yourself deliberately write garbage. The skeptic in you probably says, “I do not want to write junk. I want to write qualitatively.” And as you start writing, you might even hear a little voice inside your head that says, “This is awful!” “Why did you choose that idea?” “You are no good at this! Stop now!” “You are going to look foolish.” That critic’s voice is the block. It is the last line of defense against looking ridiculous. It does not want you to be judged poorly. It is trying to criticize something that does not even exist yet.
Writing is a four-part process, and getting your idea on the page is a tiny percentage of that. The whole process has the following four parts. First, you give shape to your idea by turning it a story, you are mapping out what you want to say. Second, you get it on the page. Third, you make sure those words express your idea effectively. And then finally, you fine-tune the reader experience. Writer’s block happens when you blend the parts.
Deal with Exhaustion
Exhaustion is another key cause of the motivational loss and pain of a freelancer. For that reason, use your non-writing time to recharge, refuel, and re-energize your imaginative fire. Do some physical exercises that oxygenate your blood and maintain the quality of your thinking. A good walk is the mother of all thoughts. Make sure you read a lot. Reread your favorite author. Feed your imagination and emotions.
Now, let’s get back to the main topic: How to manage your time if you are a freelancer?
3 Tips on How to Manage Your Time
Tip 1. Plan Ahead of Writing
It is commonly said that there are two types of writers – “planners” and “pantsers.” A “planner” is a person who writes a detailed outline of the whole article before embarking on any actual writing. And “pantser” is the one who just waits for the muse, grabs the creative spark, and then, starts writing. This person writes by the seat of their pants. But researches have shown that “pantsers” are particularly vulnerable to motivation loss through the process of writing.
If you think that drafting and outlining will stifle your creative juices, you have never been so wrong before. Planning is not about setting the limits, it is about solving all the structural problems before you commit to the more creative aspects of your writing.
Inspiration is not going to fall on you while you are sitting and staring at a blinking cursor or blank page. To get everything done, you need to research and organize your ideas before you actually put pen to paper or type on the keyboard. Before you dive into writing, you need to know where you are going. A good plan provides you something to fall back on when inspiration is gone. Having an outline can save your time, help stay motivated, and forget about the anxiety that appears when you lose sight of your destination.
Tip 2. Work to a Deadline
Make yourself accountable to other people. Professional freelancers know that having a self-imposed deadline can push you to keep writing even when you feel exhausted. And better yet that you declared that deadline to the world.
Tip 3. Think of Your Goal
No one starts writing an article on the whim. There is always a compelling reason. Whether it is because you want to save money for a new iPhone or because freelancing is what pays the bills, always remind yourself of why you have to finish your story, no matter what.
If you ask us to sum this article up in just one sentence, we would say: “To manage your time wisely, you need to remember your final goal, set a deadline, and start writing.”
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