Time management can be one of the hardest parts of freelancing. Working as a freelance translator can allow you to have a fulfilling career while maintaining your flexibility, setting your own schedule and making your own rules. There is freedom and satisfaction in being your own boss and being able to choose what work you accept, and what you do not. However, in order to make your freelance career take off and stay in flight, you will need to learn how to manage your time and stay focused on what you want to accomplish.
Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Set up Goals
This may sound obvious but you need to have some clear goals. That means both long-term and short-term goals. Having a big goal, that gets you excited when you think about it, provides a constant source of motivation. Having smaller goals gives you a sense of accomplishment every time you complete them. Fortunately, you get to set your own priorities and decide what you want to accomplish. A goal may be financial such as earning a certain amount of money every month or being able to afford to travel somewhere exciting or buy something you really want. A goal can also be professional such as translating a certain number of words every week or completing a course or certification. Having goals also helps hold you be accountable. It helps you see what you want to accomplish and track your progress.
Eliminate distractions
Eliminating distractions is an important part of taking control of your time and productivity. We all know how easy it is to spend hours on Facebook or Twitter. If you find that you simply cannot avoid them while doing your work, you might need to forbid yourself from accessing those sites when you are supposed to be working. Answering emails, chatting online and answering irrelevant calls are also things that can pull you away from your work. Give yourself a set time each day or week for email, calls and even social networking if you need it. But keep them separate and don’t let all those distracters interfere with what you know you need to accomplish.
Follow a schedule
Stick to a schedule or some sort of schedule. One of the perks of freelancing is that you can set your own schedule. You choose when you want to work. But, if you want to accomplish anything, you still have to work! Instead of just assuming that you’ll have plenty of time to get it all done, define and designate time just for working. You are allowed to change your schedule around when need be, but define a time, or times, of day when the “normal” thing to be doing is working. And, also be sure to designate times for everything else like grocery shopping, exercise, being social, relaxing and sleeping. It may sound silly but when no one is obligating you to adhere to a schedule, as with a 9 to 5 job, you have to design your own structure.
Stay healthy
Make your lifestyle healthy. If you are well-rested, get plenty of exercise and eat right, you will have more energy. If you know how to properly focus that energy, it will show in your work. What you are looking for is a healthy balance to help you realize your potential and give your best.
