Comments on: Freelance Writers: 3 Tips for Taking Your Life Back

By: P.S. Jones

P.S. Jones — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:14:28 +0000

Ok, I know I’m late on this, but I followed this link from another post here. I love this. This is what I should have been doing this morning at 4am when I couldn’t sleep because my husband was snoring. Instead, I watched Law & Order reruns on Netflix until I feel back asleep at 7AM and didn’t wake up until 10AM. By that point I was already behind and, let’s face it, we all know that I’m not gonna get anything done after 3PM. I don’t know if I can do the 4AM thing every week day, but it can’t hurt to try it out. I can mold it to my own preferences after a week.

By: Issa

Issa — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 06:54:16 +0000

Thanks Jennifer! This post is like some divine message hitting me like a speeding meteor crashing down the Earth. Wow! Totally blasted! So, I will take your words into heart and have a time for me, myself, and I.

By: Wolf Shadow

Wolf Shadow — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:24:40 +0000

I’m still relatively new to freelancing, so I could be wrong in this, but I do agree with Matthew’s statement to not outright say now, but “possibly later”.

This is my rationale: 1) As I am new to this, the type of project may be new to me (eg, a new niche, etc.) – therefore, accepting that gig at some point may open up other opportunities, 2) If it is a potentially good client (everyone has their own parameters, but for me they pay on time and they have work within a certain niche) – it may be an opportunity to get an additional client for those “famine” times, and 3) If you are busy all the time, perhaps it is time to increase your rates? Suggest a higher rate.

So for myself, I will be honest and say that I am busy for X weeks, etc., and could possibly fit in thier project, could they tell me about it first? If it is very interesting and they are willing to meet my rate — why not give them a try later on?

Anyway, my response may be different because I am at a different point in my freelance career.

By: Shirley Anderson

Shirley Anderson — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:52:57 +0000

Man, did I need to read this post!

I hit burnout fairly regularly. With me, it’s usually feast or famine, meaning I’m in a dry spell or everybody wants their stuff at the same time. By the time midnight rolls around, I’m still trying to work but my eyes and brain are totally fried. The result? It takes me twice as long and I usually feel that my work suffers somewhat, as well.

Not only that but I have no life away from the computer, thanks to the slip into workaholism that seemed to happen without my even noticing. It makes a deep rut that I’m consciously working on to change.

Thanks for this post, Jenn. It helps.

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:15:38 +0000

I try to get on the bike at 4-ish, so I can be done, clean, dressed, and coffee-in-hand to start work by 5. I hate working out, so the perk of that for me is that it’s done early and I don’t have to think about it again. It also works as a nice wake-up combo. :) I wish I had the drive to get back on an noon for a while. It might help me push through those “lazy afternoons” a bit more, especially when I want to use them for my own writing projects after work. Might have to give it a try again soon. :)

By: Allison Whitehead

Allison Whitehead — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:02:59 +0000

This is inspiring – I’ve just shared it on my Google Reader page because I think it is really important to get time for yourself.

It is a constant struggle in some ways, but since I started setting hours and getting up earlier I do get more done. The other bonus is that the stress levels come way down too!

This has inspired me to make more changes. I now stop work at noon and have half an hour on the exercise bike – regardless of whether I am halfway through an article or not. And it has now become a very welcome habit.

What will my next habit be, I wonder? Great post.

By: Words on a page » Blog Archive » A few links for the end of the week - A blog about writing, in its various forms

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:48:56 +0000

[...] your freelancing career taking over your life? Here are some tips for taking your life [...]

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:20:24 +0000

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. If you’re regularly busy, promising you’ll do the work later isn’t always realistic (and leaves the client hoping for an opening that may not come). Only offer to do something later if you can give the client a specific timeline where you can schedule them in. Saying “no” doesn’t guarantee you won’t get the work (or more work later). I regularly turn down people outright because I won’t have openings in the foreseeable future. I’ve had some wait and try me again months later for the same thing, and others who hired someone else and still came back wanting to work with me. I don’t believe in giving clients a false sense of anything, so if they can’t be worked in in the foreseeable future, it’s just a “no.” It does exactly the same thing you mention – I’ve had very little difference between the two methods.

By: Recommended links 22 July 2009 — Bad Language

Recommended links 22 July 2009 — Bad Language — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:32:16 +0000

[...] Freelance writers: 3 tips for taking your life back from the All Freelance Writing site. I would add that it’s sometimes helpful to say ‘I can do this later’ rather than just saying ‘no’ if you’re too busy to take on a new project – but you can read that thought in full in the comment I left on the post. [...]

By: Matthew Stibbe

Matthew Stibbe — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:36:38 +0000

Sometimes it’s better to say “not now but later” instead of “no”. That gives the client a choice – work with you but accept a later deadline or go somewhere else. Just saying “no” guarantees that you won’t get the work. Even if the client does go somewhere else, this approach makes it look like you’re in demand which is good for your morale and your clients’ perception of you. It’s the same thing as choosing to go into a busy restaurant and accept a wait instead of going into a completely empty one where the owner is standing by the door looking nervous.