3 Ways to Get The Job Done
When we commit to working on a job, we are often limited by deadlines and outside distractions. As a freelance writer on the mission to be one of the best freelance writers, I can only blame myself if I don’t get the job done on the due date and it is very tempting and easy to make excuses and kid ourselves.
But before we do this we should be aware that this is also the path of self destruction because if we do it once, we will do it again – over and over. In the end we will only kid ourselves to the extent of possibly loosing a great client.
Therefore it is very important to me to finish each job when it is due. Actually ideally it is to finish before the job is due since I found out after learning from mishaps in the past. Many things can go wrong before we are due to send in our work, including electrical storms that cut the power, normal power cuts, loss of Internet connection or even loss of data on our computer.
I’d like to think that those things don’t normally happen. But with increased business month by month I had to look for ways that are more productive to my work flow and the 3 ways to get the job done is what helps me to just do that:
- When I write I normally try to keep the days separated for each client. I find it much easier to focus and work productive plus this leaves me enough time to get all my blogs updated and my niche sites worked on.I work much better if I write about travel today, real estate tomorrow, SEO the day after and so on.With the amount of writing I do daily I need to focus on the topic, especially if it involves research and by separating those topics (clients) into different days I get much more done in the week.
- These days I couldn’t function without a diary. Therefore I need one to get the job done. I use a simple two pages to a week diary because it lets me see the week ahead in a glance without having to turn lots of pages (there is nothing like saving time when you are busy). In there I write my clients deadlines which will help me to stay on track.I also use the incorporated expense sheet to write down my earnings and expenses. This gives me an updated overview at where I’m at and whether I need to apply for more work to get more money. (I haven’t had to do this for the last two month, which is great)
- Concentration is another important part of the equation when I write. With two birds and a husband that needs attention
it can sometimes be quite challenging to stay focused. I’m sure you agree if you have kids too. When I write I normally put on some soothing or upbeat music and I find this relaxes me immensely and helps me to concentrate.I also try to incorporate plenty of breaks to get up and move around. I also never finish a days work these days without having roughly planned the next in my head.
A note: I tried writing detailed plans to help me stay on task but have found that I don’t work well with things that are planned into detail. I loose my creativity when I do this so I rather just know what has to be done the next day and focus on that.
These are the three most important things I have to consider to make my writing life a little easier and stay on track.
Are there things you do different to keep deadlines? Perhaps you have a special trick you like to share with me and my readers.
Monika
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About the Author: I'm a passionate freelance writer and problogger. To further build my business I'm also in the process of building my own niche empire which pays me residual income.
Michelle Montoya | Jan 24, 2008 | Reply
I try to get my work done one day before it’s due. It’s a great feeling for me to know that I’m one step ahead, and it makes my editors happy too.
Write and Earn a Living | Jan 24, 2008 | Reply
Hi Monika,
I share your observations. I find it is far better to try to work ahead of projects because, with working from home, things can come up that you haven’t planned on.
As writers, we are fortunate that we can take breaks when needed; however, it can be easy to take more time off than necessary and get behind the eight ball.
I was smiling as I read about your birds. I, too, have worked with a parrot on my shoulder. While good company, they can also be a source of distraction.
One of my birds used to imitate the ringing of the phone–always when I was actually on the phone with a client!
Monika | Jan 24, 2008 | Reply
Michelle: you are so right. Staying ahead of the game is so much easier when we stay on course. Sometimes though it is a struggle but then who said success was easy work?
Monika | Jan 24, 2008 | Reply
Athlyn: LOL, even though my birds are also a distraction at times, I wouldn’t want to miss their company. They are so much fun as you know and the singing and making the most possible noise on the phone sounds very familiar.
Bean | Jan 25, 2008 | Reply
Hi Monika,
Well my last comment ended up in the ether! I went to cut some text from it and puff, it all went away. I found myself sitting two Tabs down.
So I’ll try it again.
This will make, I believe my first comment in a blog, ever!
Here is what I was attempting to pencil.
Your Article Writing has a nice, warm, comfortable and down-home style to it. Then, and just as important, your title and first few sentences have captured the readers attention. The bonus to your article’s theme is that it contains universal appeal.
Of course, without the reader you cannot achieve the overall goal or purpose of writing. As you know, the reader is who you are driving to take some action. Whatever that may be.
Next I tested your profile’s claim as to your SEO and Keyword Optimization ability, and SNAP! there it was!
I must say…
3 Ways To Get The Job Done — was done.
Most readers overlook grammar and sentence structure, Thank God! But not all.
I wish you the best in your endeavor!
When I restructure some of my domains I will be looking to refer article writers. Please shoot me a short email, if you could, so that I may place your Article Writing Services on our list.
Keywords Baby!
Monika | Jan 25, 2008 | Reply
Bean: what can I say? You have me humble and I am appreciative of the fact that I’m your first ever comment.
Thank you for the kind words, it is always great to get feedback like yours.
As for SEO, if you are satisfied without me even trying for this (on this article) I guess it is now ingrained in me some ways. I do a lot of SEO writing for clients and those are more keyword focused.
I’ll shot you an email and we can take it from there. Take care and feel free to come back and share your thoughts again.
rambhai | Jan 29, 2008 | Reply
gone are the days when you have to stay ahead of the game~~~now its time to be the game~~~~