Comments on: A Freelance Writer’s Secret to Effective Time Management http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/ Mutual Respect Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:05:32 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Time Tracker http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/comment-page-1/#comment-43090 Time Tracker Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:31:41 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/#comment-43090 In addition to creating lists, I try to follow Merlin Mann's Inbox zero philosophy, and use a time tracking device to not only track billable hours, but to analyze productivity at weeks end. In addition to creating lists, I try to follow Merlin Mann’s Inbox zero philosophy, and use a time tracking device to not only track billable hours, but to analyze productivity at weeks end.

]]> By: RD http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/comment-page-1/#comment-43006 RD Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:43:56 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/#comment-43006 I just came across this and though I realize the conversation ended a few months ago, I thought I'd comment anyway. I just wrote to a friend about being a listmaker. It's the ONLY way I've found to be productive, and not just as a writer. If I don't see it on paper with my own eyes, it gets lost in the blur of my mind and my day--and it won't ever get done. Like you, I am motivated by seeing the check marks or lines through the to-do items. It makes me feel like I've conquered the world! Thanks for sharing your secret and validating mine! I just came across this and though I realize the conversation ended a few months ago, I thought I’d comment anyway. I just wrote to a friend about being a listmaker. It’s the ONLY way I’ve found to be productive, and not just as a writer. If I don’t see it on paper with my own eyes, it gets lost in the blur of my mind and my day–and it won’t ever get done. Like you, I am motivated by seeing the check marks or lines through the to-do items. It makes me feel like I’ve conquered the world! Thanks for sharing your secret and validating mine!

]]> By: Bleeding Espresso » how do you get out of a rut? http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/comment-page-1/#comment-25103 Bleeding Espresso » how do you get out of a rut? Fri, 16 May 2008 03:27:47 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/#comment-25103 [...] personal way of organization has a lot to do with lists. When I’m making them, it means I’m in a good [...] [...] personal way of organization has a lot to do with lists. When I’m making them, it means I’m in a good [...]

]]> By: bleeding espresso http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/comment-page-1/#comment-24349 bleeding espresso Wed, 07 May 2008 07:01:07 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/#comment-24349 @ Academic Eccentric, thanks for that book recommendation and for taking the time to comment. I love the concept of the bucket of time, rocks, and pebbles; it's especially useful to me because I realize that even though many things are pebbles, if there are a lot of them, they can take up a whole lot of room; getting those things done is important as well, little by little. @ Academic Eccentric, thanks for that book recommendation and for taking the time to comment.

I love the concept of the bucket of time, rocks, and pebbles; it’s especially useful to me because I realize that even though many things are pebbles, if there are a lot of them, they can take up a whole lot of room; getting those things done is important as well, little by little.

]]> By: The Academic Eccentric http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/comment-page-1/#comment-24325 The Academic Eccentric Tue, 06 May 2008 19:45:51 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/#comment-24325 Almost every night before I go to sleep, I write my to-do list for the next day, and I sometimes include my meals and workout plan to make that transition run more smoothly, as well. I've mention this on my blog before, but it's a concept from the book "7 Habits." I keep the big rocks in place in my bucket of time first, and then the pebbles fall around them. I tend to be a workaholic and write down every single thing I have to do. So I don't get swamped, I prioritize, either by order or with asterisks. -AE Almost every night before I go to sleep, I write my to-do list for the next day, and I sometimes include my meals and workout plan to make that transition run more smoothly, as well.

I’ve mention this on my blog before, but it’s a concept from the book “7 Habits.” I keep the big rocks in place in my bucket of time first, and then the pebbles fall around them. I tend to be a workaholic and write down every single thing I have to do. So I don’t get swamped, I prioritize, either by order or with asterisks.

-AE

]]> By: bleeding espresso http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/comment-page-1/#comment-24180 bleeding espresso Tue, 06 May 2008 11:30:05 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/#comment-24180 @ Katrina, I do hope the list helps you stop worrying about what you need to do; for me, seeing it spelled out is half the battle ;) @ Katrina, I do hope the list helps you stop worrying about what you need to do; for me, seeing it spelled out is half the battle ;)

]]> By: Katrina http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/comment-page-1/#comment-24030 Katrina Mon, 05 May 2008 14:12:39 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/#comment-24030 I am SO relieved to read this post and its comments. I find myself spending.... hours (it's terrible!) procrastinating and worrying about how much I need to do instead of DOING IT! Going to write a list right now and revel in the knowledge that I'm not alone! I am SO relieved to read this post and its comments. I find myself spending…. hours (it’s terrible!) procrastinating and worrying about how much I need to do instead of DOING IT!

Going to write a list right now and revel in the knowledge that I’m not alone!

]]> By: bleeding espresso http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/comment-page-1/#comment-23992 bleeding espresso Mon, 05 May 2008 05:46:07 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/#comment-23992 @ Laura, absolutely! Work with your strengths :) @ Jen, for me recognizing when my brain just isn't going to produce something I want it to do has really helped my time management--forcing just makes me miserable and the work product suffer. @ Becky and Robin, ah, change of scenery. Good on you! I don't tend to work well anywhere else (although a pen and a notebook have been known to surprise me), but even going for a walk helps me recharge. Excellent tip! @ Kacey, notebook's always handy for me too--sometimes I just write the ideas right on the list (which is always handy as well) ;) @ Phil, I've also read that endorphins are released when crossing things off lists; it's good to know my endorphins are working properly then ;) And yes, I also include family items--I include absolutely everything from the mundane to big work projects. I figure, hey, they all have to get done, right? Sunday planning. I suppose I kind of do that, envisioning the week as a whole without saying I'll do X Monday and Y Tuesday (unless of course there are deadlines early in the week). Such great time management tips from all of you; thanks so much for the warm welcome over here :) @ Laura, absolutely! Work with your strengths :)

@ Jen, for me recognizing when my brain just isn’t going to produce something I want it to do has really helped my time management–forcing just makes me miserable and the work product suffer.

@ Becky and Robin, ah, change of scenery. Good on you! I don’t tend to work well anywhere else (although a pen and a notebook have been known to surprise me), but even going for a walk helps me recharge. Excellent tip!

@ Kacey, notebook’s always handy for me too–sometimes I just write the ideas right on the list (which is always handy as well) ;)

@ Phil, I’ve also read that endorphins are released when crossing things off lists; it’s good to know my endorphins are working properly then ;)

And yes, I also include family items–I include absolutely everything from the mundane to big work projects. I figure, hey, they all have to get done, right?

Sunday planning. I suppose I kind of do that, envisioning the week as a whole without saying I’ll do X Monday and Y Tuesday (unless of course there are deadlines early in the week).

Such great time management tips from all of you; thanks so much for the warm welcome over here :)

]]> By: Phil http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/comment-page-1/#comment-23980 Phil Mon, 05 May 2008 00:59:43 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/#comment-23980 Kacey, It'd not "childlishly amused." According to the Franklin Planner people, crossing something off a list triggers a release of endorphins in most people. Of course, they're trying to sell their planners. I fall somewhere between list and non-list. Sometimes when I have a lot of different things on my plate, I find that making a list with a Franklin Planner type prioritization helps with juggling immediate deadlines and longer term deadlines that need early work. Other times I feel like Devon that the list making is keeping me away from doing those things that should be done. The Sunday night planning idea is also good. Napoleon Hill mentions it in Think and Grow Rich. Another suggestion: Include family items on master list/calendar. I know that helps me keep things straight/prioritized. Kacey,

It’d not “childlishly amused.” According to the Franklin Planner people, crossing something off a list triggers a release of endorphins in most people. Of course, they’re trying to sell their planners.

I fall somewhere between list and non-list. Sometimes when I have a lot of different things on my plate, I find that making a list with a Franklin Planner type prioritization helps with juggling immediate deadlines and longer term deadlines that need early work.

Other times I feel like Devon that the list making is keeping me away from doing those things that should be done.

The Sunday night planning idea is also good. Napoleon Hill mentions it in Think and Grow Rich.

Another suggestion: Include family items on master list/calendar. I know that helps me keep things straight/prioritized.

]]> By: Robin http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/05/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/comment-page-1/#comment-23968 Robin Sun, 04 May 2008 20:18:27 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/a-freelance-writers-secret-to-effective-time-management/#comment-23968 Becky - I'm with you on the coffee house. On Sat morning I drop my son off at art lessons and I have about 50 minutes so I go to the nearby coffee house. I get a lot done. There are no other distractions. Becky –

I’m with you on the coffee house. On Sat morning I drop my son off at art lessons and I have about 50 minutes so I go to the nearby coffee house. I get a lot done. There are no other distractions.

]]>