Comments on: 5 Reasons Freelancers Should Keep Regular Business Hours

By: Danielle McGaw

Danielle McGaw — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 07:52:51 +0000

I KNOW that you are right because when I manage to keep some regular hours and work in the same space I do so much better and get so much more done. Some days though, trying to convince my gypsy spirit that work hours are a good thing is more of a challenge than I am up for!
Danielle McGaw´s last [type] ..How Dare You Write for Peanuts

By: Summer Options for Work at Home Parents : Freelance Writing Jobs | A Freelance Writing Community and Freelance Writing Jobs Resource

Thu, 20 May 2010 18:52:55 +0000

[...] a firm believer in having regular business hours but I guess it goes without saying that many of us have to change things up a bit in the summer to [...]

By: Issa

Issa — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:04:33 +0000

I totally agree with what you wrote here, Deb. I like items 2 and 4. Keeping regular work hours just helps me stay focused as a freelancer working for multiple projects on multiple freelancing sites. Also, it helps me separate work from play, specially that my home is my very work place. Nice sharing! .-= Issa´s last blog ..Should You Outsource Your Social Media? =-.

By: 10 Reasons Why the WAHM Thing Might Not Be Working Out : Freelance Writing Jobs | A Freelance Writing Community and Freelance Writing Jobs Resource

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 14:20:48 +0000

[...] common issue among WAHMs is finding the time to work. Or, rather, finding the time to work without interruption. Just like taking piece mail jobs, [...]

By: Your Freelance Writing Clients Know You’re Lying : Freelance Writing Jobs | A Freelance Writing Community and Freelance Writing Jobs Resource

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:05:21 +0000

[...] freelance writers we work hard, but we still maintain flexible schedules. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be able to take time off any time we like. Still, [...]

By: 40 Lessons Learned in Ten Years as a Freelance Writer : Freelance Writing Jobs | A Freelance Writing Community

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:58:39 +0000

[...] dropping what I’m doing to see to other people, I won’t get anything done. When I have business hours I respect my time more and so do other [...]

By: Why Routines are Important for Freelance Writers : Freelance Writing Jobs | The #1 Online Writing Community for Freelancers

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:57:38 +0000

[...] I sat down to type every time I had a few minutes, it was viewed as more of a hobby. Establishing business hours and times to take calls, write or file, showed me – and others – that I have a business [...]

By: A List of List: 70 Posts About Freelance Writing and Freelance Writing Jobs : Freelance Writing Jobs | The #1 Online Writing Community for Freelancers

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:53:12 +0000

[...] 5 Reasons Freelance Writers Should Keep Regular Business Hours [...]

By: Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:48:57 +0000

Good tips here. I’m currently in my office (a modified bedroom) with the door closed and wearing earplugs. I can still hear some of what’s going on with my husband and kids, but the earplugs help tremendously.

By: selena

selena — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:45:27 +0000

thanks for this article. i was just thinking yesterday that i need to set up regular working hours every day. of course, with a 4 year old, a 1 year old and a 7 week old, it’s not that easy! i think i’ll start with naptime… =)

By: 85 Hacks to Help Your Freelance Writing Career : Freelance Writing Jobs

85 Hacks to Help Your Freelance Writing Career : Freelance Writing Jobs — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:52:36 +0000

[...] business hours: When you have regular business hours, everyone treats you with respect – your family, your clients… even you have more [...]

By: 10 Tips for Setting Up a Virtual Office : Freelance Writing Jobs

10 Tips for Setting Up a Virtual Office : Freelance Writing Jobs — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:39:21 +0000

[...] Keep regular business hours: You’ll be able to focus better when you allot specific blocks of time each day for work. This also shows friends and family you’re serious about work, and also prevents clients from calling at all hours of the day and night. For some reason many people associate freelance as being available all the time, set limits by keeping regular business hours. [...]

By: What Does it Mean to Be a Freelance Writer? : Freelance Writing Jobs

What Does it Mean to Be a Freelance Writer? : Freelance Writing Jobs — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:02:21 +0000

[...] 5 Reasons Freelancers Should Keep Regular Business Hours [...]

By: 60 Tips for Getting Started in Your Freelance Writing Career : Freelance Writing Jobs

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:19:50 +0000

[...] though. Most freelancers have the best of intentions but find a different reality. Determine your business hours. Find blocks of time you can work undisturbed. You’ll thank me for this [...]

By: Angie

Angie — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:17:02 +0000

Thank you very much for this blog post, Deb. When my son starts school next week, I plan to set my business hours between 9AM-2:30PM. My productivity has suffered during the summer because my work hours are all over the place.

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:20:00 +0000

If you believe establishing firm business hours isn’t right for you, there is that old (and true) adage: give them an inch and they’ll take a foot. If you do not establish business hours (and stick to them), you’ll have clients calling you in the morning and in the evening. This despite knowing it is outside the standard 9-5 timeframe.

Many clients have this impression freelancing means you work sort of loosey-goosie hours and are at their beck-and-call. Establish hours. Get voice mail. Work, but also have a life.

By: Raechel

Raechel — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:10:18 +0000

I completely agree Deb. I’m new to full time freelancing and I have had to be really strict with visitors and phone calls during my working hours. It seems like as soon as people found out I was working from home they started dropping by, calling and trying to get me to make plans when they know I should be working. It has gotten better in the last few weeks since I have made it clear what my schedule is. Now I just need to figure out how to make it clear to my two dogs….

By: Trina L. Grant

Trina L. Grant — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:12:30 +0000

I completely agree with your take on work hours, especially regarding family and friends respecting your time. I had to firmly establish a time for no personal or friendly phone calls. It says to the people who know me, “This is my business. In order to make money, I actually have to work.” Plus, it puts that idea in my own my mind as well, and gives me the drive to keep going. It gives credibility to my “jobless life” and makes me feel productive, not flustered and chaotic. Oh, and I also threatened to shave my youngest daughter’s head while she slept if she didn’t stop telling her friends to tell their parents they could just drop their kids off over here during the summer because, “My mama doesn’t have a job.”

By: Kevin Freeman

Kevin Freeman — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:09:54 +0000

Although I always would have heartily agreed with setting regular hours in the past, I was the worst daily offender of these principles. Since I was recently forced – by relatives who didn’t believe that writing could consist of real work – to develop and stick to a schedule, ignoring the goings on behind me with a set of headphones and some willpower, my productivity has shot through the roof. I can now finally say that I am a freelancer with a mission, and that mission progresses steadily each day. Thanks for the great post as always Deb!

By: Kathryn Lang

Kathryn Lang — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:57:04 +0000

I’m working in the middle of the kitchen right now trying to figure out how to block out the noise of the 3 year old’s tv show, the hubby washing dishes, the older boys asking questions ever minute and now the washing machine. Having a place where I could close the door and say “I’m at work” would be amazing.