Dear Ask a Latina,
I recently got laid off and instead of finding a new job, I made the decision to start working full-time as a freelancer. Business is good, and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, but sometimes I miss the structure of a 9-to-5.
I am blessed to have a great support network of family and friends that I want to spend time with. Now that I can make my own hours, I find myself struggling to balance my time with them and my time working at my desk.
Any advice on how to make sure my work is taken care of while also enjoying the freedom my new job affords me?
– Freewheeling Freelancer
Dear Freewheeling Freelancer,
I applaud you for recognizing the unique push-and-pull of priorities and interests that come up for self-employed people. Whether you call yourself a freelancer, self-employed, an independent professional, or an entrepreneur, the identity term doesn’t matter.
There is great responsibility, yet greater freedom, in being your own boss. Freelancers have to manage their time in a way that attracts new business, allows them to work on the actual client work, and manage the business administration side of self-employment.
Being a freelancer requires a lot of self-discipline. It’s not really that freeing!
It’s tempting when things get hard to just turn off the computer or walk away from the work and put on Netflix.
And, sometimes our friends and family may not view your work in the same way as before. You might get more phone calls during the day, get tasked with more household responsibilities, or have friends expect you to be able to grab a drink midday or get together without much notice.
Set Boundaries and Manage Expectations
Communicate and be consistent with your work time boundaries with your friends and family. Try to keep a consistent schedule for when they (and you) should expect you to be busy working, versus when you may be more flexible (like during the lunch hour).
Create and follow to-do lists per project or client, and knock out your tasks in the priority they require. Prioritizing can be based on chronological order, what’s most important or fundamental to a project or day, etc.
Every now and then, you’ll find you’ve managed all your tasks, and you have some extra time on your hands. Then, it’s probably time for business development, client follow ups or if you’re caught up there, some extra rest or fun!
Resources to Explore
How to Manage Your Time as a Freelancer: 3 Perspectives
Working for Yourself: How The Self-Employed Use Time Differently
