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Original poster

Accountability thread for freelance procrastinators - anyone?

156 replies

Runningoverthefields · 18/05/2015 10:51

I've made a resolution to become more productive in my working hours - and then to switch off the computer sometimes and take a proper break.

Anyone want to join me?

We could check in on the thread each time we're going to start a work 'sprint' (eg in the next 30 minutes I'm going to do task xyz) and then check in when task is done. Or we could just check in every time we feel our attention wandering during the day to say 'drifted off for a second there, right now, I'm going back to do xyz') and let each other know whether we achieved it. Or we could swap any tips for staying productive... whatever everyone would find useful.

For me this is partly about getting more work done, but it's also about stopping work on time. Sometimes I procrastinate all day and then don't go to the gym because 'I really must finish this work off', or check email over the weekend because I feel guilty that I didn't work hard enough in my work hours.

Maybe I'm the only one who struggles with staying motivated through the day when being my own boss and with working from home. But I suspect not Smile

Or maybe this thread already exists and I've missed it???

To kick off - I am now going to send 10 emails chasing clients for feedback/payment/paperwork and then I'll come back and say 'DONE'

OP posts:
griselda101 · 20/05/2015 17:50

managed 1, 2, failed on 4, as I got sidelined into a new urgent client project but it bought in some extra pennies, so I count it as a productive day's work (and count it as number 3 too!).

the new client was very happy which is great news.

was definitely being overambitious though! might try to get a bit done this eve on the other bits.

best of luck tomorrow everyone!! :)

Grumpyoldblonde · 20/05/2015 17:59

Rightio, I have decided that if tomorrow is quiet then I am going to work on my Linkedin profile, and have a go at learning Powerpoint, I have never had to use it but I gather Powerpoint experts can earn quite well so if I do have to do some agency work to fill the gaps I would have another skill, I also need to brush up Excel, I never need to use it but again, it is a marketable skill so it wont hurt to know it.
I have been toying with the idea of getting a Tefl qualification, I gather it is hard work and not very well paid but wondered about running one to one classes or small private groups in the future. I live in an area with a large Polish & Asian population - I need to give this some proper thought and do a lot of research.
Good luck tomorrow, may our telephones ring and our emails ping!

MissTriggs · 21/05/2015 19:47

Hi may I join please?

I have had it quite easy for a long time - luvverlly retainer - but sadly the company is up for sale and my champion has resigned so no more complacency!

Right now I'm quite anxious so a good time to be productive.

My resolutions will include not going on any other threads on mumsnet... especially the ones that are annoying....

Grumpyoldblonde · 22/05/2015 10:19

Morning all! Feeling much happier today as 4 x jobs have just come my way - tight deadline, demanding Project Manager, will check in later to update.
Have a good day, hope those phone calls and emails keep coming for us all.

griselda101 · 22/05/2015 10:24

congrats grumpy! :-)

i've just been deluged too, feeling particularly tired this morning but will try to strike one biggie off my list at least. wish me luck!

and good luck to all of you. Welcome MissTriggs!

Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 22/05/2015 10:25

Grin MissTriggs me too! The time I have wasted in being annoyed about what a stranger on the internet has said... and what I could have achieved if I had spent that time working on my business It just doesn't bear thinking about.

griselda I have a tendency to be overambitious too and then I procrastinate because the job I've set myself is so big that I feel defeated before I begin. But it sounds like you had a great productive day! How did Thursday go?

Sounds like lots of irons in the fire Grumpyoldblonde - I've had quite a bit of work via LinkedIn so I think it's definitely worth keeping it up to date. As well as my profile I keep track of my connections on there - sending them a 'congratulations' card when they start a new job, or just an occasional note about something that they might find helpful.

I want to concentrate on these amends today because they're such a massive job I need to break them down. So today

  • 3 x 45 minute sprints on my amends
  • 30 mins writing first draft on some marketing copy
  • take a proper lunch break rather than snacking all day

And I need to stop at 2.30pm to pick up DS, and switch off the computer for the rest of the day to enjoy hanging out with him

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Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 22/05/2015 10:26

x-posted AGAIN! Congrats Grumpyoldblonde and 'Good luck' griselda!

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Grumpyoldblonde · 22/05/2015 11:58

Hi People, I am on track for my deadline of 3pm so I think I am going to have a cup of tea and step outside for a filthy cigarette, before I tackle the fourth file. I am in a much better mood as I will also have some work for Monday, I hate the whole week stretching ahead with an empty diary so even 2/3 days work stops me sinking into a gloom and means I have time to tackle the housework and what have you on the other days. I have decided to pluck up courage to go to a networking event next week, the idea of turning up with a bunch of business cards and trying to sell myself is daunting but I have an 11 year old to keep in lip gloss and trainers.

hedgehog01 · 22/05/2015 14:58

Can I join? I need to finish off a chunk of work on a dead Russian author, it's so dry I could scream. Will check back in at 4.

Grumpyoldblonde · 22/05/2015 15:07

Hi Hedgehog you are working on a dead Russian author? I tend to use a desk! (sorry, sorry) that does sound a bit dull for a Friday.
I am done, ahead of my deadline, not invoiced the work as there will be more next week and I can do a combined bill, the fewer invoices I have to keep track of the better. Of course next week is half term, the other freelancers problem.

PrimalLass · 22/05/2015 16:27

Had a bit of a 'no work' panic today so I sent out some emails. One of these has hopefully resulted in some work very soon. And I'm putting some things into place to update my skills.

MissTriggs · 22/05/2015 16:56

Well done Primal,

I've done a full morning on my least well paid but most enjoyable work, come home, flopped, went on mumsnet to distract myself, saw this thread thought "uh oh I can do better than this" and promise to be back in 30 mins having done a bill.

Truth us, I need kicking..... That's one of the few things I miss about office life.

See you in 29...

PrimalLass · 22/05/2015 17:08

Yay, one paper in from a new client, and have chased two late payments.

Go MissTriggs.

MissTriggs · 22/05/2015 17:33

done - slightly late because I naughtily had this on in the background

hard to bill accurately when Franz S is playing.

MissTriggs · 22/05/2015 17:35

ps I enjoyed the dead Russian joke.

Now - we are supposed to stop, not check the thread and take the weekend off? Is that right? In which case see y'all next week.

Off to have heart rebroken by Schubert.

Grumpyoldblonde · 22/05/2015 17:42

Sound like everyone is motivated! - have a good weekend, next week will be tricky for some of with children I expect as it is half term. Catch up with you next week I hope.

hedgehog01 · 22/05/2015 18:13

Dead Russian jokes made me smile. Much-needed: this week has been hard. Too much work, mum guilt and computer meltdown. I am done for
Today. Need to revisit dead Russian but have done what I hoped. Thanks, all xx

Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 26/05/2015 10:49

Morning all! How's everyone getting on today?

Have to say that I enjoyed bank holiday so much more because I knew that I'd been productive during the week so I didn't check emails or feel guilty over the weekend.

DS is on half term but has gone to stay with grandparents so that DH and I can both work as it's a busy time of year for both of us. We dropped him off last night - gosh but it's quiet here! I miss DS so much, at least I want to have done enough work to make it worthwhile Sad And I've been procrastinating all morning so far dammit

So today's plan is

complete a funding submission for a client
reply to 20 emails
clear the desktop of my laptop of random documents
spend 20 minutes filing email

I'll come back to say 'DONE' at various intervals through the day.

OP posts:
Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 26/05/2015 11:11

complete a funding submission for a client DONE

Yay - that funding submission has been lingering for a month as I had to request lots of bits of info, and then I procrastinated about finally filling in the last information and submitting it. Now it's done, done, done, tralala. Right, off to send some emails before lunch!

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MissTriggs · 26/05/2015 11:48

I worked (or should say read about work) over the weekend. On reflection that was a bad thing.

I set up a twitter account that's supposedly personal but really is all about marketing ....

So today I've done 30m work that will be paid for and, more importantly, some marketing.

When work is slower it's hard to know whether to get up to speed with low/non-paying work or market for the work you want isn't it?

Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 26/05/2015 13:19

Did four emails before lunch.

So I have sixteen more emails to send this afternoon - seven of which need individually drafting and then nine which will be all form emails. I'll do the seven first and then come back. I may have set myself slightly too much to do today. I just want to catch up.

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Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 26/05/2015 16:57

Urgh. Unproductive afternoon. Only sent one of the seven emails so far.

Okay, I will send five emails then come back here to check in.

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Grumpyoldblonde · 26/05/2015 17:04

Hi everyone, sounds like you are all doing ok, maybe like me still putting things off a bit?
I have had no work today which is just typical as my daughter is out until 7pm so I could have had a lovely long day, of course I have just been sent an email asking for loads of work to be done on a tight deadline just as I have no real childcare (well dh is home but he cant entertain her without spending loads of money which we simply don't have at the moment) I have only sent one invoice today and counted up how many are outstanding (7) I know they will be settled soon though.
I have bags more energy the past few days as I have kicked my wine habit and am eating loads better (lots of nuts squirrel style) so I hope this will help me get more productive. Actually my first job of the new batch has just come through so I will crack on with that & check in later or tomorrow with you.

MissTriggs · 26/05/2015 17:11

interesting point about the diet grumpy. I've switched to nuts and started taking iron supplements.....

Grumpyoldblonde · 26/05/2015 17:38

Job printing, yes MissTriggs I am also taking a supplement, I have been a bit foggy lately, a little too much wine and rich food over the weekend made me sluggish, so I decided that concentrating on fish, veg, nuts and so on might help plus lots of water, it stands to reason really that will lead to more energy and clearer thinking (I hope anyway!)