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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'

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Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 26/05/2015 18:06

Funnily enough I've been taking an iron supplement for a couple of months now and I think it has really helped. I do need to get into the habit of drinking more water (and less tea).

Okay, done five emails and I think I should stop for the day. I feel bad that I haven't done everything that I set out to do, but at the same time I haven't left the flat all day, and have mostly been sitting at my desk - even if I've been sitting at my desk procrastinating. So it's time to venture out into the world. I'll check in tomorrow - need to have a more productive day!

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Grumpyoldblonde · 27/05/2015 09:46

Morning all, I am still in my pyjamas but I am delivering the first job of the day, I started just after 8am as everyone was still in bed. I couldn't get showered and dressed yet as my dd is unwell and I don't want to disturb her while she sleeps. It feels very weird working in my nightwear and I don't like it really but had little option. My deadline to deliver next two jobs is tomorrow lunchtime, so I will probably have to look after my daughter throughout today and work either this evening or early tomorrow morning. I hope everyone has a productive day.

Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 27/05/2015 10:03

Morning everyone
So this morning I want to -

  • send a contract to a client for signature
  • chase another client to send me her contract
  • Send three identical pitches to three different clients
  • Send ten meeting requests to potential for a conference that I'm going to

But I think I should also say what I'm NOT going to do this morning! So this morning I will NOT put the TV on 'in the background', or snack, or read at online news sites or MN (apart from this thread).

And then I want to stop at 1pm and have a proper lunch break and will check in here with my tasks for the afternoon. I'll come back and say 'DONE' then.

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Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 27/05/2015 10:04

x-posted Grumpyoldblonde - that's hard, I know the feeling. Strange how being dressed for work somehow helps the mindset. Hope that your projects go well and that your little girl is better soon.

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Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 27/05/2015 12:55

  • send a contract to a client for signature DONE
  • chase another client to send me her contract DONE
  • Send three identical pitches to three different clients DONE
  • Send ten meeting requests to potential for a conference DONE

Hurrah - that was a good morning! Right, lunch break and then on to do my amends. I hope none of you mind me talking to myself here Blush I guess there'll be more people around after half term. I'll be back onto this thread tomorrow morning. Hope you make your deadline tomorrow Grumpyoldblonde

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MissTriggs · 27/05/2015 16:32

60 minutes on rewriting my CV to convince a Regulator my work still counts starting...

NOW!

Grumpyoldblonde · 27/05/2015 19:05

GO MissTriggs !!
Gah, I just looked at my email and I received a job request at gone 5pm, deadline 10am tomorrow morning, so looks like another pyjama start for me as it is still half term and I don't want to wake everyone by getting ready. I do wish clients would ring sometimes instead of emailing, but then I guess I would be peeved if my phone kept ringing, cant win. Will update by lunchtime tomorrow, I just realised we are nearly at month end so I need to prepare a couple of invoices and chase the 7/8 outstanding.

MissTriggs · 27/05/2015 19:19

Nope we can't win.

I've done the draft of the specialised CV and this thread really helped. When fading I did some marketing emails which counts as legitimate interruption.

Doing the CV, I was torn between thinking "oh god I'm nobody" and "my god have I really done that? That's amazing!". Does anyone else find they flip between excitement and imposter-syndrome, sometimes in one day?

hedgehog01 · 27/05/2015 19:26

I've had a good day. One more big project to be done by tomorrow Confused and then I can catch my breath a little. Am looking forward to leaving the house for the first time when DH back from work - going for a run! Have not eaten well but am almost through a difficult patch and tomorrow will be better. Need to do invoices ASAP now, that's the bit I really hate!

Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 28/05/2015 09:13

It's really inspiring to see how much you are all achieving!

Hope you did okay with your pyjama start Grumpyoldblonde and yeah, MissTriggs my imposter syndrome is so bad I just want to say 'no, that's because I actually am an imposter - shh, don't tell anyone or they'll never hire me again!' Bravo on the good day hedgehog - sounds like you're doing great. I know what you mean about invoices. Those and doing my accounts are my least favourite part of being self-employed.

Okay here's my list for this morning:-

  • send 18 meeting requests for conference I'm going to
  • send materials for assessment to client A
  • get in touch with a contact to ask a favour on behalf of another client
  • 20 minutes tidying the desktop of my computer
  • 30 minutes filing emails

Then I want to stop at 1pm, have a quick lunch and do one hour of amends before I head off to pick up DS from his grandparents.

What I will NOT do: - no TV, no internet news, no MN apart from this thread, no snacking.

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Grumpyoldblonde · 28/05/2015 09:50

Morning all, everybody seems to be doing well, jolly good.
I understand totally about imposter syndrome, every job I deliver I think the client will realise I am no good and that is the last I shall hear from them, then my imagination runs away and has me selling the house, living on scraps and wearing rags as I am so unemployable (did I read too much Dickens?)
Anyway, the job I had to deliver by 10am was delivered by 9am, just about to deliver the third part of my 1pm deadline with one more job to go.
Still in my nightwear as everybody else slumbers, and I really want to shower. Have a good and productive day

Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 28/05/2015 12:12

Hurrah Grumpyoldblonde - getting the job done in your PJs! Glad I'm not the only one who has those thoughts...

  • send 18 meeting requests for conference I'm going to DONE
  • send materials for assessment to client A HALF DONE - taking ages to upload!
  • get in touch with a contact to ask a favour on behalf of another client - not done. I hate asking for stuff. Must do that on Monday (taking tomorrow off to spend time with DS)
  • 20 minutes tidying the desktop of my computer DONE
  • 30 minutes filing emails - urgh, must I? My inbox has got so out of control that even the thought of spending 30 mins trying to clear it brings me out in a rash. Well, I'll set a timer for 10 minutes and then call it a morning.

I've definitely been way more productive thanks to this thread, even if it looks like I'm only doing half of what I set out to do.

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Grumpyoldblonde · 28/05/2015 12:23

yay running you are doing grand! My 1pm deadline has been met ahead of time, as of 12.15 I can say DONE Who knows what pleasures the afternoon will bring? (I did sneak in a shower and a good breakfast as I knew I would do my work in good time) So, I am going to pop out to get some fresh fruit and salad and then do the usual despairing over my now empty diary, although to be honest I don't mind a couple of quiet days in half term and next week is, well, another week I guess!

MissTriggs · 28/05/2015 17:08

Woke up this morning thinking about getting down to work. That hasn't happened in years except when clients have had urgent problems.

Hope this lasts!

griselda101 · 28/05/2015 22:04

hello all, sounds like you've all been well productive!

I'm doing ok having squeezed in some work around my toddler today! Things have gone crazy hectic with new stuff always there but think i am staying afloat. There's only one monolithic project (ages late) i've been putting off for ages but I'll try to get on it over the next week.

i've decided on a slightly new anti-procrastination / timesaving strategy by setting myself a financial target to reach every day.

Not always easy to keep tabs on earnings but much of my work is paid hourly or per project that I can finish off within a day (bar the sodding amends that come back days later!!). So am going to try to reach that and when I do I can relax a bit more! It has also spurred me on to finish outstanding projects better when I regard them financially rather than just as work! So a bit easier to focus on getting them done. I will let you know how I get on! It's also going to make me more focused on finishing things quickly and being more time efficient.

It might also help with my mum / work guilt I get all the time, never feeling like I do enough etc or that I can relax. I'll update with how it's going.

MissTriggs · 29/05/2015 17:14

Found a fab domain name that sums up my business&wasn't registered and created a home page last night. This will help me present myself as more of a "player" whilst trying to get new work localky.

Showed my face at client's office today now getting ready to take longstanding client out for dinner. Damn him for retiring on me though!

Grumpyoldblonde · 29/05/2015 19:11

Well done everyone, nothing to report from me - empty diary, hope things pick up next week. Will report back when I have news.
Have a good weekend and lets hope for a great upcoming week.

RedLentil · 29/05/2015 23:06

Watching the thread and not able to chip in yet because of a week that involved one 21-hour work stint ...

It isn't like this every week!
Still, you inspired me to sort out my overdue invoices with some success. Grin

Have a lovely weekend.

Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 01/06/2015 10:25

Morning all and welcome RedLentil!

It sounds like everyone is making positive strides - hurrah for us!

Okay here's my accountability check in for today - by 5pm I want to have done the following:-

  • return contract to client V with my comments
  • send materials for assessment to client I
  • two thirty minute bursts of filing my emails
  • send fifteen meeting requests for the conference that I'm going to on Friday
  • confirm my meetings, put together my travel schedule and diary for the conference (and then write my packing list this evening)
  • and I also want to take a proper lunch break to eat the healthy lunch I have prepared and go for a quick walk and avoid snacking for the rest of the day.

And I'm having one of those mornings when I'm struggling to get started. Easily distracted and seized with reluctance when I look at each task that I need to do. Bah.

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Grumpyoldblonde · 01/06/2015 11:04

Morning all, hello Redlentil, Nothing booked so far but as it is inset day probably just as well really. I have a networking event to go to tomorrow evening and if I don't get any assignments offered this week then I shall begin my Powerpoint training, I figure it is better to be learning if I am not earning. I hope your diaries are fuller than mine, I shall report back when I have something to tell you.

PrimalLass · 02/06/2015 11:24

I now have tons to do but it's half term. Will get going with something in a moment.

Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 03/06/2015 10:06

So my list of tasks for Monday is still not complete... And it's Wednesday. That's not a good sign. Here's where I've got to.

  • return contract to client V with my comments DONE
  • send materials for assessment to client I NOT DONE
  • two thirty minute bursts of filing my emails NOT DONE
  • send fifteen meeting requests for the conference that I'm going to on Friday HALF DONE
  • confirm my meetings, put together my travel schedule and diary for the conference (and then write my packing list this evening) HALF DONE

Since then I have also had another urgent contract come in that needs me to check and return comments. So here are my tasks for Wednesday:-

  • return new contract to client P with my comments
  • send materials for assessment to client I
  • two thirty minute bursts of filing my emails
  • send seven meeting requests for the conference that I'm going to on Friday
  • confirm my meetings, put together my travel schedule and diary for the conference (and then write my packing list this evening)
  • do ten pages of amends on next document for client W
  • pull out and list sections for drafting for client W

Urgh. That's a lot of work. I am overcome with reluctance at the sight of it... But I won't get paid if I don't do it. Once more unto the breach, then.

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RedLentil · 03/06/2015 13:30

It was a bank holiday here on Monday and I finished a massive stressful project which has left me feeling like I'm on holiday. But I'm not. I find using a timer on my desktop is good discipline and helps me reach a billable hours target for the day.

griselda101 · 03/06/2015 22:30

anyone else have issues with getting sidetracked with new "urgent" projects that crop up when you're trying to work on other biggies??

strategies for dealing with them would be helpful. I feel like i am forever fighting fire, and don't feel I can turn down the urgent stuff as it's the bread and butter money!!

hope you're all having a productive week so far. Mine's going alright thank goodness but rather stressful (as ever). It's the switching between work mode and mum mode in an instant I find the most difficult! At the end of the day I pick up DS from nursery (he only goes for 3 sessions a week) and run to nursery, pick him up - we're both usually grumpy due to being tired - then have to contend with parenting, dinner etc after a full on day (am LP).

Usually followed by evening emails and more stress trying to keep up with work! The cycle never ends. Must try to schedule in more "me" time but it's easier said than done, as if I don't get work done I get more stressed out.

Original poster
Runningoverthefields · 04/06/2015 09:12

A timer on the desk is a good idea RedLentil I might do that today.
griselda you've just described my whole week - trying to work on important priorities while other urgent things fly at me. I end up working on everything at once and then feel like I've achieved nothing. I think maybe we need to block out some regular time in our diaries to work on our priorities - like, say, 11am to 12pm every day. And treat that as an appointment, as if we were in a meeting, with email switched off and phone on silent. And then pick up our messages and get back to all the 'urgent' stuff. How does that sound?

Here's my accountability check in....

  • return new contract to client P with my comments DONE
  • send materials for assessment to client I DONE
  • two thirty minute bursts of filing my emails NOT DONE
  • send seven meeting requests for the conference that I'm going to on FridayNOT DONE
  • confirm my meetings, put together my travel schedule and diary for the conference (and then write my packing list this evening) NOT DONE
  • do ten pages of amends on next document for client W DONE
  • pull out and list sections for drafting for client W DONE

So the good news is that's a lot of stuff done. The bad news is that I procrastinated a lot through the day and I was still working at 11.30pm and I didn't sleep well as I hadn't switched off my brain properly when I went to bed. Not ideal.

Okay so here is today's much shorter list -

  • send remaining meeting requests for conference
  • confirm my meetings, put together my travel schedule and diary for the conference (and then write my packing list this evening)

And then I will stop for the day.
See you later :)

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