Comments on: Time Audit Results: Freelance Writing and Managing Distractions

By: Writer

Writer — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:38:20 +0000

Reannon – Thanks for reading! Interesting comment. I haven’t found that the stress of writing full-time has zapped my creative energies (yet). I think that I am sooo stoked about actually following my dreams that I haven’t felt the stress of having to produce just yet. I think it may have to do with the fact that I am not actually writing all day but spending quite a bit of time looking for work, marketing work that I have already done, and in actuality doing more technical writing rather than creative writing to pay the bills. But what I do get stressed about is figuring out how to better manage my time and stay productive while also still managing to have a life…

By: Reannon

Reannon — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:34:42 +0000

Hey there,

Thanks for posting these…I want to get more into freelancing and this post motivated me to stop being so lazy and start writing. I really admire what you’ve done…quitting your job to pursue your dream. That’s awesome.

I love to write but I don’t think I would if I had to do it full-time…and as a means to survive. I would think that the pressure would kill any creative energy I had and I would just sit around all day stressing out. How do you deal?

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:37:24 +0000

Great tips Amiee. You’ve inspired me to try the time audit soon. I’ve started trying to actually map out my day the night before so that when I wake up I know exactly what I’m doing. It helps! I have a bad habit of multi-tasking too, and know I do much more quality work when I’m focused in and not doing 7 things at once.

By: JoAnna

JoAnna — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:43:24 +0000

I agree completely with #5. I have a terrible tendency to start one thing, then move to another and another and another … and none of them actually get completed. I’ve started making a daily to-do list which is manageable and entails both small and large tasks so that I can continue to cross things off as I finish them.

Good luck with the balancing act!

By: T

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:20:53 +0000

Great post! I agree that multi-tasking is highly over-rated and ultimately reduces productivity. Focus works much better. I also do my bet to set limits on social networking… far too easy to justify it as promotion for my work.

By: Writer

Writer — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:01:12 +0000

Just saw this post – some more great ideas for dealing with distractions. http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=893

By: Celeste Stewart

Celeste Stewart — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:44:49 +0000

My goal this year is to manage my time better so this post caught my attention. So far, I’ve turned off my email notifications and that has helped a ton.

I agree with saying no to multitasking! I also like the idea of closing all Internet browsers except those needed for research. I’m constantly checking HootSuite/Twitter and a forum that I like. I know those constant checks add up to a ton of wasted time. Tomorrow, those tabs are being closed for most of the day

By: Robyn

Robyn — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:37:11 +0000

I also am worthless in the afternoon if I’m home – but mine starts about noon! I’ve often called it The Crisis,as it’s when I’m most likely to think there’s no way out…of what I’m not sure but it just feels like that. I have to be away from home to get through it. I’ve found I’m best in the early morning or evening – and most inspired then too.
Today I was working at a coffee shop that had a 2 hr time limit for wi-fi. This helped me stay focused on my projects since I knew I only had 2 hrs.

By: Abbie

Abbie — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:37:40 +0000

Great tips, thanks

By: Run Junkie

Run Junkie — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:26:04 +0000

Great piece. Changing up the workspace is a really big help for me. Unplugging from non-essential distractions is tougher to do, but a really big help as well. The most productive 2 hours in the last three months for me was on a wifi-free flight from Salt Lake to St. Louis.

Keep up the good work.