She Strengthens

The Struggle is Real: Overcoming Procrastination as a Freelancer

As a freelancer, I’ve learned that staying motivated and focused is crucial to meeting deadlines and delivering quality work. But let’s be honest, it’s easy to get sidetracked and fall into the trap of procrastination. I recently had a humbling experience at a comedy show where I was called out for my profession, and it hit a nerve. The comedian joked about how I must spend my days watching Netflix, and while it was meant to be humorous, it struck a chord.

The Reality of Freelance Work

When you work as a freelancer, it’s up to you to manage your time and prioritize tasks. Without a traditional 9-to-5 schedule, it’s easy to fall into bad habits and put off important projects. I’ve been guilty of binge-watching TV shows or getting lost in social media, only to realize that I’ve wasted precious time that could have been spent on actual work.

Breaking the Cycle of Procrastination

So, how do we overcome our natural tendencies to procrastinate? A recent article from the Harvard Business Review offered some valuable insights. The key is to visualize the end goal and make the reward of completing a task greater than the immediate pain of tackling it. For freelancers, that reward is often getting paid for completing a project.

Practical Tips for Boosting Productivity

Here are three productivity tips that have helped me stay on track:

1. Confront the Downside of Inaction: When considering a task, think about what will happen if you don’t do it, or if you don’t do it right now. This helps to weigh the benefits and downsides of completing a task immediately rather than putting it off.
2. Identify the First Step: Break down daunting projects into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes it easier to get started and build momentum.
3. Pre-Commit, Publicly: Share your goals and tasks with others to increase accountability and motivation. This can be as simple as telling a friend or family member about a project you’re working on.

Embracing Imperfection

It’s essential to remember that procrastination is a common struggle, even for the most successful people. Rather than beating ourselves up over it, we can acknowledge our weaknesses and develop strategies to overcome them. By being kind to ourselves and acknowledging our imperfections, we can create a more productive and fulfilling work environment.