Week 10 of Freelance Writing: Diary Entry #11
Feeling more like myself — and more like a real freelance writer.
This week felt the most like a proper freelancer schedule (if that’s even a thing) than any previous weeks have. I’m honing in on what works and prioritizing my tasks with a little more strategic forethought. About time.
The fun and games of last week are over, and now I’m really into the new schedule and thinking harder about my strategy. In some ways, I’d say this has been my best week since I went full time, so I’m excited to share the details.
My Schedule
This week I sent freelance writing pitches on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, wrote 1200 words for my current WIP novel on Tuesday and Thursday. I wrote articles when those other things were done. I also did some social media engagement (mostly here).
I started my first priority tasks in the morning, so the afternoons were mostly dedicated to writing articles and social media engagement.
What worked
I had one priority each day, and it was the only thing I absolutely had to get done. Most of the time I finished that task with plenty of time left to make progress on my second priority for the day. I really like that method of scheduling because I actually get things done and feel a sense of accomplishment.
I also gave myself a smiley face every time I finished a task, which actually helped motivate me. Nothing gets those endorphins going like a smiley face.
🙂
What didn’t work
Some days I got done with everything before the day was over and did random unproductive things for the rest of the day. Since that happened a few times this week, I realized I may not be using my time effectively. I could be even more productive if I plan things a little better.
Plan for next week
Next week, I’m going to keep a very similar schedule, but I’m going to step it up a bit.
On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I’ll send one pitch each as I did this week. There’s an experimental project I’ve been thinking about doing, which requires some cold pitching as well, so I‘ll send one of those pitches on M,W,F as well.
Instead of writing 1,200 words in my novel on Tuesday and Thursday, I’m going to write 1,500 words.
Successes, Failures, and Lessons Learned
Challenge
I still struggled with pitching this week, and it was mostly because of mental blocks. I convinced myself that I didn’t have any good ideas, and that I was too inexperienced to get any good jobs. That caused me some turmoil early in the week.
Victory
I really think I’m getting my ideal routine figured out. Getting there, anyway. My schedule this week was very productive and less overwhelming than previous weeks.
I pitched all three days this week, and they were actually pretty decent, if I do say so myself.
I also wrote this article:
How I felt
As I mentioned earlier, I had some hangups early in the week about pitching that threatened to derail me, but I made it through. The rest of the week, I felt pretty good.
In fact, I felt the most like myself this week, somehow. Maybe that’s because I’m honing in on a schedule that works, or because I’ve been doing this long enough now that it doesn’t feel like a dream anymore. Or maybe it’s the yoga.
I’ve been practicing yoga every day before work as part of an experiment (which I’ll be writing about at some point), and I think that has improved my attitude and overall sense of wellbeing.
Tools I used
For day-to-day use, I’ve swapped out my full-size planner for a weekly planner pad (affiliate link) with the days of the week, top 3 priorities, a to-do list, and a habit tracker. It’s a lot easier to see my schedule at a glance. It keeps me more motivated and requires less work than a planner. Plus, I can give myself smiley faces for completing tasks and see them throughout the day. (It’s the little things.) I’m using it alongside Google Calendar.
Notion is still my favorite free note-keeping and organization app, and I’m probably going to keep talking about it every few weeks. I just love how it syncs up to the app on my phone, so anytime I have an idea, I can put it right where it belongs and come back to it on my laptop. That whole concept is probably normal for the younger generations, but as a millennial, I’m still shook.
Goal Review
Priority 1: Send one pitch on Monday, one on Wednesday, and one on Friday. Writing jobs trump this for top priority.
I did it, and I was happy with the ideas I came up with and the pitches I sent. I also came up with a few ideas for next week.
Priority 2: Write 1200 words in my novel on Tuesday and Thursday.
I was on a roll on Tuesday and wrote over 1,600 words! I was on much less of a roll on Thursday and barely (agonizingly) managed the 1,200 words, but I met the goal both days, so that’s a win.
Priority 3: Write and engage on here.
I scheduled this into my Tuesday and Thursday plan, where I published on Tuesday and engaged on both days.
Bonus: Work on a short story.
I didn’t work on any short stories this week. I really want to fit that in next week.
Final Thoughts
I have learned the most from trying new schedules and being brave in the face of my own uncertainty. Every week is a new adventure, and I’m loving it.
I hope you also keep trying new things and facing your fears. Have a great week!
Follow my publication, Diary of a Freelance Writer, and check back next Sunday for another rundown of a week in the life of a full-time freelance writer.
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