Freelancing can be a great way to work, giving you an extra income as an addition to your day job or the chance to strike out doing work you really enjoy. However, though it is great to earn money on your own terms, freelancing has pros and cons. Here are three tips to help you as you are starting out as a freelancer: 1. Be Organized Whether freelancing is your main job or a side gig, organization is vital. As a freelancer, you will have to set up your own structures and systems as well as doing the actual freelance work you are being paid for. When starting out, it might be tempting to wing it, but to make a success of your work it is best to get organized as soon as possible. It can be a nightmare trying to find all your expenses for your tax return at the end of the year or to not be clear on your pricing structure when talking to clients. You don’t have to go overboard; create systems appropriate to the size of your work that will help you manage your work and grow your … [Read more...] about 3 Tips For The Aspiring Freelancer
Archives for July 2012
How To Stay Focused
Focus is essential to success at work. Without the ability to knuckle down and stay with a task, we are like a feather in the wind, being pulled this way and that. Do you have trouble remaining focussed? If so, here are some tips to help you stay the course: Do One Thing at a Time Multitasking was hailed as the way to be productive for a long time, however it is now emerging that multi tasking can be detrimental to focus and productivity. To stay focussed, practice doing one thing at a time. Ideally, try to complete the task in hand before moving onto the next thing. Take Control Taking control over your day is essential to focus. Turning up to work each morning and just doing what is in front of you means that you are at the mercy of whatever happens that day. Create a simple plan and stick to it. Make sure you complete the most important tasks first. Learn to Say No Learning to say no is very important in the art of becoming focussed. If you allow yourself to be distracted … [Read more...] about How To Stay Focused
5 Ways to Survive Returning to Work After Vacation
Vacations are great, but they usually have to end at some point! How do we cope with those post-vacation blues when we return? Here are a few tips: 1. Make The Most Of Your Vacation Before you even return, make sure you make the most of your vacation time while you have it. Try to completely switch off from work and make sure you do something enjoyable and rejuvenating, whether that is at home or away. If you find it hard to switch off, it is worth looking at why that is and finding a way to get more of a balance in your life. 2. Ease Your Way In How can you make your first week back at work easier? Can you arrange for the first day back to be a catch up day, where you get a chance to find your feet again? Of course, this isn’t always possible but there is usually something you can do to make your re-entry to work easier. 3. Plan Your Next Break Having something exciting to look forward to can be motivating and help things seem more manageable. If you are feeling blue at … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Survive Returning to Work After Vacation