Time Management Tips for Freelance Artists

In cleaning out my desk, I always find interesting things. I am a collector of clippings, etc -- but not so much a good organizer of these clippings! So I often have to just be brutal and throw a lot of stuff out. But sometimes there are clippings/notes that are too good to throw away, but where to put them is the problem -- so I realized that putting it in this blog might be the best place for them.

Here is one of them, called Time Management for Freelance Artists.

• Ask yourself, what can I do right now to get started?
• Know exactly what you're doing and why.
• Concentrate on what you're doing, live in the NOW.
• Work with as much energy and enthusiasm as you can.
• Know when you are working and when you are not.
• Spend as much time as possible on priorities.
• Eliminate procrastination!
• Know your specific goals and your specific motivators.
• Think of time spent in waiting rooms as creative time.
• Invest time in exercise. Walk, run, join a fitness club.
• Keep your long-term goals always in view
• Pinpoint your most productive times of the day and use them to your greatest benefit.
• Set your own deadlines, and be a tough boss.
• When possible start every job when it is assigned even if your client doesn't need it until next week. You'll do a better job than if youre under unnecessary stress. Sloppy work doesn't pay.
• Avoid interruptions whenever possible.
• Learn how to say "no" and "goodbye."
• Know how long things take and always add on some more time for good measure "just in case."
• Establish high quality leisure and rest time
• Plan your day around routines that are a necessary part of your lifestyle -- showering, meals, daily chores and errands. Such regular routines are easy to plan around.
• When you can't be interrupted, kick on your answering machine and call them back later.

I do not know where this came from. I've had it for years, as you can tell by the reference to the answering machine! Just replace that last one with "if you are creating, let your calls go to voice-mail and call them back later."