How to work wise and focus (without serious burnouts)

I was a full time worker, until the end of 2021. Then I become a full time freelancer and lifelong learner, and it is a great time apart from the really unstable cash flow (the struggle is real). I have a set of rules for myself to make sure I get things done. It may not work for everyone, but hope mine inspire you to have your own system. But remember:

Burnout is not a must have problem for freelancer

I think of this when I setup my one month challenge, based on the vague and loose system I come up with during quarantine at the start of 2021 (I just love to keep myself disciplined). It is still a developing system, but the frame work is the same.

Setup

Sit down and give yourself some time to think about what matters to you on work. Maybe your work from home task, maybe writing and reading, maybe your side hustle. It can even be spend time with your child, and family chores whatever it is. Write them down on your bullet journal or notebook, group them up by stress level.

Then, write down what you want to do as relaxation, something really chill out. Write them in another list. Basic daily exercise don’t count into this. It can be watch Netflix with your love, zone out with a cup of hot drink, wine time etc. There is no standard, just whatever things makes you feel loved and relaxed.

Spreading works out

Work

Now set the schedule up, ONLY give yourself three to four big task a day, depends on how quick you work. If you have a big work list, spread them out into the week. You have six days a week (sunday is for complete rest), 24 hours a day.

You don’t have to do everything in a day and burn yourself out.

Give yourself a daily to-do now, it is can be very brief. The rules is one task from the most stressful work group only for each day. Then allocate two or three more task that is less stressful. Also match it with your clients, if your clients specifically want product on Monday, work on their task at the middle of the week, and leave yourself some buffer zone incase emergency happens.

You may find out that you still have some time left, DON’T FILL THEM UP

Those tiny time slots, please take them as toilet breaks and water breaks and time for any ad-hoc task or phone calls from clients. These can stop you from panicking.

Incentives

Now give yourself some incentive to work. Set up a small list of relaxation after you have everything done, and only when you have everything done. So higher the focus and efficiency, more time to relax and do things you like.

And this is my almost done and almost real life daily list

You can see I don’t have 8-hour sleep, daily exercise, three meals and baths time etc included Those are life essentials, not tasks. Say this with me for three times and remember it.

Please, don’t write these into either task or relax list.

Discipline

Yes freelance means you are your own boss and you should be free. But freedom also requires you to be disciplined. Not me say this, M. Scott Peck said this in Road Less Travelled, I just learn from it.

Work is work, focus during work and only have limited background music. Close every not using screen. You will see how efficient you are when you are hyperfocused. Set a work time frame for each hyperfocus section, you can do the same time with two time slot a day. Work hyperfocused in the time frame only about that one thing, then take a break. Drink some tea, go to toilet, do some stretching.

It is important to have break after each one or two hours. Don’t work yourself to death.

After having everything done, relax. Completely relax. Don’t check your emails, emails can wait. Don’t answer non-urgent calls. Give yourself time, take a good rest. You think this is easy? I have been there and it is kind of hard.

Relax, chill out, then have a good night sleep. You worth it

Than sleep at designated time, give yourself 8-hour sleep and have a fresh start every day. Do some stretching and exercise before you start to work can help you work even more focused. Plus help you ease some stress and maintain health. Partying all night may jeopardize your sleep schedule for a couple of day, but you will bounce back, trust me.

Time Log

Get yourself a note book or vertical schedules, mark down the time you worked on each task, and what you archive. Mark down every single thing. Even the “little distractions”, like those you answered a not-so-urgent phone call and end up scrolling instagram for 30 minutes before you get back to work situations.

Mark everything down, reflect at the end of each week. Change what don’t work, and see how time you are distracted. See yourself improve

This is an important part of the system, because it helps you reflect your working style. Let you know when is the prime time of the day that you can work on complicated task. When is the time your body needs to slow down and maybe a good time to read a nice book.

Logging and Journaling is the best way to learn about yourself

Takeaways

1. You don’t have to do every thing in one day, spread things out
2. The system have to be simple and applicable. It is for working not show off
3. This is a learning process, no one is perfect at the start, and things can change if it don’t work well.
4. Adapt to the process 1% a week and things will change in a month.
5. Exercising, eat well and sleep well is basic daily essentials, not something luxury
6. Log things down and reflect each week. You will be happy to see how much you grow.

Conclusion

This is the way I make sure I utilize every single minute of my life, by this is doesn’t mean work till you drop. Taking a break and relax is also using time wisely as long as you also have something done and stayed disciplined.

It is not even guilty pleasure, it is your right to do so