Setting Limits When You Work at Home

In 2012, I will be focusing more frequently on the logistics and challenges of working at home. I’ve been doing it for more than six years, working part or full time at home (sometimes with an office job thrown in the mix).

If you want to frustrate me, call me up on a busy, lots-of-deadlines day, ask me to do something that day and then then I politely decline say, “But you work at home! You have time!” While it’s true that working at home is a lot more flexible than office working, there are still deadlines, meetings, conference calls and work to be attended to. And on deadline days, meeting those is paramount.

Working at home, contrary to popular belief, isn’t a carte blanche to fool around online and watch soap operas all day. It’s a challenging work-style that requires will power and determination. You still have a job to do — even if it doesn’t come with set hours and a compact cubicle.

Here’s how to successfully set limits — while also enjoying the benefits of the freelance life.

Setting Limits

Where do you work? I don’t mean home versus the coffee shop (though the coffee shop is a great place to escape to when you need a change of scenery). When you work from home, it’s absolutely imperative that you set limits on when and where you work. For instance, it might be tempting to curdle up in bed on a cold and dreary day, but do you really want to bring your office to your bedroom? Probably not. Instead, designate a dedicated workspace and go there — even if the commute is a mere 10 steps.

Having that dedicated space also allows you to keep your work supplies organized away from the rest of your life — which is important for maintaining the office/life separation. (more…)

12 Things I Want to Do in 2012

You might call them resolutions. Or plans. Or a to-do list. Whatever you want to call it, I have 12 totally obtainable things that I really want to do this year. The point of these goals was to reach high — but also be realistic. There’s no reason I can’t be successful with every single one of these goals.

So, here you go. These are my personal goals for 2012.

Read 52 Books – Last year I read somewhere between 40 and 45 books. That was good, but I can do better — so this year I am aiming to read 52 books — one for every week of the year.

Weigh Less Than Today – I could totally set a goal to lose x pounds. But that seldom works. And in the end, what I really want is to be healthier today than I was yesterday and healthier tomorrow than today.

Hand-write (and Send) 1 Letter Each Month – I think handwritten letters are a lost art that should be revived. So I am going to aim to write one every month this year. (more…)

Freelancer’s Last Few Days of the Year To-Do List

With only two days left in 2011, I can count on one hand the number of assignments I need to complete before 2012. That’s kind of exciting. But with just a few days left, I have a few important to-dos still that will ensure that I hit 2012 running.

Whether you are a freelance writer, recipe developer or something different, you can use these to-dos to energize your 2012 too.

• Read a Good Work-Related Book. I’m re-reading Plate to Pixel and taking notes. Photos are so important and it’s time to buckle down and get it right — without lots of correcting.
• Take Care of Work Issues. The biggest one facing me right now? Finding the perfect spot for photos in the house. Most days, I photograph outside. But the temperature is (finally) dropping, making that more challenging. I need to reassess my lighting issues and see if there is a good indoor spot to use too. Would a tripod help? I used one all last winter.
• Plan, Plan, Plan. I’m a firm believer in having a good plan in place. This makes working easier and takes guesswork out. My marketing plan is already done, but now it’s time to take a look at my editorial side of things by planning editorial calendars for all three blogs for the year.
• Clean Up. Entering the New Year with a clean office and home makes such a big difference for the psyche. So, make it happen.

What would you add to this list?

Writers: The A-Z of Gratitude

My son sometimes writes little stories and gives them to me. In a recent one, he wrote about how I once covered the Super Bowl for work and brought him back a little Super Bowl football. It was so sweet. He loves writing, loves telling stories and loves when I get excited about it all.

I was the same way at his age — so I wonder if he might one day grow up to be a writer too. If he does, I hope he finds the joy in writing every day. Because when you have that joy, your work sings.

Sometimes, I have to remind myself of that. As a 31-year-old writer, writing isn’t just for fun anymore, so sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes my inner critic silences my voice with its harsh criticism. But I try not to let it. It’s important to take a look at what you are doing and recognize why you love it.

More on that in a moment. But first, I couldn’t go on without sharing how all the little things just lined up this morning, leaving me sharing down this topic that I just had to write on. I was logging into this site to write about how being happy in your work leads to great things when I saw a new post by Dianne Jacob’s land in my inbox. Her topic? “Being Grateful — And Happier.”

Yes, universe, I hear you. And I am grateful.

What am I grateful for? Here are my A-Zs of Gratitude:

• Assignments. All of them. Without assignments, I wouldn’t have a career. When I receive one, it always makes me smile in gratitude.
• Brainstorms on new topics that happen anywhere and everywhere and leave me scrambling for a pen and paper to get it all down. Those little notes have led to some of my best work.
• Comments on my blogs and articles. Especially the ones where people come back to tell me how a recipe worked for them or how advice affected them. (more…)

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Freelancers

Being a freelancer is anything but easy. The good times are a sea of plum assignments and good fortune. But the bad times … oh, that’s when you tear your hair out, lose sleep and hope against all hope that things will improve.

Don’t worry. They will.

As we inch toward 2012, now’s a good time to assess what’s been good in 2011 and what you should change in 2012. These five resolutions are a great place to start:

1. Save Half of Each Check – One of the downsides of being a freelancer is that no one will force you to take money from your pay for taxes. There is no accountant subtracting these payments for you — instead you have to do it yourself (or not do it and pay a fine at the end of the year). If you want to be more financially responsible in 2012, then resolve to immediately move half of every check to your savings account. Not only will this cover those dreaded taxes, but you will build a cushion as well. And freelancers know how important that cushion is.
2. Say ‘No’ – It’s a hard thing to do, especially in that uncomfortable pocket of the month when you are waiting for your checks to arrive, but saying no is so important when an assignment just isn’t good for you. Maybe it’s too much work for too little pay. Maybe it’s a topic that bores you to tears. Maybe it’s busy work that you feel like you need to do to make sure you have enough work. But instead of saying ‘yes’ out of fear, say ‘no’ and channel your energies elsewhere — unless of course that assignment will mean being able to pay the rent (or not).
3. Take Days Off (and Unplug)- If you are anything like me, then you probably can go weeks (or months) without truly taking a day off. Well, guess what? It’s not healthy for any of us. So, plan for designated days off — at least one, ideally two or three per week — and let yourself relax. I can practically guarantee that your work will improve as a result. And while you are at it, hide the BlackBerry and laptop on those days — you don’t want to be tempted.
4. Read More – Every writer should be reading regularly — blogs, newspapers, magazines, books, you name it. Reading expands your mind, helping you to think of new ways to say things and better words to use. To be a better writer, you need to read. Plus, the escape of getting lost in someone else’s words is awesome too.
5. Get Out and Do Something – Does this sound familiar? You get up, have coffee and settle in on the couch with your laptop and get to work. Your breaks take you a mere 10 to 20 steps to the kitchen or bathroom. And you repeat this day in and day out. If so, then you are doing yourself — and your writing a great disservice. One of the greatest things about being a freelancer is that you are free to live. You aren’t tied to a work schedule or an office. So do it! Get out and do things. Besides, those life experiences? They serve to make your writing better.

What would you add to this list?