Listy McQueen
Joelle said around lunch time on January 8, 2008
I mentioned one of my goals for this year is to have more boundaries between my work life and my life life. Well, I’m doing a pretty decent job so far and making lists and setting up calendars is really helping with that. When you work for yourself and you don’t have a staff, you have to plan out your life almost 6 months in advance. At least, I do. It kind of cramps any spontaneity, but spontaneity doesn’t pay my cable bill.
My friend Mel told me that she started scheduling everything a while back and it really helped her. Since I don’t think I’m nearly as organized as she seems to be, I was skeptical that it would work for me. I felt so overwhelmed, I didn’t feel like something as simple as making a list or adhering to office hours would help. I’m pleased to report that so far, scheduling is working out well and even though it’s only the first couple weeks, I’m hopeful.
I had to start out slow or it wouldn’t take. I knew back in the Fall that I wanted a new way of life and a new way of working in 2008, so I started out by implementing Basecamp to manage my projects. Then, I implemented a “daytime, nighttime, anytime, clients pay me on time” invoicing service… by Freshbooks, of course. These two things, coupled with Google Calendar and Gmail have made life easier, that’s for sure.
Now I just recite my office hours as a daily mantra while I work furiously throughout the day. I think giving myself more structure will allow me to ultimately have more freedom.
Have you started organizing your life somehow? Any tips… work related or otherwise?
Moxie Design Studios™
It’s hard for me to be structured. I tend to be a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kinda gal, but like you, I think there is something to it. I’m trying out the FlyLady system (see FlyLady.net) for decluttering, and if I really apply myself to doing what she says, it works. I kind of rebel against the whole “FlyLady Shoes” part of her program, though, which is supposedly the key to making it work longterm. We’ll see.
I use 14dayz to keep track of time I’ve spent on projects for time reporting purposes. It’s helped me a lot.
Honestly, I use a calendar DAILY. On Sunday I sit down and plan out my week, and then I stick to it. You’re right, it burns spontaneity, but I’m getting a LOT more done and there’s less of messing around on the computer and wasting time when I’ve got my time structured and scheduled. (The life of freelancing, as you WELL know!)
xo!
from San Diego, CA • Cocktail: slightly dirty Grey Goose martini
@callie: That looks like a good program! Freshbooks allows you to track time, too, though I’ve not used that feature very much.
@slack: All hail the calendar!
@lani: I used to be much more fly-by-the-seat, but there was anxiety that accompanied that when my responsibilities grew. I’ve heard of the FlyLady, though… I don’t entirely get her whole “fly” concept, but whatever! hehe. I hope it’s successful for you.
from Michigan
I am freakishly organized and lists for everything! I am very scheduled and like to know what’s coming up in my life. I am a total freak about it. I use my Palm Pilot and that works for me. That way, I always have it with me. And I am sure to categorize things on my calendar so I can easily find things and get what I need. I am a nerd that way.
I have little systems, too, but nothing revolutionary. Seems when I get overwhelmed, its the stuff around my home that suffers. I live in a really clean place and am a freak about it, but I will end up letting the laundry sit in the basket or whatever until I get around to it. I always have a small to do list on my kitchen counter. I make a new list at the beginning of every week of all the things around my house that I need/want to accomplish in the next seven days. That way, its always there, in my face reminding me. Plus, when I think of something else, I can easily jot it down. Like this morning I added “Target - get toilet paper”.
I love scratching things off the list.
I also make it a goal to have everything done during the day in time to relax at night. Its not always possible, but I think its exceptionally important to have an end time in mind that allows me to sit on the couch, watch Project Runway, paint my nails, or whatever else I want to do. My “end time” is usually 9 pm...no more “to dos” after that. I just wash my face, put on my PJs and do something for me.
Just what works for me, I guess!