How to Keep a Healthy Work-Life Balance as a Freelancer?
Productivity Tips to Help Freelancers Achieve Their Goals
Working as a freelancer can be a dream come true. You get to set your own hours and work from home, which allows you the freedom to have fun with friends or family whenever you want. However, freelancing can also be challenging and stressful, especially if you’re not prepared for it. We’ve been asked many times by our readers how to keep a healthy work-life balance as a freelancer and still be productive and complete tasks?
So, we’ve compiled some of our best tips that will help you keep yourself motivated and organized throughout the day:
Learn to say no
The first step to managing your time is learning how to say no. Let’s face it, there are times when you just have too much on your plate. One of the benefits of freelancing is that you can set your own schedule and decide how much time you want to dedicate to your business.
The key is to set boundaries so that you know what your priorities are and what is truly important to you. Here are some tips for setting these boundaries:
- Set clear expectations for your clients and make sure they understand that they can’t always have their way.
- Be clear with yourself about your availability and how much time you want to devote each day/week/month to work on tasks.
- Plan ahead by creating schedules for yourself that include things like breaks, meals, exercise time, etc.
- Don’t be afraid to say no! If someone asks you for more than what’s possible at this moment, then say no without apology or guilt!
Be disciplined
When you are working as a freelancer, it is important to be disciplined. You need to be disciplined about your work, time, health, and finances.
It’s easy to get carried away with work, let it take over your life, and forget how to keep a healthy work-life balance as a freelancer. But if you want to maintain a thriving balance without sacrificing quality in either area of your life, then discipline is key.
You should set aside time each day for checking emails or doing freelance jobs or whatever else needs to be done during the day but make sure that this doesn’t take over other activities like going out with friends or spending time with family, etc.
Keep your workspace organized
Keep your workspace organized. We’re not going to go into detail here, but it’s something you should consider when setting up a workstation. Keeping everything tidy and in place will help prevent unnecessary stress and distraction and help maintain optimal focus levels throughout the day.
Use software that allows for easy file management, such as Google Drive or Dropbox (or both!), to keep your files organized in one place at all times, so they’re always available when needed.
You may also want to consider setting up an online calendar where you can track daily appointments, deadlines, and other events necessary to managing your freelancing business efficiently.
Stay healthy
As a Freelancer, you’re probably used to working long hours and not taking breaks. But if you want to learn how to keep a healthy work-life balance as a freelancer to avoid burnout, it’s important to set aside time for rest and relaxation.
Here are some tips for making sure you’re healthy:
- Eat healthy: Make sure to eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins like chicken or fish instead of junk food like chips or cookies. Eating well will help keep your brain sharp, and your body energized.
- Exercise regularly: Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress and improve mental health—even 10 minutes of exercise every day can help reduce anxiety and depression. Try exercising outdoors or listening to music while working out—it’ll give you something else to think about while still giving you all the benefits of physical activity.
- Get enough sleep: It’s tempting when deadlines are looming to stay up late at night working on projects or responding to messages, but this can actually make it harder for you to focus during the day when you’re tired and stressed out! Make sure that you get at least 7 hours of quality sleep each night so you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready
Set a schedule
When you are working as a freelancer, there is no one telling you what to do and when. You have more freedom than most people, and it can be hard to stay on track. To avoid this problem, make sure that you set your own schedule. You can also use project management tools for freelancers to keep your projects on track.
It is important that you include time for breaks and exercise in your day. It is also important to keep some time socializing with friends or family. Try to stick as closely as possible to this schedule for great results.
Take regular breaks
As a freelancer, you’ll likely work in a home office. And while you may be able to get away with being on your computer all day long, it’s important that you take regular breaks. Not only are breaks good for your mental health, but they can also help keep your physical health in check!
By taking breaks throughout the day (even if it’s just for 5 minutes), you’re ensuring that your brain doesn’t begin to feel fatigued or overwhelmed from working on one task for too long. This will allow you to focus better when needed and stay productive in between those tasks.
It’s also important to take enough time away from using technology — even if it’s just going out into the sun or sitting outside for a few minutes during lunchtime — because this helps recharge your body physically and mentally.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
You are not alone. Many people have been in your shoes, and they have valuable experiences to share. You can learn from other’s experiences and take advantage of their knowledge and expertise.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and are constantly asking how to keep a healthy work-life balance as a freelancer, reach out for help! You might be surprised by how many people would be willing to help if you only asked for it. Reach out to friends and family members first, as they may be able to offer emotional support or advice on how they balance their work life with the rest of their lives.
If that doesn’t work out, consider reaching out online through communities such as Reddit or Facebook Groups (or even just finding other freelancers on LinkedIn).
It’s hard, but it can be done!
How to keep a healthy work-life balance is a hot-button topic right now, and it’s something that every freelancer should be thinking about. Keeping a healthy balance between your work and personal life can be difficult when you’re working from home or travelling on the road, but it’s worth putting in the effort to maintain an equilibrium between these two aspects of your life.
By following these simple steps, you can be sure that you are making the most out of your time during work hours and enjoying every second of your free time.
Before you go
Freelancing takes a combination of discipline and dedication, and if you can find that niche where your skills are in high demand, it can lead to serious stability. If you want to learn more about this, be sure to check out these articles on the Top 5 Freelancing Skills that Pay the Most and if Can Freelancing Be a Full-Time Career?
Lastly, communication is everything! Most freelancers we know enjoy their work, and they really do love what they are doing. But that doesn’t mean it is easy —or perfect—all the time. That’s why we’ve created this article on 5 Effective Opening Messages to Send a Client.
If you’ve read this far and you’re nodding your head in agreement, then you are going to do just fine as a freelancer. Keep an eye on our magazine for more good reads in the future!
Freelance marketplace: Revolancer
