I'm a funny kind of freelancer. My work – making films – comes in contract to contract. These jobs usually roll on from one another, and they have always been in the same place: a giant office with lanyards and lunch breaks, working hours and weekends off.
But every now and again, I am spat out with no indication of when I might be re-employed. And flay around trying to piece together projects to keep money dribbling in and my brain busy.
In these windows, I witness first-hand a totally different way of going through life, one that's surprisingly common; according to the Office of National Statistics, nearly one in five of the UK's workforce are freelancers. Thanks to changing work patterns and technological advances, Forbespredicts that, by 2020, one in two will be. How do they do it?
Personally, I wake up every day overwhelmed. Even with unlimited time, I struggle to get anything done, and in the last six weeks, have practically nothing to show for myself, bar an exceptionally clean bedroom and a growing mastery of Anna Jones’ cookbook.
So, to find out how better to master the art of productivity as a freelancer, I sought the advice of some seasoned professionals about how to create your own work, on your own time.
"Hanging out with other freelancer friends was a total recipe for low-productivity" – Olivia Sudjic, 27, Novelist
I am freelancer who hasn't always been a freelancer. I love being in institutions with structure and routine. So for the first few months, after I left my job to write, I was totally disorientated, paralysed by the freedom and often drunk.
The turning point was a chance encounter with a woman who would become my mentor (and agent). Crucially, she gave me deadlines to work to. I also got an accountant. That is almost as key as the mentor for productivity. It means that aIl of the gruesome finance and tax stuff is taken care of and I can just get on with writing.
I realised hanging out with other freelancer friends was a total recipe for low-productivity. The only way I was ever going to write a book was to squirrel myself away. So now I make sure I am up by 10am every day, otherwise I feel like the day runs away from me. I don’t wear makeup or nice clothes, and that way I can’t be tempted into social situations. I spend my days in the quietest, most unpopulated reading room I can find. The British Library, for example, is a total no-go. Far too sociable.
Oh, and I don’t drink until the weekends.
"I make sure I dress smart because it gets me in the zone" – Rachel Zale, 27, Illustrator
I was really relieved when I went freelance. I had been working in a studio and I was desperate to do my own thing. Problem is, now my desk is a one second commute from my bed, and I can see my computer from every place I am, staring out at me, meaning it's very easy to overwork. Routine has become important for dealing with that – without fail, I’ll stop for lunch every day at 1pm on the dot.
If I find myself lagging, on the other hand, I go for a walk, get some air and a posh coffee. And I make sure I dress smart because it gets me in the zone. I've also found that communicating with my client throughout the project – whether by email or face to face – has been a really good motivator, because means that I know I am on the right track and it encourages me to carry on.
Organisation is also important. For invoicing, I have a template I made, and change it for each job. I keep them all in a folder, by date, and mark them yellow when I've sent them, red when they've been paid. This helps me keep on top of things.
"I make sure I have a cash bumper, as it takes the pressure off" – Zara Toppin, 28, Hairdresser
Two months ago, I left a salon with a steady stream of customers, to strike out with my own salon. It's pretty nerve wracking; hairdressing is dependent on other people – you need a client to come to you to cut their hair. If there's no demand, you have no work and a lot of free time on your hands.
The trick is to keep an organised diary, and not to stress about an empty schedule. I know things can change so quickly. And I make sure every piece of work I do is my absolute best to ensure that every client becomes a return client. And in doing that – giving my best every time, I enjoy my work more because I can take so much pride in it. Trusting in your system, the work you have done and what you have put out there, is the only way not to feel anxious.
Other tips: Financially, I make sure I have a cash bumper, as it takes the pressure off. Personally, even when it is quiet, I make sure to keep a few days off a week, so that I can do things that make me happy, like yoga and drumming. It puts me in a better headspace when I am working.
"As much as I can, I make fake structures for myself" – Laura Burns, 29, Performance Maker
I make performance pieces, and it's a strange old life. One of the big challenges is quietening your mind. I think there's a huge difference between being a freelancer and a creative freelancer. In other industries, you don't have to rely on your creative juices in the same way. I am trying to make something which doesn't exist yet. that comes from me... trying to make meaning in the world. You start to lose that juice when you are making endless tea on your own.
As much as I can, I make fake structures for myself, I will try to go to the same exercise class, then go for a coffee, then go to the library. And do it regularly. But the real key, creatively, is surrounding myself with other performers who have similar lives, be it through workshops, residencies or classes.
My main piece of advice, though, is committing. I have insecurities about my abilities but underneath I have totally decided to do what I want to be doing. And that is the most powerful motivator I have.
"Weekends off is my rule for productivity" – Marco de Vito, 38, Physiotherapist and Yoga Instructor
I have always worked freelance as a yoga instructor and, after working for various companies, I set up my own physiotherapy studio – Marcophysio – eight years ago. I love to be flexible and decide when and how to set my schedule. I can run lots of different things, and as my own boss, it is enormously satisfying to put all your energy into your projects and see them grow.
My day is crazy, since I can be working 12 hours and travelling from one side of town to the other. But I feel very passionate about what I do. With a couple of coffees, I am feeling great. Weekends off is my rule for productivity.
"I set aside one hour a day to do my emails, then don’t look at them again" – Nina Ryner, 30, Fashion Designer
I work for myself because I'm not good with being told what to do, and I'd always rather teach myself how to do things than be unhappy working for someone else.
You have to be really organised if you want to do your own thing; I have loads of ideas, so in order to get anything done, I have learnt to prioritise them, and give them realistic timelines and budgets. Also – I set aside one hour a day to do my emails, then don’t look at them again. That way it doesn’t bleed into my day.
Making sure you have things to move onto is really important. Before, after I'd release a collection, I would go into a three-week depression. Then I realised you need to do something immediately after to keep momentum going. So, I make time to think and plan long term.
I still have a monthly panic of ‘what am I doing with my life’. But something that has been really helpful is to collaborate with other people. Even if it is something small. It gives you positivity about what you're doing, a reason to go out and a massive incentive to get it done, because someone else is relying on you.
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