I wrote on this blog recently about how there are a lot of people out there who seem to think that they can just start freelance writing with no experience in order to easily earn some added income during this recession that we’re in. Daily Freelance Writing Tips had some great additional thoughts on that topic which got me thinking more about why exactly it is that freelance writing is actually so much harder than most people assume it to be. Part of the difficulty is definitely that there is so much more than just “writing” that you have to be able to do to earn a living at this kind of work. But honestly, I think that the most difficult thing for most people is to find the self-motivation to actually work from home when they are at home.
Being productive when working from home isn’t easy for most people. Common problems that people who are new to this kind of work will have include:
- Sleeping in. It’s fine to sleep in as a freelance writer as long as you work late to make up for it. If you’re not working full time then you aren’t going to pay the bills.
- Procrastination. Many new freelancers procrastinate because they think that their deadlines are all that they need to worry about. In reality, you need to get things done and then spend the rest of your work day doing supporting-role tasks like social networking, marketing and learning new blogging and writing skills.
- Taking long breaks. It’s easy to get distracted by house chores, phone calls and errands during the work day when you’re not clocking in at an office.
- Staying in your PJs. There are some freelance writers who do this and who still get their work done. I find that it’s important for me to actually get up and get ready as though I’m going to a job so that I can feel like I’m really going to work. Then I spend the day working. Of course, I don’t dress in business casual wear but I do shower and put clothes on.
- Failure to set hours. It’s important for freelancers to have a basic schedule that they stick to. Most people new to the work just can’t do that. This inability tends to make it so that they don’t work as many hours as they should.
These are just a few of the things that happen when you’re trying to learn to work from home in a productive way. You discover that it’s not easy to be productive from the space that you normally consider a place for rest. You find that there are too many different things to get done and no one looking over your shoulder to make sure that they get completed. I think that for most people this is the toughest part of the job and the reason that they can’t make working from home work for long periods of time.
As for me, I have always loathed having to go to a job. I hate having to be somewhere else at the time someone else says I need to be there. I hate having to wake up to an alarm, where the right kind of clothing, put on a happy face for my co-workers and commute to a place of business. This distaste for that way of life motivates me to make working from home work for me.
What do you guys find is the hardest thing about trying to be productive when working from home?
April 15th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I’m not a freelance writer, but I’m working on being a writer. I’m a full-time middle school teacher, so when I get home, it’s difficult for me to sit and write when I have something else to do, such as dishes, laundry, planning supper, cleaning, etc. Know what I mean? I can totally understand getting dressed before getting started and having a schedule. Perhaps once school vacation begins in two months I’ll be able to do that. There’s always hope. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
@ Theresa … I think it’s even harder to figure out when you also work outside of the home. Hopefully you’ll be able to see what works for you this summer!
April 16th, 2009 at 9:35 am
My kids make it difficult! LOL!
They are still too young to understand the need for giving me quiet time to myself.
@ Becky … it’s really tough when kids are young to find a way to carve out time for yourself for anything let alone for being productive!
April 17th, 2009 at 3:18 am
You discover that it’s not easy to be productive from the space that you normally consider a place for rest. -I guess the solution there is to find office space, preferably completely separate from the bed room. This could create the illusion of a corporate/office environment.
April 17th, 2009 at 11:11 am
[...] than the ideal worker. That’s just not acceptable. As such, Kathryn explores some ways to be productive when working from home. Actually, her post is more about things to avoid while working from home if you hope to run a [...]
April 30th, 2009 at 8:08 am
[...] @kathrynvercillo (Kathryn Vercillo): Blogger/Writer. Always pushing the boundaries of my creative experience. Why we follow her: Aside from the fact that we think more people should follow her, she publishes some great articles on her blog, Real Words, like Being Productive When Working from Home. [...]
April 30th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I work from home as a freelance writer and those items you list are what I see as the perks I get for working from home!
Deadlines keep me on the straight and narrow though - and I must say I do keep “regular” office hours with the added benefit of not having to ask anyone if I can have a longer lunch hour than normal.
For those who think that they would be able to work less hours when working from home, think again as there is a very real possibility that you would end up working too much. As easy as it is to be distracted by home issues instead of working it is equally as easy to be distracted by work issues when you should be at home paying attention to your family!
All in all - the freelance life - and all its ups and downs is definitely the life for me!
May 1st, 2009 at 5:42 am
I believe the hardest things about working from home are trying to make family realize you are actually working. They think because I am working from home, I have all this freedom to go out during the day and hang.
When you work from home it’s hard to get away, since you are always there. It’s also difficult to shutoff your mind from shouting tasks out at you like, “Call back Bob, email Sharon, etc…”
Most of the time I go to bed still thinking about what I have to get done….
However, I nothing is better than being home with my son all day. Nothing is better than having that freedom and flexibility to life in general.
May 1st, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Great, great post, though it stung a little. My problem is I’m easily distracted, especially by news (thanks Google Reader) and I’m also a recovering procrastinator. Jackie above is SOOO right. People at home have to be told (often repeatedly) that though I’m home, I am working. This is why a separate room is a must. Freelance work is great, but it definitely takes commitment and discipline. And a door one can close
I cannot even imagine trying to do freelance if I had kids! I don’t know how moms do it, but it’s pretty darn impressive.
@Eva … Thanks! I definitely agree that it must be a whole lot tougher to do this work with kids in the house!