Freelancefolder

Are Your Excuses Holding You Back?

Posted January 9, 2009 in Inspiration, Productivity

It is important to take some time and think about your priorities.On a daily basis, we make excuses or reasons for every action we take, from the food we eat to the work that gets done.

What are your reasons for not doing X,Y, and Z? Are you not doing something you should be doing? Are your reasons legitimate or getting in the way of your success?

• Maybe you want to make more money; why aren’t you?
• You want to learn a new skill; why aren’t you?
• You think losing weight is difficult, why?

You have reasons (yes, many, many reasons) for not doing the things you would like to be doing (and the things you do not want to do as well). Now that the new year has begun, it’s time to look at those reasons and decide whether or not they are getting in the way of your dreams.
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Two Freelancing Myths and The Need For Self-Discipline

Posted January 6, 2009 in Lifestyle, Productivity

Envy filled my friend’s voice as she spoke, “I wish had it like you. Since you’re self-employed, if you wake up and don’t feel like working you don’t really have to. I have to go to work every single day, whether I want to or not.”

The volunteer coordinator at the children’s school huffed impatiently, “You work for yourself. You must have a lot of free time every day. Surely, you can make time to chair this major committee for us since you can control your own schedule.”

Both statements indicate a common misconception about freelancing. Both statements also totally ignore a key factor that every freelancer must master if they are to succeed. That factor is self-discipline.

First, Let’s look at these two misconceptions:

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How To Stay Focused: 7 Ways To Keep On Task

Posted December 10, 2008 in How-To, Productivity

Do you sometimes feel as though your current task is the very last thing you actually want to be doing?

Do you put off necessary tasks for something that’s less important, but more interesting or amusing?

If you answered yes to either of those questions, know that you’re not alone. Procrastination and loss of focus is something that all freelancers must deal with at one time or another.

When you work for an employer you may have a supervisor checking in on your progress at regular intervals. If you get behind on your work, then he or she is going to let you know about it.

However, as a freelancer staying focused is solely up to you. It is easy to get distracted to the point where you can’t meet your deadlines. Yet, as a freelancer, you can’t allow this to happen or your business could fail.

To help you stay on focused, and keep your mind from wandering, here are a few simple tricks that you may not have thought of:

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The Art of Self-Motivation

Posted December 2, 2008 in Inspiration, Productivity

Motivation is one of the most important traits a business owner can have. We are constantly called upon to set our own work schedules, create our own goals, and stick to deadlines. Without motivation none of this would work.
 
But to be very successful you need more than just casual motivation — you need to be able to motivate yourself on your schedule. A self-motivated person can focus better, be more creative, accomplish bigger goals, and many other things. People who are really self-motivated produce the quality of work that only a passionate individual can, and they do it whenever they need.
 
So how do you motivate yourself? How can you be the type of person who is excited about work, goals, and other projects?
 
Here is a simple process that will help you master the art of self-motivation:

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