It’s tough sometimes to fit everything we want to do in a day, isn’t it?
That’s something I’ve been struggling with lately, which is why I’ve been experimenting with a new calendar app and restructuring my day into new time blocks.
As freelancers, our to-do lists can feel endless — projects with multiple components, client requests, admin tasks, emails — all piling up. When you look at it all at once, it can feel overwhelming.
But like the proverb says: the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.
That’s how I think about productivity too. Break it down. One clear task at a time.
Time management isn’t about doing more.
It’s about doing what matters most — the things that move you toward your project’s completion and your overall business goals, when you have the energy to do them best.
For me, that meant completely reorganizing my schedule. I realized I was working late into the evening when my brain just wasn’t at its best. My real focus time is 9 to 5. So I started blocking out my day — assigning specific times for specific tasks.
Each small, completed task is a win. And when you can see your progress, it’s motivating.
Those checked boxes don’t just look good — they’re real data for planning your next project and rethinking your workflow.
And sometimes, “productivity” looks different.
Maybe you spent the day cuddling a sick child, going to the dentist, visiting a friend in the hospital, or taking a long weekend to rest. Guess what? That is productivity. You were doing something essential — living your life.
We work to live, not live to work.
It’s important to recognize that personal priorities also belong on the calendar. Ignoring our needs — or those of our loved ones — doesn’t make us better freelancers. It just distracts us from our creative work later.
Productivity is a moving target
Sometimes the struggle is just in buckling down when we need to. So how do we make the most of our time in business and in life?
- Get the right tools — maybe a new CRM or a better calendar. But take time to learn how to use it properly. The best tool out there is worth nothing if it’s badly configured.
- Build in review time — once a week, check in on your schedule and notifications. Adjust what isn’t working. Productivity is trial and error — bake that into the process.
- Manage distractions — if you tend to drift off mid-task, plan for breaks and focus intervals. A timer can help. You’re the boss, so design your day with intention.
- Revisit your mindset — not every piece of advice out there is for you. For every new “hack” or “method,” ask: does this align with my values and my goals? If not, let it go.
- Protect your focus — especially around the holidays, when everyone’s fighting for your attention, time, and money. Write your priorities down. Keep them visible.
You have options. You have agency.
You decide how your day flows, what gets your attention, and what gets postponed.
So take the time — even if it means a bit of short-term chaos — to make time for time management. The rewards are worth it: fewer late nights, less guilt, and greater satisfaction in your personal and professional life.
Chunks of focus. Periods of rest.
Doesn’t need to be a long break. Just the right one.
Between client calls, coffee refills, and a mountain of admin work… when exactly are we supposed to manage our time?
This week, I’m tackling that question head-on in Freelance Fitness — with real talk about time, focus, and finding balance without burning out.
What’s one thing you’ve done recently to make your freelance schedule more manageable?
Has breaking your day into smaller blocks helped your focus — or made things feel too rigid?
Comment and let me know!
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