In the last blog, I shared tips for working at home. In this age of COVID-19, more people are self-isolating and working from home than ever before. But it’s nothing new for freelance and independent writers. We always work from home, but that doesn’t make it easy, especially at first.
After two decades, I have come up with some tips for making the transition from a traditional work environment to a solo venture. Look for the first set of tips in the previous blog. Here are the rest of my tips for surviving a work-at-home situation:
Set Appointments
…especially for phone calls. You don’t want to be caught playing Mario Kart when a big call comes in or be interrupted by a telemarketer when you could have muted your phone. Either maintain office hours or schedule your time and prepare to handle business as it happens. If you work untraditional hours, use appointments to organize your contact with clients.
Be Ready for Video Calls
Even if you have scheduled a phone call, be ready to jump into a video call. This means not wearing your PJs and remembering to brush your hair. You never know when someone will suggest adding someone to the call and switching to video. It has happened and, trust me, you do not want to be caught unaware. It can be embarrassing. Always be presentable.
Have a Good Connection
Make sure you have a good connection for conference calls. Land lines work best or you can use a good set of headphones with a built-in microphone. I have found that wireless phones don’t work well. Inevitably, one or more people won’t be able to hear you. Cell phones drop out and are harder to sync.
Mute Your Phone During Calls
No one wants to hear your cat howling or your kids playing in the background. Mute your phone when you are not speaking. It is more professional. Just remember to unmute it when you need to make a point.
Kick-Off Meetings
It’s best to start projects off in person with a kick-off meeting. This allows you and the client to interact in person and get a feel for each other. It’s also easier to walk through the expectations and purpose of the project. If that is not possible, try doing a video call or conference call.
Sick Leave
Freelancers don’t get sick leave, but if you are ill, take time off. It won’t do anyone any good if you are not about to write your best. Also look to writer’s groups to get health insurance if you do not have it. Most have a group plan that is cheaper than trying to get it individually.
Set Aside Time for Your Craft
Writing is your livelihood. Learning your craft is your form of professional development. Read writing-related books, watch videos, go to conferences, or take courses. These are great ways to give your creative brain a break while helping you develop new skills and hone existing ones.
Get Outside
Scientists have proven that getting out in nature distresses us. Take walks, work out, be active—get the blood flowing. It helps the brain and maintains calm. It doesn’t hurt that I get my best ideas out in nature.
Take Breaks
No one else works for eight hours straight without breaks (in fact, it’s against the law), you shouldn’t either. Build in breaks throughout your day, but set timers so you don’t end up on the couch in an unintentional marathon of some mindless show and forget to go back to work.
Set Up Rewards
When you finish your tasks for the day, reward yourself. Watch a favorite show, read a book, take a walk, cook a meal. Do something that makes you happy.
Call Friends
If you miss social interaction, add it back into your life. Call your friends and co-workers. If you don’t have coworkers, look for writer’s groups or other social circles. It doesn’t help to completely isolate yourself, despite COVID-19 protocols. You can still talk on the phone or go for a walk.
Prepare for Isolation
The truth is that even after this virus ends, freelance writers will struggle with isolation. Be prepared for it and a case of cabin fever. It’s part of life as a writer. It helps to get outside. Take a drive. Join groups. Find ways to break out of it. You can maintain social distance and still feel out in the world. This will be tougher for extroverts than introverts. Most of us introverts aren’t that bothered by the restrictions. Stay at home and avoid people? Okay. We do that normally. But even introverts need connection. Find ways to be in the world. It helps foster ideas too.
Meditate
It really does help. It clears the mind and helps us maintain equanimity.
Journalling
Keeping a journal helps too. This is a great way for writers to free up their words while recording observations and thoughts. I start each day by journaling for ten minutes. It helps get my brain ready to write.
Enjoy the Benefits
There are challenges from working at home, but there are also benefits. Take advantage of those. Wear comfortable clothes (though I caution against PJs). Make a fresh lunch and avoid crappy cafeteria food and cold brown bag lunches. Sleep in a bit knowing your commute never has traffic. Adjust your hours if you have an appointment. Juggle your days to help out at your child’s school. You are in charge. Use that power wisely.
End with Purpose
I end my day by planning my next. I check my schedule and add or move any tasks that no longer apply. I modify my plan and prioritize the tasks. It helps me end the day reviewing what I’ve accomplished and what comes next. That way I can start the next day without having to wonder what I need to do. It also helps me…
Walk Away
This is the hardest part, for me anyway. Walking away at the end of the day and not thinking about work all the time isn’t easy when the work is right there. There’s no commute to decompress, no out-of-sight, out-of-mind magic happening. A home office means that work is entwined with home. When I first started freelancing, I often didn’t leave my house for two or three weeks at a time, which is perfect for COVID-19 protocols, but not so great for my life in general. Once I realized what I was doing to myself, I set boundaries to maintain strict work hours and get out of the house every day. I started going to movies regularly, eating out, and joined a martial arts class where I eventually met my husband. Walking away has its advantages. That doesn’t mean I don’t still run to my office in the middle of the night to capture ideas before they disappear, but I don’t struggle with ending my day and focusing on life anymore.
I hope these tips help you establish a work-from-home routine that works for you, whether you are avoiding a virus or starting out as a freelancer. If you have tips that work for you, please post them. I’d love to hear what you have to add.