Motivational

Getting Back To Normal Working Schedule

It is difficult to get back to work after a week’s holiday (or more).

I am still trying to get used to working as usual as if I am new to working as a writer.

It is weird how I can forget these things.

Perhaps I have been too happy that I forgot everything else when I was on my wedding holiday.

Anyway, I need to get back to work as normal and I have come up with a few tips to keep me align with what I am doing.

1. I need sleep. I have been sleeping normal hours, waking up in the morning and work on projects that I have started. This in turn helps me to focus on my projects.

2. I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. I usually skip one or two but I need a new lifestyle and a healthy one, so I have to eat three meals (or at least two). I can’t work on a hungry stomach (my brain will automatically divert to my hungry stomach when it growls).

3. Work on the most important, then the not-so-important but need to finish it soon.

4. Write when I feel like writing and taking a break when I don’t feel like writing.

5. Listen to podcast when I am writing. I just love the sound in my ears that seems to move my fingers all together.

Alright, I guess that’s all for now. I will need a break now.

When Writing is Boring…

Do you ever feel as if writing is boring?

Seriously, when you spend most of your time writing, it can be boring.

However, what do you do to overcome this little problem that most writers experience?

A word of advice, don’t give up on writing.

Ok, so that is not the most perfect advice of all but there are things you can do to avoid getting bored with writing.

Follow these steps and you will be just fine.

1. Don’t just write.

  • Read.
  • Cook.
  • Watch TV.
  • Listen to music.
  • Listen to podcast.
  • Go to the park.
  • Wash your car.
  • Feed your dog or cat.
  • Play a game or two.
  • Chill out at the latest cafe.
  • Talk to someone.
  • Do anything else that you can think of apart from writing.

2. Mix your workload.

Why work on the same project when you can work on some other projects as well?

You might have some articles to complete, a blog to update and maybe a script in the progress. Try to mix everything in a balance act and you will be surprised how interesting it can be.

3. Communicate with people in the same industry, share stories and experiences.

Self employed doesn’t mean you need to cut off from other people. In fact, for the same reason why you should connect to other people, reach out and get to know other people in your industry.

Not inspiring you?

Let me know what you would do.

What To Do When You Are Rejected

It must be heart breaking to be rejected for the very first project you bid on. After all you have spent so much time preparing your portfolio for the project.

However, this is life. There are people winning and losing at the same time.

Perhaps you are rejected today but tomorrow, you might get yourself a better project.

Here are a few things you can do in times when you are rejected from the projects you bid on.

1. Mourn

Consider this as a ritual. You will feel better.

2. Move on

Everyone needs to move on. When a husband died, the wife moves on. When one is rejected, one will have to move on too.

3. Compare Your Own Performance – not others

Perhaps you might be comparing your work with others to measure your performance but do you know this is so wrong? You should be comparing your present work with your previous work rather than with someone else’s work.

4. Don’t be agressive – be positive

I know it is hard to take the loss but don’t let this affect your mental health  into doing something stupid like harassing the winner of the projects.

5. Bid on other projects

When you lose in a project, go on and bid on other projects. There are so many projects around and you are bound to get one. It is a matter of time.

What You Should Not Do As A Freelance Writer

When we talk about being a freelance writer, many people thought that it is easy to write, everyone can write and we can write about everything. The truth is there is more than just writing.

Certainly everyone can write but not everyone can write excellent materials and definitely not everyone can write about just anything in the world.

If you want to be a freelance writer, there are things you need to remember to NOT DO.

  1. Do not depend on writing as the sole income.

    This is very important because not everyone can earn a living being a full time writer. Try to get some other part time jobs to support your living.

  2. Do not submit a bid and wait for an answer (it takes more than one for an answer).

    Submit as many bids as you are allowed or possible to increase the chances of winning projects. This will naturally increase your income as well.

  3. Do not blame yourself or anyone if you have been rejected for many projects.

    I am sure that you will get rejections before you are accepted for selected projects. The truth is rejection is not so bad after all it is a lesson. Not everyone is lucky to be selected for a project the first time they bid on a project but perhaps one out of ten would be the lucky one. If you are not the one, don’t feel sorry.