Image by nkzsThere comes a point where writers need to know when to draw the line. It is too easy to be your own taskmaster, adding to your workload until you break.
When should you be wary of crossing your own line?
- When you first begin your writing career. If you’ve never freelanced before, you don’t know what you can handle. Starting too strong can leave you buried under more work than you can deal with.
- When your health begins to deteriorate. Illness is nature’s way of telling you that you need a break. When you feel your body getting weak, slow down.
- When money starts calling your name. Especially in a poor economy, the nagging voice in your head will often nudge you into taking on more than you can handle.
Every time you see yourself getting overworked, remember that you are the boss. No one is forcing you to work all day, every day.
- Take a break. It can last from 15 minutes to a week-long vacation. Do what you need to recoup.
- Cut back. If you genuinely have more work than you can handle, you may have to let some clients go. Finish up any current projects, and let them know that you are unavailable for more work at this time.
- Schedule your time. Make a list of all the work you need to do, and estimate how long each project should take. Then decide how much time you want to work per day.
If you are overworked, you are doing yourself (and your clients!) a disservice. You are most likely not producing quality work, and may be behind in your correspondence. Once you’ve learned your limits, you will be a more effective freelance writer.
