How to Avoid Burn-out Working Freelance at Home

Freelancers who work from home have the convenience of avoiding a commute but run the risk of burn-out as their professional and personal lives intermingle. Schedules and organizing tools are helpful, but flexibility and self-awareness are also needed to help you keep your balance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Make a to-do list, divided into four sections:
   1. Work to be completed
   2. Computer tasks (email, searches, bill payments, etc.)
   3. Phone calls
   4. Errands and other physical tasks (cooking, house cleaning, exercising, minor repairs, etc.)
2. Notice at which times of day you work most effectively. Arrange your schedule so that those times are reserved primarily for your most important and demanding work.
3. Make a habit of noticing the moment you begin to feel physically uncomfortable or mentally resistant while you're working. Immediately stop.
4. Take a break whose length will depend on the tightness of your deadline. If the job was due yesterday, take one minute. Stand and stretch, sit and close your eyes, go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, or find some other short, simple way to refresh yourself before you go back to work.
5. Consult your to-do list when your deadline permits a longer break. If it's a good time of day for phone calls, check that section of the list. If you're craving physical activity, look at errands and other tasks. Varying your actions will prevent burn-out, and clearing your head will make you function more effectively when you return to work.
6. Notice at what time of day work is most difficult for you. Reserve your lengthier errands and phone calls or easy computer tasks for that period. Try to avoid working then, as you will tend to waste time and turn out substandard work.

Tips & Warnings

• Cross each item off your to-do list as it's completed, and transfer the remaining items to a fresh list each day.
• Set aside one day a week as a vacation or Sabbath day, when you forbid yourself to work or do any of the tasks on your to-do list (except, maybe cooking and exercise). This break in the routine is vital to your well-being if you work at home.
• Don't forget to eat when you're hungry.

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