Getting more done by accepting less work
As a freelancer, I got into the habit of accepting every job I could get my hands on. I operated in a tough, saturated market, so being very competitive was important and securing every possible contract never filled my schedule. Nowadays it's a different story. I work a full time job now, one that requires a lot of research and problem solving. I also work with people in three different time zones. Thus the bulk of my waking hours are taken, and what few are left are needed for personal and family matters. Still, I keep the habit of saying "yes" to most freelance jobs I still get offered. This has a nasty effect on my life as a whole. I'm constantly under stress, I have too little time for my girlfriend, I never take an hour to exercise, I've been postponing non-work related projects for years now, and on top of it all I no longer seem to be able to deliver a freelance project on time. I recently ran into trouble with a customer over a blown deadline and, looking at the remaining projects, there are more jobs in a similar situation. So I'm risking my reputation as well. And to make matters worse, because it takes so long to finish a project, the financial and emotional rewards of completing something are few and far between. So I'm starting 2010 by taking a simple new year's resolution: finish the projects I have pending before taking on any new ones. And, even after I do clean my to-do list, I'm going to be very very picky about what jobs I do accept. After all, it's about time I started attending those motorcycle driving classes.
