Freelance Productivity: Do One Thing Extra Each Day

This may not sound like a big deal. But it's amazing how completing one extra task each day can quickly add up and make a difference.

Here's how it works for me...

Each day I look at my 'Today's Things To Do List'.

Oh yes, I have a list. Without it I would be lost. I schedule upcoming work. I list deadlines. I make notes of the people I should be calling or emailing. I look for the spare moments when I can write an article or two. I list all my personal and family commitments too.

>> And then I add one thing more

In addition to my daily list of things to do, I also have a general 'Needs to be Done' list. These are items that don't really have delivery dates or deadlines, but should get done.

Examples? Maybe a follow-up email to a company I worked for a while ago but haven't heard from since. Maybe a note to myself to get back to a happy customer and ask for a testimonial. Perhaps a reminder to myself to check out a particular website or new service. That kind of thing.

These are all things that are important, but not urgent.

>> Important, but not urgent

This is worth dwelling on for a moment. For many of us freelancers, our days and sometimes nights are filled with completing tasks that are urgent.

We have deadlines to meet. We have to get the work done.

And for most of us, we have only ourselves. No assistants or office managers to take care of the paperwork, administration and bookkeeping.

So we rush, rush, rush and feel that our day is complete once we have completed all of the urgent tasks.

>> Time for one more thing

But before you close down your computer, do that one extra thing. It's important.

Often that one final task will take just a few minutes. I'm not talking about spending another hour or two at your desk. I'm talking about tackling a non-urgent, but important task.

>> Will it make a difference?

Yes, it will. At the end of the month you will have completed 20-30 important things that otherwise would never have been done.

Perhaps just one of those things will lead to an extra contract.

Now keep this habit going month by month, year after year. If just one in fifty of these extra tasks completed leads to a new client or job, think of what that means in new income over the next few years.

>> Concluding thoughts...

There is no magic about doing one thing extra each day. It's just a simple, useful discipline and habit that could end up making a big difference to your future income.

Try it.

Nick Usborne is a copywriter, author and speaker. You'll find more articles and resources on how to make money as a freelance writer at http://www.FreelanceWritingSuccess.com

---

How to Conquer the Five Major Time Wasters?

* spreading yourself too thinTaking on too many things at... Read More

24 Time Management Tips

Where does your time go? We all know we are... Read More

More Precious Than Gold

In this world there is something more precious than gold.... Read More

When is the Best Time to Plan Your Day?

When is the best time to plan your day? Well,... Read More

Are You Really Swamped or Just Disorganized

"Time is what we need the most and what we... Read More

Four Steps To Make Your Day Dynamic!

There are two ways to start your day. The first... Read More

Do You Have The Time?

Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number... Read More

Measure Your Time Against Active Inactivity

We don't realize many things we do until we draw... Read More

Time Management: A Non-Renewable Resource

Benjamin Franklin wrote: "If you want to enjoy one of... Read More

Time Management Doesnt Exist! So What Can You Do?

There is no such thing as time management. You cannot... Read More

Organize Your Time

Most people want to start a home-based business to make... Read More

Making the Most of Your Time

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is... Read More

Looking At Time With A Capital T

I keep a fossil on my desk at all times.... Read More

Do You Put a Value on Your Time?

As a small business owner, does the following paragraph sound... Read More

If Only Your Brain Was the Size Of That Of an Ant You Could Easily Implement Habits

A year and a half ago I was introduced to... Read More

The WIT to WIN

What are the most important things you should accomplish today?... Read More

Making More Efficient Use of Your Time

You can lose, damage or waste some things in life,... Read More

Productivity at Home

Increased productivity, the ability to get more value for our... Read More

Could you use a ?Stop Doing? list?

One of the tried and true organization and time-management tools... Read More

5 Time Savers You (Probably) Havent Tried Yet

1. Do tasks less frequentlyClean house every 10 days rather... Read More

Time Managements

There are the golden rules that apply to time. If... Read More

How to Put Housework on Autopilot!

My husband and I recently returned from a trip to... Read More

File It: Boost Your Productivity in Only 15 Minutes Per Week

Despite the best of intentions, most of us don't use... Read More

How Can I Get Some Time to Myself?

"I never seem to have any time for myself. What... Read More

Time Management: How To Get More Done

If you can regularly ask yourself "Am I regularly and... Read More

Time Management: Eliminate Time Killers to Gain More Hours Every Day

There are two types of time killers in everyone's life.... Read More

Top 10 Ways to Manage Yourself - Time Wise

"Time management" is a myth. Time ticks by, whether you... Read More

The Power of Limited Time

The most powerful resource that we have is time. Everything... Read More

Nurturing Your Soul

Number Yourself: Count yourself as an important individual. You are... Read More

What is ?Life Balance? and How Can You Attain It?

We all face decisions that involve doing things that affect... Read More

Priorities: Dont Dry Your Dishes

Do your dishes really need to be dried, or could... Read More

Where Do Your Priorities Fit?

An expert in time management was speaking to a group... Read More

Pacing Yourself Through Change

OK...let's assume that you're truly motivated to change. Great. But... Read More