Make Each Day Count When You Face These Two Truths
By Mindy Tyson McHorse

How do you really make each day count?

I mean, beyond the cliché stuff, like “stopping to smell the roses” or “dancing like no one is watching.”

But do you really know how to apply that stuff? How to translate it to everyday life?

I can certainly tell you what not to do (speaking from experience). But I also want to share two practical ways you can really make each day count. Pay attention because this is especially relevant to us freelancers.

Here’s What Doesn’t Work

Total control of your schedule is one of the ultimate freelancing perks … but it also paves the road to some mighty temptation.

My first year as a freelancer, I learned this the hard way. Whenever I was flummoxed by a project or had even the slightest trace of writer’s block, I’d head out – usually to a cafe with my husband.

I justified it by telling myself, “This is exactly why I’m living the writer’s life – so I can enjoy green chile burritos and piñon candy at the drop of a hat!”

To say the least, I never went hungry that first year. I also didn’t get a lot of work done. I used my freedom to the max, justifying each outing as quality time with my hubby.

Those jaunts of pleasure were short-lived. Though pleasant, they didn’t contribute much to my long-term life goals. They certainly didn’t contribute to my short-term income goals.

After getting intensely frustrated that my career wasn’t moving forward, it hit me. This unproductive spontaneity was my real weakness, especially since I misinterpreted it as making each day count.

The Most Detrimental Temptation to Freelancers

It comes down to this: though it’s a gift to be in charge of our time, it’s a waste to not make optimal use of that time. Our blessing as freelancers is that we have the option to take off when necessary and appropriate — not that we should whenever we want just because we can.

My first real lesson in this came during a conference put on by million-dollar copywriter Dan Kennedy. He was the first person I met who considered spontaneity a bad thing. My previous perception was that it made you fun and exciting as a freelancer … creative, even.

During the conference, Dan Kennedy shared a copy of his grueling daily schedule. It was something like 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. five days of the week, with only a quick half-hour daily break.

The guy is a machine.

After seeing his schedule and feeling like sloths, the other attendees and I got to talking. One fellow copywriter made a couple of good points: for one, Dan probably doesn’t do any laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, etc. The point is, Dan Kennedy’s time goes to writing copy, not running a household.

With that revelation, several of us chimed in with the obligations we all shoulder. A lot of the copywriters I know can’t outsource all their daily chores. Most are parents, juggling the daily demands of kids. Those who don’t have kids face other duties, like caring for aging parents.

The point is, most of us have something that saps our time and energy, whether it’s willingly or unwillingly. Plus, none of us got into this field to put in those kinds of hours.

But what if, just for a moment, we canceled out our excuses (i.e., the things that drain our time and energy)? What if they just didn’t matter anymore?

Let’s Be Realistic Here … How Much More Time CAN You Spare?

Let me get one thing straight. I am NOT saying you should sacrifice whatever family or other obligation it is that tethers your time. You can’t give up time with your kids. You can’t start giving less in your role as caretaker.

But, you can change your other habits. All of us have something that saps our time. For some, it’s television. For others, it’s social outings. Or just plain procrastinating on the Internet.

I’ve already given up television. I only head out with my friends once a month (if that). But I do spend a lot of leisurely time with my husband and small children. I love and treasure that time.

Should I give it up? No.

What I should do is plan for it.

Temptations Are HUGE Unless You Do This …

Look at your life. Think about the people who matter most … the activities you most enjoy … the things that make you comfortable.

If you get rid of all the excess stuff that pollutes your life – from television to junk food to lazing around in bed … will that free you up to embrace the things that matter?

The trick is to separate temptation from obligation. I think when you feel obligated to sit in your chair and “work,” then temptations become greater and harder to resist. But when you see the payoff at the end, it ceases to be an obligation.

For me, that payoff is that I can adjust my schedule every day as I see fit. If one of the kids has a doctor’s appointment, I’m there in a heartbeat. My only requirement is that I still put in a set amount of writing time every day.

If you build up a freelance career that you truly enjoy, which demands the best you have to give, then you won’t feel obligated to put time in at all. You’ll want to do it, just as much as you’ll want to leave your computer behind when you’re done with your work and head out for an afternoon of sunshine.

The Two Truths You Must Accept

Here are the two truths that will help you make each day count:

1. Plan your work and life most of the time and be spontaneous only some of the time.
2. Replace temptations and obligations with activities/people/experiences you truly enjoy and benefit your life.

Put these two truths into practice and you’re likely to enjoy your freelance writer’s life a lot more. Even better than that, the things that you most want – like a successful, freedom-filled career – will come easier and be more rewarding.