How This Freelancer Gets Things Done… Even With Kids At Home

Today we have a guest post from freelancer Elizabeth Rago, a writer who works from home with two preschool-aged children. If you can accomplish that, you can do pretty much anything, so let’s hear Elizabeth’s top tips for getting her freelancing and personal writing done while caring for small children.

“You work from home?  You are so lucky!”

My knee jerk response to this comment when chatting with a new acquaintance is:

“Luck had nothing to do with it.  I worked really hard to become a freelancer, find a niche and start my own business.”

Instead of lashing out, I nod my head and try not to take it personally.  Three years ago when I started freelancing I thought I had it made, too.  I chose to be a stay-at-home mom and raise my children and foolishly thought working from home would be easy!

My ignorance quickly wore off as I realized working from home with two small children meant irregular work hours and a desperate need for more patience and organization. If you are new to freelancing, I hope these gentle suggestions will help propel you into becoming a happy and successful freelancer.

Please know some of the tips apply specifically to those with children. If you are a parent, I have skipped the obvious: enlist help, consistent nap times, don’t clean house while you are working…

My Top Tips for Getting Things Done

1.  Invest in a laptop.

My laptop and Wi-Fi have singlehandedly changed the way I work. My kids are movers and shakers.  With my laptop, I have the ability to check my email or work on a project anywhere in the house.  I cherish that convenience.

2.  Make friends.

Freelancing is an isolating job. After I left the community setting of an office and embraced the sweet solace of my home, I realized I actually needed someone to bounce ideas off of and peers to guide me through tough times. I frequent local establishments and have befriended several small business owners whose business savvy and candid approach to life has encouraged me on a professional level.

3.  Be flexible.

You have your schedule down pat, but does baby George? Picture it. You have put your angelic son down for a nap and settled into your email. You have switched to adult speak and not 10 seconds into the silence of your scheduled “office time”, sweet baby George has prematurely risen from his nap.

What do you do? Don’t curse! Take a big deep breath and go get little George. If he has decided his nap is over, find his favorite toy and let him play on the floor next to you while you check your email/work on a project. Or, better yet, take your laptop up to his bedroom and let him quietly read books or play in his crib while you work!

4.  Skype and text with your clients.

I really like Skype because it’s free and it allows me to speak face-to-face with clients across the state or across the continent.

I also text a lot. The individuals that I do business with are literally working their store fronts, cleaning bathrooms and counting the money. They don’t have time to chit chat on the phone, so I text with some of my clients.

I am all about the personal touch, so I was a little hesitant to start texting. To my surprise a client thanked me for texting her instead of calling. She said, “I have so many people calling me! I love texting because I can get right back to you and not be tied up with a 30 minute conversation.”

5.  Clear the clutter.

As much as I would like to pretend there are no toys in my house, I cannot escape the fact that I will have Thomas the Tank Engine, Play Doh and stuffed animals around me for the next 10+ years.  Purchase inexpensive bins to stash toys away and out of sight. Make sure your work space is clear of action figures and half-full sippy cups that are bound to spill on your computer and destroy life.

6.  Don’t be a hater of social networking!

I have received several referrals by connecting with “friends” from my past and meeting new “friends”.   But please, don’t clog the electric airwaves with ads for your business. Social networking is all about establishing a relationship with your clients/readers. Your posts need to have meaning and be well thought out. Ask your “friends” what they would like to see from you.

Want to keep it professional?  Check out LinkedIn, where you can connect with people on a more formal platform. I have received referrals from my connections on this professional networking site.

7.  Take time to rest.

Yes, you have six deadlines in the next three days. But, brewing a pot of coffee at 11 PM and pulling an allnighter doesn’t work after the age of 25. I’ve tried it. Plus, if you are doing anything creative on no sleep, your mind will inevitably turn to mush and you will produce a piece you are not proud of. Add a child with a cold to this caffeine-induced late night and you will feel like you have been subjected to chinese water torture!

Two mantras float through my head on the more challenging days: “Stay true to yourself and your creative vision. If you do, the work (and money) will come.” and “Love is patient, love is kind….”

What Are Your Best Tips for Getting Things Done?

Seasoned freelancers, here is your chance to grace us with your knowledge.  What helped you during your novice freelancing days?

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After job hopping in various sales positions, Elizabeth Rago decided to bail on the life of a structured employee and take her career into her own hands. With the support of her husband, Elizabeth started freelancing with one client and one heartfelt vision: “Start a business doing what I love: helping businesses communicate a unique marketing vision.”

Elizabeth has been blessed with two children, ages 2 and 4, who keep her busy with their wild stories and daily shenanigans. In her spare time, Elizabeth is writing her first novel and contributes to a blog called “Parenting Without A Parachute” on ChicagoNow.com.

Top photo credit: Inferis