If you’re worried about that, publish under different names. But honestly, we’re in a new world, and readers seem to want more not less. So do what you can. And see what happens. Never be afraid of doing too much. Be afraid of doing too little.

Work: This is the actual thing you quit your day job to do. Give it at least as many hours per week as you gave that day job, preferably more. The harder you work, the more success you will have.

If I would invest as many time in my writing than I do in my day job, I would – doing the math – be able to publish four 60000 words novels a month. Theoretically :).

Isn’t this a bit much?

Just wondering …

One thing that has become clear in my years of freelance programming (over 15 years) is that balance is the key. Not a static balance, but a dynamic one.

Balance is always a moving target. I am very disciplined, and sometimes drag the old methods along even when they are no longer working. I find I need to take a breath every once in a while and reevaluate my priorities and the mix.

It’s kind of like cleaning your office. Daily (if I’m lucky) I put things away, monthly floors and dusting, but every once in a while I really dig in and think about how things are arranged, what works what doesn’t. It’s not my favorite thing to do, but it really helps. The same is true for your freelancing priorities and processes. It is important to dig in occasionally and find out what is working and what is not.

After all these years it is still a work in progress. In my experience, there is never “I got this all figured out” point that sticks long. In fact when I think I do have it all figured out it’s probably time for a big adjustment.

It does get easier with time, Anne. (Sort of.) I slowly learned the games I play to keep myself away from the computer and circumvent them.

How long did it take you to set up a structure that worked for yourself? I want to think that it has become easier with time.

Thanks for your blog!

Excellent point, Larry. I too work seven days per week most weeks. I was just going to ease into that for the newcomers. 🙂

You also mention that work so much because of choice. I do too. Here’s what differs from a day job: I love my work. It’s what I used to do in my leisure time. So the problem for me (and many other freelancers) is to moderate the amount of work I do–and don’t overdo it, so that I burn out. Great topic. And I’ll write about it in the future.

Folks, I really appreciate the comments, forwards, and ideas. Keep them coming!

Kris

The other thing that I think drops away, or needs to, if a freelancer is going to be successful, is the Monday-Friday mindset.

Some times I work 7 days a week (and in this economy, who would mind that?), because of choice, or most likely, too meet deadlines.

I live day to day and work that way, too, finishing one project so I can start another (hopefully).

The Work Every Day If Necessary Rule is hard to adjust to. My friends with 9-5 jobs are put off sometimes by the “Sorry, I’m working on Sunday” response…but my real friends, who I can see any time I’m not working–like on Monday afternoon, don’t seem to mind.

Allowing Monday-Friday to fade away allows you to stay in the moment since you’re not working for the weekend anymore.