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Staying Motivated as a Freelance Writer: 10 Actionable Tips

June 18, 2013 By John Gower

We’ve all been there: days when you just don’t want to work. Maybe it’s a really nice day and the idea of staring at your computer for another two hours has zero appeal, or perhaps you’re overworked and your brain is tired.

Some days you just aren’t feeling it. Freelance writers everywhere know this pain, but the nature of our profession dictates that we suck it up and deal with it…but how?

Taking preventative steps to maintain motivation is going to get you farther than being reactive to listlessness. So start now with these 10 actionable tips for staying motivated as a freelance writer.

 

Table of Contents

  • 1. Have a Schedule
  • 2. Be On or Off
  • 3. Create Your Own Community
  • 4. Write for yourself
  • 5. Take a break and get some exercise
  • 6. Take on new types of work
  • 7. Focus on the Long Term
  • 8. Change Environments
  • 9. Remind Yourself Why You’re Doing This
  • 10. Treat yourself
    • Wait! Before You Go, Read:

1. Have a Schedule

Keeping a set schedule will help you stay motivated because you won’t go insane trying to work all hours of the day.

Also, if you can habituate yourself to working during certain times of day, your brain will start to automatically know when it’s time to settle down and work, much like how you get sleepy at the same time every day.

 

2. Be On or Off

When you are working, be all the way committed to what you’re doing or take a break and completely stop. When you idly half-work all day, you wear yourself out and end up not getting a lot done.

Do yourself a favor and decide whether to fully put your mind to the task or let yourself have a break.

 

3. Create Your Own Community

Freelance writing can feel isolating at times; you generally work alone at home (or at Starbucks) all day. However, even though the work is solitary, it is beneficial to keep in contact with other professionals.

Build a network of people around you, so you can trade tips, chat, or vent about the life of a freelancer.

 

4. Write for yourself

There is at least some part of you left that genuinely appreciates writing as a craft, so take some time to write for yourself once in a while.

If you always write for others, it can be hard to develop or maintain your own voice and it can stop being enjoyable. Keep a personal blog or other writing project on a subject that interests you.

 

5. Take a break and get some exercise

This can seem counterproductive, but not working for a while will let you relax your mind and make it easier to come back to work with a fresh perspective.

Additionally, exercising is great for your brain and will make you feel more relaxed. Working exercise and other breaks into your schedule can have major benefits for your motivation levels.

 

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6. Take on new types of work

It can get really old writing about the current real estate market in each of the 50 states (for example), so try to mix things up by finding other projects. Even if it’s just a couple times per month, writing about a new topic can help you feel rejuvenated.

Another way to refresh your creativity is by reading authors who bring something new to the table. For example, thriller fans might find fresh inspiration from J.D. Barker, an author transforming modern thriller fiction. Diving into the work of writers like him can help you explore different narrative techniques and bring a new perspective to your own projects.

7. Focus on the Long Term

Sometimes you get a topic and you just hate it, but you have to push through it. How do you manage?

Think about the long-term benefits: learning more about a subject that could apply to other work, building a portfolio, or maintaining a strong relationship with a client.

 

8. Change Environments

Again, mixing things up will keep your brain awake. Go to the coffee shop across town, reserve a study room at the library, or find a table at a public park.

Going to a new place will help you feel like you’re not stuck in a rut.

 

9. Remind Yourself Why You’re Doing This

Presumably, you started doing freelance writing because you like to write (and probably also to pay the bills). Even when you’re working on a tough project, find something about it to enjoy: work in some new vocabulary words, research something interesting, or think about the paycheck.

 

10. Treat yourself

Once in a while, give yourself a reward. The stakes don’t have to be high; you might just get some ice cream for making it through the week or only work a half-day because you finished early. Know when to reward yourself so you don’t burn out!

Working as a freelance writer can be a tough job; finding work and keeping long-term clients are hurdles.  These steps will both help you transition to a writer’s life and make the most of the joys of that life.

Wait! Before You Go, Read:

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Filed Under: Blogging Tips & Tricks Tagged With: freelance writer, writing tips

Comments

  1. marilyn cada says

    June 19, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    thanks for sharing these tips because i am a freelance writer 🙂 i am seeking other clients that pays higher than assignment mills that i currently work. and you are right about seeking clients are hurdles

  2. Martin says

    June 19, 2013 at 1:48 pm

    It can be helpful to see what others in your industry are doing. It may provide inspiration, and at the very least will give you an idea of what the standards are for excellence in your particular industry (which can help you figure out what to expect of yourself).
    Set a time limit, refuse to use a certain tool, make yourself take a more difficult direction—often these obstacles lead to some pretty exciting results.

  3. wilfred imbukwa says

    June 19, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    I agree on your point about freelancers taking a break and exercising. I am a salsa dancer and salsa makes my brain to be creative. This creativity enables me to get ideas on what to write about on my blog.

    • Toshiba Burton says

      July 24, 2013 at 12:16 am

      @Wilfred, I’ll bet Salsa dancing works well especially when you want to get that extra boost going!

  4. Pawan says

    June 20, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    I’ve had tried doing freelance writing for some time. Your tips are really perfect. I’ve been following most of them in my early days of freelancing but the most critical one out of these is keeping a tight schedule.

  5. Pramod says

    June 20, 2013 at 9:06 pm

    Staying motivated as a freelance writer is very difficult as getting ideas for your writing can be difficult and due to some reasons you may not be satisfied .Hence , apart from seeking inspiration for other writers,these tips will surely hep a lot of guys who are in this stream .

    Regards,
    Pramod

  6. Joe Hart says

    June 27, 2013 at 11:39 am

    Hi John,
    Thanks for sharing this unique perspective on freelance writing.I think this will help me to stay motivated for a while.

    Joe

  7. Kyle says

    July 7, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    Yeah,very well done. These points will help a blogger to be productive and stay focussed in the work.

  8. Geek Hibrid says

    April 7, 2017 at 2:10 am

    Staying Motivated is one of the most difficult parts of this business. You definitely have to be a self-starter. But even then, with the internet around, no one should feel alone in the process. This is a good article for people to refer to.

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