How To Master Self-Scheduling As A Freelancer Or Remote Worker

Freelancing and remote work offer flexibility, creative freedom, and autonomy over projects, all of which can feel extremely empowering. Yet, as they say, with great power comes great responsibility. What’s often not discussed is how overwhelming this work can be without the right approach. 

Any successful remote employee or freelancer will tell you the key to efficiency is mastering self-scheduling. However, that’s easier said than done. Implementing the following strategies can help you thrive.

Our bodies function around a circadian rhythm, or internal clock, that influences energy levels. Your chronotype is your natural preference for the time of day in which you are most alert. For example, some of us are early birds who are more productive in the morning, while some of us are night owls who are more productive in the evening. 

Former sports agent and author of The Energy Clock, Molly Fletcher, said peak performance can be reached by aligning tasks with natural energy rhythms. However, a study by My Perfect Resume found that 94% of employees work outside their preferred hours, or against their chronotype.

This comes as no surprise as the traditional 9 to 5 schedule favors the early bird. Yet working in harmony with your chronotype results in more focused work. Limiting yourself to a schedule that goes against your energy flow because you think that’s what a workday should look like can lead to irritability, health issues, and difficulty concentrating. 

Science shows that humans thrive on habits and routines, as these provide stability, reduce anxiety, and allow the brain to automate tasks, exerting less mental effort and conserving cognitive energy.

To optimize your routine, utilize tried and tested time management techniques (find one that works for you here). In addition, keep these tips in mind:

• Have a dedicated workspace: Remote workers with a designated work area experience fewer distractions, achieve better focus, and experience better work-life balance. 
• Create “getting to work” rituals:  Establishing a specific ritual before each work day, such as a daily stretch after coffee, will send signals to your mind and body that it’s time to settle down and focus. 
• Write down your schedule: As per Timify, ideally, it should include: Non-negotiables (the “must do” tasks that keep your business running)Joyful activities (like yoga or journaling) Operational/long-term goals (such as taking a marketing class). 

Technology is your friend. Time-tracking and time-blocking apps can help manage your workload and automation apps can help you save time and reduce the risk of human error. Popular tools include: Asana, Wrike, and HubSpot. You can find additional resources here. 

Coach and podcaster Fiorella Lopez Lima suggests making a list of tasks that drain your energy and finding affordable tools, or using platforms like Fiverr and Upwork to streamline them. The investment in outsourcing pays off by increasing your productivity and freeing up time.

“You don’t have to do everything yourself,“ she said. “You’ll save time and stress by focusing on tasks that align with your strengths.”

Setting boundaries with both others and yourself is essential for preventing burnout. Saying yes to everything will inevitably stretch you too thin. A vital skill for success is learning to say “no” when necessary and prioritizing what matters. 

In his book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft,  Stephen King advises: “…put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down there to write, remind yourself why it isn’t in the middle of the room.”

This is a reminder that your work should be integrated into your life, but not dominate it. There must be a balance between work and the life that surrounds it and it’s up to you to maintain that balance. 

Mastering self-scheduling takes time and practice, but once you align your routines with your natural rhythms, leverage the right tools, and set clear boundaries, you’ll be better equipped in no time.