Content Magician, Freelance web content writers

Rule With The Rod

I don’t rule my kids with the rod. I prefer the clothes hanger, works just the same and it’s everywhere! But that’s not the point of this post…the point is this.

My friend wrote this in an email a couple of weeks back…well, sort of.

“I find working from home so hard because I tend to listen to voices of doubt and the internal need to watch a little television, lay on the bed or read a couple of pages from my favorite book. I don’t think it’s possible for me to write from home because I just don’t have the discipline to do it”

Trust me, you’re talking to someone who is literally dried-up on the discipline front and let’s her impulsive nature rule her head. And if this person can practice discipline when it comes to her writing career, I don’t see why anyone else can’t.

I used to dance on table tops. There, beat that for impulsiveness.

If you can….here’s another one…I used to sleep under cars.

OK, I’m not going further than that.

Anyway, the point of this whole blog post is this…if you’re determined enough to be a freelance writer and have been looking for ways to earn money without leaving your home, you’ve GOT TO learn how to be more disciplined about your working hours. There are no two ways about it and there are definitely no shortcuts that I know of.

Being a freelance writer means that you have to be your own boss…a very tough but gentle and understanding boss, that is. Be nice to yourself and try to be the kind of freelance writer who knows his or her own boundaries in terms of work and personal life.

I know it’s hard but it’s very, very possible.

This is what happens when I feel like switching on the TV.

Self-talk: “OK, this is the deal. You finish this article off and then you write another page of that book and you’re free to go. But by 10.45am, I want your ass back in here, finishing up another page of that book before going off to fetch Son 2 back from school. Understand? Otherwise, there’ll be no TV for you for 2 whole days!”

I am mentally squirming and twisting my hands together, nodding at the same time.

This, my friends, is how to rule yourself with a rod when it comes to your freelance writing business.