5 Military Tips to Be a More Efficient Freelancer: Guest Post from Michael Denton

You’ve done it! You’re finally a freelancer, in charge of your own projects and time! No boss to tell you what to do, no nasty colleagues, and more importantly, no more waking up at 6 a.m. each morning! It sounds like an ideal career move, right?

Well, once the initial excitement passes, you’ll learn that life as a freelancer comes with a lot more challenges than life as an employee. Besides having to deal with multiple clients and projects on your own, you have to adjust to a new work schedule and learn how to discipline yourself. Sadly, the battle with yourself will be one of the toughest you’ll ever have. But you don’t have to do it alone! There are tricks you can use and other freelancers you can ask for advice.

Right now I want to share my experience and how I managed to gather my strength with the help of a few military rules. Sounds odd, I know (military rules and freelancing?), but bear with me, and you will learn something useful.

#1: The Early Bird Gets the Worm

No, I’m not a morning person, but I am most creative in the first part of the day and, it has been proven that there are benefits to this habit. So, make a schedule for yourself and wake up at 7 a.m. every day. Also, make your bed as soon as you get up. This way, you won’t be tempted to crawl back under covers.

#2: You Need Discipline

When you say you want to do something, do it! Avoid procrastination as much as possible and organize your time by activities. I also recommend writing down a schedule and hanging it on your wall (it’s a lot easier to follow it this way).
The hardest part in disciplining yourself is the fact that there won’t be anyone yelling at you to do your job.

#3: Keep Fit and Exercise

Exercise is an important part of a healthy life, and it’s important to follow a daily routine. It may be difficult at first, but if you find an activity you like, it will be easier. I started with gym exercises, but my true passion is airsoft.

So, besides exercise, I also get to socialize, learn new tricks, and develop my tactical and organizational skills (very useful for a freelancer). If you feel like giving airsoft a shot, take a look on Goog Gun—they have weapon reviews and useful information for both beginner and experts.

#4: Follow Your Routine

In the military, everything has a routine—wake up, train, eat, train some more, and so on. While you may not like the word, it’s healthy to have a work routine. Once you get used to doing things a certain way, it’s easier to keep on track.

#5: Know How to Make Great Coffee

Yes, military men and women appreciate a good cup of coffee. But more importantly, they know how to make it regardless of the surrounding conditions. Coffee is important for both employees and freelancers, and you need your energy in the morning.

As you can see, being a freelancer is no picnic, but with a bit of determination and a few well-established rules it may work out for the best. So, don’t give up if the first obstacle seems too difficult. Do your best and get amazing results!

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